The Apollo is surrounded by old apartment buildings and a dilapidated tire store, but the lobby is nice with shiny white floors and green faux-marble walls, a few cushioned couches and chairs, potted plants, sheer white curtains, and hooded lamps. The breakfast room is cave-like and stuffy. With few amenities, but several freebies and low rates, this hotel attracts budget-minded travelers.

The Apollo Hotel is on a busy street in the neighborhood of Metaxourghio, surrounded by old apartment buildings and a tire store. There is, however, a small green park nearby. The area is pretty central, with the Ancient Agora, Acropolis, and Parthenon within a 25-minute walk or 10-minute metro ride -- and the metro is within a three-minute walk.  The National Theater is about a five-minute walk away, and the airport is within a 30-minute drive without traffic, or about an hour away by bus. There are several restaurants and shops within a 10-minute walk.   

There are 52 rooms at the Apollo, ranging from single rooms to four-bed suites, and all could use an update, especially the curtains and bed coverings. Sparsely furnished, the rooms have tile floors, simple desks, chairs, luggage trays, and a painting or two on the walls.They have small, flat-screen TVs,  small safes, and mini-fridges, and window air-conditioners. The Wi-Fi connection is very spotty in the rooms -- guests might have to go to the lobby to connect. Bathrooms are basic, with toiletries, towels, and small, stand-in showers. The suite is one large room with a queen bed and two singles, a couch, and small armchairs. Many rooms have shared verandas that offer views of the Acropolis.

The free breakfast buffet consists of a choice of cereals, Greek yogurt, and drinks. The rooftop bar and lobby lounge serve cocktails and snacks from lunch to late into the night, with a few items available for room service. The free Wi-Fi is reliable only in the lobby. Staff at the front-desk, which operates 24 hours a day, will help guests print tickets and boarding passes, and make restaurant and taxi reservations. Dry cleaning and laundry service are available. On-street parking is limited. The rooftop bar is easily the stand-out feature here -- it's wide open with plenty of space and several tables, a small bar, and great views of the hills and the Acropolis in the distance.