AVA Boutique Hotel, Athens

Pros

• The rooms vary in size but even the smallest are quite spacious. All of the rooms follow the layout of a suite with a separate room and living room, which offers privacy.
• The location between the Acropolis and Hadrian’s Arch and the Temple of Zeus can’t be beat, as you’re nestled between two major archaeological sites but without the intense foot traffic that marks other areas nearby.
• The hotel staff is responsive and accommodating and some members of reception speak other languages such as French.

Cons

• While the black marble of the lobby feels a bit dark in contrast to the Greek light, the brightness of the hotel does open up once you get up into the rooms.
• The hotel has a bar in the lobby but there’s not a full restaurant here, so it’s less appropriate for travelers looking for an all-inclusive experience. It's better for autonomous travelers or those who are okay with just a room service option.

Authenticity

You can’t get much more authentically Greek than the location of the AVA Boutique Hotel. Step out onto the balcony, turn to the left, and look upon Hadrian’s Arch and the Temple of Zeus. Turn your head to the right and there’s the underside of the Acropolis. Those seeking a clear view of the Parthenon temple may not get it here, but can get that within five minutes walking to the South Slope of the Acropolis.

Location

The AVA Boutique Hotel is located on a side street just off the busy Sygrou Avenue but luckily, doesn’t carry any of the noise of that heavily trafficked street. The South Slope of the Acropolis and the Acropolis Museum are both five minutes away, as is the beginning of Areopagitou, the pedestrian path that winds around the Acropolis from Plaka to Monastiraki.

Monastiraki Square itself is just over 10 minutes away by foot, as is Syntagma Square. Those wanting to feel a bit of nature can be in the National Garden in about five minutes. Location-wise, the AVA Boutique Hotel puts you in the heart of Athens’ tourist sites but the street its on is quiet and peaceful enough that you don’t feel overwhelmed by the crowds.

Rooms & Bathrooms

The 16 rooms of the AVA Boutique Hotel vary in size, with the smallest standard rooms coming in at 376 square feet (35 sqm) and the largest at 592 square feet (55 sqm). It’s not every day to find so much space in a hotel in the middle of Athens, so these rooms are great for those looking for extra space. The Executive Suite rooms feature two twin beds pushed together with a king sized mattress on top, while the AVA Exclusive Suites include a smaller queen sized bed but have a larger balcony.

The rooms are more like apartments with their layout of a bedroom, separate living room, and full kitchen for guests who want to cook at home. This makes these great for families, as there’s the option to close the door to separate the bedroom and living room and allow for some privacy.

If you’re looking for something a little different, the top floor attic has recently been turned into a smaller basic studio called the Ava Loft Studio (270 square feet or 25 sqm) that does not have a full kitchen like other rooms. However, it has the benefit of not just a balcony, but the entire roof of the building for those guests to relax under the gentle gaze of Athena and the Acropolis.