NEW Hotel is a design-led boutique hotel on Filellinon Street, a short walk from Syntagma Square, where Athens’ government district meets the old lanes of Plaka. Owned by art collector Dakis Joannou and remodeled by Brazilian designers Fernando and Humberto Campana, it draws travelers who want contemporary art and design as part of their stay.
The Campana brothers rebuilt the former Olympic Palace Hotel and reused its salvaged wooden furniture as wall panels and sculptural fixtures in the lobby and corridors. Rooms follow distinct design concepts, with some featuring map motifs, protective “evil eye” references, or patchwork recycled timber, so no two floors feel alike. Breakfast comes with the room, and the on-site restaurant serves modern Greek cooking. The wellness area offers a calm retreat after a day of climbing the Acropolis slopes.
Visitor Highlights & Practical Info
Book early for May through September, when Athens fills up and rates climb. April, October, and early November bring milder weather and easier availability. Request a higher floor for less street noise, since Filellinon carries steady traffic. Syntagma metro station, with direct line 3 service to the airport, is about five minutes on foot. The National Garden, Hadrian’s Arch, the Temple of Olympian Zeus, and Plaka’s tavernas are all within a 10 to 15 minute walk, and the Acropolis Museum takes about 20 minutes.
