We just returned from a vacation to Athens, Mykonos and Santorini. I booked this hotel because of it's location and view of the Acropolis ( which was great) and cost. Our rooms were adequate, we had to book 2 doubles as a quad room isn't available ( family of 4) and although the hotel website advertises internet availability there is a charge per hour and it is only available near the lobby and it doesn't always work well at all. The bathroom shower does leak badly and wet the floor as others have said on trip advisor and although the location isn't pretty (lots of graffiti and dark streets the area was safe. We went out every night til after 1am no problems at all. All in all not a bad hotel but if I go back I'd book a 4 star instead of a 3 star. The buffet was OK and yes you can take the subway from the airport ask for family tickets 10EU for 2 people instead of 6EU per person. We had a great trip. If you are going any time soon read my other reviews of Mykonos and Santorini.

I had the best time at the Hotel Arion. It is simply a lovely and peaceful hotel and I would highly recommend staying there. You get breakfast from 7 - 10am, and it's always generous. The staff at the hotel are amazing. I was a solo female traveller and they looked after me well and and were very friendly and kind. The rooms were great, clean, modern and there is a great open roof terrace top, where you can sit and contemplate and soak in the sun, viewing the Acropolis and the sights and sounds of Athens. It's in the best location as well, and only a few minutes away from Monastakri metro and the Plaka. Don't let the alley way put you off to the Hotel. It's a bit like soho and it is perfectly safe and there are always people around, all the locals get chatting to you. I was a lone woman and never had any problems at all.

There is also a gorgeous church just outside the hotel and it just adds to the ambience of the Athens experience. I will definitely stay here when I come back to Athens.

Hello futur visitor of Athens,
As I gained a lot from reading the comments of others before travelling to Athens, I sort of owe this to do the same.

The choice for hotel Arion was one of having to get 6 people in a hotel in short notice : I didn't have much options by then, if I had, I would have taken the Baby Grand Hotel.

reservation : maybe due to the fact that I made a reservation through an agency, maybe because the hotel staff didn't care, the result was that my priorities were neglected. Thanks to the experience of others about Hotel Arion, I asked:
1) no rooms near the staircase : we were lucky on this one
2) the highest floors possible : our room was on the 5 th floor, those of our friends on the 1 st, more precise : coming out of the elevator straight ahead at the end of the hall on the right : every morning they woke up with the smell of the kitchen (breakfast), they also had more noise from the street
3) not on the streetside : al our rooms were on the streetside. On the 5 th floor - although I am very sensitive about noise - this wasn't so much of a problem; still, I used earplugs from the second night on (we stayed 4 nights) just to be on the safe side
4) SOFT beds : although we asked a double bed, each of the three couples got twin beds; I went down to the reception, and the receptionist (see later) showed me one room with a double bed: I tried it and...it was as STONE ! So terrible terrible HARD !!! So folks, be aware of that, what other visitors wrote, is correct !. The twin beds weren't really "soft", but we could sleep on it
5) breakfast: nothing really special; it was like listening to an orchestra: every instrument was in use, but the music wasn't anything to remember
6) view from the roof : not open, because the temperature didn't allow eating outside
7) the reception : we saw three receptionists; unluckily, the one who was on duty during our arrival and stayed on duty the first two days, was the most non-empathic person I ever encountered in my life (and I just turned a vivid 60 years, my wife 46). This aspect became more prominent as the second and the third receptionist came later: they were kind, wellwilling, explaining...
8) the rooms itselfs were clean, rather small indeed like I read in the comments, although less small on the higher floor (my wife and I were lucky); bathroom is small too, but feasable
9) airconditioning: in this time of the year (march) it was not working, but one can feel that when the window is closed (we kept it open a little bit), the need of fresh air is big !!!
10) the neighbourhood: yes, it is a rather dirty neighbourhood, on the other hand: after 2 streets, you're in the open: big streets

So, have a nice stay in Athens, and don't forget :
- eat at one of the restaurants aligned in a row with view on the Acropolis
- but close tot the hotels are good restaurants too !
- take a trip to Delphi ! We went with on an organised tour, which had an excellent guide; if I remember well, the agency was on mitropoleos street (coming from syntagma square on the left side, on the first floor)

My husband, 12 year old son and I stayed here from Feb 16-18. Our room was on the 2nd floor (4th stories up) and we experienced none of the noise noted in some reviews. (Our windows were shut though, and I imagine in summer, if open, it could be noisy.) Our room faced the church and the view was lovely. The beds were comfortable and everything very clean, though a bit crowded with 3. The bathroom was large though and, except for a small counter, exceptional. The view from the terrace was great-especially since we experienced the big snowstorm so took pictures of the Acropolis covered with snow. The breakfast was very good-lots of selection-fruits, both fresh and canned, cheese, ham, yogurt, cereal, breads, jams, milk, coffee and tea. Our son was sick the first morning and my taking food up to him was no problem at all. There is a computer with internet access that you can purchase for 5 euros per hour (or you can use your own laptop) The area is working class (and the old Turkish area) and wonderfulto walk around. We walked at all hoursof the day and night and we never felt at all afraid. There are several excellent restaurants right around the corner and the nightlife is great and varied. The hotel is about 5 minutes walk from the Monastiraki metro and Flea Market as well as within easy walking distance to everything in Athens. There is TV (with CNN) and you can order in Dominos pizza.