Set in the heart of Athens’ Kolonaki neighbourhood, Shila feels more like a grand 1920s mansion than it does a city hotel.
Old and new come together at the six-suite neoclassical hotel, which reflects Athens’ own mix of historic and contemporary design. Original terrazzo floors and high ceilings have all been preserved at Shila, which welcomes guests into a grand lobby that feels like stepping inside a private mansion.
Each of the boutique hotel’s suites is different, although vintage furniture and lighting lend them all an old-world, bohemian feel – something reflected in their names. Many of the rooms have their own balconies, while the Garden Retreat suite opens onto its own private garden and outside bar, which can be stocked with guests’ favourite tipple.
Visitors can also use their in-room iPad to order room service from a selection of nearby restaurants, to be delivered straight to their suites. Rooms at the Athens hotel start at £189 per night, which includes a breakfast basket stuffed with Greek delicacies.