Fresh Hotel
2 Kleisthenous St, Athens, Greece, 10552
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#17 of 25
expert-rated hotels in Athens- Recommended for:
- Couples, Seasoned travellers, Nightlife, Trendiness
Expert review of Fresh Hotel
Boutique on a budget - a splash of modern style in the historic centre.
With its colourful plexiglass façade, this hip hotel stands out from its shabby surroundings. This is where I sent all my friends during the Athens 2004 Olympics, when the hotel had just opened. Since then, the up-and-coming area has gone downhill, but this funky hotel with a cool little rooftop pool is still a breath of fresh air in downtown Athens.
Location:
Although just a couple of blocks from the Town Hall and Stock Exchange, the location is edgy - and dodgy after dark. Nigerian hookers cruise the less salubrious hotels nearby, while bemused Bangladeshi immigrants sidestep the junkies who have colonised the area. It’s close to the buzzing bars around Monastiraki and walking distance from Plaka and the Parthenon.
Bedrooms:
The look is clean and serene. All-white bedrooms with flashes of pink, orange and green are peppered with distinctive pieces by Kartell, Urquiola, Starck, and Artemide. Standard rooms are smallish, but have welcome treats like Korres amenities, great pillows, and free WiFi. Views are better from the top floors. The Parthenon pokes out between the tower blocks from the six executive suites, which have tiny terraces with tropical plants. There are connecting rooms for families, although I wouldn’t recommend this area to people travelling with kids.
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Public areas:
The neon-lit lobby is strangely unwelcoming. The rooftop bar and tiny swimming pool are much more appealing, and throng with locals in high summer.
Eating and drinking:
Breakfast is served in the perky Magenta Restaurant. As well as “an on-the-spot orange squishing machine”, they do great scrambled eggs with smoked salmon and lots of low-fat options. The alfresco Air Lounge bar and restaurant serves extortionate cocktails and Mediterranean food – instead, I’d go to Kuzina on Adrianou Street for even better views and food at half the price.
Leisure facilities:
Sun loungers and sofas surround the rooftop pool on the ninth floor, from which you can survey the city’s major landmarks among the tangle of TV aerials. There’s a decent gym, with a sauna and steam room, plus underground parking.
Service:
A mix of seasoned pros and bright young things. Service is a bit haphazard, but friendly and well meaning.
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Who stays there:
Seasoned Grecophiles, gay couples, and adventurous tourists with an eye for design.
Price advice:
Cots are provided free of charge as is WiFI
Pros:
Great value for money
Cool contemporary style
Bustling markets and buzzing bars nearby
Cons:
Depressing, crime-infested location
Service can be erratic
Rooms on the lower floors can be noisy
More information on Fresh Hotel:
- Price from:
- Type:
- Hotel
- Address:
- 2 Kleisthenous St, Athens, Greece, 10552
- Free tags / Keywords:
- roof terrace, Downtown, Design
- Amenities:
- Business Centre, Fitness Centre, High-Speed Internet, Parking, Pets Allowed, Restaurant, Room Service, Swimming Pool
- Neighbourhood:
- Omonia
