Ancient capital, modern luxuries The Athenaeum is a green oasis in sun-soaked Athens By: Steve MacNaull Posted: 6:00 AM CDT Saturday, May. 17, 2025

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This article was published 17/05/2025 (315 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

In Athens’ white-washed, sun-baked urban-scape, The Athenaeum is a beacon of green freshness.

After all, 2,500 plants drip from the face of the newest 5-star hotel in the Greek capital.

The greenery grows in irrigated planters attached to an exoskeleton on the conveniently-located, seven-storey, white building — a short walk from the National Gardens, the touristy Plaka neighbourhood of shops and restaurants and the iconic Acropolis.

We’ll be constantly surprised at The Athenaeum’s lavishness — and simplicity.

The lobby of the 52-room boutique hotel is minimalist and artsy with marble floors, white walls, two check-in counters that double as big cubes of abstract art and a huge monitor behind the check-in projecting constantly changing art.

The first thing we notice when we step into our deluxe suite on the fifth floor is the purple-and-gold swing chair hanging from the ceiling.

It’s a whimsical instalment we absolutely have to test drive multiple times.

The room itself is minimalist chic, with hardwood floors and king-size bed in white linens oriented to the soundproof, floor-to-ceiling windows with views over the National Garden to peek-a-boo glimpses of the Temple of Zeus, Acropolis and Mount Lycabettus.

The bathroom is Dionysos marble with a hydro-massage bathtub and separate rain shower.

Our suite has handy proximity to the rooftop plunge pool and Pasithea restaurant, both of which also capitalize on the aforementioned views.

At Pasithea we indulge in Greek dishes with a twist — chef Evangelos Nikas’s red pepper oil tzatziki and shrimp in saffron sauce with Greek rosé wine from Chateau Nico Lazaridi.

The Athenaeum is named after the building sacred to Athena, the Greek goddess of war and wisdom and the patroness of Athens.

How apropos.

While The Athenaeum is a destination in itself, Athens, the city, beckons.

So, we start to wander the historic capital — the birthplace of classical civilization — without an agenda.

You don’t really need an agenda to savour buzzy Athens.

First, swing by Syntagma Square to see the hourly changing of the presidential guards in front of the parliament buildings and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

It’s a spectacle as the Evzones guards march and prance their way through the exercise wearing a kilt-like tunic, tasselled Farion cap, stockings and shoes with pom poms and brandishing a M1 Garrand rifle.

The seminal and emblematic Acropolis seems to have a gravitational pull, so we automatically start to walk there.

It’s because the can’t-miss Acropolis is the highest hill in the centre of Athens and is crowned with the ruins of the instantly recognizable 2,472-year-old Parthenon.

We simply admired it, eyes skyward, from every angle as we circumnavigated the Acropolis through the hillside neighbourhood of Plaka.

Of course, you can be more organized and pre-book tickets to get past the gates at the Acropolis to visit and hear the blow-by-blow history of the Parthenon.

But Kerry and I prefer to freestyle it, soaking up maximum vibe with a minimum of historical facts and dates.

Plaka is village-like with its narrow cobblestone streets and stairways lined with shops and authentic Greek tavernas spilling down steps.

Although it’s a tourist trap, it doesn’t feel like it when we stop at The Old Tavern of Psarras — the oldest restaurant in Plaka, dating from 1898.

Its tables are tiered down wide steps for perfect Plaka atmosphere, city views, people watching and, of course, traditional Greek food and wine.

Think tzatziki with crusty bread, Greek salad with shiny, plump black olives, fried calamari and dolmades (stuffed grape leaves) washed down with local white wine Orinos Helios Semeli.

For more info, check out theathenaeum.com.gr.

smacnaull@nowmediagroup.ca