Athens travel guide
Hotels
The Greek capital’s hotel scene is as robust as ever, with a medley of stop-ins, old and new, standing proud on its streets. Most of our options can be found in the shadow of the Acropolis – and almost all will claim to offer the best vantage point. So expect superlative views across the board.
Mona, Psirri
Housed in a former textiles factory in downtown Athens, Mona is a stylish new addition to Athens’ hotel scene. Its interiors embrace the building’s industrial past, with large, metal-framed windows, restored terrazzo flooring and original 1950s fittings. “We tried to use or repurpose as much as possible that was found within the space,” says creative director Eftihia Stefanidi. Another big draw is the rooftop bar, where visitors can enjoy a crisp glass of Greek natural wine with views over the Acropolis. There’s also a lively programme of supper clubs, workshops and live music performances which aims to open up the hotel to non-guests and is popular among the city’s young, creative crowd.
mona-athens.com
AthensWas, Makrigianni
A polished lobby with gleaming tessellations of black-and-white marble sets the tone for the rest of this smart 21-room property. All rooms have a large balcony (a hangover from the building’s former life as a block of upmarket apartments) and are decked out with designer furniture and bold carpets with abstract patterns. Breakfast is made to order and served in the ground-floor brasserie while the top floor is home to Sense – a restaurant serving Greek dishes with a twist and, of course, those ubiquitous Acropolis views.
5 Dionysiou Areopagitou, 117 42+30 210 9249 954
athenswas.gr
Apollo Palm, Psirri
Athens has undergone a revival when it comes to smart new downtown hotels. The latest is Apollo Palm, a 48-key stopover housed in a Bauhaus-style, 1930s police station. Interiors come from Paris-based designer Mariette Sans-Rival who knows how to make a space dramatic given her specialism in opera-set design. Locals can also drop by for a drink at the rooftop bar, which boasts views of the Acropolis and a cocktail menu put together by Alekos Alexiadis, founder of the acclaimed Athenian watering hole Santa Rosa. There’s also a palm tree-shaded café in the hotel courtyard that serves locally roasted coffee.
apollopalmhotel.com
The Modernist, Kolonaki
After a successful start in Thessaloniki, hotelier Kostis Karatzas has cast his eyes to Athens for The Modernist’s sister hotel of the same name. Designed by Thessaloniki-based studio Formrelated, the new branch is housed in the art deco building of the former Canadian Embassy. The 38-room affair overlooks a leafy square in Kolonaki. Don’t miss the views of Lycabettus hill from the rooftop.
Ioannou Gennadiou 4, 106
76 +30 21 6000 2130
themodernisthotels.com
Images: Margarita Nikitaki
