Lonely Planet Review

The landmark Electra Palace hotel is the most luxurious in the Plaka vicinity and one which is deservedly held in high esteem`, being particularly popular with North American visitors. It offers 5-star facilities and is the only Plaka hotel to offer private parking (for a fee).

The decor of the public areas offers a nod to the city's classical era, with a wide marbled lobby and various Hellenic motifs behind the fake neoclassical facade. The standard rooms are particularly spacious and, while the interior can feel a little heavy for a summer's day in Athens, they are very well equipped, with attractive marbled bathroom (and an exterior hand basin). The mattresses are firm, and all rooms have big windows and appealing artwork with a heavy Acropolis theme. Up a grade, the superior rooms and suites have balconies on which to luxuriate. The hotel has a restaurant, a small indoor pool and a jacuzzi with associated gym and massage treatments. In fact, the only thing it lacks is a bit of soul, but that is something that only appears with time - the hotel was completely rebuilt for the Olympics.