International Atene hotel

The location isn't the best, but for the price we had a good experience. Staff were great at sorting things out quickly and proved very reliable. The woman working at the bar did a good job too. There were some shortcomings, though: neither the sheets nor the towels were changed.

We stayed at the International Athene Hotel in Omonia before a cruise, and my initial worries about the area didn't turn out to be an issue. The staff welcomed us warmly, especially Christina, who went out of her way to make the stay better. Our room was clean, fairly priced, and had a nice street view. Breakfast was lovely, with generous pieces of Feta cheese that I especially enjoyed. The Metro is within walking distance, so getting around Athens was easy. Some nearby side streets looked dark and a little unsettling, but I never felt unsafe. The hotel is next to a police station. I saw a few people being escorted by police, but it wasn't alarming or as wild as some people make it sound. Across the street there's a nice supermarket selling essentials like water, alcohol, olives, nuts, and Greek sweets. A little farther down, I found a great gyro shop where a delicious gyro cost about 3 Euros. I'd recommend the hotel for short stays because of its location, welcoming staff, and affordability.

For the price, my room was spacious, with a good-sized bathroom and a small balcony. The TV was small, and the room could've been cleaner: there were dead mosquitoes on the wall where people had killed them. Reception staff were friendly and professional. The breakfast buffet was good value, with a wide range of hot and cold food, and it was kept clean and well stocked. Thanks to the woman who maintained it so carefully.

The central location is hard to beat, with easy Metro access that makes it simple to get around Athens and visit the sights. If location matters more to you than the amenities, it works. I wouldn't call it a four-star hotel, though, more like three stars or less.