We stayed at the Athenian Callirhoe for the first week of our Honeymoon and then used it as a ‘home-base’ for the balance of the month in between weeks in Skiathos, Santorini, a cruise and again on our final night. I had requested a different, near-by hotel of my travel advisor: one at which I stayed when passing through Greece two years prior. He suggested the Callirhoe as better and less costly. It was clearly (to me) better but the cost was part of our package so we took him on his word for that.

I have nothing bad to say about this hotel, at all. Perhaps rooms lower down are noisy, we were on the top floor (of rooms, below the restaurant) and had no issues. Perhaps standard rooms are cramped, we were in a suite so had a hockey-sock worth of space. Perhaps some staff had a bad day, we had only minor issues with some difficulty getting coffee one day at breakfast and a particular breakfast staff’s overly insincere “Parakalooooh” every time I thanked her for anything.

Overall, the attention paid to us was just great. We were greeted efficiently every time we returned, viewing it as professionalism vice bad behaviour. In fact, it became almost comical. Our first evening there we returned from dinner to find a complimentary bottle of red wine and a plate of chocolate truffles! Lovely: we enjoyed the wine over the next couple of evenings. However, as I have stated, we used the hotel as our home-base and spent three more single nights there. We were upgraded from our Junior Suite to their larger(est?) suite with an apology that it hadn’t been available for our first week’s stay. This was not at all comical, however, each of these nights on return from the restaurant at ~ 2200 hours there was another bottle of red wine and chocolates! Having to rise at 0500/0600 for our next travel leg meant that we accumulated quite a collection of wine!

The roof-top restaurant was just fantastic. While we were there they had a running special prix fixe menu. We took advantage of and enjoyed it each time we dined, except twice. Our last night was my bride’s birthday and they made it a very special occasion, although she was a bit ‘overwhelmed’ by her large birthday martini. After the first few days, our servers became familiar with our preferences. So familiar that, when we returned for those single night stays, they were quick to bring us our beverages of choice. When I commented on the fact that this was remembered, our server simply stated, “Its my job to remember.”

The location is very close to so many attractions as commented on by others. Someone mentioned that the neighbourhood seemed a bit dodgy. I had just recently retired from the army so felt reasonably confident in my physique and ‘spidey-senses’. On day two I walked about a bit, alone, found a corner store for some snacks, a few tins of Mythos and a bottle of white wine for my wife. I never felt unsafe, nor unwelcome. The shop keeper remembered me when I returned three weeks later and, just as he had done on my first visit, presented me with the snacks complimentary after buying the wine.

The gym was a bust, I must say. I agree that it was stuffy and not all of the equipment was in good repair. We only used it once but were able to get enough excersize by walking to and through the sites.

If we ever return to Athens, this is where we will stay.