by Ferne Arfin   December 16 2018

Hotel Review:

Andronis Athens – The spirit of the Psyrri district in a funky boutique hotel

If you’re exploring Psyrri, Athens’ edgy, arty neighbourhood, the Andronis Athens could not be a better located base. At 33 Karaiskaki Street, this tiny (6 suites), quirky hotel is just one door down from the corner of café strewn Platia Iroon, the square at the center of the Psyrri scene.

But unless you are warned ahead of time, you might have some trouble finding the hotel. Instead of a reception desk, it has a barista. The hotel occupies the upper floors above the oddly named iFeel bistro. You enquire at the bar and a staff member shows you to your room. (An arrow marks the spot in the photo gallery below)

I have to admit, I was a little dubious at first, but I needn’t have been. A pair of  locked glass doors beside the restaurant open to a private corridor and a lift to the suites – one or two on each floor. The bistro is friendly and the atmosphere beyond the glass doors is quiet and stylish.

Individuality

Each individually decorated suite is eclectic and light-hearted. In keeping with Psyrri’s reputation as a magnet for street artists, the rooms have hand-painted details and murals by the hotel’s interior designer, Apostolis Vasiliadis. The Penthouse, with its gauzy curtains and freestanding bath, has views of the Acropolis and the Parthenon. Suites on the lower floors overlook the café scene of the square and some of the district’s most colourful street art.

My suite was a bit on the small side but comfortably furnished with a large bed and witty furniture. It had a large, walk-in shower and separate vanity area supplied with lush toiletries from the Greek luxury brand, Apivita. A good quality hair dryer, fluffy robe and slippers and a solid, easy to operate safe are all standard.

There was also a small table with a tray of coffee and tea making supplies, fresh milk and bottled water. (As an aside, I do wish hotels in the USA would adopt this civilised British and European practice.)

And to make my stay even better, I was finally able to relieve my craving for galaktoboureko at  Nancy’s Sweet Home or, for those of you who can read Greek, Το Σερμπετόσπιτο της Νάνσυ, directly across the street at 1 Platia Iroon. I’m experimenting with recipes for this semolina custard pie, wrapped in filo, now, and I’ll publish a recipe as soon as I can make it myself. Meanwhile, you can check out a picture of it, along with more room and neighbourhood details in the photo gallery below.

Discover why other travelers gave Andronis Athens a Tripadvisor Certificate of Excellence and book it yourself.