If you’re looking for a boutique hotel in Athens with an incredible Acropolis view, this AthensWas Hotel review covers what you can expect from staying here.
We stayed in the Hellenic Suite, and OH MY GOSH. THE VIEW! Our suite had a huge private balcony overlooking the Acropolis, and I honestly couldn’t get enough of it.
Between the comfortable room, fantastic location, and dinner at SENSE Rooftop Restaurant, AthensWas ended up being a great place to stay while exploring Athens. I also appreciated how quiet our room was despite being so close to some of the city’s busiest attractions.
The Hellenic Suite was beautiful, but the real star was the balcony.
It was HUGE, with plenty of room to sit outside and relax while looking directly toward the Acropolis. The room itself had a clean, modern design, and the bed was comfortable.
We also had robes and slippers, which I always appreciate in a nice hotel. If you’ve read any of my other hotel reviews, you already know I’m a robe girl. 🥰
But that private outdoor space was what really made the suite feel special. We could step outside whenever we wanted and enjoy the view without having to find a rooftop restaurant or crowded public viewpoint.
The Acropolis view was INSANE.
We could enjoy it throughout the day, relax on the balcony around sunset, and then watch the Acropolis light up after dark. I kept going back outside even though I’d already looked at it approximately 100 times.
We also stayed at Perianth Hotel in its Acropolis Suite, which had an incredible view too. But if I’m comparing the views alone, I think AthensWas had the better setup, mainly because of that large private balcony.
That outdoor space was easily one of my favorite parts of our entire stay.
The bathroom was a great size, with a large shower and plenty of counter space. There was only one sink, but Brad and I still had enough room to keep our things organized without feeling cramped. And more importantly, keep our marriage intact. 😂
The only thing I would have LOVED was a soaking tub.
And honestly, I wouldn’t even put it in the bathroom. Can you imagine a soaking tub out on that huge balcony with the Acropolis directly in front of you? Now THAT would have been perfect.
Obviously, that’s more of a wish-list item than an actual complaint. Overall, I really liked the bathroom.
One thing I loved about breakfast at AthensWas was being able to enjoy it with an Acropolis view.
Breakfast was served à la carte rather than as a traditional buffet, so we could choose exactly what we wanted. The menu had a nice mix of Greek breakfast dishes, eggs, omelets, freshly baked breads, yogurt, oatmeal, cereal, fruit, and sweeter options.
Some of the things we ordered included poached eggs with avocado and toasted bread and chocolate pancakes with salted caramel sauce and hazelnuts.
There were also oatmeal and cereal options, including overnight oats and homemade granola. We enjoyed lattes and fresh orange juice as well.
I liked having both lighter and more indulgent choices depending on what we felt like that morning. And breakfast with the Acropolis sitting in the background was a pretty great way to start the day.
AthensWas is also home to SENSE Rooftop Restaurant, located on the seventh floor.
We had dinner there during our stay, and the combination of the intimate rooftop setting, creative Greek tasting menu, and Acropolis view made it a really special evening.
We especially loved being there around sunset and then watching the Acropolis become illuminated after dark.
If you enjoy fine dining, I’d definitely consider making a reservation here. It’s a convenient option for a special dinner, especially if you’re already staying at the hotel.
I’ve written a separate Sense Rooftop Restaurant Athens Review: Is It Worth It? covering our tasting menu, the service, prices, and where I’d recommend requesting a table.
YES. This is another major reason I’d consider staying here again.
AthensWas sits on Dionysiou Areopagitou Street, right near the Acropolis and some of Athens’ biggest historical attractions. It’s a pedestrian-friendly street, and the surrounding area is great for walking.
We walked to most of the places we wanted to visit, which made exploring Athens SO convenient.
Here are approximate walking times to some of the main attractions.
| Attraction | Walking Time |
|---|---|
| Acropolis Museum | 2–4 minutes |
| Hadrian’s Arch | 2–3 minutes |
| Temple of Olympian Zeus | 4–5 minutes |
| Plaka | 5 minutes |
| Acropolis | 10–15 minutes, depending on entrance |
| National Garden | 7–10 minutes |
| Syntagma Square | 12–15 minutes |
| Panathenaic Stadium | 15–20 minutes |
The hotel is also close to Acropoli Metro Station, which is useful if you want to explore areas farther away or if you prefer to drive you can check out cars here.
I particularly liked being able to walk through Plaka, visit archaeological sites, and explore the surrounding streets without arranging transportation for every little outing.
And having the Acropolis Museum practically next door is a HUGE advantage if sightseeing is your priority.
If you’re planning your sightseeing days, my Visiting the Acropolis in Athens: Everything You Need to Know shares our experience visiting independently.
Another advantage of the location is that you’re surrounded by restaurants and cafés. The nearby Plaka and Koukaki neighborhoods have plenty of options for traditional Greek food, casual lunches, coffee, and desserts.
You can easily head out for a meal without needing a taxi, which I always appreciate after a full day of sightseeing. And if you’d rather enjoy a nicer dinner without leaving the hotel, SENSE is right upstairs.
For more information about choosing the right neighborhood, my Where to Stay in Athens Greece: Best Areas for First-Time Visitors compares the main areas and what each is best for.
Surprisingly, our room was really quiet, especially considering how close AthensWas is to some of Athens’ busiest attractions.
This was a noticeable difference from Perianth Hotel, where we could hear nighttime activity from the restaurants and bars around Agias Eirinis Square.
If you want a central location without the noise of a lively city square, AthensWas is a great option.
We had a great experience with the staff. Everyone was helpful, especially when arranging taxis for some of our tours and activities.
One thing to know is that AthensWas is located along a pedestrian street, so taxi pickups can be a little less straightforward. The staff helped us arrange everything, though, so it wasn’t an issue.
With so many attractions within walking distance, you’ll probably spend quite a bit of time on your feet. A few small travel essentials can make sightseeing days much easier.
This is a tough comparison because I genuinely liked both hotels!
Perianth had my favorite room design, with an enormous shower, two sinks, a soaking tub, and a bed positioned so we could wake up looking directly at the Acropolis.
AthensWas had my favorite balcony and outdoor space, along with a quieter atmosphere and a location that was especially convenient for sightseeing.
Perianth was better for shopping, restaurants, and exploring the lively streets around Monastiraki. So which would I choose? For the room itself, Perianth. For the balcony, Acropolis views, and quieter location, AthensWas.
You can read more about our experience in my Perianth Hotel Athens Review: What to Know Before You Stay.
For me, absolutely. Between the comfortable Hellenic Suite, fantastic Acropolis views, convenient location, and helpful staff, AthensWas was an excellent choice for our stay in Athens.
WENDY’S TIP: If you’re booking AthensWas specifically for the Acropolis view, make sure you choose a room category that advertises one. Not every room will have the same view or private outdoor space, and that huge balcony was a major part of what made our stay special.
Would I stay again? Absolutely. Although I still think they should consider my soaking-tub-on-the-balcony idea. Ha!
If you end up booking anything for your trip, using my affiliate links helps support my blog at no extra cost to you. I spend a lot of time researching and writing these guides, so I really appreciate the support.
Start with my The Perfect 3 Days in Athens Greece: A First-Time Itinerary for help organizing your sightseeing days.
If you’re flying into Athens, my Athens International Airport Guide: What to Know Before You Fly covers useful airport information.
Compare hotel options and prices through Hotels.com.
Browse Athens sightseeing experiences through Viator or explore Greek cuisine with Secret Food Tours.
For more restaurant recommendations, see my Where to Eat in Athens Greece: Restaurants We Actually Tried.
My Greece Packing List: Everything You Need for Athens and the Greek Islands covers what I recommend bringing for sightseeing, walking, and exploring Greece.
The part of European travel nobody puts in the highlight reel.
The blisters, the 20,000 steps before lunch, the train you almost missed, and somehow still saying “this is the best trip ever.” 😂
Thanks for following along on my travels! If you’re planning your own European getaway, you’ll find all my destination guides and itineraries on the blog. Link in bio!
If I could go back to one of the beaches in Hydra, Greece, it would be Avlaki. 🇬🇷
Of the two swimming spots I visited, this one was my favorite because it felt quieter, more private, and had the perfect spot for cliff jumping. It was a little rockier getting into the water, so water shoes are worth bringing, but it was such a fun way to spend part of the day.
If you’re visiting Hydra, add Avlaki Beach to your list!
I don’t even like seafood but @sunsethydra surprised me!
The panko-crusted feta with prickly pear chutney and pistachios was one of my favorites, and the Sunset Salad with fresh oranges and homemade orange-ginger dressing was so good. Even the bread and olive oil stood out!
Brad ordered the fresh catch of the day, sea bass, and loved it. And yes, even I enjoyed a bite!
Comment whether or not you’re a big seafood fan! 👇
Taking a day trip from Athens to Hydra? Here are 3 things to know before you book!
Book a high-speed ferry from Piraeus. Our ride took just 1 hour and 15 minutes each way, giving us almost 7 hours to explore.
Check your ferry options. We took Alpha Lines to Hydra and Magic Sea Ferries back. I personally preferred Alpha Lines for its open outdoor deck!
Plan to explore on foot. Hydra is car-free, and the ferry drops you right at the heart of town, making it easy to explore the harbor, shops, and waterfront restaurants as soon as you arrive.
Hydra ended up being one of my favorite days in Greece! Head to the blog for my full ferry guide, booking tips, and everything I wish I’d known before going.
I had less than 7 hours to spend in Hydra, Greece, and here is how I made the most of it.
From waterfront lunch to swimming at two beautiful beaches, this day trip was one of my favorite parts of Greece.
Read my full Hydra itinerary on the blog and save this for your trip!
Follow @travelwithwendyplummer for Beautiful Beach Destinations, City Guides, Foodie Spots, and Luxury Hotel Recommendations.
