Shila Athens, Athens

Pros

• The design of the hotel is truly special, as it’s beautifully rendered and considered. Each room feels different but part of the same vintage, cinematic world.
• The hotel offers various amenities like custom-made coffee and honey in the rooms, as well as welcome touches like silk eye masks to get a good night's sleep.
• The Shila hosts social clubs, which are salon-like events for curious people to meet others in different fields. The Shila also has an art gallery and art is an intrinsic part of the hotel, with each room featuring different pieces by predominately Greek artists.
• The hotel’s rooftop is a quiet, lush oasis, where people can lounge, take their coffee, or even do photo shoots or have weddings.

Cons

• While the rooms are impeccably designed, they don’t offer much in the way of storage. They do include dressers and exposed clothing racks to hang your clothes, but there’s no large closet or armoire to hide your suitcase. It won't be an issue for tidy folks or those looking for a different kind of experience.
• As part of the hotel’s philosophy of creating a space where people can feel present and engaged, the rooms do not include televisions. However, the hotel does offer iPads with Netflix and Spotify loaded on them for those who’d like some entertainment.
• The balconies for the rooms are a bit small and narrow, so those looking for more outdoor space can book one of the ground floor suites, which are smaller rooms but have larger private yards.
• Although there are suites that sleep up to four people, the design and atmosphere of the hotel feels more geared towards adults than kids. It may be a better option for couples, friends, or solo travelers.

Additional Notes

As someone who’s invested in self-care, luxury, and coziness, I felt right at home at the Shila, which incorporates all of these elements into the space. The rooms feature custom-made products for the hotel, while the furniture, art, and design all contribute to a feeling of being at home if your home happens to be on the page of a beautiful art and architecture magazine. In short, this hotel feels as if it was birthed from Aphrodite, the goddess of love, pleasure, and beauty … or at the very least, she’d be right at home here.

Authenticity

The hotel is situated in a 1920s Neo-Classical style building that features iron-wrought flourishes and marble and stone details. Greece is very much incorporated into the hotel in the form of the art that you’ll find all over. Ceramic objects line a wall in the lobby, while each room features different artwork by Greek and other artists, all of which can be purchased by guests.

In many ways, the Shila captures an old Europe – that of the 1920s, when you can imagine artists, writers, and creatives sitting around, chain-smoking, drinking coffee and wine, and discussing ideas and politics and the things that move them. However, the Shila is also in the 21st century and it manages to bridge that gap between the old (or rose-colored nostalgic, if you will) and the modern.

Location

The Shila is located on a quiet pedestrian street in Kolonaki, just five minutes by foot from Kolonaki Square, which will eventually be home to a new metro stop. Until then, you can walk to Syntagma Square in just 10-15 minutes, Monastiraki Square in 20, and the Acropolis in 25 and grab the metro in any of these locations as well. While Kolonaki is a vibrant central neighborhood, it is not as busy as other areas like Monastiraki or Psyrri, so you won’t have any noise issues here.

Rooms & Bathrooms

The Shila has six suites, which are all uniquely designed but work together as part of a cohesive whole. The two rooms on the ground floor each have a private yard, which is a great option for those wanting extra space outside, but note that these rooms only sleep up to two people. The other suites sleep up to four people and include small Juliet balconies, where you can take your coffee or breakfast. 

The rooms all come with luxurious amenities, like Shila’s brand of coffee, honey, and other products, as well as cozy touches like silk sleeping masks and chic House of Shila clothing that's available for purchase. Some rooms like the Artist Atelier include two full bathrooms, one of which has a swing in the shower. As of writing, no one has suffered any injuries from that, just the joy of sitting on a swing in the shower.

Other Highlights

Care is clearly at the heart of the hotel. There's the care that the creative director of House of Shila – Eftihia Stefanidi – has given to the space, as well as in that which people like the manager Marianna give to the guests. The hotel feels warm and welcoming, rather than untouchable, which can sometimes be a consequence of having something so curated and aesthetically focused.

The Shila is focused on the experience – of the senses, first and foremost, and of culture – so the hotel has a social club that hosts events for people looking to connect with others and have a more immersive experience in Athens. Also personally, I love the large rocks/crystals that are incorporated into the handles in the bathrooms.