26 Sofokleous, Athens, Greece | 30 (210) 524-8511
Rooftop Air Lounge and small pool with panoramic views; bar serves cocktails, and Mediterranean fare for lunch and dinner
Sleek, stylish decor with vivid splashes of color throughout
Central location near the Monastiraki subway station
Free American-style breakfast with freshly squeezed orange juice
Fitness center with sauna and steam rooms
Bike rentals arranged
Business center with computer station
Free Wi-Fi
Convenient location, but area can be a bit dodgy at night
Small rooms
Rooms are not well insulated against street noise
Part of the Design Hotels chain, the 133-room Fresh Hotel is a four-pearl stylish property in the gritty neighborhood of Psiri. Bright pops of color, nearby bike rentals, and the panoramic views of the Acropolis from the rooftop bar attract a cool kid crowd, but parts of the neighborhood are a bit rough, so think twice before walking alone at night and safeguard valuables. The rooftop swimming pool is definitely a fun scene. Great perks include free Wi-Fi, a free breakfast with hot and cold items, and a fitness center with sauna and steam rooms. Book a room on a higher floor to avoid street noise. It may be worth comparing rates at nearby Hotel Novotel Athens for many of the same perks, including a rooftop swimming pool.
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Scene
Colorful and cool with rooftop Acropolis views
This hotel is an island of fresh in an otherwise gritty neighborhood. Fresh Hotel is designed with color and clean lines in mind, so expect pops of brightness everywhere -- from a hot pink placemat at breakfast to a canary-yellow elevator. A red-and-white Plexiglass reception desk is hard to miss in the lobby. On the ninth floor, the rooftop swimming pool is on the small side (and some guests complain about waiting for a sun lounger) but offers panoramic views that include the Acropolis. Wood furniture with white cushions and umbrellas give the Air Lounge a Mediterranean feel.
Location
A gritty, urban neighborhood
This area of Athens can politely be called up-and-coming but the plethora of liquor and XXX stores in this section of Psiri can be off putting and make the area feel unsafe, especially after dark. Guests have reported seeing graffiti and prostitution on the streets near the hotel. Fresh Hotel, near the Montastiraki subway station, is about a 20-minute walk to the historic neighborhood of Plaka and the Acropolis (it looks much closer from the rooftop pool).
Rooms
Modern and colorful with (some) balconies overlooking the street
Like the rest of the hotel, the Fresh Hotel's rooms are playful and modern with bold color choices. The standard room is the most subdued with white walls and a gray shag rug, but lime green curtains and orange Plexiglass can be found in the small bathroom, along with high-quality Korres toiletries. Technology includes flat-screen TVs and free Wi-Fi. Suites have more square footage and leather furnishings, although slightly sagging, in the sitting area. Color includes fuchsia pillows on the bed and an orange TV cabinet. The bathroom is surprisingly small for this price point, with a single sink and shower stall. Some guests find the rain showerheads impractical for such a small space. Some of the balconies have views of the Acropolis, but most overlook the street. Guests have complained about noise.
Features
A (seasonal) rooftop pool, fitness room with sauna, and two restaurants -- plus bikes and free Wi-Fi
Fresh Hotel does a great job of supplying guests with fun and functional features for free. An American-style breakfast is served every morning, complete with freshly squeezed orange juice. The rooftop pool isn't heated, but it's a great place to sip a cocktail from the adjacent bar and admire Athens' views, no matter what the weather is like. There's a good-size gym with cardio equipment -- plus steam and sauna rooms. For guests who prefer to work out outdoors, the hotel can arrange bike rentals. The Air Lounge bar and restaurant serves al fresco Mediterranean fare for lunch and dinner near the swimming pool.
