Best for… The chic place to stay in the center of Athens with the best views of the Acropolis.
The look and feel… A former department store, The Dolli was completely reconfigured in 2023 to be a 29 room hotel that feels more home (albeit fancy home) than hotel. All the furniture was custom-made by a local woodworker, and the salon in the front has chairs and stools that are meant to be moved around to suit whoever is coming together. There is no check-in “counter”, rather a beautiful vintage desk, a library area where guests can enjoy drinks or lunch alongside the owners’ personal art collection, which include pieces from Jean Cocteau and Picasso. Not old school at all—it has all the makings of a new classic—but it feels very modern and new, because it is. It has a sense of humor—including an infinity pool looking onto the Acropolis with big opalescent floating balls.
The rooms… Our room was a junior Acropolis view suite, which had a giant marble tub with an incredible view of the Acropolis. I will be forever spoiled by that bath-view, and loved that they had a candle as well as an assortment of bath salts and bombs. As for amenities, they have Guerlain products in the rooms. They also have actual light switches, and something we haven’t seen in a bathroom—an on/off push button for the shower and bath. Japanese toilets and a sensor low light for when you need it in the dark. For families, they have configurations beyond the typical two adjoining rooms—in some areas it can be up to 5 adjoining rooms.
The food and drink… On our first visit we didn’t get a chance to experience that much of it as we were there for less than 24 hours (arrived at 2pm and left at 6am), but the arrival tea sandwiches were elegant and delicious, the bartender was deeply knowledgeable (he made great martinis and a Negroni with a Greek gin that Matt was a fan of), and we had some excellent sushi for dinner. On our second stay we were able to experience their breakfast buffet which had delicious Cretan spinach pies (the owners are from Crete) and cheeses, alongside the usual morning suspects.
The location… On Metreopolis, right at the edge of Plaka, a block from Ermou the high street, and a 10 minute walk from Kolonaki and Syntagma Square. Also about a block from my favorite Birdman and Nolan.
Be sure to… Have sunset drinks on the roof!
Date of Stay… Jan 15, 2024, August 19-21, 2025
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