hotel in Athens

[dreamliner]

We will be getting off the Mariner in Athens this summer and I am looking into a hotel for one night....am looking at either the Electra Palace Hotel or the Royal Olympic Hotel. Anyone know of these? Any other suggestions? Help!:confused:

[harbormaster]

We stayed at the Electra Palace Hotel in May two years ago. We loved it! The location cannot be beat, it is a smaller boutique type hotel and the staff was lovely. They serve a fantastic breakfast in the morning. We had a room with a large terrace facing the Acropolis, and it was wonderful to sit out with a drink and view the lights from the hill and over Athens. I recommend getting one of those rooms to really enhance your stay - they were spacious and quiet. You are in the Plaka at the this hotel, so it's easy to walk out and shop, find restaurants and just enjoy this beautiful city. Have a wonderful trip!

[gdlamberth]

Also a small boutique hotel with a wonderful breakfast in the Plaka is the Ava. We loved it. Also has larger rooms that can bed three separately and comfortably (was an issue for us). Great Staff I thought also.

[vandco]

We've stayed at the Electra Palace and just loved it. Plan to stay there again this cruise!

[grapejuice]

Have not stayed at Electra Palace or Hotel Olympic, but as previously mentioned we also stayed at the AVA in the plaka, and I agree totally.
It is a divine boutique hotel right in the plaka underneath the Acropolis.
The only complaint that I have with a lot of the Athens hotels/ B&B / is that many do not have swimming pools, so if you have children and are in Athens in the summer I would definitely investigate accomodation that has a pool.

[Paint Horse]

Wherever you stay consider the location in the city. We stayed at the Grand Bretagne. This is a very nice hotel in a great location. However, lately I have noticed that several of the photographs of protests in Athens have shown the balcony of the room we stayed in.

[petlover]

We will be staying at Grand Bretagne in October. It has come highly recommended by some who have stayed there. We were able to use a combination Starwood points & cash so it worked out very sweet!

[Paint Horse]

You will like it there. Very much an old world hotel.

The location is great. The subway station is right across the street at the main plaza. Many of the interesting parts of the city are within easy walking distance.

Breakfast at the rooftop restaurant provides a nice view of the city. Our room was on the front side facing the plaza. As you stand there the Acropolis is to the right and the Parliament building to the left. The Acropolis is very pretty from there as the sun goes down.

[dreamliner]

Thank you all for your suggestions. I was leaning towards Grand Bretagne( expensive) or the King George when I saw the riots at Athens by the Paliament House which is right across the street from these hotels. Maybe now the Electra Palace? Any suggestions? Anyone in Athens lately??

[Paint Horse]

Don't give up on either of those. Both hotels are in such a great location. They will not riot forever.

[Travelcat2]

Thank you all for your suggestions. I was leaning towards Grand Bretagne( expensive) or the King George when I saw the riots at Athens by the Paliament House which is right across the street from these hotels. Maybe now the Electra Palace? Any suggestions? Anyone in Athens lately??

Just watched a video of the riots in Athens (May 8th). They did take place by the Grand Bretagne Hotel. However, according to TripAdvisor, riots do not happen after school lets out. Although you didn't mention what month your cruise is, August is the month when most people in Athens vacation and leave the city. Don't know how reliable the TripAdvisor reports are.

[dreamliner]

Will be in Athens June 21 after disembarking from the Mariner....does anyone have a tour company to suggest for just a Athen's city tour and visiting the Acropolis??

[Odile]

We will be in Athens May 21-23, after disembarking from the Mariner as well, so when we return I may be able to offer some recent insight or suggestions. We've made reservations for the Athens Diamond Hotel, which is apparently brand spanking new for May 2010. So it will most likely either turn out to be fabulous, or quirky. We're young travelers with a sense of adventure, so one way or another we will have a good time!

[linda_22003]

Wherever you stay consider the location in the city. We stayed at the Grand Bretagne. This is a very nice hotel in a great location. However, lately I have noticed that several of the photographs of protests in Athens have shown the balcony of the room we stayed in.

I was wondering about that - thought I recognized the building in some of the news stories. We'll be there in September! :)

[dreamliner]

Odile,
I would appreciate any feedback re the Athens Diamond Hotel and also any comments re the Mariner. I have been on the Voyager and this will be first time on the Mariner...thanks

[Travelcat2]

Odile,
I would appreciate any feedback re the Athens Diamond Hotel and also any comments re the Mariner. I have been on the Voyager and this will be first time on the Mariner...thanks

The Mariner has larger open spaces than the Voyager (probably because the ships are the same size, but, the Mariner has smaller suites). Stars Lounge is very large and was used for the Mariners Club during the summer. The rest of the time it is a smoking area (with smoke wafting out into the hallways). I understand that it is used as a nightclub in the evening.

The Coffee Connection area is 2-3 times larger than on the Voyager. However, the layout does not work for me as it adjoins the library and computer room. The coffee area isn't meant to be a quiet zone. . . . so, the noise can be irritating when you are trying to think on the computer or read in the library.

There are two separate hallways on the Mariner. So, instead of having another suite across the hall from you, there is a wall. Not exactly sure what is behind it -- lots of employees going in and out of doors.

Keep in mind that I am a Voyager lover. The Mariner is gorgeous -- you'll love sailing on her. However, she just isn't the Voyager.

[dreamliner]

Yes, I too am a Voyager lover....I'm sure Mariner will be nice...thank you for your info, Travelcat

[sho]

I stayed in Grand Bretagne last year -- it was a beautiful hotel with style and character. In fact I have been planning to return there for my pre-cruise stay this autumn. However the recent demontrations (with fatalities) in Athens is a major concern. News reported that some protestors vandalised Grand Bretange with hammers and sprays. Though the hotel is centrally located at Syntagma Square, it is also in an area right next to the parliament where protests often take place. I am now thinking of staying somewhere near the Acropolis to avoid the gathering crowd.

[Travelcat2]

Unfortunately, things are looking worse rather than better in Athens. I read on another thread that some flights were diverted to other airports. For those of you who booked a pre-cruise stay through Regent, they will no doubt let you know prior to your cruise if changes are necessary in Athens. No matter how wonderful a hotel is, it can't be worth putting yourself in harms way.

[dreamliner]

I am too going to stay in a hotel near the Acropolis...Sho have you looked into anything...has anyone stayed at the Royal Olympic???