Looking for a boutique hotel in Athens that is stylish, colourful and authentic, in one of the Greek capital’s oldest neighbourhoods? Then look no further than Athens4. Opened in 2019, Athens4 is a small design hotel, part of the family of boutique hotels that includes 18 Micon Street and Asomaton. It’s centrally located in the old commercial and financial district of Athens, close to the trendy Psiri neighbourhood and Monastiraki square.
The building was originally home to a textile factory, producing lace and trimmings for the garment industry that was once thriving in this part of Athens. In homage to these connections, Athens4 has used lots of unique textiles, wall coverings and hand crafted furnishings in the rooms, for a unique and eclectic look that reflects the colourful, bohemian character of the surrounding neighbourhood.
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Our bedroom at Athens4
We stayed at Athens4 in one of the family suites, which combined a colourful, tropical theme, with industrial chic in the tiles and metal furnishings. The main bedroom overlooked the side street at the front of the hotel and was separated by a glass door from the living area with bunk beds and an additional divan that would double as a sofa.
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Our comfortable king size bed was clothed in high quality white cotton bedlinen. With a light duvet and plump pillows and we enjoyed a restful night’s sleep, as the pedestrianised street outside was very quiet at night.
Room amenities at Athens4
In the living area we found a Nespresso machine, bottled water and a kettle to make tea, with a selection of different Liptons teas provided. The small fridge contained a selection of soft drinks and local beers, for which there is an extra charge. Due to Covid restrictions there was no printed material in the room, but the hotel reception staff in the lobby were happy to give us any recommendations we needed.
My only quibble with the room was the lack of storage space, and it seems that Athens4 is designed for travellers who are just staying a few days and don’t want to unpack. In place of a wardrobe, there were areas of bronze metal hangers, which were perhaps a nod to the textile factory origins of the building and the neighbourhood that was once a hub of garment manufacturing.
Once I hung my clothes up I quite liked the effect, but nevertheless I would have preferred some drawers or enclosed storage, to avoid using my suitcase and the divan as a storage area.
Read more: Psiri Athens – a neighbourhood guide – street art and nightlife
Other rooms at Athens4
Each of the 23 rooms at Athens4 is individually designed with a range of room sizes; some suites that are suitable for families, as well as standard or compact rooms and a loft suite with Acropolis views. A few of the rooms and suites have outdoor terraces with shrubs planted to screen the view and a couple of chairs for seating. I’d definitely request a room with a terrace if available, as it’s so nice to have some outside space.
I had a chance to look at some of the other rooms and loved that they are all individually designed in a range of colour schemes. In a reference to the former textile factory, framed pieces of fabric hang in place of pictures on the walls.
Soft velvets are used on the headboards, cushions and easy chairs in many bedrooms, with striking, feature wallpaper. The tactile fabrics contrast with the hard, tiled floors and metal framed furniture which feel a bit more industrial in style, in keeping with this commercial neighbourhood.
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Our bathroom at Athens4
Our suite offered a large walk in bathroom area, with modern double sink, separate WC and huge wet room with an overhead rainforest shower as well as a hand held shower. The area was fully tiled and felt light and bright, with plenty of room for any families that might stay in this suite.
We had a lovely selection of Apivita toiletries, a brand that is known for its natural body and hair lines, based on bee products and medicinal plants. The selection included Greek honey and orange shampoo and conditioner and Greek honey and mountain tea shower gel and body lotion, with individually wrapped soap and a small vanity kit of cotton wool and earbuds.
With good water pressure from shiny, modern taps, the spacious bathroom was a delight to use. I had the chance to look around some other rooms and all the bathroom areas were spacious, with walk in showers and separate WCs, each individually styled with tiles and colour schemes to match the room decor.
Stay at the colourful Boutique Hotel Athens4 in the bohemian Psiri neighbourhood of Athens
Around the hotel
The modern street entrance of Athens4 opens onto an airy lobby where a buffet breakfast is served in the morning. There’s an informal reception service, with no desk but instead staff sit in the lobby and check you in on a laptop.
For security, the lobby area is kept locked, except with access via your room keycard. Depending on the guest arrivals, hotel staff may leave after 5pm and there is not a 24 hour staff presence on site, although a telephone number is provided to ring in case of any problems. This is a new breed of small hotels that offer just what the short term traveller needs, with no compromise on style and comfort.
There’s plenty of seating within the lobby area, with small tables or window seating at bar stools, where you can sit and do any work or take a coffee. A Nespresso machine and kettle with teas are available in the lobby, so that you can make yourself a hot drink or pour a glass of water from the chilled containers.
Free wifi is provided throughout the hotel, but I found it not especially fast, although fine for the normal activities of checking emails and social media. There’s no restaurant or other public areas at Athens4, so this is a hotel that will suit those who plan to be out sightseeing for most of the day, using their room as a comfortable base in Athens.
Read More: Visiting the Acropolis in Athens – here’s what you need to know
Breakfast at Athens4 Hotel
We enjoyed the breakfast at Athens4, which is laid out in a self-service buffet in the lobby area, with different seating areas at small or large tables, or at the window with bar-stool seating. As this is a small hotel, without a restaurant on site, hot breakfast options are not offered, however there was a wide selection to suit most tastes.
I loved the attractive presentation of the breakfast and the emphasis on healthy options such as fresh fruit, greek yoghurt, nuts and fresh orange juice for guests to squeeze themselves.
Also included were cereals, cheese and cold meats as well as local pastries like the traditional Greek Bougatsa breakfast pastry and feta cheese pie with filo pastry. If you want to make yourself a coffee, there’s a self service Nespresso machine available.
As I was visiting at the time of Covid restrictions, extra care was taken with cleaning the buffet area and disposable gloves were provided for guests to use when serving themselves.
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Location of Athens4 Hotel
When the Monastiraki metro station opened in 2005, the surrounding neighbourhood started to be revitalised with investment from the Greek government. Economic help was offered to local businesses to clean up the area, which had become run down with the decline of the industries that had made this such a thriving commercial neighbourhood in the past.
While there’s still a slightly run down and edgy vibe, with street art and older buildings in disrepair, this is also a neighbourhood where you can get an authentic taste of old Athens.
On pedestrianised Poliklitou Street where the hotel is located, there’s a mixture of old fashioned businesses dedicated to everything from doorhandles to textile trimmings. You only need to walk a few streets away to find places to eat, especially in the Psiri neighbourhood which comes alive at night, with bars, restaurants and live music.
Stay at the colourful Boutique Hotel Athens4 in the bohemian Psiri neighbourhood of Athens
Where to eat near Athens4
There’s no hotel restaurant or room service at Athens4, but an amazing range of bars, restaurants and street-food vendors are available in the surrounding streets or in nearby Psiri. A few that we tried included;
- Feyrouz – for delicious and inexpensive Levantine street food.
- Kokkion – for the best artisan ice cream around.
- The Foundry rooftop garden – for cocktails and pizza with an Acropolis view.
- Nancy’s Sweet Home – for cakes and pastries in the heart of Psiri.
- Central Athens Market – a great place to buy picnic items such as cheese, olives, fruit.
- Atlantikos (Avliton 7 Psiri) – tucked down a side street in Psiri for well priced seafood dishes.
- Karamanlidika – a deli that has a few tables for cheese and meat platters.
- TAF / The Art Foundation – an all day bar in a complex of old worker’s houses.
- Nudie Foodie Psiri – for healthy smoothies, vegan, veggie and gluten free brunch dishes.
Read more: Uncovering the delicious food in Athens
Who will enjoy staying at Athens4?
- Those who want a stylish and comfortable base for sightseeing in Athens, but don’t need lots of hotel facilities.
- Those looking for a value for money, no frills experience, without compromise on style.
- Travellers who want to stay in a more authentic Athens neighbourhood, but still be close to all the main attractions.
- Business travellers who prefer a smaller hotel with personality.
- Lovers of street art, nightlife and bohemian style.
- Both the hotel and the neighbourhood exude a youthful vibe and most of the guests seemed to be aged under 40.
- The Athens4 family suites are also well set up for families who just need a base for sightseeing.
Read more: Visit the Acropolis is Athens – here’s what you need to know
Stay at the colourful Boutique Hotel Athens4 in the bohemian Psiri neighbourhood of Athens
Good to know
- There is a small lift to all floors, but the hotel is not really set up for wheelchair users.
- The hotel is dog friendly
- As the neighbourhood still has a commercial and slightly run down feel, this hotel is better suited to the adventurous traveller looking for an authentic experience, rather than those looking for a more upscale, polished experience.
- The hotel is located down a pedestrian side street, with shops open during the day, but little activity once they close. This means the area is quiet at night, so solo travellers might need to be cautious if returning late at night.
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Athens4 – key information
- 23 rooms and suites in a range of sizes
- Reception / lobby area with self service complimentary water / coffee / tea
- No restaurant on site.
- Complimentary buffet breakfast
- Closest Metro is Monastiraki (direct metro line to airport)
- Services include luggage storage | chargeable same day laundry service
- Easy walking distance to major tourist sites such as Monastiraki Square, Plaka, Syntagma Square, Acropolis.
Looking for a more classic hotel? Read this review: Electra Palace in Athens – classic, elegant, close to the Acropolis
Book your stay at Athens4 Hotel
Website: Athens4 Hotel | Address: Polykleitou 4 – 10551 Athens | Closest Metro: Monastiraki | Email: [email protected] | Instagram @Athens_4 | Compare prices and book for hotels in Athens
Need a guidebook for Athens? We recommend the DK Eyewitness Top 10 Athens guide
Other Athens boutique hotels
As an alternative to Athens4 you can also check out the other boutique hotels run by the same group. Each is individually designed with a slightly different character.
18 Micon Street – A 15 room boutique hotel in the heart of the lively Psiri neighbourhood. This converted warehouse uses industrial references of brick, wood and cement, softened by tactile fabrics in its individually designed rooms. A few of the suites have terraces with Acropolis views.
Stay at 18 Micon Street in the heart of Psiri – a boutique hotel in a converted warehouse.
Vasi – This is the newest boutique hotel to join to the group’s portfolio. It’s just around the corner from Athens4, and the 18 light filled rooms are furnished using natural materials with a neutral colour palate.
Stay at Vasi in the Athens historic triangle – with light filled rooms and a natural colour scheme
Asomaton – Close to the Thisio metro, this 19 room luxury boutique hotel was originally a carriage repair shop. It was transformed from dereliction in contemporary industrial style while retaining the heritage brickwork. There’s a small indoor pool, a roof terrace with Acropolis views and the rooms showcase the work of New York based Greek artist Philip Tsiaras.
Stay at Asomaton near Thisio Metro – this luxury boutique hotel retains the original stonework of the old carriage repair shop.
What’s there to do near Athens4 ?
- Take an Athens Street Art tour that includes the murals of Psiri – we recommend this excellent street art tour that we took with Alternative Athens.
- The Central Market of Athens – walk through the halls of fresh fish and meat, and shop at the deli stalls around the perimeter.
- Wander around Psiri for the artisan shops and nightlife bars and restaurants when the area is buzzing.
- Browse the flea market stalls of Monastiraki.
- The other big tourist attractions such as Syntagma Square, the Acropolis and the major museums are just a couple of metro stops from Monastiraki.
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Read about Athens Street Art – discover these amazing murals and artists!
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My complimentary stay at Athens4 was hosted* by the hotel
* More info on my policies page
This article is originally published at Heatheronhertravels.com
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