Hilly Kolonaki is where the Athenian smart set goes to eat, drink and play; and snap up hot designer labels. You’ll be near all the action at this stylish and mid-priced stay, off fashionable Skoufa Street. Burrowed inside a crisp white neoclassical façade in a peaceful pedestrian cul-de-sac, the moniker nods playfully to this socially-elevated suburb of actors, artists and aristocrats. Opened in 2018, Sir Athens hovers between apartments and hotel, so don’t expect amenities like a breakfast room, bar, communal outdoor space or gym. What Sir Athens excels at is the personal touch: those neighbourhood tips (like where to get your morning brew) that boost any stay. Lodgings range from affordable Comfort Suites to a top-of-the-pile Attic Suite, which has 2 equally groovy bedrooms to fight over (kids and lovebirds will adore the whimsical raised nook with pull-around drapes).
In a city now awash with charismatic micro-hotels - many with rooftop terraces and Acropolis views - Sir Athens faces fierce competition. But this inviting yet simple bolthole in a sought-after address offers a tranquil repose from the ceaseless beat of the city.
Highs
- Turn right onto Skoufa for hip wine bars, galleries, day spas and gourmet Greek emporiums
- The elevator opens directly onto each room – in keeping with Kolonaki’s VIP vibe!
- We loved the supersize in-room coffee mugs (a rarity in Athens) plus brewing kits of organic loose leaf Greek teas
- Great water pressure in the showers (another Athenian rarity)
Lows
- Most rooms have no balcony or terrace (except one Comfort Suite), and no view to speak of
- No parking; though a nearby car park has affordable rates
- The lobby feels rather corporate and tired and doesn’t match the fresh mood of the rooms; note there's no front desk (check-in is done remotely)
- No twin beds
Best time to go
Kolonaki – and Athens, generally – is a winner all year round; but especially lovely in spring when its neoclassical mansions and steep pavements are graced with orange trees in full fruit and Lycabettus Hill is carpeted with Persephone’s daisies. Brave the swelter of August and you’ll have the neighbourhood haunts to yourself. This is when Kolonaki-ites flee to their summer homes on the islands. September’s balmy evenings are perfect for lingering in the city’s buzzy squares and open-air cinemas.
Our top tips
Kolonaki is Athens’ art HQ, so it’s a great place to scout for finds from emerging Greek artists at one of the dozen or so galleries big and small scattered around the slopes of Mount Lycabettus. There’s art for every taste and budget. Embark on a full day gallery crawl or if time’s an issue, make a beeline for Skoufa, Evripides and Zoumboulakis galleries where there’s always something worth seeing.
Our guests' ratings...
Based on 10 independent reviews from i-escape guests
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