Shila

Where:
Athens, Greece
Why:To experience an otherworldly realm of elegance and sensuality in the heart of Athens
When:June 2022
Who:Just me

"Lush, bohemian hideaway oozing ethereal Athenian charm"

AT A GLANCE: Located in Kolonaki, Athens’s chic and classy neighborhood, Shila’s intuitive form of hospitality, where privacy is naturally respected and services are bespoke, keeps guests coming back repeatedly. This boutique, budget, and pet-friendly city hotel with its six suites has a unique character — filled with shoppable art and antique furniture — and oozes charm and simplicity. In short, this is a great place to stay if you want to feel and act like a local.

This is the gorgeous leafy entrance of this late '20s neoclassical

Transported to another place, another world, as soon as you step foot in the door

The lush and cozy lobby area. Velvet galore

Neoclassical features still in place

The reception area is a definite favorite. The staff at Shila are an equal favorite. Warm, kind, and ridiculously helpful

Happy here (albeit a bit hot and sweaty from those steaming Athenian summer streets)

So much space in the beautiful Dreamers suite. This is the living room

Bespoke antiques and lots of light throughout

Spacious, lush, and romantic. The bedroom in the Dreamers suite — it comes with not just one but two bathrooms as well

Shila The Shila team has strong ties with local and international artists, and designers, select works are showcased throughout the hotel. This is a piece by Eftihia Stefanidi. Every piece of art you see at Shila can be yours

The Shila team has strong ties with local and international artists, and designers, select works are showcased throughout the hotel. This is a piece by Eftihia Stefanidi. Every piece of art you see at Shila can be yours

The cute and sunny rooftop where Shila nights used to be held, these have now been moved to the sister hotel, Mona, in Psyri

Kolonaki neighborhood views

Cute little touches everywhere

More beauty

Highs & Lows

You will leave Shila feeling inspired by co-creators Shai Antebi and Eftihia Stefanidi's creative forces combined, and their intuitive hospitality — the way they turned this ethereal late 1920s neoclassical residence in Kolonaki into a place for guests to feel indulged and at home while also experiencing an otherworldly realm of elegance and sensuality, is incredibly inspiring
The design. Each of the six suites has a unique character and design and oozes a charm and simplicity that is so appealing, featuring original terrazzo floors and high ceilings, and incredible art
"The Dreamers" was the room I was in, and I can’t recommend it more highly. Super spacious with beautiful architectural features of metal, stone, and wood; a master bedroom, two bathrooms, a study area, and a set of Juliet balconies
The most perfect hidden away location in Kolonaki
The shoppable art — too much to choose from. I want it all!!
The antique furniture, Shila has curated a rare selection of furniture sourced from a Greek family-run wood-making enterprise dating from the 1920s until the turn of the century. They have also worked with a sumptuous line of vintage fabrics from around the world used for upholstery
Shila, the muse, and her stories that weave throughout the property

I just wish I could have stayed for longer...

The Barometer

Design
Location
Future Forward
Night's Sleep
Service

Amenities
Takeable Treats
Refer a Friend
Overall Value
Life Changing

Total: 49/50

Important Bits

Type
Lifestyle hotel
Vibe
Lush, bohemian hideaway oozing ethereal Athenian charm
Location
Centrally located in the chic neighbourhood of Kolonaki
Rooms
Six distinctively designed suites
Pre-Arrival & Arrival Experience
Such a pleasure. Shila is very committed to ensuring guests have a memorable stay in Athens which starts from their friendly and warm pre-arrival communication and super helpful local recommendations throughout your stay
Future Forward
Shila offers the ultimate curated experience in culinary, art, design, and indulgent self-care. This is an intuitive form of hospitality where privacy is naturally respected, and services are bespoke. All of the art featured throughout the hotel, and all of the Shila products are available for sale, with a focus on the simple and whimsical, timeless aspects of life. The Shila team has strong ties to both the local and international art & design scenes and selects key works to present in the hotel space for guests and visitors to enjoy. Each suite also has its own collection, and the lounge and library areas often play host to private exhibitions
Music
Peaceful, bohemian, ambient
Year Opened
2020
Designed By
Lead designer Shai Antebi, interior designer Anna Bonnet, art & creative director Eftihia Stefanidi
Health & Wellness
Not so much, but Shila is not far from Mount Lycabettus, which makes for an amazing hike
Food
The Shila breakfast is a good one. A carefully curated selection of local ingredients and hand-made Greek delicacies is delivered to your suite each morning. There’s no restaurant at the hotel but the kind Shila team can order food for you from their favourite restaurants around Downtown Athens
Bar, Events & Nightlife
Shila is surrounded by good bars and nightlife, especially in nearby Exarchia. There are heaps to choose from
Minibar & Retail
The Shila mini bar is small but perfectly curated. Retail-wise, basically anything you see at Shila can be purchased — stunning art by local artists, photographers, ceramicists, a silk eye mask, a beautiful Japanese-inspired cotton robe, etc.
Accessibility
Not suitable
Pet Friendly
Pets are allowed on request
Children
Children older than 12 years are welcome
Price
Perfectly reasonable
Tel.
+30 210 36 37 800
Website
Visit website

Shila

Shila, Mantzarou, Athens, Greece

Coffee at Philos Athens

Philos Athens, Solonos, Athens, Greece

Visit the Museum of Cycladic Art

Museum of Cycladic Art, Neofitou Douka, Athens, Greece

Hike Mount Lycabettus

Mount Lycabettus, Athens, Greece

In the Area

Hotel Location Shila, Mantzarou, Athens, Greece

Shila is perfectly placed in the center of Kolonaki, a chic and classy neighborhood home to lots of museums, art galleries, shopping, and cute bars and cafes. It is tucked away in a gorgeous little side street. The Benaki Museum, Museum of Cycladic Art, and the B&E Goulandris Foundation are all nearby, as is Mount Lycabettus if you feel like a morning hike. It’s beautiful here.