The recently redecorated Electra Palace, on a quiet side street between Syntagma Square and Plaka, is one of the upmarket, comfortable, reliable Greek chain of Electra hotels. Unusually for a hotel in the heart of Athens, it has both an indoor and outdoor pool. Those pools are a real plus after a day of summer sightseeing. As the Electra Palace's seven floors go up, the rooms get smaller, but top-floor rooms have views of the Acropolis and let in little traffic noise. Requests for top-floor rooms are honored subject to availability; it never hurts to remind the hotel of your request as your arrival date approaches. Guest rooms are pleasant, almost cozy, some decorated in soft pastels, but many with the heavy wood furniture beloved of chic Greek hotels. The hotel restaurant (the Electra Roof Garden) has the Acropolis view and good food, unlike so many rooftop restaurants. Warning: Don't confuse the Electra Palace with its sister hotel, The Athens Electra, which gets lots of groups, has no pool, and is on busy Hermou Street.