King Jason possibly takes the Athens' prize for the most impersonal hotel we chanced upon during our recent trip. While the expansive lobby is flanked by enormous windows and seems to sustain a lively vibe, King Jason's 114 rooms have a formulaic prefab aesthetic. There's something to be said for this kind of recognizable consistency, of course, but it doesn't exactly make for a funky place to lay your head.
Think dark green wall-to-wall carpets flecked with gold, modern plaid bedspreads, and new, if uninspired, pressed light wood bedboard units. We had to shake our heads to remind ourselves that we weren't in an Indianapolis
Quality Inn. Recently renovated bathrooms fare a bit better in the innovation department and at least have attractive, contemporary sink basins.
During our visit, King Jason's expansive, modern lobby (love those upside-down candle-style chandeliers, by the way!) was continuously packed with a mostly Greek crowd enjoying an afternoon smoke or eight. The hallways, by way of contrast, were full of pre-adolescents on a school trip. We were assured by the management that the latter is not an everyday occurrence for the hotel, though we did get the distinct impression that King Jason takes lots of groups.
King Jason's location is a haul from Plaka and Monastiraki, though its proximity to Psyrri is good for those who like to head out at night. Located roughly between Keramikos (and the Thisio metro stop) and Omonia Square, King Jason is in a bit of a hotel no man's land.
