Hotels - Athens - Greece

The 2004 Olympics gave Athens an incentive to revive its bedraggled hotel scene, and it did a remarkable job. Classic old hotels were renovated and dozens of new ones were constructed. With more than 350 hotels in Athens, visitors can choose from five-star historic hotels on the central square to hip boutique inns in the suburbs. Nearly every hotel has been upgraded so even humble lodgings should be more comfortable than in the past.

One of Athens' great hotels that made a remarkable comeback is the historic King George II. With just 102 rooms, there's a real intimacy to its opulent beauty, and this pedigree lists former residents like Frank Sinatra and Marilyn Monroe. Next door is the equally legendary Grande Bretagne, one of the city's most pristine 19th century buildings. Rooms with balconies overlooking Syntagma Square are well worth the price, and the service is unbeatable.

The Hilton is another fantastic hotel. It's the tallest building in town, as well as the most modern. A major renovation has placed it back at the top of the game with superb views from every room and an amazing rooftop cocktail lounge. The Andromeda is leading the way in Athens' new boutique hotel scene. Its cosy Greek ambiance makes it hugely popular despite being a 10-minute drive from Syntagma Square.

Where you stay actually makes a difference in Athens. Traffic makes moving around the city a real pain, so business travellers and sightseeing tourists should stick to the city centre. Syntagma Square is the most central site, and boasts some of Athens' finest hotels. The Acropolis, Plaka and the shops along Kolonaki are a short walk away.

Plaka is one of the oldest parts of Athens and the ideal central location for an inexpensive hotel. It's within easy walking distance of Syntagma but the accommodation is much more affordable. Omonia Square is another central neighbourhood surrounded by cheap hotels with a couple of four-stars mixed in.

Kolonaki is Athens' most upscale neighbourhood, due mainly to the dense concentration of chic boutiques, trendy restaurants and hot nightspots. The hotels here are mid-range and average but the location is great. Nearby Stadiou and Panepistimiou streets are ideal for three-star hotels and a convenient location.

The Athens Hilton is the heavyweight among the many five-star hotels in the Ilissia district. It's a quick Metro ride to central Athens but Ilissia has its own scene of bars and restaurants worth exploring. Syngrou Avenue is a major thoroughfare connecting the city centre with the coast. Some very nice hotels are located along this strip.

If you don't want to stay in the heart of Athens, the northern suburb of Kifissia is a hotspot for its chic boutiques and wining and dining options. A handful of upscale hotels are scattered here. To the south of the city centre are the seaside areas of Glyfada and Vouliagmeni, the latter of which has the better hotels. If you want a beachside room, this is the place.