Acropolis View is a budget hotel. It's ideal for cost-conscious travelers for whom proximity to Athens' premier sights (the Acropolis, Zeus' monument, Roman Agora, etc.) is the second priority. In spite of all the favorable reviews on this website and a 2002 mention in the New York Times (the first, in fact of the three hotels highlighted in the article), the key to satisfaction in Acropolis View is low expectations. In all fairness, all necessary and advertised services are delivered - in a typically Greek fashion - most of the time and with an apparent keen attention to the lowest common denominator. The airconditioning functioned most of the time in both rooms we occupied (see below), there is a rooftop terrace with unobstructed views to the Parthenon which at nighttime are magnificent. While small and firm, the beds were comfortable and the linen clean. While cramped, the rooms were adequate to our needs as we did not spend much time in them. A refigerator (not a minibar - actually a small refrigerator in which guests can store personal drinks) was a welcome extra in the room.

However, any expectation for services or facilities beyond the most basic will be unfulfilled. The buffet breakfast (0630-1000 hrs daily) is barely satisfactory - watermelon was the only fruit, lemonade-ish and orange-pop koolaide the only juices and the rolls were stale. On the other hand, the loaf bread was fresh and hard-boiled eggs, sliced ham, one type of cheese and some granola cereals and milk were available. The considerable noise of the hotel (preparing and serving breakfast, the constant comings and goings of guests), combined with the lack of sound-dampening carpeting in common areas ensured guest rooms have realtime "knowledgeability" of activities throughout the hotel. Noise seems to be amplified in the tiled hallways and in our first room which was near the elevator, we were actually able to hear conversations underway in the elevator as it carried guests. A strangely missing wall tile in our bathroom ensured we heard every flush of the toilets directly above us, as the tile appears to have been removed in order to gain access to the blackwater drainpipe. While we were assured repeatedly by the front desk that it had and that we could use the hotel's 220-Volt hairdryer, it was never available when we needed it. While as noted above the room was airconditioned, each time on returning to our room, we needed to telephone the front desk where the receptionist would flip a switch powering on the AC unit in our room. On three of the four nights, fresh cigarette smoke was pumped into the room by the AC, waking us up and making it seem like a smoker was actually in the room with us - again - this was fresh smoke, not the stale aroma of a previous room occupant who smoked. As a non-smoker, this nearly drove me crazy.

The rooftop terrace was a particularly odd reflection on the hotel and its management. With the spectacular view, you might expect some attempt to generate revenue or otherwise exploit the view and the hotel's location for guests' benefit - perhaps a small cafe, soft music, service, etc. Nope - only dusty K-Mart style white plastic lawn chairs and tables (the type usually costing $12.99 for the set of six...) tossed about randomly on the roof, overgrown plants potted in surplus food bins or oil drums, miscellaneous junked equipment, empty beer and ouzo bottles from the backpackers who'd partied there the night before, clotheslines and storage of various hotel furniture. While not necessarily a criticism of the hotel, this is an odd element of the Greek (or perhaps the Athenian) character. While we got our photographs and were able to orient ourselves with the neighborhood as we intended on the roof, it would have been nice to sit and enjoy the neighborhood's extraordinary views and atmosphere in a more civilized setting. In this regard, the Greeks certainly could learn something from the Turks - witness all the fabulous hotels and their rooftop terraces in Istanbul, luxuriating in the views of the Blue Mosque and the Hagia Sophia.

The front desk personnel were very friendly, offering good directions to the nearby sights and generally being helpful. Restaurant recommendations resulted in mediocre and overpriced meals and almost comical service. One issue which did arise, we checked into our first room (102) to discover its window did not close fully or lock - and would have been easily opened by anyone outside the window. While perhaps not a major security issue as the terrace was above street level and appeared to be a hotel A/C and maintenence area, it was unacceptable for us - luckily the reception easily, quickly and without fuss accommodated our request to change rooms the next morning.

Rooms in the Acropolis View are very small, and the bathrooms equally so. However, the bathrooms were recently renovated and have very nice, new wall tiles and quality fixtures. Both showers we used were extremely small - without exaggeration, so small it was impossible to turn around without pre-planning, moving carefully and slowly. We had CNN in one room - the only English-language TV station and a welcome amenity. The hotel offers and good wireless internet service - available three of the four days we were in the hotel - access costs 4 Euro per hour. I would recommend Acropolis View to student and backpacker friends, but next time will look for a hotel offering a bit more for myself and would recommend anyone considering this hotel, to first carefully identify their priorities in Athens.

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GPS-derived Geocoordinates for the Acropolis View are:

N 37 degrees, 58 minutes 08.0 seconds
E 023 degrees, 43 minutes 26.1 seconds