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

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.

Hotel Kimon's comfortable, even stylish rooms are some of the most affordable in heavily touristed Plaka.

While the Phaedra doesn't have some of the modern amenities that most budget hotels in Athens now proffer, its reasonable rates, superb location, and compassionate staff are its big selling points.

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.

The Student and Travellers Inn's bright rooms are clean and comfortable, decked out in vibrant yellow and blue.

The cash-only Hotel Adonis is situated on one of the quietest pedestrian streets in Plaka, one of Athens' oldest and quaintest neighborhoods.

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

Hotel Arethusa has the dated, exciting atmosphere of a hotel where much intrigue went down during Athens's turbulent 1960s and 1970s.

This family-run hotel is conveniently located in the heart of Plaka, the oldest and most charming of Athens' neighborhoods.

Hotel Hermes' 45 rooms are serviceable and on the roomy side, with blond wood floors, curved desks, and gentle lighting.

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

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.

Hotel Attalos is a good tourist value. A relaxed throwback to the 1970s, it's less shiny than it is dependable.

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

While Evripides is a total plain jane, it's also very clean and inexpensive.