1 Odisseos Street, Karaiskaki Square, Athens, Greece | (888) 495-5461
Near train for convenient access to historic sites
Beautiful rooftop garden with a panoramic view of the city
Appealing and modern rooms have mini-fridges, flat-screen TVs, and safes
Upgrades include extra beds, separate bedrooms, and better views
Higher-category rooms offer welcome gifts, kettles, robes, and soundproofing
Ninth-floor garden includes a small pool and a good restaurant
Mediterranean buffet restaurant serving free breakfast
Small gym includes a sauna and massage rooms
Free Wi-Fi throughout the building
Bathrooms and some guest rooms are dated
On a busy city street with traffic noise all night
Neighborhood is lackluster and can feel sketchy after dark
The 389-room Stanley Hotel is within walking distance of a fresh fish and meat market and right next to a metro station for convenient access to historic sites. This mid-range property is clean and comfortable, with some upgrades to keep it fresh -- hallways and blocks of rooms, primarily -- but other areas still need an update. A variety of room options are available, all with mini-fridges and flat-screen TVs, but not all with kettles. A refreshing pool in the rooftop garden and two decent restaurants -- one serving a free breakfast buffet -- make this a suitable pick for business or sightseeing in Athens. For a hotel with more panache, check out A is for Athens, offering stylish rooms within walking distance of the Acropolis.
Scene
Casual hotel with modern rooms and hallways, but needs refreshing in other areas
This hotel appeals to all types of travelers for its convenient location and comfortable, relaxed atmosphere. Those in need of a quiet environment should be sure to request one of the 2017-updated, soundproofed rooms as it is a busy area, even at night. The tall white building with rows of windowed balconies fits perfectly in an area full of office buildings and other hotels. But at night, the building glows with colored lights on each balcony, setting it apart from the crowd. The street out front is busy, and while upper-floor rooms have a nice view of the city, those on lower floors look out on a tired city street. Though guests feel comfortable inside the hotel, the surrounding area is not a great spot to walk at night. A standout here is a roof terrace with a pool, ample restaurant seating, and panoramic views of the city.
Location
Close to train station for easy access to entertainment and iconic sites
Stanley Hotel is conveniently located in the center of Athens, Greece. All the conveniences of the city are nearby -- good restaurants, shops, and a metro station right next door. It is a 14-minute walk to the Athens Central Fish and Meat Market, a large indoor market with fresh food and restaurants. The location is convenient to many sites, especially as it's a nine-minute metro ride to Syntagma Square, from which the Acropolis, Parthenon, Temple of Zeus, and the National Gardens are within a seven-minute walk. Athens International Airport is a 35-minute drive from the hotel, or a 75-minute ride on the metro.
Rooms
2017-renovated rooms are modern and peaceful
Many room options are available, from standard, two-person rooms with a double bed, to two-bedroom suites with a king-size master and a second bedroom, each with a separate bathroom. In between, Family Rooms suit four people, and junior suites are spacious rooms for two with a large whirlpool bathtub. In peak tourist season, guests in Superior Rooms and suites have access to an exclusive lounge that provides its own breakfast buffet.
Some rooms were updated in 2017 with a lovely modern look, mostly in cool gray tones. The design and furniture choices are basic, but appealing for the price. All rooms have balconies -- some with a nice view of the city -- but they aren't furnished. All rooms have a 32-inch flat-screen TV, mini-fridge, safe, and iron. Upgraded rooms have higher-quality furnishings and linens, a few free drinks in the fridge, larger TVs, kettles with free tea and coffee, and robes and slippers. Some are soundproofed to keep out the city noise. Rooms that have not been renovated are dated, but still clean and adequate. Bathrooms were not included in the renovation, and show their age with dated color schemes and minor wear and tear. Most rooms have bathtubs with handheld showerheads. Hairdryers are provided and free toiletries include soap, shampoo, and shower gel.
Features
Two restaurants, a rooftop garden with a pool, a fitness room, and free Wi-Fi
The highlight of this hotel is the rooftop garden with its panoramic view of the city, including a peek at the Acropolis on a distant mountaintop. A small pool is open seasonally and has plenty of free loungers. The restaurant also serves drinks from the bar for poolside refreshment. The space is pleasant and well-tended, but in need of a refresh, which is planning to happen in 2018.
Two restaurants offer a choice in dining, plus there’s a tasty free breakfast buffet with a nice variety of choices. Ikaros Restaurant is a casual spot serving buffet-style Greek and Mediterranean dishes. Virtus is on the ninth-floor garden terrace and offers Mediterranean and international dishes, with some ingredients coming straight from the hotel’s organic garden.
A fitness center has a few machines for cardio and weight training, plus a sauna and space for massages. Two conference rooms and a business center are on-site. Wi-Fi is free throughout the building, with varying reports as to signal strength.