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    Odeon of Herodes

    One of the legendary sites that sits beneath the slopes of the Acropolis on the southwest side, is the stunning open-air theatre, Odeon of Herodes Atticus. When Pausanias, the Greek traveller and geographer from the second century AD, visited Athens during the reign of Marcus Aurelius, he described the Odeon theatre as “the finest building of its type”.

    In ancient times, Odeons were built for musical contests and this ancient stone theatre has gone on to host some of the world’s best musical performances during the last 60 years since its modern day re-opening, including Nana Mouskouri, Luciano Pavarotti and Frank Sinatra to name a few.

    Widely known by locals as simply “Herodeon”, it was built between 160AD – 174AD by the wealthy benefactor of Athens, Herodes Atticus as an ode to his late wife Rigilla. It was the third Odeon to be built in Athens and was distinctively Roman in contrast to the nearby Theatre of Dionysos. With its Roman arches and three story stage building, it was originally partly covered with a wood and tiled roof. The circular orchestra has now become a semi-circle, paved with black and white marble. With 35 rows, the marble auditorium extends slightly beyond a semi-circle with a diameter of 80 metres and today seats 4680 people.

    The original structure was destroyed some 100 years after it was built during the invasion of the Erouloi in 268 AD. It become another ruin for a great deal of time particularly during Ottoman occupation. Some restoration and rebuilding took place in the years 1898, 1900 and 1922. In the meantime, the historic site was regularly used as a venue for performances and public events. During German occupation (1941-1944), the Odeon of Herodes Atticus hosted performances by the Athens State Orchestra, as well as performances by the newly formed Greek National Opera with the young Maria Callas, who was then known as Maria Kalogeropoulou, singing the lead in Beethoven’s Fidelio and Kalomoiris’ The Master Builder.

    It was in the 1950s when the city decided to fully reconstruct the venue before its grand opening in 1955 as the prime location for the Athens and Epidaurus Festival. Today, the Odeon of Herodes Atticus remains one of the festival’s main venues and to enter you must hold a ticket to a performance. From the majestic ballets and arias, to ancient Greek tragedies, witnessing a performance here is one you’re unlikely to forget.

    A Trip to Cape Sounio

    The temple of Poseidon, the ancient Greek god of the sea, dominates the southernmost tip of Attica, where the horizon meets the Aegean Sea. Perched on the craggy rocks of Cape Sounio, the temple is enveloped in myth and historic facts dated from antiquity until the present times.

    Between myth and history

    There are stories about the ship of King Menelaus who stopped briefly at Sounio on his way back from Troy; or about the unfortunate King Aegeus who drowned himself on that spot and the Aegean Sea got named after him; or about the people who built a temple using local marble to honour the god of the sea and safeguard the profits from the neighbouring Lavrio mines.

    Decorative elements

    The unknown architect is probably the same one who built Theseion in the Ancient Agora of Athens. He decorated the temple with sculptures made of Parian marble (i.e. from Paros Island), which depicted the labours of Theseus as well as battles with Centaurs and Giants (Gigantes). The remaining sculptures are showcased in the Lavrio Museum whereas the impressive kouroi [male youths] that once stood in the temple yard are now on display in the National Archaeological Museum of Athens.
    Notice the Doric columns, count their flutes and you will see that they are less in number than those on other temples of the same period (mid 5th c. BC). This feature is also found in other seaside ancient temples, for instance in the Temple of Aphaea in Aegina etc.

     

    The Acropolis – History

    The greatest and finest sanctuary of ancient Athens, dedicated primarily to its patron, the goddess Athena, dominates the centre of the modern city from the rocky crag known as the Acropolis. The most celebrated myths of ancient Athens, its greatest religious festivals, earliest cults and several decisive events in the city’s history are all connected to this sacred precinct. The monuments of the Acropolis stand in harmony with their natural setting. These unique masterpieces of ancient architecture combine different orders and styles of Classical art in a most innovative manner and have influenced art and culture for many centuries.
    The Acropolis of the fifth century BC is the most accurate reflection of the splendour, power and wealth of Athens at its greatest peak, the golden age of Perikles.
    Pottery sherds of the Neolithic period (4000/3500-3000 BC) and, from near the Erechtheion, of the Early and Middle Bronze Age, show that the hill was inhabited from a very early period. A fortification wall was built around it in the thirteenth century BC and the citadel became the centre of a Mycenaean kingdom. This early fortification is partially preserved among the later monuments and its history can be traced fairly accurately.
    he Acropolis became a sacred precinct in the eighth century BC with the establishment of the cult of Athena Polias, whose temple stood at the northeast side of the hill. The sanctuary flourished under Peisistratos in the mid-sixth century BC, when the Panathinaia, the city’s greatest religious festival, was established and the first monumental buildings of the Acropolis erected, among them the so-called “Old temple” and the Hekatompedos, the predecessor of the Parthenon, both dedicated to Athena. The shrine of Artemis Brauronia and the first monumental propylon also date to this period.
    Numerous opulent votive offerings, such as marble korai and horsemen, bronze and terracotta statuettes, were dedicated to the sanctuary. Several of these bear inscriptions that show the great importance of Athena’s cult in the Archaic period.
    After the Athenians defeated the Persians at Marathon, in 490 BC, they began building a very large temple, the so-called Pre-Parthenon. This temple was still unfinished when the Persians invaded Attica in 480 BC, pillaged the Acropolis and set fire to its monuments. The Athenians buried the surviving sculptures and votive offerings inside natural cavities of the sacred rock, thus forming artificial terraces, and fortified the Acropolis with two new walls, the wall of Themistokles along the northern side and that of Kimon on the south. Several architectural elements of the ruined temples were incorporated in the northern wall and are still visible today.
    In the mid-fifth century BC, when the Acropolis became the seat of the Athenian League and Athens was the greatest cultural centre of its time, Perikles initiated an ambitious building project which lasted the entire second half of the fifth century BC. Athenians and foreigners alike worked on this project, receiving a salary of one drachma a day. The most important buildings visible on the Acropolis today – that is, the Parthenon, the Propylaia, the Erechtheion and the ?emple of Athena Nike, were erected during this period under the supervision of the greatest architects, sculptors and artists of their time.
    The temples on the north side of the Acropolis housed primarily the earlier Athenian cults and those of the Olympian gods, while the southern part of the Acropolis was dedicated to the cult of Athena in her many qualities: as Polias (patron of the city), Parthenos, Pallas, Promachos (goddess of war), Ergane (goddess of manual labour) and Nike (Victory).
    After the end of the Peloponnesian war in 404 BC and until the first century BC no other important buildings were erected on the Acropolis. In 27 BC a small temple dedicated to Augustus and Rome was built east of the Parthenon. In Roman times, although other Greek sanctuaries were pillaged and damaged, the Acropolis retained its prestige and continued to attract the opulent votive offerings of the faithful.
    ?fter the invasion of the Herulians in the third century AD, a new fortification wall was built, with two gates on the west side. One of these, the so-called Beulé Gate, named after the nineteenth century French archaeologist who investigated it, is preserved to this day.
    In subsequent centuries the monuments of the Acropolis suffered from both natural causes and human intervention. After the establishment of Christianity and especially in the sixth century AD the temples were converted into Christian churches. The Parthenon was dedicated to Parthenos Maria (the Virgin Mary), was later re-named Panagia Athiniotissa (Virgin of Athens) and served as the city’s cathedral in the eleventh century. The Erechtheion was dedicated to the Sotiras (Saviour) or the Panagia, the Temple of Athena Nike became a chapel and the Propylaia an episcopal residence.
    The Acropolis became the fortress of the medieval city. Under Frankish occupation (1204-1456) the Propylaia were converted into a residence for the Frankish ruler and in the Ottoman period (1456-1833) into the Turkish garrison headquarters. The Venetians under F. Morozini besieged the Acropolis in 1687 and on September 26th bombarded and destroyed the Parthenon, which then served as a munitions store. Lord Elgin caused further serious damage in 1801-1802 by looting the sculptural decoration of the Parthenon, the temple of Athena Nike and the Erechtheion. The Acropolis was handed over to the Greeks in 1822, during the Greek War of Independence, and Odysseas Androutsos became its first Greek garrison commander.
    After the liberation of Greece, the monuments of the Acropolis came under the care of the newly founded Greek state. Limited investigation took place in 1835 and 1837, while in 1885-1890 the site was systematically excavated under P. Kavvadias. In the early twentieth century N. Balanos headed the first large-scale restoration project. A Committee for the Conservation of the Monuments on the Acropolis was created in 1975 with the aim to plan and undertake large-scale conservation and restoration on the Acropolis. The project, conducted by the Service of Restoration of the Monuments of the Acropolis in collaboration with the First Ephorate of Prehistoric and Classical Antiquities, is still in progress.

     

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    How do I request a late c/out or early c/in with the Hotel?

    Standard hotel policy regarding check-in is 2:00 pm and for checkout 12:00 pm. Considering your special needs we will try to fulfill your special requests. Please call the hotel directly prior to your arrival to make any necessary arrangements. Direct hotel phone numbers can be found on your confirmation email or on the hotel information page.

    My flight arrives late at night, can I check in at that time?

    The reception of our hotel is open 24 hours a day, so it will always be someone at the Reception to welcome you. If you wish to book it together, you can also indicate the possible time of your arrival at the hotel.

    My return flight leaves very early in the morning. Can I have breakfast before 7am?

    The rich breakfast buffet is served 7-10: 30 am. If you leave before 7 am, we can open the breakfast buffet earlier (with a limited variety) or offer you a breakfast box to take with you. Please let us know at the Reception the day before.

    What is your policy regarding cancellations?

    If your travel plans change, you can cancel or modify your reservation in accordance with the hotel’s cancellation policy as stated during the reservation process.

    Will I be charged for extra guests occupying my room?

    Hotel room rates vary by date and by the number of adults occupying a single room. To accommodate more guests, you need to change your reservation. You will be notified of any additional charges prior to confirming your updated reservation.

    Is there a minimum age requirement to reserve a hotel room?

    According to the Greek law hotels have a minimum age requirement of 18 years old. Please call the hotel directly prior to your arrival to make any necessary arrangements. Direct hotel phone numbers can be found in your confirmation email or on the respective hotel information page.

    How does the Hotel preauthorize my credit card?

    Pre-authorization of your credit card is technically a “hold” on your credit card credit line from a purchase placed there by a merchant who has initiated a charge, but not completely processed it. When the merchant finalizes the transaction process, the pre-authorization amount will be replaced by an actual charge to your card. All Credit Cards are accepted for pre-authorization. We swipe your credit card at check-in to ensure that sufficient funds are available to settle your final bill –- and we hold this amount throughout your stay. The amount we check for will depend on the length of your stay and which hotel you are residing at. The member of staff checking you in will explain this process clearly. No money is taken from your credit card, however, it will show as a pending transaction. The authorization of your card will last the length of your stay and it will take up to 7 days after your departure to be released. You can use a different card to pay your final bill. If you have any questions about pre-authorization, please inquire at the check-in area.

    Can the Hotel supply a cot or rib for my room when I travel with children?

    We’ll do everything possible to accommodate your request. Please note all special requests online or via telephone when making a reservation on our website or directly through telephone.

    Where can I find maps & directions to the Hotel?

    When on the hotel’s overview page, click on to the “Contact” tab. Here, you’ll find contact details for the hotel. Scroll down further to the section on how to get to the hotel. This will include directions from major transport hubs and an interactive map helping you find the hotel from your chosen location, via car, public transport or on foot.

    I’m having trouble making an online reservation. Where should I call for help?

    In case any issues arise during the reservation process, please call the Hotel directly.

    Can I book more than one room at a time when I book on line?

    Yes, you can book up to nine rooms at a time. Please contact our group reservations department at +30 2119909100 if you wish to order ten or more rooms.

    Am I required to enter my credit card number on line to book a reservation? Is your reservation process secure?

    Yes. A credit card number is required to book a reservation online. For your security, any personal information such as your credit card number or phone number will be encrypted before being transmitted over the internet.

    Do I need an account to make a reservation on line?

    You will need to create an account as part of the online reservation process. It only takes a few minutes to set up your account and become a member using an email address and password. Once done, you can personalize your “My account” page and get special benefits and personalized service.

    How do I indicate a special request with my reservation?

    Please note all preferences and requests in the “Add comment” area when making a reservation. The hotel will do everything possible to accommodate your request.

    Can I cancel or change a reservation once it has been made?

    Yes. If your travel plans change, you can cancel or modify your reservation in accordance with the Hotel’s cancellation policy as stated during the reservation process.

    How do I cancel or modify a reservation on line?

    You may modify or cancel a reservation online. In case you experience any problems or have made the reservation off line, please contact the Hotel reservation department directly.

    What happen if my plans change and I forget to cancel my reservation?

    Unfortunately, if you fail to cancel your reservation, you will be charged a minimum of one night’s room charge and tax, billed to the credit card supplied during the reservation process or differently following the reservation’s cancellation policy Cancellation policies are displayed during the reservation confirmation process and are also listed in the confirmation email you receive upon confirming your reservation.

    What if I arrive earlier or plan to leave later than I originally expected? Can I request an early c/in or late c/out?

    We’ll do our best to accommodate your change in travel plans; however, policies regarding early check-in and late check-out may vary depending on the season or occupancy. Call the hotel directly prior to your arrival to request early check-in or late check-out. Direct phone numbers can be found on your confirmation email or on the hotel’s “Contact” page

    Is there a spa & gym at the hotel?

    Our hotel guests can enjoy their exercise in the modern gym and relax in the sauna which are offered free of charge.

    Can you arrange a transfer from the airport or the port to the hotel?

    The concierge department of our hotel will be happy to serve you and offer you the best possible solution for your transfer to and from the airport, port or bus and train station. With luxury cars or van depending on your wishes we will take care of your safe transport. Please send us your flight information to our hotel email.

    Is there a laundry service at the hotel?

    At our hotel there is a laundry service with extra charge. Contact Reception for more information. The hotel also provides an iron and ironing board.

    Does the hotel have a car parking?

    The hotel does not have a parking space, but we work with the car station very close to us, where you can benefit from a special pricing policy stating that you stay at our hotel. Otherwise, there are other Parking charges for your time, day, or week.

    How close is the hotel from the Acropolis and other archeological sites?

    The central location of the hotel allows you to walk around Athens.

     

    Smart cocooning in the Athens center

    Employing lights, music, scents, culinary delights, design ingenuity and tech savvy genius, the Athens One luxury boutique hotel,  immerses its guests into a sophisticated world of pampering and comfort.
    At this smart Athens hotel everything is in place for a reason. Amenities are cutting edge and thoroughly thought after; while a host of thoughtfully designed services ensure that you receive the red carpet treatment in every aspect of your stay. Check in within mere minutes and start enjoying!

    Amenities

    Plush mattresses, linens and pillows in all rooms
    Blackout curtains for leisurely mornings.
    In-room safe deposit boxes
    Luxury bath amenities
    Personal fast internet
    Smart FULL HD TV (40”) – Interactive Services
    Soundproof windows & rooms
    High ceiling and wooden floors
    Mini-bar
    Guest hospitality stations with tea & coffee facilities.
    Designer Bathrobes (at selected Suites)
    Coffee machines with capsules (at selected Suites)
    Suites with an in-room Jacuzzi
    Fitness center with Sauna
    Two Conference rooms
    Café – Bar

    Services

    Complimentary wireless internet in all guest rooms and common areas
    Valet laundry and dry cleaning (extra cost)
    24-hour Concierge Services
    Luggage Storage
    Complimentary business center with 24-hour guest access
    24-hour Reception
    American buffet breakfast and Greek breakfast corner
    Sauna & wellness (extra cost)

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    At the Athens One smart boutique hotel in the Athens center

    We are not part of a global conglomerate; nor even a local hospitality chain. Ours is a family owned, smart boutique hotel in Athens, designed with the savvy cosmopolite in mind. Fueled by a chronic case of wanderlust, we tapped into our 30 year experience in marketing and imports; teamed up with the leaders in construction and created Athens One: A chic but mostly smart abode, at the reborn core of Greece’s capital. As avant garde yet meaningful, as the Modernist principles in which it is encased. And by which it is inspired:
    Form follows function, in our case, too. For at the Athens One, your smart boutique hotel in Athens, nothing is in excess, nothing is missing, and everything is in place for a reason. Rather than- just- to impress, design here serves a purpose: That of fulfilling real human needs, in the optimum manner. For a seamless and smooth, slow paced, absolutely current and most enjoyable travel experience, that enables you to be comfortably you.

    A smart Athens hotel that speaks of its time and place, but aims for timelessness.

    Well versed into the joys of globe spanning; our rationale is unmistakable: We travel not to escape life but for life not to escape us. Yet, whether solo, with friends and family, your better half, for business or pleasure and everything in between, leaving your couch -and comfort zone- doesn’t mean you have to abandon worldly comforts too.
    Cutting a long story short, when we saw this historic property in an up and coming neighborhood of Athens’ downtown, we got excited by the potential.
    Drawn by the building’s fascinating past (a den of freedom fighters in WW2!) and elegant proportions, we decided to breathe new life into it: Reinvent its use and function, in line with the zeitgeist, whilst preserving its timeless form and aesthetic.
    The result is Athens One: A smart boutique hotel in Athens, as trailblazing, original and functional, as is its exemplary modernist architecture. An eco conscious, yet sumptuous abode for the contemporary globetrotters: Jetsetters on a city break, business commuters meeting in the capital, trend scouters- and setters, epicureans, urban explorers, party animals, history buffs, inspiration seeking artists, love doves and solo high flyers. All of them expecting the royal treatment -without the pretentiousness- whilst yearning for the kick of authentic, slow paced experiences.

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    Family Suite City View

    Size: 34 m2  – Capacity: 2 adults + 1 adult/child
    Prestige Suites with Jacuzzi are perfect for spreading out in. Very spacious beautiful suites with a built in hot tub and exclusive amenities, branded espresso machines and stylish furniture. With double or twin beds can also accommodate 3rd person or child using the comfortable sofa bed.

    Family Suite Amenities & Features

    Choice of pillows
    Blackout curtains
    Anatomic mattresses by Media Strom
    In-room safe deposit boxes
    ?ath amenities
    Fast internet
    Samsung Smart TV, 40“ Full HD with Interactive Services
    Electronic directory and choice of languages
    Soundproof rooms
    High ceiling and wooden floors
    Mini fridge

     

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    Prestige Suite with Jacuzzi

    Size: 34 m2  – Capacity: 2 adults + 1 adult/child
    Prestige Suites with Jacuzzi are perfect for spreading out in. Very spacious beautiful suites with a built in hot tub and exclusive amenities, branded espresso machines and stylish furniture. With double or twin beds can also accommodate 3rd person or child using the comfortable sofa bed.

    Prestige Suite Amenities & Features

    Choice of pillows
    Blackout curtains
    Anatomic mattresses by Media Strom
    In-room safe deposit boxes
    ?ath amenities
    Fast internet
    Samsung Smart TV, 40“ Full HD with Interactive Services
    Electronic directory and choice of languages
    Soundproof rooms
    High ceiling and wooden floors
    Mini fridge

     

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    Executive Room City View

    Size: 21 m2  – Capacity: 2 adults+1 child/adult
    Executive Rooms with balcony with an urban street view and large windows which are an opening into a spacious furnished balcony. Consisting of twin or double beds can also accommodate a 3rd person or a child using the very comfortable sofa bed.

    Executive Room Amenities & Features

    Choice of pillows
    Blackout curtains
    Anatomic mattresses by Media Strom
    In-room safe deposit boxes
    ?ath amenities
    Fast internet
    Samsung Smart TV, 40“ Full HD with Interactive Services
    Electronic directory and choice of languages
    Soundproof rooms
    High ceiling and wooden floors
    Mini fridge

     

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    Standard Room

    Size: 18-21 m2 – Capacity: 2 adults
    Standard Rooms situated through out the Hotel and combine the minimal design with the maximum convenience. Spacious twin or double beds, the finest linen and excellent anatomic mattresses by Media Strom, is perfect for sharing -or sprawling out on, when you’re flying solo or with a partner. Perfect for recharging after a long day.  Some are city view some are courtyard view.

    Standard Room in Athens Amenities & Features

    Choice of pillows
    Blackout curtains
    Anatomic mattresses by Media Strom
    In-room safe deposit boxes
    ?ath amenities
    Fast internet
    Samsung Smart TV, 40“ Full HD with Interactive Services
    Electronic directory and choice of languages
    Soundproof rooms
    High ceiling and wooden floors
    Mini fridge

     

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    At the Athens One smart hotel in downtown Athens

    You take your coffee black with a hint of brown sugar. Temperature should be no more, but no less than 22o C; and lighting always moody. Yet you shouldn’t have to repeat all this every time. You care about the environment and have very little appetite for bureaucratic procedures. You’d like to do a bit of work whilst traveling; check your emails and catch up on your social media. Alas without the usual hassle and delays of hotel wifi’s. After all you’d rather spend your moments in Athens more productively. Sometimes you wanna order breakfast in bed, but can’t be bothered to pick up the phone. Or you have this online payment to make but are worried about going on line through a hotel’s system. Fret no more. At the Athens One smart hotel in the city center we’ ve got you covered: Our signature blend of smart perks, cutting edge solutions and innovative uses of space, allow you to live, work and play, exactly as you desire. Staying at the Athens One means that you are free to just be, comfortably you.

    Smart, high tech, bespoke solutions enabling you to be you.

    The Athens One smart hotel in Athens is all about feel good novelty and innovation. We boast our own fiber optic, proprietary, tech savvy software and eco conscious automations. Which means that you get to have your personal hotspot for a seamless, super fast internet connection. Like home. Security for online transactions is guaranteed also; so you may proceed with peace of mind. Check in is fast and easy; whilst you’ll be personally welcomed upon arrival. You’ll also have your own 40” Samsung smart TV to look up the weather, the Nasdaq or the hottest Athens restaurant and bars, depending on your mood and needs. You may even use your smart TV to order in a glorious Greek breakfast, fresh towels or other goodies, without talking to no one. Or having to repeat how you like your coffee. Then you’ll certainly enjoy our host of clever perks and accessories: Like the smart table that charges your phone or laptop. Or the just- right- for- you, temperature and lighting greeting you every time you enter your room at the Athens One smart hotel.
    And should you be feeling more sociable you may head to our music corner to exchange tracks and views with the like minded. As is the Athens One all day cafe, bar restaurant, this too constitutes a new hub of socialization in the city. We also know that you like to take care of yourself-body and mind- and this is why we have put together a fully equipped gym and sauna. But we moreover offer you some food for thought: Movie nights are on at the Athens One screening area. You may also watch rare documentaries about Athens and its landmarks. If something inspires you we’d be happy to tailor design a tour.
    In so many words, at this smart Athens hotel, you get to write the story of your stay, through our exclusive and extensive range of fully customized options. This is what designing your stay at Athens’ premier city hotel is all about.

     

    The Athens One location, at the heart of the action

    The Athens One is situated right at the historic Capital’s center, 400 meters from Omonia square. The National Theatre is 190 meters away and the National Archaeological Museum 750 meters; while the emblematic Acropolis is easily accessible in 2 km. The bustling area of Metaxourgio is 600 meters away, while vibrant Psiri and the commercial center of Athens, less than 1 km away.

    The Athens Map

     

    Points of Interest in Athens

    :: The National Theatre of Greece 2 mins walk
    :: National Archaeological Museum 10 mins walk
    :: Omonia Square 5 mins walk
    :: Syntagma (Constitution) Square 9 mins by public transport/20 mins on foot
    :: Commercial Center 11 mins walk
    :: Psiri-Monastiraki 12 mins walk
    :: Metaxourgeio- Kerameikos 9 mins
    :: Acropolis 15 mins by public transport/ 25 mins on foot
    :: Pedion Areos (National Park) 17 mins walk
    :: Statue of Pericles 7 mins walk

     

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