We planned to stay here for two weeks.
The Good:
The hosts seem like amazing people. They communicate fast and are very helpful, hospitable, and accommodating. We needed a cooking pan at one point, and they purchased two brand-new ones the next day. Thank you. The appt was sparkling clean when we arrived, fully renovated, and tastefully decorated. The bed is very comfortable, the kitchen well equipped, and my favorite was the large and powerful shower! You don’t see this often in Athens. The appt is also centrally located, so access to essentials, restaurants, cabs, etc., is within minutes. There is an elevator in the building as well, which is convenient when traveling with luggage.
The Bad:
The appt is located on a bustling street, and as a result, it isn’t quiet. Even with the windows closed, it’s noisy. Everyone has a different tolerance for these things, but it’s an important detail, in my opinion. We used earplugs to sleep at night, and while they helped, it wasn’t enough, unfortunately, to cancel out the noise from obnoxious neighbors. Some would blast music into the late hours of the night, others would start banging on something early in the morning, and others seemed to enjoy smoking and to engage in loud conversations in the hallway. Cigarette smoke would sometimes find its way into our apartment, and as a non-smoker, it isn’t enjoyable. I understand these people are likely permanent residents that may be used to one another, but as a guest staying in the same building, it is not a pleasant experience. At one point, I spoke with a neighbor about the music, and while he did not like it, he turned it off. Others ignored me. So to avoid escalation and conflict, we moved elsewhere a couple of days early.
I will stress that I am not blaming our hosts for any of these unpleasantries as they are primarily out of their control, but I feel they are important details that others might appreciate.