I stayed at the Ilissos Hotel for three days in August. It's a nice, relatively small hotel just south of the city center and the Acropolis. I would consider it a very good three star hotel. The rooms themselves were a bit on the small side but not unusual by European standards. The beds were comfortable and extra long and most of the furnishings were new and the bathroom was spotlessly clean. There was a mini bar, a strong AC, and wireless internet access in the rooms (accessible by purchasing a prepaid card at the reception desk). Room service was also available. The hotel once had a roof garden, but it did not seem to be operating when I was there, which was a shame as there is an excellent view towards the Acropolis from the roof. The view from the rooms itself is nothing spectacular: just apartment buildings for the most part. The staff was courteous and the buffet breakfast had lots of choices in a clean, quiet dining area. I did find the internet access to be on the pricey side (5 Euro/hour or 10 Euro for three hours). Overall there isn't anything really spectacular about the hotel, but it is quiet and clean and the location is not too bad. I'm familiar with Athens and did not mind the slightly off-center location of the hotel, but if you are looking for something that is right in the middle of everything, the Ilissos won't be for you, as it is a bit of a walk to the metro station and a 10 minute cab ride to Syndagma and Omonia squares.

I usually book my own accomodations, but took a chance with a travel agent this time due to the necessity of making sure our hotel would be near the Intercontinental Hotel where my family was staying. I would have gotten a better deal if I booked a hotel on my own for Athens, but again, specific location was very important and I had never been to Athens before. We paid $475 for 3 nights at this hotel. We had also stayed in Paris and London earlier on this trip and both of those hotels, which I booked on my own using Trip Advisor info, were better for the same or lower price. The Ilissos is oriented toward the business crowd. It was clean and the beds were comfortable. There was also nice breakfast buffet provided every morning until 10:30am. However, we were annoyed to discover that you have to stick your key card in a slot on the wall to turn on the electricity, so when you get back to your room from a hot day out sightseeing, your room is hot and it takes a while for the A/C to cool it off. The shower was tempermental as far as temperature, you have to constantly readjust it and may get either scalded or shocked by cold or both in the process. It is also poorly designed as the shower head comes out of the wall in the middle of the tub (as opposed to one of the ends as in most shower/tub arrangements you see). Also, annoying was that when I requested to borrow an adapter for the outlet, they do not lend them out, but they will sell one to you for 26 euro! Both hotels in Paris and London that I stayed in provided free adapters. Also, no free internet access at this hotel. The staff were professional, but not very friendly. However, we visited 9 countries during this trip to Europe and found that overall, the Athenians seemed to be the least friendly of all. In case you're wondering, the Parisians were (surprisingly, as we had heard differently) the most friendly and helpful. Anyway, back to my review, the front desk staff could not give us very good advice on how much a taxi would cost to the airport (one said 25-35 euro and another said 35-40 euro). It ended up costing us 30 euro (although the meter said 20, not sure how that adds up)! Also, the location is rather lacking as it is surrounded by roads that you have to cross in order to get anywhere and the traffic drives fast and without concern for pedestrians. There are also not really any crosswalks in the immediate area around the hotel that I can remember. My husband and I are young and in good shape, so we did not have too much trouble dodging cars, but older or less athletic people might want to stay somewhere else! There are several strip clubs in the vicinity of this hotel also, but the neighborhood seemed pretty safe and we were even walking around late at night and felt relatively safe for a big city. There is a tram station about 3 blocks away (you have to cross the major 4-lane Syntagma Rd. to get to it, but there is an underground pedestrian bridge for this, thankfully!) The Metro station is about a 10-minute walk down the road on the same side of the street also. On the tram or the metro you have quick access to Syntagma square, Acropolis, Plaka district, Ministiraki (sp?) market, and also to the Piraeus port (if you want to go on a boat tour) or the beaches. Overall, the Ilissos is an okay hotel, but you can probably get a better deal and location somewhere else.

Ci siamo fermati in questo hotel come prima sosta del nostro tour delle isole greche ed è stato fantastico. All'inizio c'è stata un po' di confusione con i letti singoli / matrimoniale ma è stato risolto tutto immediatamente. I panorami di Atene dal balcone erano stupendi. Il personale era molto cordiale e disponibile. Consiglio questo hotel a chiunque. È stato un fantastico inizio per una meravigliosa vacanza. Non vedo l'ora di ritornarci!

This was our first stop on our island hopping trip round the Greek Islands and it was great. A little mix up with twin / double beds but it was sorted out sraight away. Great views from the balcony across Athens. The saff were very friendly and helpful. Would recommend it to anyone. Great start to a wonderful holiday. Can't wait to return!

Esta fue nuestra primera parada en nuestro viaje por las islas griegas, y fue genial. Hubo una pequeña confusión con camas dobles e individuales, pero se arregló enseguida. Unas vistas geniales desde el balcón de toda Atenas. El personal era muy amable y servicial. Se lo recomendaría a cualquiera. Es un gran comienzo para unas vacaciones maravillosas. ¡No puedo esperar a volver!