Originally Posted by
whimsey21
As I said in my review from a little over a year ago, the area around the hotel was extremely run down. We had a view of the park from our room, and there were definitely quite a few people sleeping there at night. We walked around the area at night a few times and the streets along the park and behind the hotel were deserted, with a few solitary guys hanging around here or there- I did find it a bit uncomfortable (and I'm quite used to walking around European cities late at night). That said, I didn't notice any prostitutes or druggies, and the walk to/from the metro station was fine.
Same when I visited Dec 2015. During daylight ok, but in winter got dark at 5pmish so, it does feel a bit uncomfortable due to rundown park, no street lights, graffiti, etc. I walked to hotel from Syntagma. Prostitutes hang out closer to that area than hotel.
Hotel is not run down, just very outdated, or more like "classic" style. Marble, Chrome and gold trim, floral patterns, etc.
But one exceptional thing, I was assigned the best room in hotel. The one on the website cover. Top floor, corner, balcony with outdoor furniture, Parthenon view. Fantastic, except for pigeons.
Breakfast was good, just that it was packed with tour groups.
Other days stayed at crowne plaza and hilton. Much better location although not as nice Parthenon view. Hilton had great lounge. Crowne Plaza I was told I had to pay up to use lounge, although room was spacious and also had a small outside terrace. Would recommend Hilton.