Hellinis Hotel

The staff were all wonderful. We stayed for a week, but the shower temperature never settled. It kept switching from hot for about seven seconds to cold for about seven seconds, over and over. The room thermostat also couldn't be set to cool. We told the staff, but there was nothing they could do.

I've traveled all over and never met a kinder hotel staff member than Stelios. Our airport taxi tried to overcharge us by €20, asking €70 instead of the correct €50 for that time of day. Stelios insisted the driver charge the right fare. After that, he went above and beyond, sharing great places to eat and things to do. He said he'd been with Hilton for over 20 years, and the way he treats every guest makes it clear he loves his job.

The rooftop pool was the highlight for us. We spent a good part of a hot day there, and it was just what we needed to cool down. The water isn't heated, which is actually nice in Athens' summer weather, and you can see the Parthenon in the distance. Our plans changed at the last minute because of a ferry strike, so we stayed at the Hilton Garden Inn on Syngrou Avenue. We arrived late and found the neighborhood busy, a bit rough around the edges, and short on atmosphere. It didn't feel unsafe, but it lacked the charm of other central parts of Athens. The front desk staff were friendly and professional, and check-in was easy. Our room was small, and no upgrade was available even though we're Hilton Gold members, but it was clean, quiet, and fine for a short stay. It's a practical, modern place if you don't mind being away from the main sights. For a quick stopover or airport connection it works well. If you want a scenic area where you can walk around easily, other neighborhoods are a better choice.

The parking is a mess, whether you're trying to get in, get out, or find a space. Hot water in the rooms seems to come and go, and even while it's running it turns cold whenever it wants. The sink in the middle of the room is ridiculous. They could've put it in the middle of the bed and saved me getting up to wash my face. At least the place is clean and the staff are friendly. You have to trust the Hilton name. It's a nice 3-star hotel.