Yes, the financial crisis hit Greece hard, yet this hasn’t stopped new hotel builds as tourism continues to increase.
In many Athens neighborhoods, it’s possible to find boutique establishments to suit all wallets. Not only are these cozy alternatives to large, impersonal hotel chains, but they’ll also allow you to be best placed to experience the local scene. And just because they’re small, they certainly don’t skimp on service. Here are 10 beautiful boutique hotels not to miss, located in some of the best neighborhoods in Athens.
Herodion
WHERE: Plaka
If you’re looking to fall out of bed and be within a five-minute walk of the Acropolis Museum and Parthenon, the Herodion Hotel is for you.
Its 90 guest rooms are a mixture of street, garden, or Acropolis views, and it’s been run by the same family for over 45 years. This filters down into its welcoming “home away from home” feel.
In the summer months, enjoy dinner and a drink on the rooftop with a view of the lit Parthenon; in the winter, dine in their glass Atrium garden restaurant, then curl up with a glass of wine in their lounge by the fire.
INSIDER TIPRequest an Acropolis view room at the time of booking. It may be a little extra, but there’s nothing like opening the curtains and lying in bed with the Parthenon gazing at you.
Ivis 4
WHERE: Psyrri
In Athens’s beating heart, an old industrial building has been renovated into one of the area’s most thoughtfully designed hotels. Ivis 4–originally a warehouse that for decades housed glass, ironwork, and hagiography workshops, has a combination of only 14 rooms and suites, many with murals in keeping with the street art that can be seen throughout the neighborhood, commissioned by renowned Greek artist Simple G. Inspired by nature and ancient Greece, their signature pieces can also be admired in the reception and garden dining area.
Rooms/suites are either street or garden views, and the hotel is well placed to explore Monastiraki Square and Flea Market, Plaka, the Odeon of Herodes Atticus, and, of course, the Acropolis.
INSIDER TIPTry to book the top-floor Acropolis Terrace suite. As the name suggests, you have your own private balcony with an unparalleled, unobstructed view of the Acropolis, Lycabettus Hill, and Ivis Street plus one whole wall adorning a beautiful mural. A romantic place to unwind at night.
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Asomaton
WHERE: Thissio
A century-old townhouse–originally a repair shop for carriage wheels and a farrier’s workshop that then stood derelict for 20 years–Asomaton has bags of history and has been lovingly restored to a 19-room/suite residence with the corridors semi-open to the elements. There’s a small, relaxing greenery area with running water and the pièce de résistance is the plunge pool in Reception.
Choose from the economical and cozy Nests, Lofts, or Suites–all featuring pieces of art by Philip Tsiaras, an international artist of Greek origin living in NYC.
Most rooms have small balconies or terraces.
Asomaton in Thissio, one of the liveliest restaurant and café districts in the capital, is another central location, just a stone’s throw from Athens’s main sights.
Loom
WHERE: Gazi/Keramikos
If you’re looking to base yourself in a traditional Athenian neighborhood within the trendy Gazi/Keramikos neighborhood–with its bars, clubs, and LGBT community, then Loom is for you.
“Colorful” comes to mind when thinking of Loom–gone are muted colors and in are bold blues, reds, and yellows. History dominates the area itself as the hotel was built from scratch (not a renovated building) in an area known in antiquity as the Potters and Sculptors District (who sourced clay from the deposits from the now-dried Eridanos River). During the 18th century, the area was inhabited by craftsmen and became known for the first Silk Loom Factory of Athens that operated in the area for years.
To honor this past, the hotel sports handmade ceramics plus their own embroidered linens, and its eleven rooms and suites–most with balconies and including 3 Loft Suites with skylight–can accommodate from 2 to 5 people, spread over 4 floors.
It’s roughly a 10-minute walk from Keramikos Metro and about a 15-minute walk to Keramikos Cemetery, the main one in Ancient Athens.
INSIDER TIPOpt for the Garden Superior with its small garden surrounded by old stone walls which is a little private oasis in the morning with your coffee, or to relax in the evening after sightseeing.
Monsieur Didot
WHERE: Kolonaki
Tiny and exclusive in the well-heeled neighborhood of Kolonaki, Monsieur Didot–the Residence has only four doubles and two suites behind its neo-classical doors. This particular part of Kolonaki was home to many bookshops and printing presses in the past, the residence’s decor reflecting this. Indeed, its name comes from the creator of a Greek font typesetter used to produce incendiary pamphlets, leading to the Greek Revolution in the 1820s.
All rooms are uniquely named and have terraces, flooding them with light during the day.
After a day’s shopping and sightseeing, come ”home” (hence the ”Residence” in the hotel’s title) and sit in the small library to read quietly or catch up on emails.
INSIDER TIPThere’s no elevator in the building and the grand wooden staircase is over a century old. Two double rooms are, however, located on the ground floor so if you’ve mobility issues, opt for one of these.
The Dolli
WHERE: Syntagma/Monastiraki
A surprising amount of hard work goes into making luxury look understated, yet The Dolli has achieved just this. An elegant, classy hotel located equal distance from Syntagma and Monastiraki squares, roughly 10 mins walk from both, you’ll find a completely renovated neoclassical building–once housing various fabric merchants from 1925 right up until its closing in 2010, the 4th floor originally apartments for families. The Dolli has 46 rooms and suites with interconnecting doors to turn rooms into apartments if needed, over 4 floors.
There’s no official reception area. Instead, upon entering you’ll be greeted with two different types of refreshing welcome drinks and sweet treats–also dotted around the ground floor–and décor has been deliberately designed to make you feel as if you’re entering a mini palace with unique items such as a Picasso in the downstairs library/dining area. Think smooth clean lines, marble flooring and sinks plus feminine curves influencing its name.
From the smaller Bijou Rooms through to Junior Suites and the Acropolis Pied-A-Terre, all room furnishings are 90% custom-made and sourced from small Greek family businesses. You’ll come away feeling thoroughly spoiled.
INSIDER TIPBe sure to eat at the rooftop restaurant on the 5th floor with superb Acropolis, Plaka, Agora, and Observatory views and if not eating, visit anyway to take a photo of the infinity pool seemingly exactly under the Parthenon. Try to book a 4th-floor Junior or larger suite for those Acropolis views, and at the weekend, enjoy a buffet brunch with a unique fusion of Asian and Greek cuisine.
Semeli Hotel
WHERE: Kypseli
A hidden gem, Semeli can be found just 5 minutes from Fokionos Negri, the pedestrianized Kypseli Municipal Market with many cafés, bars, and tavernas.
Semeli can be considered “boutique” due to its size–there are only 23 colorful rooms in this three-storied neo-classical 1930s mansion house, each with an eclectic style and design, and its location makes it a cheaper option. Breakfast is optional and extra, served in your room.
To stay in Kypseli is a choice to stay in a unique inner-city neighborhood that’s home to artistic types; musicians, poets, writers, and chefs. Despite the area being away from the main tourist stomping ground, Kypseli and hence Semeli is an excellent base to explore this eclectic neighborhood–plus it’s less than a mile to the National Archaeological Museum.
Twinn Hotel
WHERE: Piraeus/Mikrolimano
The perfect base for exploring the seaside neighborhoods of Kastella and Mikrolimano, the Twinn Hotel has 33 rooms ranging from single to various-sized doubles with clean lines, colorful hues, and a sumptuous à la carte breakfast including fusions of continental and Greek options alongside an egg and full barista menu. Its rooftop terrace is a great place to watch the sunset into the Aegean Sea, plus the communal lobby has large screens that can broadcast sporting events.
At just 5 minutes from the Port of Piraeus, the Twinn Hotel is also the best place for a one or two-night stay to explore this port suburb before catching your cruise or ferry to the islands. Bonus: They also run a shuttle bus service to the port.
Margi Hotel
WHERE: Vouligmeni
A member of the Small Luxury Hotels brand, the Margi Hotel is well situated along the Athens Riviera, a 40-minute drive from central Athens, and a fantastic alternative place to base yourself away from the city center, yet easily reachable for the center’s sights.
It boasts an outdoor pool plus an indoor one in its spa, and with 89 rooms/suites ranging in size and price; it can comfortably accommodate solo travelers, couples, and families. An added bonus is that the Margi is within walking distance from Astir Beach, a plush beach resort with the Temple of Apollo Zoster on its grounds, and 5-minute drive from Lake Vouliagmeni–the fresh and sea water brackish spa lake that makes for an alternative swim.
INSIDER TIP25 minutes away by car is The Margi’s own farm, situated in the Athenian countryside over 20, 000 square meters. Surrounded by vineyards and olive trees, it’s great for nature lovers and produces organic vegetables and fruit, extra virgin oil, eggs, and cheeses that are all used in the hotel’s breakfast products. Tours of the farm can be arranged–an added privilege to see where your food comes from.
One&Only Aesthesis
WHERE: Glyfada
Half an hour by car from central Athens in the upmarket coastal resort town of Glyfada is the newly opened (in late 2023) One&Only Aesthesis. It’s the brand’s first Greek opening and is set in 52 acres of beachfront estate with modern-yet-retro designed rooms in its curved main building, and 95 bungalows scattered around the grounds, some right by the sea with their own terraces and pools, along with the property’s own pool.
In-room extravagancies include Esophy chocolates and Montroi beauty products and the Guerlain spa, with its signature scents, makes it the perfect spa break destination along the Rivera after a city center break.