Omonia / Patission

Melia Athens

★★★★★

The Melia Athens offers something that is surprisingly hard to find in central Athens at a mid-range price: a proper rooftop pool, a spa and a polished international standard, all within walking distance of major sights. The four-star hotel stands at 14 Chalkokondili Street on the corner of 28th October Avenue (Patission), a few minutes from Omonia Square and a short walk south of the National Archaeological Museum, which makes it a natural base for museum lovers. The rooftop is the best part of the hotel. There is a rooftop pool for a swim with a view, and the Sky Lounge bar-restaurant looks out over the city toward the Acropolis and Lycabettus Hill, a great setting for a drink at sunset. Below, the Vivendo restaurant and Mondo Cafe cover breakfast and meals, and the hotel lists four dining options in total. The spa and wellness centre includes a sauna and treatments (charged separately), and there is a fitness centre for early workouts. Rooms range from the standard Melia rooms to Supreme rooms with extra privileges and executive junior suites, and family rooms are available, which helps parents travelling with children. Design is contemporary and comfortable, with the reliability you expect from a large Spanish hotel group, and staff are used to helping international guests with tours, tickets and transport.

Who it suits: travellers who want resort-style extras such as a rooftop pool and spa without paying Syntagma prices, families who need family rooms, and visitors who plan to spend serious time at the National Archaeological Museum. It is less ideal for those who want to step straight into the picturesque lanes of Plaka, which is a metro ride or a longer walk away. It is also a sensible choice for a longer stay, because the pool, spa and gym make it easy to take a rest day without feeling stuck in your room, and the rooftop gives you the Acropolis view that many central hotels charge a premium for. Couples will enjoy sunset drinks at the Sky Lounge even if they spend their days in the old town.

Know the neighbourhood: the area around Omonia has improved, but it remains a busy, workaday district, and some surrounding streets feel rough late at night. Most guests are comfortable using main roads and taxis after dark, and the hotel's rooftop means you may not need to go out at all on a summer evening. In return, you get a much bigger hotel experience for your money than in the historic centre.

Practicalities: Omonia metro station, where Lines 1 and 2 meet, is close by, with direct trains to Piraeus, to Syntagma and the airport line, and to Akropoli for the Acropolis and its museum. Ask for a room on a higher floor for better views and less street noise. Rates vary widely by season and room category, so compare the Melia and Supreme rooms; the Supreme level is worth it if you will use its extra privileges. The climate resilience fee applies per room per night.