Plaka, Athens Centre Square, Hermes
by Nancy Snipper
Having been to Athens a dozen times, I’ve
become a pro at avoiding accommodation angst. I always book into one of these three terrific
hotels: Plaka, Athens Centre Square, and
Hermes. They’re on my hotel hit parade for reasons even Socrates would have
found difficult to dispute.
Location, location, location! Plaka
Hotel is about five minutes from Syntagma, Athens central hub where the airport
bus drops you off. Another plus: it’s only
a stroll away from Ermou Street, one of the swankiest shopping places in town. No cars clutter this commercially spun
pedestrian paradise sporting a plethora of popular upscale in-store products.
Plaka Hotel’s warmth and relaxed
ambiance reflects Dorina and George Stathopoulou’s easy-going professionalism. They own all three hotels, but work out of
Plaka. I happened to meet George when
passing by the open door to his office upon arriving. As it turned out, he had once studied at
Concordia University. He spent the next hour talking about Greece’s economic
woes, but not without regaling me with hilarious stories. I was so impressed
with his candidness and humour.
Nearby is Athens Center Square Hotel
(ACS). It’s only a five-minute walk from two of the capital’s most popular
hotspots: the buzzing market of Monasteraki and the Plaka district – the latter
spilling over in outdoor tavernas and restaurants buzzing with lively
conversation while souvlaki aromas waft from every corner.
ACS has a colourful fruit market
right outside its door. In fact, the
hotel’s entire exterior lower level presents a non-stop mural of fruit which
makes it fun to find the actual opening doors into the hotel. Look for the door
mat to enter, and once inside, let your eyes receive another pictorial feast:
the lobby’s walls have big bright paintings of fruit created celebrated artist,
Corrina O’Brien.
Each of ACS’s 54 rooms reflects the
bright colors in these paintings; mine was restful ochre. In fact, each of the 8
floors of the hotel has distinct colours:
blue, kiwi, red, yellow, and so on – all reflected in the neon colours
of ACS’ façade. This place has a vibrant
vibe, and the 2010 renovations totally mask the fact ACS dates back to the
1960s.
Fruit Market
If you want to be a step away from
Plaka area, then Hermes is the hotel for you.
Its sleek renovations and rooftop terrace are gleaming in beauty. What class!
Although lobbies differ in design,
the hotel trio comes with those vital must-haves: modern comfort, internet and
tasteful décor. No ostentatious eyesores or fancy extras that the big show-off
guys have and gouge you for. Big on
breakfasts, they spoil you with their international gourmet feast, but I always
indulge in the Greek yogurt over which I shamelessly pour heaping helpings of
heavenly honey.
What makes these hotels addictive to
the traveler is the marvelous communication, and it begins right at the
reception desk and continues up on the rooftop terrace where
the panoramic view of Athens is simply incredible. The capital is all lit up
far above the maddening crowd, and there you are watching it all like a god
from on high. By the way some rooms at ACS and Plaka have incomparable views of
the acropolis - Athens’ most iconic beacon beckoning you back into the golden
age of antiquity.
Recapping the reasons for my hit
hotel trio:
·
quiet yet superb location
downtown
·
lovely interiors
·
great views with rooftop
terrace
·
personal and professional service
·
all amenities with high tech
·
big breakfasts included
·
rooms delightfully priced
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