If the Greek capital is on your itinerary this summer, be sure to leave enough time to visit its ancient edifices, its vibrant nightlife, and of course, its uber-cool houses of slumber. These are some of our favorite boutique hotels in Athens.
OK, so Athens has had its ups and downs over the past decade but if you’re heading to the Greek Islands for a spot of sun and sailing, you’ll be passing through this ancient capital so you might want to pause and let its rich history and eclectic modern persona sink in. Beyond the ruins of past empires, you’ll find a city that enjoys life at a different pace, restaurants, and clubs set on Endless Summer mode, and some of southern Europe’s coolest, design-driven boutique hotels, each a work of art and intrigue. Here are some of our favorite haunts in the Greek capital.
Fresh Hotel
With only 133 guest and executive rooms and suites, Fresh Hotel, a member of Design Hotels, is a collage of colors, textures, and tones; a place where conventions are confiscated and smashed upon entry and where the distinction between sophisticated guest and capable staff is blurred from afar and crystal clear where it matters. Designed as an urban sanctuary, catering to both business and leisure travelers, the minimalist furnishings and sleek, innovative choice of colors make it a pleasure to come home to after the bedlam of the city.
However, a pretty façade is not enough to cut it in the competitive hotel scene; there needs to be restaurants and bars within that are as compelling as those outside. At Fresh, the Air Lounge, situated on the roof bar, is a great place to watch the stars (although most of the ‘stars’ in Athens’ sky are inbound flights) while the fresh ingredients featured on the nouveau Greek menu are all sourced from the nearby Central Markets. Lastly, the hotel’s spa and fitness center are like slipping into a welcomed dream, with a range of treatments, sauna, and Turkish bath rituals on call.
Semiramis Hotel
For those looking to escape the depression of the city center, with its swarming crowds and notorious traffic, there is a very special little hotel that is turning heads with its inspiring design and quirky OTT persona. Funk, it seems, has a summer house in Athens. The Design Hotels member Semiramis Hotel throbs energy and color in an otherwise white stucco street populated by proud upper-class Athenians. The brainchild of local millionaire Dakis Joannou and designer Karim Rashid, Semiramis is unique in a city that has felt the economic pressure like nowhere else; think neon pink and green tinted balconies, complemented by burnt orange, limes, and even a flashy bling-bling golden “YES” lamp.
Few designers have had the blank cheque offered to Rashid, who created everything from the wallpaper through to the cocktail napkins in his pursuit for techno-organic perfection. The results offer a je nesais quoi that has you wanting to strip and strut from the highest balcony. Featuring 51 fantastic rooms, including four rooftop suites and five enviable poolside bungalows, furnishings scream I Dream of Genie meets Thunderbirds with a splash of Philippe Stark’s audacity for good measure.
New Hotel
Forged by Greek Cypriot art collector Dakis Joannou, Athen’s New Hotel is, like many of its Design Hotels brethren, a labor of love as well as a sensory journey for its guests. Formerly the Olympic Palace Hotel which dated from 1958, Joannou set about creating a destination in the ancient capital that could showcase not only his art but the artistic visions of his favorite artists. Interiors by Brazilian brothers Humberto and Fernando Campana incorporated many elements from the hotel’s previous incarnation, including chairs and doors, to create a property that excites and invigorates. With just 79 rooms and suites, each of which features contemporary touches and vivid art instillations with distinctive Greek themes, the hotel is eclectic yet welcoming; three-room categories are themed with Greek elements, from the folklore of Karagiozis to the superstitious ‘evil eye’ to postcards from old Athens, while public spaces are decked out with modern furniture and sleek jagged mirrors for an eye-catching effect.
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