Urban Rooms

You can walk to the city easily, and the accommodation is cheap, but it felt more like a hostel. The bathroom and toilet are shared, and the neighbors were noisy and smoked. Street noise comes straight in because there's no real sound insulation, just a single-pane window in a metal frame. The grey wall paint also gives the place a drab, suburban feel. Unfortunately, I wouldn't book it again.

The bathrooms were shared and very dirty, the place smelled bad, and there was no elevator. The view was of what looked like a burned-out house, which felt creepy. I booked three nights at Urban Rooms through Booking.com and paid ahead, but after the first night the hotel canceled my reservation while I was still in the room. Nobody was around to talk to, so I took photos as proof that I had stayed, then left to find another place. The hotel refused to pay for the two nights I didn't use. Booking.com said they couldn't reach the hotel and couldn't give me a proper solution. This was in June, and four months had passed. The owner was rude over text too. I wouldn't stay here.

There’s free Wi-Fi for guests, and the owner responds quickly if you reach out. The doors use video-based access and there are no keys. You share the kitchen and bathrooms. Getting to the top floor can be a pain, especially with lots of luggage.

There are three flights of stairs and no elevator, so be ready for that. Still, after a few nights in hostels, this felt like a lovely upgrade for only a few extra dollars. Dimitri was welcoming when I checked in and had useful tips for hidden gems around Athens. My room seemed very clean, though there was plenty of street noise. For the price and location, I couldn't complain.