"This hotel stay took place in mid-September 2025.
I decided at fairly short notice to take a short late summer solo vacation to Greece, comprising 4 nights in Athens, followed by a couple of nights on nearby Hydra.
After the usual website searches, I settled on St George Lycabettus Hotel as being a good option in Athens. The rates for the days I needed were more competitive than other upmarket city-centre properties, the reviews were (on the whole) decent, it had the significant benefit of an attractive looking rooftop terrace with bar and pool, and was in Kolonaki, still within walking distance of the key attractions.
The best rates were with Agoda, with the lowest priced room being a “budget single room”, which I definitely didn’t want. Instead, I paid slightly more for “room assigned at check-in”. This was bookable for one or two persons, and gave the option ("subject to availability”) of requesting a room with either a large double bed, or two single beds; I chose the former. The total cost (including taxes and fees), for 1 person excluding breakfast, was just under GBP 200/night.
I checked into the hotel quite late, and was given the key to room 402. A small and odly shaped inside room, all a little “tired", with what seemed to be a small double sized bed against the wall, and one small window looking out into the internal space (I won’t call it a courtyard as it’s not accessible). A shower over the bath, one towel (!), and frankly quite cheap and poor quality bed linen. Nowhere to charge a phone within reach of the bed. Nevertheless, I thought it would "do the job", and settled in after grabbing dinner close by.
I hardly slept all night. Athens was hot, but not excessively so (daytime temperatures around 30C), but the air-conditioning unit was totally ineffective. This was an old floor/wall mounted unit that sat below the window, right next to the bed, and that was unbearably noisy. Opening the window did nothing; just stagnant warm air from the centre of the building.
I made the enormous mistake of spending a second sleepless night in this unbearable room, before requesting a room change the following morning, which was granted without any argument. In fact the receptionist basically said that Room 230 (and the same location room on some of the other floors) was unacceptable. Please see the attached floor plan. I also attach a photo of the “view” from 402.
I was moved to room 230, an “Eco” room on the outside of the building with French doors leading to a small balcony. Not large or in any way fancy, but fresher in decor and ten times better. Opening the window at night now allowed cool and fresh air into the room.
I don’t need luxury, or an enormous room, or amazing views, but there is one thing that I absolutely require from any hotel room regardless of price, and that is to be able to get a reasonable night’s sleep. And this was supposed to be a 5* establishment. Totally unacceptable. Another thing that I’ve never before experienced in a five star hotel is not being able to charge anything to my room, to be settled at check-out. Not a drink by the pool, or even a breakfast, nothing; every single charge had to be settled there and then.
On the positive side, the location in Kolonaki is pleasant, but it should be noted that the hotel is VERY far up the steel hill, and is therefore probably unsuitable for anyone but the fit and healthy (unless happy to take taxis everywhere). And the rooftop pool area is lovely, with great views across the city to the Acropolis, and with very pleasant service at the poolside bar; great for the summer months.
I mentioned my experience with the first room to the reception supervisor when checking out. His response was “well you shouldn’t have booked a budget single” (I didn’t). An unacceptable way to respond to a guest.
With a bit of vision (maybe requiring a new GM?) this is a hotel that could be great. But it's let down in a number of areas, and the room I was given was frankly unacceptable.
Would I stay here again? Absolutely not."
