Athens is my favourite foreign city, after Paris, but it wasn’t love at first sight. My first nights in Athens were spent in a worn out hotel in a dodgy part of town. It looked okay by day but was seriously sketchy at night. Starting and ending every day feeling a little vulnerable around the hotel didn’t do much for my impression of the city. Luckily, after my Greek Island cruise I came back to Athens for one night before heading back to Australia.
This night made all the difference. In fact, this hotel made all the difference. It’s in a great spot and it doesn’t hurt that it was also the most modern hotel of my entire trip. I was already enamoured by Athens’ biggest drawcards, the Acropolis, Acropolis museum and the Plaka area, but it was in these last 24 hours that I spent wandering the city that I fell in love with Athens.
The right accommodation can make or break your relationship with a city. How you feel when you step out the door every day tints your perspective, particularly when you’re finished with the big tourist sights and are just wandering around.
Hotel Hermes: An affordable boutique hotel in Athens
Don’t be scared off by the name, Hotel Hermes is a modern boutique hotel in Athens, without the designer price tag. The boutique hotel has just 45 rooms and is located a short stroll from the Monastiraki Square, which is home to the fabulous Athens flea markets.
The Room
B&Bs are charming, but sometimes you just want to collapse in a spacious, modern hotel room, thick starchy sheets and all. Our room was filled with natural light, spacious and very clean and modern – the perfect accommodation to end a long trip in. The marble bathrooms were also beautiful, spacious by Europe’s standards, and the nicest of the trip. Exactly what I needed before 24 hours in transit to get back to Australia!
Location
I stayed in Athens twice, either side of a cruise through the Greek Islands. My first impression of Athens was not a great one, and a lot of it was because the first hotel we stayed in was in a really run down area. Hotel Hermes is in the Plaka area, which was one of the nicest parts of Athens that I saw. It’s close to shops, restaurants and Monastiraki Square. Staying in this neighbourhood gave me a totally different experience of Athens, and made all the difference!
Price
Hotel Hermes rates start at 60-80 Euros per night for the Economy Double or Twin Room. I stayed in one of these rooms, and it was the nicest hotel room of our trip!
Verdict
Athens is one of my favourite cities and I am definitely returning in the near future to spend longer in the city. I will definitely stay at Hotel Hermes next time I’m in town!
Have you been to Athens? Where have you stayed?
Hello! I’m an Australian travel blogger, living in Melbourne, Australia. I grew up in Brisbane, studied in Paris, lived & worked in New York City and now live in Melbourne, Australia.
I love sharing specific and useful recommendations, itineraries and guides for the most beautiful things to see, do, experience & eat wherever I go.
My favourite travel destinations are Australia, New York City & surrounds, France, Greece & Japan, but I’m always excited to explore somewhere new!
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Yes, I have been to Athens! I went at around the same time as Santorini. Didn’t really enjoyed the stay, because the weather was overcast. But I still admired the ruins and architecture, so the trip wasn’t a huge disappointment. Apologies, but Paris is my favorite city over Athens. 😛
But Hotel Hermes looks absolutely stunning! You’re lucky to have stay in such a lovely hotel. 🙂
Overcast weather can be such a downer! It was a great spot to stay, can’t recommend it highly enough!