Stratos Vassilikos

The Stratos Vassilikos is a unique, modern boutique hotel with a fresh and whimsical style that caters to the business travelers who frequent the surrounding area. The lobby is large and bright with natural light, decorated with ivy-patterned wallpaper and breezy rose-patterned curtains. Columns have ornate wood detailing, making the wallpaper around it pop. Distressed hardwood floors -- found throughout the hotel -- are crisscrossed by marble tile pathways. Instead of a reception counter, check-in is conducted at more welcoming desks, with drinks and snacks laid out nearby. The expansive ground floor is filled with seating areas, including glass tables flanked by Philippe Starck-style clear plastic chairs, colorfully upholstered benches, white chesterfield sofas around flat-screen TVs, and ornate and colorful armchairs. The area is popular for both working and socializing, as is the mezzanine level, which has more seating and overlooks the lower lobby. There's also a hallway of bright orange, wingback reading chairs, each equipped with a table, a tablet for surfing the Internet, and a reading light.  

The Stratos Vassilikos is located on a busy street in the less touristy business district of Athens. The neighborhood is relatively low-key — there are some restaurants in the area, but much of the city's attractions will require a car or metro ride. For example, it's a 20- to 25-minute metro ride or a 10-minute drive to get to sites like the Acropolis and the Plaka. This part of Athens is more geared to business travelers, with several conference-capable hotels in the vicinity.

The rooms at the Stratos Vassilikos are more toned down than common spaces — decorated mostly in white and grays — but maintain the same modern airiness and a more understated version of the lobby's whimsical style. Standard Double Rooms might be a bit dark, but are spacious enough, with two narrow desks, a small side table, and a large closet, in addition to the bed(s). The white wood furnishings make the rooms feel upscale, as do the elegant, French chateau-style designs. Bathrooms are large enough and bright, with deep soaking tubs that double as showers. There may be some mold in the grout, but otherwise they are clean and come with bath products. Except for being a bit brighter, Executive Rooms are not much different from standard Double Rooms, but the Master Suite is larger and especially comfortable with a seating area, private terrace, and walk-in massage shower. All rooms have free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, and minibars.

The hotel is home to the sprawling, well-regarded Riva restaurant that is popular for business meetings and meals. The free daily breakfast buffet for guests is served there in the morning, and dinner is served à la carte in the evening. The lobby bar, beyond the doors of the Riva, is a popular spot for after-work drinks, and serves coffee and tea throughout the day. There is small, modern gym with a sauna and a ping-pong table, and there's also a small hair salon. The hotel has an extensive amount of meeting space and offers catering for events. There is free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel, in addition to the tablets available for guest use in the lobby.