The Achilleas's 36 comfortable rooms are more business class than basic. Beds are comfortable, though there are no stylistic thrills here.

The comfortable Hotel Achillion offers tastefully decorated rooms without tastefully-decorated-room prices—it's a win-win combination.

We appreciated the Carolina's old-fashioned cage elevator, reminiscent of the late 19th century. And loved the roof terrace, which made us feel like we were on top of the world.

Cecil Hotel, one of our fave Athens hotels, maintains a charming, friendly Old World feel.

If all you want is a safe, centrally-located place to crash at the end of the day, then this is definitely one of the least-expensive places in Athens.

First and foremost, the Plaka is a capable hotel, with especially good rates considering the hotel's location in the heart of heaviliy tourist-trafficked Athens.

If you're the kind of budget traveler for whom "budget" is a priority and not merely a preference, then the Hotel Epidavros, despite its uninspiring location and uninspired décor, is worth considering.

Niki's 23 rooms are tidy, streamlined, modern affairs. Wall-to-wall brown carpets provide an earthy nuance.

You can use one of the Marina's 81 clean and comfortable rooms as your base for exploring Athens, just don't expect to luxuriate there.

Situated in a relatively non-descript neighborhood, the Rio is a 10-minute walk from the National Archaeological Museum and equally close to the trendy Psiri and Thisseio neighborhoods.

Metropolis's extremely clean rooms have beige walls, run-of-the-mill beds, wardrobes, bedspreads, and desks, all of which serve their utilitarian purposes without bothering themselves with style.

The Zinon Best Western is one of three Best Western properties in Athens, and the most budget-friendly of the group to boot.

Amaryllis Hotel is a simple, 57-room hotel located near Omonia Square.

The hotel's 50 rooms are very plain, yet there's something restrained and even elegant about these rooms, in a simple, institutional 1970s aesthetic way.

Located down a little alleyway in the relaxed 'hood of Koukaki, Marble House provides an exceptionally quiet budget bed.

The Orion vibe is very relaxed. If you're a European university kid in Athens for a few nights, this is a great place to crash.