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Hotel Arethusa has the dated, exciting atmosphere of a hotel where much intrigue went down during Athens' turbulent 1960s and 1970s. It attracts a mixed crowd of domestic, European, and New World tourists, who are drawn to its busy Plaka doors as much by its prime location as anything else.
Arethusa's nearly 90 rooms are not particularly memorable. A slightly worn aesthetic prevails. Beds feature thick brown cushioned headboards. Rooms are decorated with orange curtains, translucent sconces, and thin wall-to-wall carpets. There's no immediate polish here, none of the edgy spark found in many of Athens's newly renovated hotels. Arethusa does have its charms, however, as well as a wonderfully central location.
Several rooms have truly outstanding views of Plaka. We also loved the dining room on the top floor, with its bird's eye views of the Acropolis. The dining room's simple, dainty, modern feel made us fantasize, again, about being locked in a suspenseful Cold War drama. All that said, in our opinion, the Arethusa's best feature is the mezzanine breakfast room, which looks out over busy Mitropoleos.
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