A Is For Athens Hotel Review

When traveling to Athens, where to stay is a giant dilemma. There are so many great neighborhoods to choose from. If you like great shopping and dining with million-dollar views of the Acropolis, then Monastiraki is for you. If you want the most convenient hotel in Monastiraki with an unbeatable view of the Acropolis, then check out this A is for Athens Hotel Review.

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Where is A for Athens Hotel

A for Athens Hotel is right next to the Monastiraki metro train station. How convenient! It is also right across the road from Monastiraki Square, a gathering place lined with amazing authentic Greek restaurants, and surrounded by a giant flea market. And it’s a stone’s throw from the best Athens Historic Sites, like Hadrian’s Library and Roman Agora.

If you like to be in the middle of the liveliest area in town, then A for Athens Hotel is for you. This area is buzzing with activity, and it literally never closes. You are just a 1-minute walk away from all manner of shopping, conveniences, and restaurants, which all flank the lively Monastiraki square.

A for Athens Rooftop Bar

The best thing about this hotel is the A for Athens Bar on the rooftop. This bar is very popular with tourists to watch the Acropolis at sunset. The views are stunning and uninterrupted, with beautiful Monastiraki Square in the foreground.

We took 3 attempts to get to the A for Athens Rooftop bar. The elevator works overtime from about 90 minutes before sunset. After waiting for our turn for the elevator, we arrived at the top floor of the Rooftop bar. Then we were politely asked if we had a booking. Then we were politely turned away, which is what happened to most other visitors.

So on our third attempt, we did the right thing and made a booking through our hotel reception. All the tables are amazing with uninterrupted views of the Acropolis, so there’s no need to worry about missing out on the view.

A for Athens Cocktail Bar and Restaurant

So the rooftop bar is not just a bar that only serves beer and wine. It also serves a classy selection of cocktails and dining. In fact, I suspect it is the best cocktail bar Athens has to offer. Prices are quite high, but the stunning world-class views of the World Heritage Acropolis make it well worthwhile.

Breakfast at A for Athens

The best thing about A for Athens is the amazing breakfasts. These are on the same rooftop as the rooftop bar, on a split-level terrace. The views are breathtaking. And the cuisine is equally stunning. This is one of the finest breakfasts I have tried in a hotel. It’s buffet style, and it’s all about healthy eating. The variety is simply amazing.

The dining area is also quite spacious so that even in peak tourist season there is plenty of space for guests. This is nice because we never saw the restaurant crowded, and you are never pressured to leave after dining. Stay as long as you want to soak up the jaw-dropping scenery.

How to Get To A for Athens Hotel

We booked a transfer directly from the Athens International Airport. For convenience, we use the Mozio.com app, where you can select a transfer service from dozens of different options. When you arrive at the airport you are greeted by a Mozio driver holding your name on a sign. How easy is that!

It takes about 40 minutes for the journey, and it’s rather expensive, we paid 40 euros. It is a long way from Athens Airport to Monastiraki. At least with Moz.com, we were not at the mercy of shady taxi drivers.

Alternatively, catch the Metro train from the airport to Monastiraki Station, then you have just a 1-2 minute walk to the hotel which is right across the road.

You could also catch the X95 bus from the airport to Monastiraki Square, which is the cheapest option.

Rooms at A for Athens Hotel

In the reviews we read about some people complaining about the noise coming in from Monastiraki Square through their front window, making it hard to sleep. Some reviews even reported stunning views of the Acropolis from the front window.

Our room had none of these issues. We were in the center of the building with a window facing a service shaft. There was no view at all of Athens or the bustling square. What this meant was the room was eerily quiet. The upside of this was we had some of the best-uninterrupted periods of sleep. The downside was that we had no view.

The room was modern, new, clean, and fresh. No complaints at all about the comfort and quality of the room. Overall it was excellent value for money.

Conveniences

Here are some of the things I particularly liked about the location of the A for Athens Hotel.

Monastiraki Square

Right across the road is the busy Monastiraki Square. This square is lined by amazing restaurants, with authentic Greek food and music. It’s a wonderful place to go for a nice meal.

Flea Market Shopping

From Monastiraki Square, there is a giant market happening every day. You can buy all manner of souvenirs, clothing, gadgets, jewelry etc. All the regular items that you could find in a regular tourist market.

Hop-On-Hop-Off Bus

Across the road, there is a bus stop for all the Hop-On-Hop-Off buses. We are a big fan of these buses, they are the most efficient way to get around and see all the major tourist attractions. There are 2 or 3 different bus lines to choose from, and you can purchase tickets online, on the bus, or from the Ticket Seller at the bus stop.

Athens Historic Sites

Behind Monastiraki Square are the first of the major historic sites included in the Combined 7 attraction ticket. These are Hadrian’s Library and Roman Agora. It’s not far to continue walking to visit the Acropolis.

Souvenir Shopping

Alongside Hadrian’s Library is a wonderful line of souvenir shops. These are probably the most well-stocked souvenir shops you will find anywhere. The quality of the goods are amazing, and the vendors are always up for a bit of haggling.

Moustaka Toy Shop

Across the road from the Hotel, on the corner of Monastiraki Square is the largest toy superstore we’ve ever seen. 3 floors stocked with every toy imaginable. The prices are reasonable but not cheap. If you are traveling with kids this is a must.

Rooftop Restaurants

OK, so the A for Athens Rooftop Cocktail Bar and Restaurant does have unbeatable views. But it is rather expensive. The good thing is that there are loads of other rooftop restaurants all around, so you are easily able to find a restaurant with more reasonable prices. And get a slightly different view of the amazing Acropolis. You never get tired of that view!

Safe Area

Sure you need to be wary of pickpockets working in this area. That goes with any major tourist district. But overall we always felt safe in this area. There is always some form of security at Monastiraki Square and the metro train station, so provided you don’t stray too far from the square at night you should be quite safe.

Friendly Staff

The staff is worthy of a mention in this hotel review. All staff was amongst the friendliest, most helpful staff that we have come across. The guys at the front counter were always willing to assist, helping us with taxis and tourist advice on several occasions. With these guys, you will get to experience wonderful Greek charm at its best.

Central Location for Sightseeing

When it comes to Athens top 10 attractions this hotel is right in the middle of them all. This means that you can quite easily visit all top-10 attractions on foot.

Where to Stay in Athens

If you are still wondering where to stay in Athens, take my advice and go straight for A for Athens Hotel in Monastiraki. The breakfast views alone will convince you that you made the best choice. And don’t forget to come back for the best cocktail bar Athens has to offer. You won’t regret it.

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