Best Western Plus Amazon Hotel

Nestled away behind an Asian rug shop, the Amazon gives guests easy access to the most appealing parts of central Athens, but muffles both the noise and hassle of the city. The looming, gray hotel doesn’t look like much from the outside, but inside it is plush and comfortable, with a sleek gray reception area and an Ikea-style dining space. A tiny, modest business corner looks like a home office with a couple of computers and a printer. Leaving the hotel, guests will notice the smell of baked goods and coffee from a nearby bakery that mixes with incense floating over from the tiny neighboring church, Panaghia. The property is an ideal choice for travelers who want to experience the ancient sights of Athens and the trendier shopping spots, as the hotel is within walking distance of both.

The Amazon’s location is super central, with easy access to the metro, shopping areas, Plaka restaurants, and many other attractions. The Acropolis, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is a brisk 10-minute walk south, and the Ermou, Athens’ main shopping street, is an eight-minute stroll west. The Amazon is on a quiet street and also close to Syntagma Square, where the changing of the guards happens every hour and the hop-on/hop-off tourist buses stop. Athens International Airport is a 30-minute drive southeast, or 45 minutes by public transport.  

Ranging in size from single units to suites with Acropolis views, updated guest units here are decked out in neutral earth tones with funky artwork, honeycomb hexagon walls, and bright splashes of orange. Though the Amazon is a budget property, expect the kind of rooms you would find in a business hotel, complete with soundproof windows and free Wi-Fi. Also keep in mind that some units have yet to be updated, and feature a salmon and earth-tone palette. Tiled bathrooms are bright white and beige; they're also smaller than you might expect, particularly in contrast with the larger-than-average bedrooms. Still, they're adequate and very clean, with hairdryers and fluffy white towels. 

Although the Best Western Amazon Hotel doesn't provide a ton of amenities, the few it does offer tend to receive positive feedback. A sleek dining space hosts a daily free breakfast buffet that gets high marks for its tasty items, including continental dishes and local specialties such as Greek yogurt. The coffee bar is a quiet spot for afternoon espressos or cocktails. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property.