Gazi is an upcoming and trendy area of Athens where the former city gasworks is located. "Gazi" is the Greek word for gas, and the gasworks building has been transformed into a museum and cultural center, bringing a new-found cool to the neighborhood. Young urban art lovers and club-o-philes choose accommodations in the Gazi.
The Saint George Lycabettus is an intimate five-star boutique hotel. The hotel places its focus on art by displaying artworks throughout the building and providing art and culture packages for guests. The St George is located a few blocks from the Gazi and also provides easy access to the main attractions of Athens by foot or train. The Grand Balcon restaurant serves lunch and dinner on a large sixth-floor balcony space with views of the entire city below. The Sensia Spa & Gym is a modern space with a full menu of treatments, a rooftop swimming pool and steam bath; and the trendy Frame Garden lounge rounds out the wow factors. Guestrooms are large, with oversize beds, a variety of options and layouts, SAT TV and high-speed Internet. Rates for a double start at around 139 euro (about $185) as of January, 2011.
The four-star Art Hotel Athens occupies a white corner building with iron balconies with characteristics of 1930s Greece. The hotel is so named thanks to an extensive collection of original paintings and antiques in its public spaces and its proximity to the artistic Gazi neighborhood. The interior resembles an art gallery, with painted walls that have plenty of blank space to provide an uncluttered view of the art. The hotel has a restaurant that serves meals including a free breakfast, as well as a large meeting hall for events or showings. The guestrooms are neutral in decor and minimally furnished with bed, nightstand, black and white bathroom, SAT TV, minibar and Internet access. Rates for a double start at around 57 euro (about $76) as of January, 2011.
The four-star Fresh Hotel Athens is as it sounds, a bright and cheerful "fresh" place to stay in the Gazi. The Fresh is as close to a whitewashed Miami Beach hotel crossed with a Bauhaus building as you might get. The modern angles and spaces created by the structure are put to good use with an elegant rooftop pool and wooden deck and its attached Air Lounge bar where nightly parties take place. The hotel offers a fitness center, sauna, steam room, business and conference center and underground parking. The stark white guestrooms stand in contrast to the hotel's public spaces and feature SAT TV and Wi-Fi. Rates for a double start at around 70 euro (about $93) as of January, 2011.
The three-star Parnon Hotel is a small mid-range hotel occupying a large apartment-style building with balconies on every floor and every side. The hotel is a few blocks from the Gazi Museum and one block from the Omonia main railway station. It features a 24-hour coffee bar, pay parking in a nearby garage, laptop rentals and concierge services. The 48 guestrooms are available in double, twin, triple or junior suite formats with work desk, SAT TV, Wi-Fi Internet, daily continental breakfast and private balcony. Rates for a double start at around 56 euro (about $75) as of January, 2011.
