More about Magna Grecia Boutique Hotel
Very nifty hotel in a great location
by TripAdvisor Member Nyleve
Just returned from Greece, having spent our last 3 nights at the Magna Grecia Hotel. It's a great little hotel with plenty of character in a really wonderful location - a five minute walk from Monastiraki square. The management was accommodating and helpful and very charming - they flagged taxis, hunted down information on buses, gave us restaurant recommendations. And the rooftop terrace is really fabulous.
The beds are extremely comfortable - after 2 weeks of travel, a very welcome touch. The rooms attractive and clean.
A couple of minor complaints (very minor): I'm not sure what I'd been expecting but the breakfast wasn't too wonderful. The coffee was weak and terrible, there was fresh fruit only one morning out of 3 (and it's summer - lots of fruit out there!), and they could have sprung for nice fresh bread (which is easy enough to find in Athens) but instead there were some icky spongy fake croissants. Also, the inner rooms - the ones that don't face the acropolis, actually have a view of an inside stairwell that's artificially lit day and night. I found that just a bit grim - if you book a room, you might want to specify a streetside view.
On the other hand, for location and charm, it is a really lovely hotel and I'd stay there again.
not honest
by TripAdvisor Member peninsula
We have returned from Greece just lately.
At the beginning of our trip we had a booking for one night in the hotel Magna Grecia. Arriving there we had a friendly welcome and the guy at the reception (turned out to be the manager) chatted with us for quite a while before he told us that there are some problems.. He told us that they had a damaged waterpipe and 5 rooms on the 1st floor cannot be used anymore. But we would be brought to a hotel in the neighbourhood, he told us. We were of course disappointed but had to accept it. As it was for the style of the rooms we booked this Boutique hotel, we ask him to show us a room to have an idea of how the rooms look like. He brought us up to the 2nd floor and wanted to show us a room which was taken. Why not showing us an empty room, even if there is a little damage - I don’t like to enter in a taken room. I then went down to the 1st floor where the water should have been. There were still carpets lying on the parquet floor and you could neither see nor smell any traces of a water damage. And he absolutely did not want to open one of these doors to show us the room and to proof us that he was right. I then told him that I suppose that the hotel is overbooked and he told us this story as an excuse. He denied, felt insulted and changed his manner. Anyway, we had no choice and an employee leaded us to the nearby Central Hotel which was an alternative. But the feeling remained that somebody made a fool of us… it’s disappointing to start holidays like that.
Perfect Honeymoon beginning!
by TripAdvisor Member Viglabeach
The Magna Grecia set the tone for the rest of our stay in Greece.
we took a long honeymoon and decided we wanted to stay in an intimate hotel. This hotel not only matched our requirements but has made me a believer!
We had an Acropolis view hotel room on the second floor, but soon realized that you don't even need to book an Acropolis view. We met another couple who showed us there room and it was beautiful, without the view. The rooftop terrace is the location you need to be to get the best view anyway.
My wife and I finished every night in Athens with a 2 hour nightcap with a different Greek wine on the terrace. The night staff was very gracious in getting us anything we needed.
As for location, there is no other that is better. We watched a wedding from the terrace at the cathedral on Saturday, and walked to all the important sights and museums of central Athens with ease.
The Recommendations for dining and shopping were always perfect. Go to Psaras Restaurant...food is excellent! Event was good as well.
The owner and his son defined the word hospitality for me (and I am in the hotel business too).
Remenber you do not need an Acropolis view room. Just book a room if you can. The terrace is a perfect viewing spot anyway.
We highly recommend staying here
by TripAdvisor Member Independentraveler
We booked 3 rooms for 3 couples and requested an acropolis view and were not disappointed. Each of the rooms on the 2nd floor had unique character and were clean, the view was incredible and the service was excellent. They even prepared our breakfast early so we could meet a timeline for our bus tour (which is a very good way to see the main sites if you have limited time). Sunday morning we awoke to the sounds of beautiful singing and ringing bells coming from the Cathedral across the street- it was quite moving. Both restaurants that were recommended were excellent and reasonably priced. I would highly recommend the Magna Grecia.
Dishonest hotel, lied to us, and didn't honor the reservation
by TripAdvisor Member Eleni_K
We had reservations for rooms at the Magna Grecia in May 2006. Confirmed rooms.
Reservations made months in advance. When we showed up at the Magna Grecia, the
desk person told us check-in wasn't for one hour and to come back. When we came
back we were told that there had just been a major water leak so some of the
rooms weren't available and they could no longer honor our reservation. Since no
one at the hotel looked anything other than completely bored, I questioned this
assertion (this conversation was in greek which I speak fluently). It was
obvious the owner was lying about the rooms being damaged.
Out of curiousity, I asked to see a room. Without hesitation, the owner had the
maid let us into someone else's room (they weren't there but all their stuff
was). We asked the maid about where the water damaged rooms were located and she
looked at us like we were insane and said indignently, there is nothing wrong
with ANY of the rooms in this hotel. We said we thought there were some water
damaged rooms, and she said absolutely not.
Instead of honoring our reservation, the owner moved us to the Central Hotel,
which was on a dark, dirty street and not very nice. While explaining where the
hotel we were being moved to was, the owner gave us a lecture about booking the
room with an internet travel site. He complained bitterly about the amount of
commision he needs to pay them, and how we should never use them even if they
are cheaper because it costs him money.
Don't book this hotel unless you are prepared to have your reservations
dishonored and to be lied to.
Disappointed
by TripAdvisor Member Cartolina
We just spent one night at the Magna Grecia and were disappointed. The hotel is beautiful and the location is good for sightseeing but those are its best qualities. The hotel is directly across the street from the Cathedral of Athens and the bells that ring the hours can be heard loud and clear in the guest rooms. There is also street noise from motorbikes and cars. If you are a light sleeper this is a problem. Also, they offer no assistance with luggage, the common rooms are not air conditioned, the bed was mushy and sloped and sagged and the shower was broken. Finally, the breakfast was prepackage breads, canned fruit and orange drink. This is not what I expected after so many good reviews and the description.
For not very much more money I would recommend the Electra Palace Hotel a few blocks away which outshines the Magna Grecia by a lot.
Loved the Magna Grecia
by TripAdvisor Member Boscosmum
We loved the Magna Grecia! The location was excellent and hotel staff wonderful. The room was decorated in a lovely manner, with a beautiful painted ceiling. Our room overlooked the square in front of the cathedral. The staff was accommodating and friendly, never tiring of our questions. They gave us good recommendations to restaurants and booked our tour for us. The view of the acropolis is outstanding! We would definitely recommend this hotel to anyone.
Not bad
by TripAdvisor Member Jardel33
We stayed 2 nights at the Magna Grecia in August. The location of the hotel is magnific, close to Acropolis and the old part of Athens, and the room we stayed had a fantastic view to the Acropolis. The rooms and the decoration of the hotel are quite nice.
On the negative side I must refer the street noise of the cars and motorbikes, I'm sure the street traffic is not their fault but the noise isolation of the room definitly is. The breakfast was of prepackaged bread, canned fruit and a horrible orange juice, to be honest I can't remember such a low quality breakfast in an hotel. The staff is quite friendly and helpful. If you aren't a light sleeper and don't care about breakfast this is a great hotel. Maybe my problem was the expectation I got from the tripadvisor comments!
Very good overall
by TripAdvisor Member SRewse
After reading many reviews about the Magna Grecia we booked for one night in August. The hotel is very central and all the main sites, shopping streets etc are very handy. It is also easily accessible from Athens airport via the metro, Line 3 (10 euro for 2, single fare) to either Syntagma Square or Monstiraki, the hotel is about 300m from either. If returning to the airport it is best to get on at Monstiraki as it is the first stop and you are more likely to get a seat.
Unlike some other reviewers we were greeted by the owner (Stelios was on holiday) who carried our bags and offered us a choice of rooms; we opted for the Acroplis view room. The bed was very comfortable and the shower had a glass screen (not a 'missing' curtain as one reviewer complained). The a/c was very efficient and quiet. The room had a safe and a fridge. The only downside to the room was that as other reviewers have said the street is very noisy (partic motorbikes) and the window was jammed so we couldn't shut it. There were shutters and curtains so light wasn't a problem. The breakfast was adequate with fresh fruit, greek yoghurt, peaches, poached eggs (luke warm), continental sausages, cereal, and sliced bread for toast. as other reviewers have stated orange juice was a bit disapoointing as was the coffee but water was hot enough (just) to make a cup of tea. We booked through Hotels.com and were quoted 111 euro but ended up paying 124 euro, might have been local taxes.
We would stay again unless we felt there was somewhere better for a similar price.
Within walking distance of the ancient sites
by TripAdvisor Member FTLGuys
The location of the hotel was excellent for tourists in the heart of the Plaka shopping and restaurant district. We walked to most of the ancient sites which only took us 20-25 minutes. Athens was dirtier and sketchier than what I had envisioned so I was glad that we chosen this hotel in this location.
The hotel was clean and well maintained for a older vintage building. We were given a nicely furnished room with an Acropolis view. The bathroom could use a little updating though - would prefer a shower spout instead of the hand-held one at the base of the tub.. The staff was friendly but there was only one that spoke english who worked evenings. My partner and I would stay there again though if we ever decide to go back to Athens.
The only issue we experienced was the noise while trying to sleep due to the church bells next door and the street noise below. The bed was soft and comfy though.
Traveler tip: Beware the Taxi's. We got totally scammed by the first one that charged us 40 Euro from the cruise ship port. It should have been less than 20. Not only did he double charge us but claimed that I had given him a 10 when I in fact had given him a 50 so it ended up costing us 70 Euros. From that point on, I made sure I counted the money out loud and only took taxi's that agreed to use their meters.
Add'l Note: We used bookings.net to originally book this hotel but they did not post this review on their site so I will not trust their reviews as much as Tripadvisor from now on.
Forum Posts
hotel in athens
by jimbodi
we are looking for a nice, clean hotel in athens to stay for 1 or 2 nights easy to access the acropolisfor a tour 1 day and then to the ferry terminal to head to an island ( not sure which one yet)
can anyone recomend a hotel? not to cheap, not to expensive
thanks
RE: hotel in athens
by brotherleelove
The metro station convenient to the Acropolis that also goes directly to the ferry port of Piraeus is the Monastiraki metro station. There are lots of hotels in this area, all within easy walking distance to both Monastiraki and the Acropolis.
Pan Hotel
Cecil Hotel
Attalos Hotel
Arethusa Hotel
Magna Grecia Hotel
Acropolis View HOtel
RE: RE: hotel in athens
by hawkhead
Plaka or Makrigiani are preferable areas to Monastiraki in terms of salubriousness (is that a word?!!!). You will be able to do more than the Acropolis in one day. e.g. Acropolis in the morning, then to the Agora in the afternoon.
RE: RE: hotel in athens
by brotherleelove
Yes, it's a word. You can also say 'salubrity'.
RE: hotel in athens
by fazio123
try te terrific travelbook where you find good accomodation all over greece
www.specialplacestostay.com/maps/greece/index
they have 2 hotels in athens convenient ,central,but quiet,which is important if you stay a few days in centre
enjoy greece
I need a room near Athens airport for one night.
by AthenaHst
Can anyone recommend an accomodation for one night near the Athens airport? I've seen inexpensive hostel rooms in the Plaka and Syndagma area. I'm just wondering if it is easy to take the metro from there to the airport or should I rent a hotel room near the airport? My flight leaves at 11:50 am on a Wednesday morning. Thanks.
Re: I need a room near Athens airport for one night.
by brotherleelove
There's nothing cheap out at the airport, but the Metro goes from Monastiraki and Syntagma Square often and only takes 45 minutes, and there are lots of inexpensive hotels within walking distance to both Metro stations.
Check the Cecil Hotel, Attalos Hotel, Pan Hotel, Amazon Hotel, Magna Grecia Hotel, Acropolis View Hotel and Arethusa Hotel. Cheaper still is John's Place Hotel at #5 Patroou Street, just off Mitropoleos Street, about 5 minutes from Syntagma Square. Unfortunately they don't have a website, you'll have to call them or drop by. 210-322-9719
Re: I need a room near Athens airport for one night.
by 999goni
Hi,
You could take airport bus ( to Pireus ) and come off at GLYFADA ( at seaside )and stay at hotel there. Bus trip is fast and takes about 30 mins to glyfada( about 5 euros )Buses leave airport for Pireus every 15 mins and run nearly all day. For hotel location came across a good website wwwsimplyairlines - has hotels in Glyfada reasonable rates good standard - hope this helps.
Cheers John
Accommodation/Area Close to the Airport?
by Kaspian
I'm going to the big VT Santorini meet in June and I have a stay over night in Athens. My plane lands at about 5:00 PM and I leave the next day at about noon for the island.
I imagine the first thing I'll want to do is go to sleep for a few hours.
I've read that it's 50 minutes on the subway to/from the airport to Athens.
My question is, is there someplace closer to the airport I could stay? Anything worth seeing in closer proximity to the airport that doesn't require an hour travel?
I'll probably just want to sleep, get up for a few hours, eat, and then go back to bed.
I do plan on exploring the city centre of Athens, but after the Santorini meet.
However, if there are any VTers getting together on that night in Athens (May 30), I'd love to hear from you.
Re: Accommodation/Area Close to the Airport?
by brotherleelove
The Airport Sofitel is right at the airport. You can walk there in 5 minutes. The Holiday Inn/Attica Avenue is about 20 minutes from the airport and they have a shuttle. Contact them about airport pickup, I don't know what their policy is. It's possible you might have to take a taxi there and the shuttle back the next day for your flight to Santorini. These are the only two hotels near the airport that I'm aware of.
There's really not much to see out there.
Re: Accommodation/Area Close to the Airport?
by Kaspian
Many Thanks! Typical airport area, huh? Maybe I'll make the trek to town then.
Re: Accommodation/Area Close to the Airport?
by brotherleelove
If you take the airport express bus for 3.2 euro it'll drop you off right next to Syntagma Square. Just downhill from the bus stop is Mitropoleos Street, and there are lots of cheap hotels within easy walking distance. Check the Pan Hotel, Amazon Hotel, Magna Grecia Hotel and Arethusa Hotel.
As I think about it the airport metro also goes to Syntagma, and it's a much better option than the bus given your arrival time because of rush hour traffic, which is terrible in Athens. For 10 euro you can buy a round-trip ticket good for 48 hours.
Re: Accommodation/Area Close to the Airport?
by Carmela71
Hi Edd, I read some place that close to the airport is the zoo, perfect to expend a couple of hours if being near the airport (but I would suggest to go to Athens if you want to go out for a couple of hours, for sure there is moroe life around!). But you also have another option, get the nightferry to Santorini with Claus, G and the others, but I guess you may be very tired after the flight, so It can nt be an option to party all night ;-) before the meeting
:-)
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