Herodion Hotel, Athens

Pros

• The rooftop restaurant has one of Athens' most remarkable views of the Acropolis, where the Parthenon feels so close that you can almost touch it.
• For those who want to actually get closer to the Parthenon, the hotel is just a few blocks away from the Acropolis and the Acropolis Museum.
• The outdoor Jacuzzis and exercise area under the Acropolis offer the chance to work out and/or relax in a setting unlike anything else.
• The staff is attentive and accommodating, as they go out of their way to make guests feel welcome and at home.

Cons

• Some standard rooms feel small and a bit cramped, so consider booking a larger room like a Junior Suite, which includes either an Acropolis or garden view.
• The style of the rooms is quite basic and doesn't feel that warm or personal, which is made up for in the hotel's bars and restaurants that all feature excellent design and aesthetic touches.
• Due to weather, the rooftop is closed in the off-season from the beginning of November until April.

Additional Notes from Olivia

As someone who has spent a lot of time exploring different viewpoints of the Acropolis all around Athens—from mountains, hills, rooftops, you name it—it says something that when I walked onto Herodion Hotel's rooftop, I actually gasped as I saw the Parthenon in full view, seemingly just feet away. The note I wrote about the Herodion rooftop was, "I can't deal, incredible." For those who value good views and proximity to history, it doesn't get much better than this.

Authenticity

While it may not be obvious based on its size and offerings, Herodion Hotel is actually a family-run operation that has been in business for four decades. The Herodion is centered around the Acropolis, which looms bright and large just a few blocks away and is visible from various points throughout the building: The rooftop, Jacuzzi, spa area, and several rooms all look upon the Parthenon as clearly as if you were standing right in front of it. 

Location

Herodion Hotel is located next to the Acropolis Museum and is just a block from the Aeropagitou, the pedestrian path under the Acropolis. Those who love to walk can promenade along the Aeropagitou from Plaka to Monastiraki. The pedestrian path is especially lively in the summer when lined with musicians and both locals and foreigners alike. But don't worry too much about the noise: The hotel windows are soundproof, and despite the tourist hub location, the surrounding neighborhood is quiet and calm.

Herodion Hotel is also very accessible for those looking to take public transportation. The Acropolis metro stop is a 5-minute walk, the Syggrou-Fix metro is 10 minutes away on foot, and Syntagma Square and Metro is a 15-minute walk. All of these metro stops can get you anywhere you need to go in the center and connect to the lines that will take you either to Piraeus Port or the airport.

Rooms & Bathrooms

Herodion Hotel has 90 rooms ranging from Standard Double rooms to larger suites. The standard rooms do feel a little bland stylistically. There aren't extra aesthetic flourishes here, but since many of the rooms feature clear views of the Acropolis, perhaps they don't really need them. For more space, you can book a Junior Suite, perfect for families or groups, as they can be divided into two rooms. The bathrooms feature roomy stand-up showers but no bathtubs. If you're in the mood for a nice soak, you can wind down in one of the two outdoor Jacuzzis.

Other Highlights

The common spaces of the hotel feature nice artistic details, such as modern sculptures throughout the lobby and ancient Greek artifacts like bowls and plates, which you can buy replicas of in the gift shop. The Atrium restaurant in the lobby is especially appealing, thanks to its glass roof that lets in natural light and its tree in the middle, all of which make you feel like you're in an organic space.

The lobby bar juxtaposes the restaurant with its more cozy approach. Couches surround the bar, a working fireplace features intricate Greek coat of arms paintings above it, and a library offers travelers the chance to hand off their vacation books and grab something new to read.