I spent a week in this spacious studio apartment in the very heart of Kolonaki, which by some posh measure could be characterized as the very heart of Athens as well. It literally is located just one block from Kolonaki Sq., so there you have it: shopping, freddo-sipping and people-watching right off your doorstep! (If you’re thusly inclined.)
As a somewhat light-sensitive sleeper, I was relieved to learn that this “white cube” apartment can instantly be transformed (through a combination of outside blinds and window shades) into a dark void of the blackest black you’ve ever seen so that sleep’s blessing in this city that hardly ever sleeps may be finally upon you. The windows keep most of the traffic noise out—but not all, and since this apartment is on the hilly side of Kolonaki, the sound of speeding cars and motorcycles driving uptown can be distracting. For this reason—Athenians party hard and drive harder—I always bring a small, hand-held white-noise generator when I’m in town, and it always serves me well.
All the amenities are there as advertised, everything is clean—as in bath and kitchen—and fresh—as in towels and linen—and also where it should be, so I’m really hard-pressed to find anything to complain. One caveat though: The shower is a spatial challenge only anorexics, natural string beans and contortionists would deem comfortably roomy. Luckily I am rather slim myself, so I could manage.
The nearest metro station is Evangelismos on line 3 (the airport line), but since Syntagma Sq. is only a short 10-minute walk away, I hardly used the metro during my stay. There’s a supermarket two blocks down the road, and, needless to say, tons of restaurants and bistros and cafés in the vicinity.
The hosts and the housekeeper were super-friendly and very accessible and forthcoming, so all in all it was a satisfying experience. I would recommend this apartment to everybody travelling alone or to couples, and of course, to anybody in search of the special Kolonaki feeling.