Art Gallery Hotel

If you're looking for charm, comfort and a sense of history, this boutique hotel nails it. It lies in the vibrant Koukaki - Acropolis neighborhood, where, within steps of this hotel are a variety of lovely restaurants, shops, mini-markets, pharmacies, and a little kiosk where you can buy bottles of water and other convenience store items. (Our very favourite restaurant haunt of the many places we loved was Tzatzos bakery/restaurant which has a separate review). You're basking in authentic Greek hospitality the second you walk through the lobby doors, with the scent of fresh lilies from the large vase of them that sits at reception. This is not an institutional hotel feel but a retro, intimate, almost family-like sense of welcome. We really appreciated the oil paintings that the "Art Gallery Hotel" was named after. (These are the owner's beloved aunt's paintings, whose impressionistic style also expresses a deep love of Greece's beauty, especially its iconic proximity to water.) To see original oils throughout the hotel hallways and inside the rooms themselves was a delight that truly offered a home-like feel to trusted guests. Each room has its own air conditioner (with remote control). which we were very grateful for during the sweltering August heat and humidity. The street view from room 24 and our beautiful balcony over the hotel sign where we could drink in the sights and sounds of authentic Athenian life, offered us vistas of neighboring rooftop gardens and balconies of nearby buildings that each reflected their resident's sense of style. This gem of a hotel, nestled in a picturesque, quiet and safe neighborhood, was a 10-minute walk to the Acropolis Museum and Acropolis entrance, a 13-minute walk to Plaka and an unbelievably gorgeous 10-minute (uphill) walk to Mars Hill (also known as Areopagus, is a rocky hill in Athens, Greece, located next to the Acropolis, famous for its historical and religious significance, particularly as the site where the Apostle Paul delivered his sermon on the "Unknown God"). Areopagus is nothing less than an Athens treasure offering breathtaking views of all of Athens, especially at sunset (and at no charge) and is on the way to another 8-minute walk to Monastiraki and the Ancient Agora. (Keep in mind that walking amidst most of these places can be challenging for some, but if you are mobile and can take the journey slowly if need be, it's certainly doable.) The hotel's fourth floor has a large room filled with antiques and a beautiful piano, more gorgeous paintings, and is very comfortable for sitting any time of day you feel you'd like to enjoy another part of the hotel. In addition, and not to be missed, is the outdoor patio that houses about 5 or 6 tables for four, where you can see the Parthenon - day and night. It's spectacular!! This patio is also a lovely place to enjoy the hotel breakfast that is served as a buffet for 9 Euro a person, including coffee (but make sure to tell them the night before if you'd like breakfast). Everything about this hotel blessed and beautiful. Again, if you're looking for a hotel-chain kind of experience, this isn't it. But if you want to immerse in the sweetness of true Greek culture, living, and a sense of history, this place delivers in spades. Whenever we make it back to Athens we will definitely stay there again! What a gem in the crown of the Acropolis environs. OF NOTE: The elevator is small (but it's incredibly cool) so only one person and luggage can ride at a time. OR it will fit two people without luggage. That a building of this era has an elevator at all is truly a marvel and the elevator's size was perfectly fine with us. We actually really enjoyed riding it as it's nothing like we'd ever seen.