Hilton Athens and Hotel Hermes in Greece

My wife, Ione, and I stayed in two hotels in Athens in September ’05.

• At the Hilton Athens (46 Vassilissis Sofias Ave., Athens, GREECE 11528; phone +30-210-7281000, fax +30-210-7281111 or visit www. hilton.com), our room, with a king bed, faced the hills and city. We paid the “Explore the City” rate, €249 ($308), which included one drink and one buffet dinner per person.

We found the hotel overly modern and sterile; however, the location was perfect. The Benaki Museum and the Byzantine Museum were less than two blocks away, and it was only a 20-minute walk from Syntagma Square, Parliament and the National Garden.

The Byzantine restaurant, on the main level of the Hilton, was a good value for lunch and dinner but overpriced for breakfast.

Located on the lower level was Milos restaurant (not a Hilton restaurant), with excellent décor, service and food. We chose it for our “splurge” dinner. Dinner for two, with wine, was €172 ($209).

• Following a 4-day tour, we returned to Athens, where we had reservations at Hotel Plaka. On arrival, we were informed that the top two floors were damaged by rain and they had booked us at a sister property, Hotel Hermes (19 Apollonos St., Syntagma Square, Athens, Greece 10557; phone +30 210 3235514, fax 3222412 or visit www.greekhotel. com/athens/hermes).

They gave us a 25% discount, and for our room with a king bed and breakfast we paid €118 ($142). We would highly recommend this property.

• Located across the street is Hotel St. John’s Place Tavern, a family-owned Greek restaurant. Food and service were excellent, with dinner, including wine, costing €23 ($28).

JOE GOLDEN

Ormond Beach, FL