Amalia Hotel Athens, Athens

Pros

• You'll find yourself in a prime location opposite Syntagma Square, overlooking the National Gardens and within walking distance from most of Athens' landmarks.
• The rooftop restaurant and terrace feature panoramic views over the Acropolis and Mount Lycabettus. 
• Rooms are air-conditioned and soundproofed, with Deluxe options featuring furnished balconies and city views.
• You can start the day with a complimentary breakfast buffet that includes Greek classics alongside American-style dishes.

Cons

• Standard rooms are quite small; you might want to upgrade to the Deluxe upper-story rooms for more space and light plus a balcony.
• There's not much in the way of on-site amenities beyond a small 24-hour fitness room.

Authenticity

Part of Greece's oldest national hotel chain, the Amalia Hotel Athens's enviably central location keeps it in high demand for business and leisure travelers. There's not much local color to be found in the 1960s building and its simple, modern interiors—rooms have standard business-style hotel decor—but the convenient location, a generous complimentary breakfast buffet filled with Greek-themed offerings, and a stylish rooftop restaurant and terrace with dazzling Acropolis views make this a solid city center choice.

Location

The hotel has a central location on a busy thoroughfare overlooking the 38-acre (15 ha) National Gardens. Syntagma Square is just one block north, and you can reach the cobblestone alleys of Plaka in under 10 minutes and the Acropolis in under 20. Excellent public transport links are on your doorstep at Syntagma, where you can catch the metro to the airport in under 40 minutes, but this isn't a great spot for travelers with a car: there's no parking on-site, and paid lots in this part of town tend to be crowded and expensive. 

Rooms & Bathrooms

The hotel has just under 100 rooms and suites, all furnished in a simple, modern style with a palette of neutral earth tones. Classic and Superior options are on the small side, with views facing the street or an inner courtyard, while the brighter, larger Deluxe rooms add furnished balconies, floor-to-ceiling windows, and views over National Gardens, Greek Parliament, and Mount Lycabettus. Bathrooms are modern and well-equipped, with either shower cubicles or bathtubs. The Executive Suite on the sixth floor provides expansive views and a separate living area, and rooms on all floors are accessed via elevator.

Amenities

The rooftop Whispers restaurant is the hotel's standout feature, serving modern Mediterranean fare and cocktails from a glass-wrapped dining room and terrace with views over the Acropolis and Mount Lycabettus. A complimentary breakfast buffet is served in the hotel's secondary Mezzanine space, where you'll find both American-style dishes and a selection of traditional Greek treats, like halva, tsoureki, and rice pudding. The ground-floor lounge offers light bites and drinks throughout the day under a cozy star-like ceiling, and nearby there's a small 24-hour fitness room.

Family-Friendliness

Families with children are welcome at Amalia Hotel Athens. The hotel offers interconnecting room options as well as cribs and foldout beds, and children over the age of seven are charged as adults. The central location next to the National Garden is particularly handy for families, offering large green spaces for children to play.