New Hotel Athens: A Design-Led Reinvention in Syntagma

A Reinvention Story in the Heart of Syntagma

Imagine stepping into an Athens property that began life as the Olympic Palace, a piece of mid-20th-century modernism, and emerged as something entirely different. That is the story behind New Hotel Athens, a 79-room property whose design vocabulary was shaped when Brazilian brothers Fernando and Humberto Campana were invited to build a new hotel from the pieces of the old. The building retains touches of its earlier identity, including the 1940s black marble staircase, a quiet reminder that the structure itself has lived through eras.

The hotel is part of Design Hotels and carries a Cutting-Edge and Lively atmosphere, the kind of place where art objects and architectural gestures meet everyday hospitality.

Where You Are in Athens

The address places you at Ναυάρχου Νικοδήμου 16 in the 105 57 postal district of Athens, a central pocket that makes sightseeing genuinely feasible. The hotel sits within walking distance of Plaka and its Roman ruins, the Acropolis and its museum, the Kolonaki shopping and café district, and the central business zone. The Tower of the Winds is roughly 600 metres away, and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is a short five-minute walk.

Rooms and Suites

The property counts 79 rooms in total, including seven suites. The design tone runs throughout, with the Campana Brothers' signature mix of contemporary forms and reused or reimagined materials.

Spa, Fitness and Wellness

Wellness is anchored by the New Sense spa, which includes a hammam, a treatment room, and a Jacuzzi. There is also a fitness area on site, so stretching out a day of Athens walking does not require leaving the building.

Where to Eat and Drink

Two distinct venues shape the culinary side of the stay. On the ground floor, the New Lobby Bar presents a contemporary setting built around natural elements, ideal for unwinding between outings. Up on the seventh floor, the Art Lounge serves food and cocktails against panoramic views of the city. A separate hotel restaurant, New Taste, focuses on seasonal Mediterranean food in a sleek room of round wooden tables, hanging gold lampshades and artfully mismatched chairs. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the property.

The Sky-High Art Angle

A rooftop terrace adds another layer to the experience. Per descriptions, the top-floor terrace is widely noted for offering some of the best views in Athens, an ideal backdrop whether you arrive for a sunset cocktail or a quiet morning coffee above the rooftops. Combined with the ground-floor lobby bar and the seventh-floor Art Lounge, the hotel's social spaces are designed as a vertical journey rather than a single room.

Practical Considerations

Athens International Airport Eleftherios Venizelos sits roughly 27 kilometres east of the property, and no shuttle service is provided. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout, and the property is non-smoking. Some details, including spa treatments, dining menus, and on-site services, may change over time, so it is worth confirming specifics when planning your visit.

A Snapshot of Why It Stands Out

What makes New Hotel Athens memorable is the tension at its core: a 1960s modernist shell reworked into a 79-room design property where art, skyline views, and central-Athens convenience converge. Add a hammam-led spa, a sky-high Art Lounge, and the Campana Brothers' design stamp, and the result is a stay that feels curated rather than conventional.