Villa Clio, a Luxury Collection

Original plaster ceilings, a preserved wooden floor and furniture from the 1930s give Villa Clio, a Luxury Collection, more character than a standard city aparthotel. You stay in a neoclassical building in Thessaloniki, with modern essentials around those older details rather than a corridor of identical rooms.

English is spoken by the hotel team, alongside German and Greek. That matters when you are arranging arrival, asking about the city or trying to sort out the practicalities with tired legs and a suitcase that has seen better days. The property also has shared spaces for sitting, a garden and a sun terrace, so your day does not have to finish the moment you close the room door.

You are in Thessaloniki, on the eastern side of the central area, in a residential neighbourhood with useful city transport close by. Analipsi Metro Station is about 0.1 miles away, while Fleming Metro Station is roughly 0.3 miles away. That gives you a straightforward way to reach the historic centre without turning every outing into a taxi decision.

The waterfront is around a 10-minute walk from the villa, and the Music Hall is about a 15-minute walk away. Coffee Island is roughly 950 feet away, while Habanera and Oinochoos are both about 0.7 miles from the property. For sightseeing, the Folk Museum is about 0.4 miles away, the White Tower around 1.5 miles, and Aristotelous Square about 2.4 miles away. Thessaloniki Airport is approximately 7 miles away by road.

The accommodation works well when you want more than a bed and a bathroom. These are aparthotel rooms, with air conditioning, a private bathroom, a balcony and a kitchen area equipped with a refrigerator, coffee machine, kettle and cleaning products. The refrigerator is the useful detail when you return warm and thirsty; the coffee machine is equally welcome when the day starts before your enthusiasm does.

For two people, the Deluxe Double Room keeps things simple with a king-size bed, while the Executive Suite gives you more room to spread out. If you are travelling with family or need space for more than two, the Comfort Triple Room accommodates up to four people. The Superior King Room combines a king-size bed with a sofa bed, which makes it a practical choice when the room has to work harder than a conventional double.

Soundproof rooms, heating and air conditioning cover the less glamorous but important part of the stay: sleeping properly. A desk, wardrobe, private entrance, flat-screen television, iPad and streaming service give you options when you want to deal with emails, watch something familiar or simply stop speaking to the outside world for an hour. Daily housekeeping, towels, slippers, a bathrobe and a hairdryer are also in place. Washing and drying facilities are available in the apartment, handy when several days of travel have caught up with your clothes.

Breakfast is continental, with a breakfast-to-go option for mornings when the city or an early departure gets first claim on your time. Breakfast can also be taken in your room, which is the civilised solution when you would rather eat slowly with coffee than join the world at once. Fruit, wine or champagne, a minibar and tea and coffee-making facilities cover the smaller food-and-drink moments in the apartment.

For anything beyond breakfast, the neighbourhood gives you several nearby stops rather than requiring a formal evening plan. Coffee Island is about 950 feet away, and 40-22 Coffee Roaster is roughly 0.3 miles from the villa. Habanera and Oinochoos are both around 0.7 miles away. You can use the kitchen facilities for something modest, or walk out towards the waterfront and let Thessaloniki handle dinner. Either way, the choice is yours rather than tied to a fixed hotel timetable.

The useful post-dive combination here is simple: a fitness centre when you want to move, a sauna when you do not, and a garden with a sun terrace when the sensible plan is to sit down. The lounge and shared TV area give you somewhere beyond the room for a quiet change of scene, while the outdoor dining area and terrace make it possible to spend time outside without setting off into town.

There is also a games room with board games and puzzles, plus an indoor play area and children's books, DVDs or music. Bike tours and aerobics are available for days when a little activity appeals. You can also use the tour desk or car-hire service to organise time around Thessaloniki, then return to the villa's more settled common areas when the sightseeing has done enough.

Check-in runs from 14:00 to 23:30, and check-out from 04:00 to 11:00. Private or express check-in and check-out are available, and luggage storage is useful if your arrival or departure does not line up neatly with those hours. The property asks you to share your arrival time in advance, so do that before travelling rather than attempting a dramatic late-night entrance.

Private parking is available at a nearby location, with reservation required, and valet parking is available. The upper floors are reached by lift, and the entire unit is wheelchair accessible. WiFi is free throughout the property. Car hire can be arranged, while the nearby metro makes a car optional for city visits. Cash is not accepted; smoking is prohibited, parties are not allowed, and pets are welcome. Children of any age can stay, with cots available for children aged 0 to 2, but extra beds are not available.