Alternative Options to Hotels
Many tourists, especially those travelling through Europe are finding alternative solutions to staying in expensive hotels. Some hotels in Athens are not even renovated and have a décor from the 1960’s, accompanied with toilets and showers that are ‘scary’ to say the least.
However, you mustn’t limit yourself just to hotels, as there are other options well-worth the Euros you may pay at a mediocre hotel. First of all, there are ‘Rooms for Rent’. These rooms are usually furnished with a small kitchenette, refrigerator, air-condition, television, etc. Some ‘Rooms for Rent’ places can bring in additional cots, so that a group of four or more may be accommodated without renting out an additional room, making the price even cheaper. However, most ‘Rooms for Rent’ places do not offer breakfast. This website: http://housing.justlanded.com/en/Greece/For-Rent_Rooms-in-Shared-Flats/Room-for-rent-for-A-day-up-to-6months and www.craigslist.com both have various options for rooms.
Another option to ponder before setting out to come to Greece is to do an ‘Exchange of Apartments and/of Houses’. I did this one year with a girl from Boston. We met via www.craigslist.com where exchanging has become quite easy. She wanted to come to Athens and tour Greece and I wanted to go back to Boston to visit my old neighbourhood. It worked out perfectly for six weeks! I went there early and stayed over two nights before her flight left, so we had a chance to talk and get to know each other. I gave her advice about places to visit, bus routes, etc. We even exchanged our cell phones! This was the perfect solution because we both saved hundreds of dollars!
If you are picky and wouldn’t want anyone staying in your private house, it’s perfectly understandable. You may try ‘Subletting a Vacation Rental’. This is another popular “cheaper” option with the euro being so strong. Many vacation rentals offer amenities that hotels usually do not offer, such as: internet connection, kitchen appliances and utensils, air-conditioning in each room, etc. It is definitely worth looking into, depending, of course, on the length of your stay.
Hostels are an option and a cheap solution for many tourists, especially the younger crowds. It’s also a nice place to meet people from different countries and converse about travels. To find hostels in Athens, please visit: http://www.hostels.com/en/gr.at.html?source=hostelscomeuro
Hilton Class?
Friends recently stayed in the Hilton hotel and their stay was very mediocre, to say it moderately. They had a great view of the Acropolis and city from their bed and little balcony. Due to the summer heat and humidity, they spent more time in their room than usual. The bed was comfortable and the bathroom was spacious with a separate tub and shower. However, the rain shower was not enjoyable due to needing a great deal of water pressure to activate it, causing it to be less relaxing than the regular shower head. There were also problems with temperature regulation in the shower, scalding then cold...I wonder why this problem persists in most Greek households and hotels!?! The water goes every where and all towels were used for each shower to stop the water from a very modest shower, flowing into the bedroom. The timber was showing signs that the bathroom drainage problems were not unique. The air conditioning was welcome but on the whole the decor and service in this Hilton is very ordinary.
The rooms have been renovated with timber floors and modern decor. However, they are not high quality finishes and the bathroom was downright ‘grubby', regardless of it being spacious. Soundproofing between rooms is also below standard and so they have a very detailed knowledge of the habits, interests and conversation of the people in the room next to their's as every word and activity could be heard.
The food is also very substandard and boring. Although there is a so-called Greek restaurant - the Greek food in Sydney was far better and more authentic, in their opnion. It had also been a long time since they had encountered such rude, misinformed and unhelpful staff. A request for a cup of tea at the end of a meal was greeted with incredulity and not a bit of contempt in the main restaurant. Also, if you are not fond of cigarette smoke and cigars beware as smoking was very much the norm in the foyer during their visit.
On the up side they do allow dogs. And the bar on the roof, was simply ‘fab'. It is really worth a visit to watch the sun set over the Acropolis and savour the sounds, smells and atmosphere of Athens. The bar has great outside terraces and in summer it is just lovely. The bar seems to be a bit of a hot spot and by about 8.00 p.m. is filled with young things, big drinkers and loud music.
However, the hotel is without character to recommend or forgive it. Their advice is to stop by for a late afternoon drink but stay somewhere with more comfort and a sensible approach to service in the shadow of the Acropolis.
Athens Gate Hotel
Some friends of mine who were here in Athens visiting last week stayed at The Athens Gate Hotel. They told me that the hotel was very clean, modern and simple. Their room was very nice and quiet, with a beautiful bathroom, closet, and safe. Some rooms face the Temple of Olympian Zeus but those are on a busy road. The two top floors in the back have a view of the Parthenon (Acropolis area). Their room faced an alley and another building, which many people prefer due to less noise. There is an excellent view, on the rooftop with a bar for a drink, or breakfast. The rooftop has great views of the Acropolis and the Temple of Olympian Zeus.
The location of the hotel is the best part because it is about 100m down from the pedestrian walk-way that goes around the Acropolis. It's just a few minutes walk to get to the train, the Acropolis, the Plaka, so the location is ideal for those wanting to be in the center. The hotel was fully renovated a year ago and has 7 floors with 99 rooms, an a la carte restaurant, a bar-cafeteria in the lobby area, a roof garden bar and a cozy area with fireplace in the lobby. All rooms are equipped with a 27" TV, a mini bar, a small safe, a hair dryer, direct dial phones, individual temperature control, high speed G6 internet connectivity, but no wireless internet yet. Some rooms offer bath tubs and others only a shower. The junior suite offers a Jacuzzi bath tub and shower.
The hotel staff was very friendly and helpful, and the breakfast had the largest spread that they had seen in Greece. They highly recommend the hotel. The contact information is: sales@athensgate.gr, reservations@athensgate.gr, Tel. (30) 210 9238302-3 or Fax (30) 210 9237493. The address is: 10 Syngrou Ave. 11742 Athens.