Melia Athens

Supposedly 5 star but overall 3.5. The rooms are quite cramped although decor is pleasing. Not enough room furniture for relaxation. Bar and food prices heavy. View of Akropolis only from rooftop poolside and the view is obscured by rundown apartment and a forest of TV aerials and sat dishes. Housekeeping staff very friendly, restaurant staff inefficient and some do smile. Reception staff efficient but don't expect a smile too often. Concierge was very helpful. Very few amenities included in price, even having to pay for internet access which should be part of the room price.
Athens itself is a pot-hole strewn with graffiti and beggars. Once you have seen the Plaka (good fun) and Parthenon (try to go before 10am or after 12pm as the crowds are horrendous) , thru the tangle of construction pipes, and the other interesting monuments your best bet is hire a private taxi (georgetaxitours@yahoo.com) and treat yourself to a private day or two in air-conditioned mercedes and see the really interesting parts of Greece around Athens. Empties your pocket but we learned about Greece and had such fun with our chauffeur that it rates 5/5 for value for money.
Athenians have not learned, or have lost the ability to, smile. Perhaps this is city life but it did not give me the urge to revisit. A very beautiful coastline with very interesting history but the lack of manners and good humour in all that beauty is like a mudstain on a marble floor--you want to avoid it.