The location of the apartment is great, easily accessible by metro and in walking distance to everything you need. The area is close to the flea market so you do get peddlers and people trying to sell you drugs but it is quite safe because it’s bustling.
The apartment is on the top floor of 3 storeys. Not for the faint hearted, a total of 60 spiral steps. The inside space is poorly laid out. You are sat on a rather uncomfortable sofabed a couple of feet in front from the TV. The tv is large but not smart and there’s no way to connect your iPad to it unless you carry HDMI cables with you. We asked for one and the host simply said he couldn’t supply it. The TV channels don’t work well. Only a few do and only when the sliding door next to it to the terrace is open.
The kitchen is more of a kitchenette. It has a 2 ring stove, microwave and sandwich press. The fridge is so small that you’d struggle to fit a six pack in it even if you were a Tetris master. We tried to store milk and juice along with water and it wasn’t suitable. However if you don’t intend on cooking then you will be fine as there are multiple eateries in the surrounding area.
The shower and toilet were fine though there was some sort of leak that we had to ask to get fixed. Aris came to see it the next day and left it another day before he could fix it. It smelled foul and wasn’t very pleasant but was resolved. Shower itself is fine pressure wise but the design meant the floor mat was soaked in minutes. A holder for the shower head would be a useful addition.
We used the dining area to store our luggage as one couldn’t go up the spiral stairs with it. Not at all suitable for anyone elderly as you need both hands free to get upstairs.
The bedroom space is large but not all the windows have curtains. You will need an eye mask as it’s very bright indoors. The mattress and pillows we found seemed ok at first but as each night progressed we got less and less sleep waking up with bad necks and backs. Also if you find yourself staying on a Saturday night be warned that the nearby churches start their prayers and bells very early in the morning (6/7am) and keep going for a few hours so no lie ins should be expected on the Sunday morning.
The outside spaces is what you pay for in the place. Two terraces so you can be in the sun or shade and a further third rooftop terrace with a gazebo and the hot tub. The second terrace next to the bedroom could do with some deck chairs to sun bathe and some form of racking to dry wet towels/swimsuits would be useful since the host only provides one set of towels. We asked for another set halfway through and he obliged but replaced them rather than giving us more. Which means you have to use the same towels for the hot tub as you do for the shower. There is no washing machine at the property.
The hot tub itself works great and is a nice addition with great views. The host resets the chemicals in the hot tub every 3-4 days and needs 12hrs for this to cure.
Whilst it looks stylish and modern there was more style than substance. We have stayed at much cheaper places than this and had better amenities. You are paying for the location, the views of the acropolis and the outside spaces but the basics should work well as well and sadly do not.
However these are easily fixed and we hope the host will take this review in the spirit it is meant and that it is improved upon. Thank you for hosting us.