Sweet Home Hotel, Athens

Kimkim team favorite · 4.7 (48 reviews) · Standard
Charming family-owned boutique hotel in Athens with antique decor, comfortable rooms, and a delicious breakfast buffet

Overview

Watching guests stop to hug the hotel owner before they leave tells you all you need to know about the Sweet Home Hotel. Family is present in all aspects of this 17-room hotel, from its position as a family-run business to the owner's vintage family photos that greet you when you walk in. Sweet Home Hotel is a cozy, warm spot on the edge of Plaka and its welcoming atmosphere makes guests feel right at home.

Kimkim's Take

Olivia
Olivia Typaldos kimkim staff
Based on kimkim staff visit, October 2022 (Learn more)
Pros
  • The Sweet Home Hotel is within walking distance of Athens' major sites, like the Acropolis, Hadrian's Arch, the Temple of Zeus, and Monastiraki Square.
  • The staff—some of whom are part of the hotel's family—take care of their guests, offering welcome drinks upon arrival and suggestions for what to do around Athens.
  • Personal touches are scattered throughout the hotel, such as old photos of the owner's family and an impressive vintage gramophone collection owned by the owner's father.
Cons
  • Some of the standard rooms are a bit small, with space primarily for a bed and closet. Opt for a Superior, Deluxe, Family, or Penthouse unit if space is a concern.
  • While a prime central location has its benefits, it also means that there can be a bit of noise from cars and construction during the day; it's less of an issue in the evening.
  • Many rooms look out at other buildings—be sure to book a room with a partial Acropolis view if it's available.

Authenticity

Two important values in Greece are family and philoxenia, which translates to "friend of the foreigner" and refers to the Greek hospitality of treating someone like family. This is at the heart of the philosophy of the family-run Sweet Home Hotel, where manager Aphrodite and her family embrace their guests. The hotel includes lovingly displayed personal touches: photos of Aphrodite's mother as a child, vintage 18th-century objects, and her father's fantastic vintage gramophone collection. The historic building is about 120 years old and retains some of its original features, such as ornate iron-wrought railings and intricate wooden doors. While the location and old building give an air of authenticity to Sweet Home, what really makes it authentic is the personal history that brings guests into the folds of a Greek family.

Location

Sweet Home Hotel is located just on the edge of Plaka off of Mitropoleos Street, which separates Plaka from Syntagma or the city center. It's an area that's filled with shops, restaurants, bars, and cafés, as well as historic sites. The Acropolis and Acropolis Museum are just a 10-minute walk from the hotel, while you can reach Monastiraki Square and the metro in the same amount of time and get to Syntagma Square and the metro in five minutes.

Rooms & Bathrooms

Sweet Home has 17 rooms ranging from standard doubles to a large penthouse. While the standard rooms are typical sizes for a hotel in a European city center, they may feel a little small for those used to more space. They measure 118 square feet (11 sq m), and the bed and wardrobe take up much of the space. For those looking for more room, consider booking a Superior Double, Deluxe, Family, or even the Penthouse. Families can choose connecting family rooms or the Penthouse, which sleeps up to five people. While the spacious Penthouse has a bathtub in the middle of the room, it doesn't offer much privacy. There's no separation or partition between the master bed and the living room where other travelers can sleep, so this is a good option for smaller families or groups that don't mind sharing space in this way.

Amenities

Perhaps the most surprising thing about Sweet Home is its beautiful collection of vintage gramophones and other artifacts displayed in the basement. It's like a museum featuring flower-painted gramophones, an 18th-century wood lathe, and an 18th-century tobacco press, all of which were passed down through generations of the family that now owns the hotel. The lobby features a lounge/dining area where you can relax and enjoy homemade breakfast or coffee.

Family-Friendliness

Sweet Home Hotel caters to children. Highchairs, baby cots, bed rails, and children's silverware are all available on request. Babies up to age 2 stay for free. There's a fee for children ages 2-13 per night, while children over the age of 13 are charged as adults.

Other Highlights

Breakfast is the only meal that's offered here, but coffee is served all day. Upon arrival, guests will receive a welcome drink with homemade liquor, while those who have to check out early can get a takeaway breakfast option.

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Hotel Information

Hotel phone icon +30 2103229029
Hotel address icon Patroou 5 - Plaka
Free wifi

Traveler Reviews

48 total ratings, 40 with reviews
4.7
Feature ratings
Authenticity & Character
4.9
Location
4.8
Staff
4.9
Cleanliness & Comfort
4.8
Meredith
Meredith H.
Meadowbrook, VA | Reviewed on May 31, 2024
It was just lovely. The hotel was well located, well appointed, and provided exceptional personal service. Staying at the Sweet Home Hotel certainly enhanced our trip. Read more

It was just lovely. The hotel was well located, well appointed, and provided exceptional personal service. Staying at the Sweet Home Hotel certainly enhanced our trip.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Peter
Peter S.
Newark, NJ | Reviewed on May 15, 2024
This is a small hotel. It is well kept and up-to-date and is in the middle of the old part of Athens. It is near the major sites. The staff is friendly, helpful and welcoming. Read more

This is a small hotel. It is well kept and up-to-date and is in the middle of the old part of Athens. It is near the major sites. The staff is friendly, helpful and welcoming.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Stayed in April 2024
S
Susan K.
Chico, CA | Reviewed on Oct 23, 2023
Very quaint hotel located on a quiet street in Athens. The staff was very friendly, the rooms comfortable, and the breakfasts were cooked by the owner's mother. They even had free home-made liqueurs for us to drink. Read more

Very quaint hotel located on a quiet street in Athens. The staff was very friendly, the rooms comfortable, and the breakfasts were cooked by the owner's mother. They even had free home-made liqueurs for us to drink.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Stayed in September 2023
N
Neha B.
India | Reviewed on Oct 03, 2023
I would like to rate 5 for the staff here.
This place is centrally located to the downtown.
Rooms are tiny which is a bit inconvenience however they but very clean..
There breakfast spread was awesome.
Read more

I would like to rate 5 for the staff here.
This place is centrally located to the downtown.
Rooms are tiny which is a bit inconvenience however they but very clean..
There breakfast spread was awesome.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Stayed in September 2023
Tom
Tom C.
Shaw, DC | Reviewed on Sep 27, 2023
Perfect location for the Acropolis and downtown Athens. Staff was amazing.. in particular, Aphrodite. Read more

Perfect location for the Acropolis and downtown Athens. Staff was amazing.. in particular, Aphrodite.

Authenticity & Character
Boutique small hotel with best breakfast!
Location
In Plaka district close to everything
Staff
Aphrodite was great!!
Cleanliness & Comfort
Stayed in September 2023
Michelle
Michelle G.
Maple Grove, MN | Reviewed on Sep 21, 2023
Wonderful breakfast, great staff. Read more

Wonderful breakfast, great staff.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Stayed in September 2023
M
Mary SUe J.
New Castle, PA | Reviewed on Sep 18, 2023
They were so kind and accommodating. Beautiful. Read more

They were so kind and accommodating. Beautiful.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Stayed in September 2023
Eric
Eric L.
Cortlandt Manor, NY | Reviewed on Aug 20, 2023
Lovely rooms with tall ceilings. Inn keeper and staff could not be nicer. Read more

Lovely rooms with tall ceilings. Inn keeper and staff could not be nicer.

Authenticity & Character
Beautiful. Felt very European.
Location
Was a short walk to the places we wanted to go.
Staff
At breakfast offered to fill out water bottles with ice water!
Cleanliness & Comfort
Stayed in August 2023
W
Wes S.
Jacksonville, NC | Reviewed on Aug 16, 2023
We had a great experience there. We would go back in a minute Read more

We had a great experience there. We would go back in a minute

Authenticity & Character
Location
In the middle of the Plaka with great shops and sites.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Stayed in August 2023
Stephen
Stephen C.
Hong Kong SAR China | Reviewed on Jul 27, 2023
Sweet Home Boutique Hotel is conveniently located in the Plaka district of Athens, which is great for shopping and eating out. The hotel staff were kind and helpful and the rooms were very clean. We particularly enjoyed the breakfast buffet each morning. On our last morning when we had to check out early to catch the ferry, they packed a breakfast box for us to take away. Very nice! Read more

Sweet Home Boutique Hotel is conveniently located in the Plaka district of Athens, which is great for shopping and eating out. The hotel staff were kind and helpful and the rooms were very clean. We particularly enjoyed the breakfast buffet each morning. On our last morning when we had to check out early to catch the ferry, they packed a breakfast box for us to take away. Very nice!

Authenticity & Character
The elevator was convenient when we had a lot of bags, but we found the staircase a more elegant way of getting up and down.
Location
The hotel is within walking distance to the street markets and many great restaurants in the Plaka district.
Staff
The staff were very helpful in pointing us in the right direction.
Cleanliness & Comfort
We really liked the olive oil soap and shampoo. The morning breakfast buffet was also the best we had during our stay in Greece.
Stayed in July 2023

Like what you see?

Chat with our local specialists and let us help you customize your trip with hotels like this.

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Hotel Information

Hotel phone icon +30 2103229029
Hotel address icon Patroou 5 - Plaka
Free wifi