Athens Capital Hotel – MGallery Collection is your key to some of the Greek capital’s best views, matched only by its cuisine by Executive Chef Dimitris Bousalis, who spent years in some of Europe’s most distinguished Michelin-starred kitchens.
A plate of steamed seabass with shellfish mousse sits in front of me, a dish so pretty it takes me a while to push my fork into it. As I take a bite, I gaze across the hotel’s infinity pool where perched on a hill above it is a picture-perfect view of the ancient Acropolis of Athens.
I’m at Mappemonde rooftop restaurant, the fine dining eatery at Athens Capital Hotel, a hotel renowned for its enviable Kolonaki address, with Syntagma Square and historic Plaka just minutes away, but it’s here on the rooftop, with the Acropolis on one side and Lycabettus Hill on the other, where you’ll want to linger.
An Athenian modern-style building from the late 50s, the hotel was once the financial institution’s headquarters and reopened in 2020 as the first MGallery in Greece.
Inside, the corridors and public spaces all pay tribute to local artists with quotes from inspirational women such as Simone de Beauvoir and Coco Chanel, and it’s hard to miss George Lappas’ Mappemonde art installation, extending from the 2nd to the 10th floor, sculptured for the Venice Biennale of 1988.
My room
Open the window to hear the rush of traffic below, otherwise it’s whisper-quiet.
We are in room 604 a deluxe room with a king-size bed, desk, two-seater couch and the rare thing in hotels these days, windows that open to give you a rare glimpse (and sound) of local life below.
There’s a kettle for that obligatory cup of tea, and a coffee maker. The spacious bathroom has an oversized shower and magnifying make-up mirror. There are blackout curtains, an ironing board, slippers and a pillow menu.
It’s contemporary, and like the rest of the hotel features local art, but it’s the views from those pretty windows that make sure you know you’re in the centre of Greece’s capital.
Wine and dine
One mouthful of cuisine by Executive Chef Dimitris Boutsalis and it’ll come as no surprise that he’s worked at Michelin-starred restaurants NOMA and De Librije.
Here, there are three eateries. The ground floor Galerie Café – a must for Athens Capital coffee with cinnamon and orange, with brunch a blend of Greek and French influences. Come sundown, sit outside where you can sip cocktails and watch the world go by.
The ninth-floor MFlavours restaurant is where you’ll find Mediterranean flavours, where, through an open kitchen, you can see chefs at work creating signature dishes like lamb moussaka and seafood saganaki.
At Mappemonde rooftop, the dining pièce de résistance, graze on chicken breast stuffed with chestnuts and sausage, and black Iberian pork from Mount Olympus, or lobster torteli served with views to both the Acropolis of Athens over the sparkling infinity pool and Lycabettus Hill.
Sweeten things up by ending with fir honey cream, melomakarono, seasonal fruits, and chamomile sorbet
Dine from Thursday to Sunday, and there’s live music from the DJ and signature cocktails flowing.
Out and about
Name an excursion or sight you want to see, and the staff will make it happen and tell you exactly how to get there, which won’t be far because of the hotel’s enviable location.
At the heart of Kolonaki, step out onto Syntagma Square with its neoclassical Old Royal Palace housing the Hellenic Parliament, ceremonial Presidential Guard and the famed Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
It’s also just one train stop, or a short walk to the Acropolis. If you’re here in peak season, you’ll want to book tickets in advance and allocate at least a few hours to wander around the ancient citadel.
Verdict
With its Acropolis view, stylish room with windows to watch the world go by and exceptional cuisine, this Athens hotel ticks many a box; add its enviable central location, and it’ll top your must-stay list in Greece’s capital.
The details
Address: Syntagma Square, 4 Eleftheriou Venizelou Avenue, Kriezotou 2, Athina 105 64, Greece
Room type: Deluxe Room
Check-in: 3pm
Check-out: 11am
Rates: A deluxe room ranges from around A$600 to A$1,150 depending on the time of year.
For more information, visit Athens Capital Hotel – MGallery Collection
