Hôtel in Athens after flight lands and before cruise in Pireus.

[Polos12]

Our arrival ETA in Athens airport is late at night (summer 2023) and need a hotel for group of family of 3 adults, for 2 nights before cruise, and a night after cruise; need guidance on;

1. Hotel recommendations (4/5*): should we stay at Sofitel right at airport, or close Athens center, if that is doable and safe to reach round midnight (if flight lands on time); Sofitel site not letting book 3 guests in one room, unlike USA hotels…and neither do most downtown Athens hotels. …..the site makes us book 2 rooms…?  Even if we book Sofitel and use their restaurants for meals, the day of our cruise, we like to b3 close to Piraeus port hotels…or at least in Athens on green metro line.

any thoughts are appreciated…hotel recommendations and location close to transport, safe and restaurants…need only for a day 

2. If we are in Athens downtown, how do we get to Piraeus port; taxi or metro..( we just have cabin with us) I realized Cruise terminals could be far from train/metro link….how do we get to cruise terminal from train if we do indeed take it…as per reviewing the terminal maps from E1-E11

3. how do we know on what terminal ( there are 3) Norwegian JAde docks for Greek isle. I could not find in NCL confirmation email. 
 Please advise. Thanks in advance and feel free to DM!!

 

 

 

[Hlitner]

Since you are arriving late at night, we would strongly recommend the airport Sofitel.  It is a relatively easy walk from the terminal, even if you are rolling luggage.  When you come off a long flight and just want to get into a room and go to sleep, the Sofitel is perfect.  When you are ready to go to the port you can have the hotel get you a taxi, use Uber, etc.  

 

If you do stay downtown, you would probably be wise to use a taxi or Uber to get to the port since you will have luggage.  If you use the Metro (Green Line) you would still need to find a taxi or use the local bus to get from the train station to the ship...unless you are OK with taking a long walk (over 20 minutes) around the harbor to get to the cruise ports.

 

Hank

[princeton123211]

18 hours ago, Polos12 said:

1. Hotel recommendations (4/5*): should we stay at Sofitel right at airport, or close Athens center, if that is doable and safe to reach round midnight (if flight lands on time); Sofitel site not letting book 3 guests in one room, unlike USA hotels…and neither do most downtown Athens hotels. …..the site makes us book 2 rooms…?  Even if we book Sofitel and use their restaurants for meals, the day of our cruise, we like to b3 close to Piraeus port hotels…or at least in Athens on green metro line.

A lot to unpack here. Only you know if you want to get to your hotel room quickly after your flight arrives or if you would prefer to wake up in downtown Athens and hit the ground running with any sightseeing you plan on doing while there. Personally I would rather bit the bullet and arrive late downtown to be able to wake up in the city center and spend time looking around. 

 

If you do go downtown and want a nice 4/5 star hotel the Hotel Grande Bretagne is hard to beat both in quality of hotel and central location. Part of the Luxury Collection by Marriott so also redeemable for points. 

 

Most hotel rooms in Europe as a whole are small and only can accommodate 2 adults with no room for a pull out couch or rollaways. Occasionally there are triple or quad rooms that are bookable in Europe but they tend to be for tourist class hotels and not for 4/5 star options you are looking at. 

 

19 hours ago, Polos12 said:

2. If we are in Athens downtown, how do we get to Piraeus port; taxi or metro..( we just have cabin with us) I realized Cruise terminals could be far from train/metro link….how do we get to cruise terminal from train if we do indeed take it…as per reviewing the terminal maps from E1-E11

Unless you are really penny pinching a taxi is the way to go to Piraeus- if I remember correctly it was only like 25 or 30 Euro. Its a big port and it will get you closer to your ship than public transport. Taxis in Athens are reasonable and plentiful. 

 

19 hours ago, Polos12 said:

3. how do we know on what terminal ( there are 3) Norwegian JAde docks for Greek isle. I could not find in NCL confirmation email. 

The port is huge. NCL will update you closer to the cruise as to what berth the ship will be at. Last time we sailed into Piraeus we weren't told what berth we were going to be at until the night before. 

 

 

[Polos12]

Hi, Looking for advice on any hotel (4- 4.5*) in Athens city center safe area (where taking taxi/cab will safer/easy) and close to restaurant ; staying for really 1.5 days before cruise: for 3 adults guests

Did some quick research:

- Elia Ermou (sold out); - Athensgate (no availability)

 

Not sure where we should focus our search on: Monastiraki, Plaka area etc..? Thanks for your earliest possible guidance.

Edited March 12, 2023 by Polos12

[mapleleaves]

I had saved this LIVE TRIP REPORT from last summer, NCL Jade.

The author, Benny, stayed at the Moxy Hotel (Marriott brand) and really enjoyed its location. Close to lots of restaurants and the market, even the Acropolis.  He did a lot of walking, day and night so obviously a safe area.

The report is loooong, but full of info and photos. So even if the Moxy doesn't work for you, the report will be useful, plus you can search for other hotels nearby sinc it's a good location.

 

Live Cruising Review Turkey/Greek Islands NCL Jade 7/31/22 -8/7/22  - Page 18 - Norwegian Cruise Line - Cruise Critic Community

 

[marazul]

5 hours ago, Polos12 said:

Hi, Looking for advice on any hotel (4- 4.5*) in Athens city center safe area (where taking taxi/cab will safer/easy) and close to restaurant ; staying for really 1.5 days before cruise: for 3 adults guests

Did some quick research:

- Elia Ermou (sold out); - Athensgate (no availability)

 

Not sure where we should focus our search on: Monastiraki, Plaka area etc..? Thanks for your earliest possible guidance.

Hera Hotel or the

Cocomat Athens next door.

[H2OfordCruiser]

Has anyone stayed at Palladian Home hotel? We are landing in Athens at 9:00pm the evening before our cruise and have friends staying in this hotel and I was hoping to see if any of you world travelers recommend it. This is our first trip to Europe...super excited and super nervous!

[marazul]

3 hours ago, H2OfordCruiser said:

Has anyone stayed at Palladian Home hotel? We are landing in Athens at 9:00pm the evening before our cruise and have friends staying in this hotel and I was hoping to see if any of you world travelers recommend it. This is our first trip to Europe...super excited and super nervous!

It is in the heart of Plaka with tons of restaurants and shops around it.  It does not have the best view of the Acropolis.  It does have very good reviews.  Why don't you post here later and let us know how you liked it?