Before or after Mykonos, most of our clients pass through Athens, and Athens does one thing the island cannot: hotels built for a few hours rather than a night. They are legal, everywhere, and completely uninterested in who you arrive with. Rather than list them by neighbourhood, this page ranks the ones our companions actually use, top to bottom, so you can pick by how much comfort you want rather than by map.
The top tier
Ruby Rooms Kifisia is the best of the category in Athens: a boutique house between Kifissia and Nea Erythraia with the highest ratings of any place on this list. Port Tower Piraeus is a new luxury hotel by the harbour and The Alex in Kastella a refined boutique one with a view over the marina; both are real hotels that happen to be discreet. Prive Athens in Metaxourgeio is the upscale central choice, and Crystal Blue Hotel in Glyfada the most comfortable on the coast, large rooms at the quiet end of the main road.
Solid and well run
Pines Hotel and Chris Hotel in Kifissia, Lida Hotel (the Xcite house) in Nea Erythraia and Hotel Maroussi by the Olympic stadium cover the northern suburbs at a good standard. Priamos Erato in Gazi is the one to book if the evening starts in the bars. Mirada and Kreoli in Glyfada and Zen Hotel in Alimos are the reliable coastal three. Ruby Rooms Athens in Neos Kosmos brings the Ruby standard closer to the centre. Piraeus Port Hotel is the sensible harbour choice for a ferry morning.
Mid-range and honest
The Priamos group runs Priamos GLS and Platon in Moschato, Priamos Hotel Pagrati, Priamos Boutique in Agios Dimitrios by the Ilioupoli metro, and the themed Priamos Cinema in Metamorphosi; all clean, all predictable. Castle De Paris in Metaxourgeio is the Prive group’s themed house. Lacoba in Kallithea, Salem in Argyroupoli, Carol Hotel at Mikrolimano, Scorpios Sea Side on the Piraeus coast road, Olympic Hotel in Neo Faliro and Markos Hotel in Chaidari are all fine for the price.
Budget
Mary Plaza in Moschato, Bill Hotel in Metaxourgeio, Attiki Evans in Exarchia, Bora Bora in Nea Filadelfeia, Iviskos in Metamorphosi, Hotel Cybele in Pefki, Queen Leriotis on the Piraeus coast and Lux Hotel in central Piraeus do the job at the lowest prices. Lydia Hotel on Liosion is the cheapest and on the roughest street. The western cluster, Alfa Skaramagas, Alfa Nikaia, Crystal Blue Skaramagas, Prive Skaramagas and Glaros, is for people already out that way.
How the booking works
You take the room for a block of hours, usually three or more, and tell the office the hotel and time. The companion arrives as your guest. Her rate is on her profile and does not change with the venue; the room is your cost. Everything else is on how it works. For the island there is no short-stay equivalent; you book a normal Mykonos hotel and she comes to your room. See the Mykonos roster and the Athens companions on the same list.
Common questions
What is the best short-stay hotel in Athens?
Ruby Rooms Kifisia for the north, Crystal Blue for the coast, Prive Athens for the centre.
Are these hotels legal and safe?
Yes. Licensed hotels with a short-stay tariff, staffed reception, nothing hidden.
How many hours should I book?
Three is the usual minimum. Match it to the companion’s booking.
Is there a Mykonos version?
No. Normal hotel, outcall to your room.