Great location: 2 blocks from the Syntagma station, 5 blocks from Monastiraky and Plaka. Staff was helpfull, multilingual, (they even speak Spanish), and pleasant. Rooms are clean and updated. Bathrooms are big for european standars. Try to find something like this in Paris with the same reasonable price. Even breakfast is included in the price of the room. Terrace is underutilized because is cramped with chairs and tables, but we did use it at night for drinks and smoking. Sunset and the view of the Acropolis are a treat from the terrace.

My husband and I spent 3 nts at the Arethusa Hotel and found it to be quite adequate for our needs. The reception staff were very friendly and helpful and the location of the hotel was really good, situated by Syntagma Square. We arrived by bus from the airport late at night and were dropped off just across the square where the buses and taxis are in abundance. Just a short, non threatening walk to the hotel. Our room (502) was ok and the bathroom was very small but clean. Unfortunately our view was an office block which looked into our room so we had to dress quickly!! The breakfast was continental style, fried eggs on 2 occasions. Really, we didn't spend too much time in our room as we were out sightseeing most of the day. The Acropolis is about a 15 mins walk away and the Plaka district is nearby and we never felt any of the threats that we had read about. So, overall, a decent hotel for the money and we would choose it again should we return to Athens.

Stayed at the Arethusa for two nights, first one when arriving in Greece, then travelled on and came back for a night before flying back home. The first night, the room was on the first floor and not very nice. Very small, the bathroom and the shower were not very nice either. The bed was okay and the TV had a German channel as well as CNN apart from all the Greek stations so that was okay too. The A/C did not work at first, it was incredibly hot in the room so I had to go downstairs to reception and when told what to do, the thing started working, but it was a bit noisy so I turned it off in the middle of the night. I did mention to the guy on reception that upon my return a week later I wanted a nicer room. Which I actually got when I came back, this room was on the fourth floor and much nicer. It was bigger, the bathroom was bigger too and I felt much more comfortable in there. Also the A/C was working when I came into the room so it was nice and cool. I was in a room not facing the road so it was actually quite peaceful and quiet. Breakfast was okay, the Greek dont really go for breakfast but they did offer serials, different types of bread and rolls, fresh water melon and tinned pineapple chunks, you could make yourself some toast and coffee and even tea. Everyone spoke really good English and I could leave my luggage there when checking out and collect it later when going to the airport. There is a roof terrace but it is closed in the evening and during daytime you can just sit there and admire the view but they dont have a restaurant up there so you cant have a drink or coffee. The hotel is situated briliantly just off Syntagma Place where there is a Metro station as well as many bus stops so it is really very central. Also there is a taxi rank nearby so it is no problem to get a taxi which is sometimes a real problem in Athens. All in all I would recommd the place. It is a hotel in Greece where standards just cannot be compared to say London or New York. It is a bit different so you have to take this into account. I would stay there again, I felt safe and secure, staff was nice and it was very central. And for the price I paid you really cannot expect more.

Fuimos a Atenas para Mayo 2007, tenemos que decir que la ubicacion del hotel es excelente, pero no te lo pueden vender como un 3 estrellas ya que las instalaciones dejan mucho que desear, sobre todo el sanitario. Con respecto a el idioma no hablan espanol, pero entienden algo de ingles.-

This hotel is functional and is fine but it is not the Plaza. Don't expect too much. No Internet service but there is a Starbucks down the road (you much purchase an access card from the barista for Internet access) and an Internet cafe about three blocks away. The room phone is pulse (like the old dial up phones) and so if you want to use a calling card, etc. you are basically out of luck if you have to dial digits beyone the initial phone number. You must use the phone at the front desk or find a pay phone. No minibar but there is a fridge. You can buy your own stuff and stock the fridge. The shower is horrible. It is basically a square meter with a flimsy sheet around it. The worst part about the hotel The bed is comfortable enough. There is a very weak A/C and you may have to open the windows at night if it gets hot. That's kind of bad because the mosquitoes can get in and feast on you. The location is outstanding. It is just a block from Syntagma Square. You can walk to everything in central Athens. For the price, it is a great deal for that reason alone. There are a few good restaurants (great Greek salads) a few blocks down Mitropoleous. Toward the square, there is a sandwich shop that appears to stay open all night and a few kiosks that sell water, pop, ice cream, beer and other alcohol. They seem to be open all night too. There is a bank of pay phones on the square and a post office right next door to the hotel. There is also a little pastry and coffee shop around the corner to the left but I had a bit of fun guaging how rude the staff could be each day. I dubbed the place the three witches bakery because they were such a delight. The hotel breakfast is okay but after 12 days, I got a bit sick of the same thing. The hotel staff make an attempt to keep the place clean. That's kind of nice. The front desk staff are not all that friendly but if it's customer service you are looking for, don't go to Athens. You won't find it anywhere. If I ever had to go back, I would consider staying here again. Except for the lack of Internet service (not that big of a deal with S/bucks and the Internet cafe) it's a fine place to stay. But, lest I steer a Plaza type the wrong way, if it's luxury you are looking for, keep looking. This hotel is not luxury. There is a Plaza (for real) on the north side of Syntagma square. I am guessing it's pretty nice but four (or more) times the price.