Just back from three nights at the Fresh Hotel and felt compelled to leave a review.
This is a really fantastic hotel and brilliant value for money, the staff cannot do enough to help you.
We arrived during what was clearly one of their quieter weekends and were upgraded to an executive room with a 'zen garden' - a small balcony area with bamboo and pebbles for those not with the zen. Was pleased to see Korres products in the bathroom and the entire suite was spotlessly clean. There was even a welcome bottle of water and raisins soaked in honey as a snack.
When we checked in we were given a voucher complimentary cocktail each at the rooftop bar so headed up there, it's a really beautiful bar with stunning views across the city. It was too cold to use the pool on the roof but it was a lovely area and would be a great sunning spot in the summer months.
As a former bartender in a cocktail bar I was pleasantly surprised with the bar staffs knowledge and abilty - the drinks were lovely and despite the steep price (11 euros for a cocktail) we returned another night for more.
The hotel gym was well equipted with modern cardio and decent weights etc. The steam room was out of order and the sauna was closed when we were the mega helpful concierge offered to turn it on for us and explained it was only turned off because the hotel was quiet.
Much has been made on Tripadvisor about the dodgy area the hotel in situated in but we had no problems at all. Yeah, the area isn't brilliant but it is less than a five minute walk to Monasarnaki Square which is a real tourist hub and only a few minutes more to Plaka and the ancient city of a Agora. Teh only downside I found to the location is that there is a pet shop right beside the hotel, with puppies in the window 24 hours a day. It angered me to see them in small glass cages with idiots tapping the glass constantly. We even saw an idiot tapping on the glass at the sleeping pups at 2 a.m.
Athens is a pretty expensive city, food prices are on a par with London or Edinburgh and drinks even more pricey. Expect to pay about 8 Euros for a spirit and around 5-6 Euros for a beer but like every city if you hunt you'll get cheaper prices off the beaten track.
We found the best nightlife was in Psyrri but Plaka and Thisio are well worth a look too. Also, just off Monastarnaki Square there are some lovely Greek cafes on the pavement. Great for lunch even in January thanks to the mild weather and patio heaters.
Don't hesitate to book the Fresh Hotel, great hotel, great staff and great value for money.

We previously stayed at a rather over priced, over rated hotel in a rather inconvenient part of Athens, and this hotel was recommended by a Greek friend who lives in Athens.
And what a great recommendation!

Initially the area looked a little dodgy, but it turned out to be surprisingly safe, convenient, (right near the Acropolis), and a haven above the busy hustle and bustle of the Athenian streets.

The roof Top pool deck was incredible! We spent a good few hours lying around the pool, drinking in cocktails and taking in the view of the Acropolis and Parthenon.

From arriving at the hotel, (and clumsily dropping my passport behind a glass partition at the counter, where the staff went out of their way to help me retrieve it), to the small but well appointed rooms, this hotel was definitely a win.

I would certainly recommend this to any traveler, and I know where we will be staying in Athens in August 2012!

Our standard double room was very small but had everything you needed. Hotel is located in somewhat shifty area with loads of streetwalkers about, but it is quite a quick walk 9about 7 min) to Monastriki (just stick to the main road at night as some of the back alleys are quite scary). The folks that work here were all very friendly and pleasant - eventhough we checked in at 4 am.. The rooftop area is divine: nice pool and lounge area, and the restaurant served some really good food (i had a club sandwhich with truffle oil which was yum).

This trip I searched for a change of scene for my 4th Athens visit this year but found no hotel that did not suffer from at least one critical shortfall (overheated rooms, poor wifi, no garage, rude staff or, in the case of the near faultless Grande Bretagne, out-of-budget prices...) so back to the Fresh. Happy. It is striking that after all these years the same staff retain such enthusiasm - all of them. We are now very used to the area which although not the smartest is really not dangerous. We walked happily down to Monastiraki for a kebab in 5 minutes and into Psirri for good home-style cooking in about 3 - no discomfort of any sort. Good choice of snacks and main courses in the rooftop bar/restaurant. Garage beneath the hotel. Fast wifi throughout. Only minor gripe (did I mention it last time?) is that frieds eggs, bacon, sausages, omelette tend to be cold and chewy by the time you get to them at breakfast - but there is plenty of other lovely stuff to choose from (cheeses, cold meats, yoghurts, honey, pastries, toast, fruit, fresh juice......). Oh yes, and there was the upgrade - thank you, thank you, thank you. But even without that very, very good value.