Electra Palace Athens

Electra Palace Athens is a neoclassical five-star hotel on Nikodimou Street in Plaka, the old district below the Acropolis. It is one of the Greek Electra Hotels group's properties in the city, and its main selling point is the combination of a quiet historic neighbourhood with resort-style facilities that are rare in central Athens, including two swimming pools.

The seasonal outdoor pool has a view of the Acropolis, and there is also an indoor pool open all year, both reserved for hotel guests. On the eighth floor, the Electra Roof Garden restaurant serves creative Mediterranean dishes with a fusion touch, and it is open from lunchtime until after midnight, so it works for a long lunch as well as dinner with a view. The hotel also has an internal garden, a wellness and fitness area, and meeting and event spaces.

Rooms come in several categories. Classic rooms overlook the surrounding neighbourhood, while superior rooms, junior suites and suites have views of the Acropolis, so choose carefully if a view is important to you. Rooms include free wifi, laptop-size safes, bathrobes and slippers, and online check-in is available to save time on arrival.

The hotel suits couples and families who want a pool after a hot day of sightseeing, and travellers who prefer to stay in a historic neighbourhood rather than on a busy square. It is a calm base from which to explore on foot, and the roof garden makes a good alternative to going out in the evening if you are tired after a day of walking.

Plaka's lanes of tavernas, shops and small churches surround the hotel, and the main shopping area around Ermou Street is close by. Syntagma Square and its metro station, with direct links to the airport, are a short walk to the north, while the Acropolis Museum and the southern slopes of the Acropolis can be reached on foot through Plaka. The Roman Agora, Monastiraki and the Ancient Agora are within an easy walk to the west. The roof garden restaurant is open from 13:00 to 00:30, and the sister hotel, Electra Metropolis, is a short walk away near Syntagma.