Hilton Athens or Intercontinental

Can't comment on the hotels themselves. Both a little out of my league :-)

In terms of position though I would definitely go for the Hilton. As you say it's convenient for the airport bus and also for Evangelismos metro. From the metro station you are two stops (5 minutes) either to Monastiraki Station which is right under the Acropolis or to the Acropolis Station which is right by the new museum. For the Acroplis Station you need to change at Syntagma.

There are also a number of nice and less central restaurants near the Hilton. Look in the area around Plateia Proskopon which is about a five minute walk from the hotel. There's a growing dining scene in the area. We like the Black Cat which we've written up on our site here

http://www.greekramblings.org.uk/Pagrati_Restaurants.html

The Mavro Provato on the next corner up from the Black Cat is a really well reviewed Cretan restaurant and Greek friends swear by Katsourbos on the square itself.

The Intercontinental by contrast is on a major road and, although you can get a tram to the centre, there is little in the local area.

Alan

We stayed at the Hilton four years ago. It was a very good location to walk to shopping and restaurants. The room was nice and staff were attentive. Also, downstairs is a very good restaurant, Milos. We did not eat there but have gone to the one in NYC and it is very good. We are returning to Athens next year and will be staying at the Hilton

Hilton is located in a much more convenient reaching both acropolis and the airport.

I would recommend hilton mostly for the convenience of its location.