In the heart of downtown Athens, on a small side street in Psirri, we find ourselves in front of a tall, perfectly symmetrical industrial building of striped marble and metal. Next to the entrance is a graffiti of a red rose. This is Mona, though you would never guess her wonders from the unassuming exterior. Like her more upscale sibling, the alluring hôtel particulier Shila in Kolonaki (also a member of our club), this “new kid on the block” carries forward the inspired vision of the House of Shila team.
Step inside, and a new world unfolds. Throughout the 20 rooms and common areas, the 1950s soul of this former textile factory has been respectfully preserved, merging its past with its urban present. The pale, chipped walls have been left untouched, as have the old wooden windows, the impressive marble staircase and the original terrazzo floors.
As you climb the stairs, art is everywhere. Setting a sensual tone, the collection focuses mainly on photography by local and international artists, and prints are available for purchase. It is a fresh take that celebrates photography as an art form and invites you to rethink how art is shown, how it speaks to architecture and how it blends naturally into its surroundings.
Whatever their size, all the rooms are warm and inviting, with large, sunny windows overlooking the gritty, vibrant neighborhood. They have freestanding white Corian bathtubs, among the most comfortable we have ever tried, and some have a balcony or patio with seating made from salvaged bricks. The overall design is timeless, the industrial finishes elegant, and sensual drapes soften the mood.
Perhaps it was the soft lighting that lulls you completely, or the very comfortable custom beds made up with raw cotton sheets, but we never wanted to leave our room. We could simply have made excellent coffee (from award-winning single-origin beans) or ordered a meal via the iPad menu, which offers a hand-picked selection of dishes from the area’s best restaurants.
But beyond this cocoon, there is more to explore at Mona. The street-level Living Room, with its four-meter (13-foot) ceilings, is one of the loveliest spaces for breakfast, reading or working on your laptop while watching Athenians go about their day. A nice extra: everything you see in the lobby can be bought, from the exquisite design objects to unique pieces of furniture.
Culinary
The Living Room’s open kitchen is the stage for the hotel’s supper clubs and private events, where pop-up chefs come together to cook. That is also where our breakfast was made: delicious eggs, homemade granola and sourdough bread, with the signature heather honey from the island of Kimolos.
Party
House of Shila’s knack for bringing together an interesting cosmopolitan crowd, hotel guests and locals alike, is on full display at its sought-after Club Monamour events. We were lucky enough to attend the first one and experienced a truly multicultural community savoring cocktails, music and one another’s company. There is also an underground space with a speakeasy vibe that serves as a live-music venue and, at times, a boutique Pilates studio. The crowning glory, though, is at the very top: Mona’s rooftop, where magnificent views of the Acropolis blend with Athens’ unique cityscape.
The Neighborhood
Psirri is one of the liveliest and most central neighborhoods in Athens, minutes from the historic center and the Acropolis, and right next to the characterful Monastiraki flea market. Our favorite Athens restaurants are just a short walk from Mona, which makes a stay even more worthwhile.
Ideal for
Design lovers, aesthetes, solo travelers, couples, digital nomads.
Prices
Doubles from 195 euros, including breakfast.
Booking & Contact
Mona Athens
4 Kakourgiodikiou Street
105 54 Athens
Greece
