ULTIMATEHotels

Design hotel

The Modernist Athens

Kolonaki · Athens · Greece

The rooftop terrace with sun loungers, planted beds and Lycabettus Hill behind
The rooftop terrace with sun loungers, planted beds and Lycabettus Hill behind
Photo creditImage courtesy of © The Modernist Athens
An XL room’s private terrace with its outdoor hot tub, looking out over the trees of Kolonaki to the city and the sea
An XL room’s private terrace with its outdoor hot tub, looking out over the trees of Kolonaki to the city and the sea
Photo creditImage courtesy of © The Modernist Athens
Two guests with glasses of wine on the rooftop, the Acropolis on the skyline beyond
Two guests with glasses of wine on the rooftop, the Acropolis on the skyline beyond
Photo creditImage courtesy of © The Modernist Athens
The view from The Modernist Athens over the trees to the Acropolis and Filopappou Hill at golden hour
The view from The Modernist Athens over the trees to the Acropolis and Filopappou Hill at golden hour
Photo creditImage courtesy of © The Modernist Athens
An XL room with floor-to-ceiling curtains, a writing desk and sunlight across the oak floor
An XL room with floor-to-ceiling curtains, a writing desk and sunlight across the oak floor
Photo creditImage courtesy of © The Modernist Athens
A Small room with its raised oak platform bed and window onto the trees
A Small room with its raised oak platform bed and window onto the trees
Photo creditImage courtesy of © The Modernist Athens
The ground-floor café-lounge with marble tables, a wall of books and windows onto the square
The ground-floor café-lounge with marble tables, a wall of books and windows onto the square
Photo creditImage courtesy of © The Modernist Athens
The lounge and bar with marble tables, a planted shelf wall and a burnt-orange velvet sofa
The lounge and bar with marble tables, a planted shelf wall and a burnt-orange velvet sofa
Photo creditImage courtesy of © The Modernist Athens
A bartender finishing cocktails on the marble bar of the rooftop
A bartender finishing cocktails on the marble bar of the rooftop
Photo creditImage courtesy of © The Modernist Athens
The XL terrace’s hot tub and a lounge chair in dappled shade above the treetops
The XL terrace’s hot tub and a lounge chair in dappled shade above the treetops
Photo creditImage courtesy of © The Modernist Athens
The rooftop at night, with the lights of Athens running to the sea
The rooftop at night, with the lights of Athens running to the sea
Photo creditImage courtesy of © The Modernist Athens
The black façade and entrance of The Modernist Athens on Gennadiou Street
The black façade and entrance of The Modernist Athens on Gennadiou Street
Photo creditImage courtesy of © The Modernist Athens

Kolonaki’s former Canadian Embassy, now a design hotel with a year-round rooftop above the trees.

The Modernist Athens has made its home in the former Canadian Embassy, on a quiet Kolonaki street looking onto a leafy residential square. Its 38 rooms come in sizes S, M, L and XL, with custom-made furniture and mood lighting; the XL rooms add a terrace with an outdoor hot tub and panoramic views of the city and the Acropolis. The rooftop is open all year, from early morning until midnight, with part of it sheltered and heated in winter, and its cocktails are curated by Nikos Bakoulis, co-founder of LINE bar. It suits design-minded travellers who would rather wake among galleries and cafés than in the thick of Plaka, with Evangelismos metro two minutes away. Our advice: book an XL for the hot tub and the view, and take your evening drink on the roof as the city lights come on.

  • Former Canadian Embassy in Kolonaki
  • XL rooms with terrace hot tubs and Acropolis views
  • Year-round rooftop with cocktails by a LINE co-founder

From the ULTIMATE Athens guide

Read our full write-up, with what to book, nearby restaurants and how to get there.

Read on the Athens guide →

More hotels in Athens

All 47 →
The Hotel Grande Bretagne lit up at dusk on Syntagma Square
Luxury hotel

Hotel Grande Bretagne

Syntagma · Athens · GreeceAthens’ most famous hotel, facing Parliament on Syntagma Square since 1874. Opulent rooms, a celebrated rooftop restaurant and a spa.
The King George hotel beside the Grande Bretagne on Syntagma Square
Luxury hotel

King George

Syntagma · Athens · GreeceElegant, intimate luxury next door to the Grande Bretagne, with antique-filled rooms and Tudor Hall’s rooftop views of the Acropolis.
The Glyfada Riviera Hotel
5-star hotel

Glyfada Riviera Hotel

Glyfada · Athens · GreeceA fully renovated five-star hotel with 47 rooms on the seafront avenue, close to the beach and within walking distance of the golf course, with a pool, spa and an award-winning restaurant.