Hotel Exarchion

The two-star Exarchion is located at the heart of Exarchia, the neighborhood where student radicals set Greece's 1973 revolution in motion and, in turn, brought the end of military rule. Today, Exarchia retains a countercultural vibe, and many Greeks see it as a romantic spot of historical import. Ovidius, the man working the reception, told us that the Exarchion's mostly Greek and Greek Cypriot client base choose the hotel for the historical significance of its location.

The hotel's 50 rooms are very plain, and their tiled floors are less than inspiring. Yet there's something restrained and even elegant about these rooms, in a simple institutional 1970s aesthetic way. The Exarchion's minimalist effect is on display in its bed units, bedside tables, tiled floors, unadorned off-white walls, and unremarkable bathrooms. The Exarchion's rates, which are among the best in Athens, don't leave a lot of room for extras, but do include air conditioning (and nice views).

The Exarchion offers stand-alone doubles as well as more apartment-like configurations of adjoining doubles. The latter are a wonderfully budget-friendly option for groups of friends and families. A friendly, low-key bar/lounge area is open 24 hours a day. A restaurant adjacent to the hotel offers room service round the clock.

Breakfast is available for an additional €5. Free Internet access is available in the lobby.