Athens Ledra Hotel

The Athens Ledra has an understated style, with a large, high-ceiling lobby that uses gold-hued lighting to hint at luxury. Bouquets on tables and flowers in planters hanging from the second-floor balcony bring a natural warmth to a room that would otherwise feel cold, despite the warm lighting. Seating areas are tucked into the corners of the lobby, with a few brown-and-white couches and chairs. A multi-paneled wall relief of a Greek battle scene hangs behind a large grand piano, serving as the artistic centerpiece of an otherwise plain room. 

While the Ledra should suit all types of travelers, it offers many perks for business travelers. In addition to more than 16,000 square feet of meeting space, the hotel has an Executive Lounge with a buffet, dining and meeting tables, its own business center, and a plush couch in front of a flat-screen TV. 

The Athens Ledra Hotel is located off the Syngrou highway in the Nea Smirni neighborhood of Athens. The highway, which leads to downtown Athens, or in the opposite dirction to the sea, gets busy. While there are a few restaurants in the area, it's not the most pleasant neighborhood for wandering. In the immediate area along the highway are several strip clubs -- lights from the sign of the neighboring "Kinky Opera" flash into the windows of some of the hotel rooms. 

The hotel is about a 10-minute drive from the Acropolis, Plaka, and other tourists destinations, but getting to the sights by public transportation is  complicated, and will require at least a 10-minute walk to the metro. The hotel does offer shuttle service to central Athens, and taxis are not expensive.

The rooms at the Athens Ledra are large and traditionally decorated. Like the lobby, they use light wood and yellow-hued lighting (and wallpaper) to create a warm, welcoming atmosphere. Standard Deluxe Rooms include two double beds or one king-size bed, desks, reading chairs, tea kettles, and minibars. While the rooms are clean and bright, the furniture looks sun-faded and worn, and TVs are tube-style, which should give a hint as to when the rooms were last renovated. Bathrooms are large and tiled in pink-and-white marble. They come with full tubs and a full set of bath products. Executive-floor rooms are no different in size and layout but offer access to the Executive Lounge. Suites, which range from Junior to Presidential, are large, and more modern, with leather furniture and cooler colors, such as black, teal, and gray. Suites have full living rooms, dining tables that seat six, and wet bars, though no kitchens. Wi-Fi in rooms is only free for those who book directly with the hotel. 

An upscale property, the Athens Ledra has an Executive Lounge and a range of amenities for business travelers, along with a full-service spa that includes beauty and body treatments, and a hair salon. A seasonal rooftop pool with a bar and offers views of the Acropolis, and there's a 24-hour fitness center with a sauna. The Athens Ledra also has three restaurants on-site: The Zephyros serves a copious breakfast buffet as well as lunch and dinner. The lobby-level Crystal Lounge serves Italian food and drinks, and includes an outdoor space. The more casual Ledra Kai is a Polynesian restaurant with wicker chairs, large wood sculptures, and colorful print fabrics hanging between seating areas.