Mona Athens, Athens

Pros

• The hotel occupies a former Brutalist textile factory filled with local art, custom textiles, and flourishing potted plants—creating an atmosphere that feels effortlessly cool and creative. 
• The loft-style rooms look straight out of a design magazine, with brushed concrete walls, exposed copper piping, a mix of custom and vintage furniture, and large egg-shaped bathtubs.
• The rooftop offers a great view of the Acropolis and hosts an exclusive "social club" each month for locals and guests.
• Each room includes an iPad and a Marshall Bluetooth speaker; upon arrival, you'll be greeted with a custom playlist to set the mood for your stay.
• An excellent breakfast is included in the rate. For other meals, you can order from local restaurants through the iPad, and the staff will plate and deliver it straight to your room.

Cons

• An address in the cool Psyri neighborhood means a more alternative, urban feel to the surroundings (if you don't like graffiti, this won't be the area for you).
• The rooms facing Kakourgodikiou Street overlook a punk bar, which can get a bit loud at night. 
• Rooms don't have TVs, but the hotel provides iPads with Netflix and Spotify that you connect to in-room speakers.
• All rooms are reached via elevator, but it doesn't go to the roof: guests need to take a set of beautiful marble-and-iron stairs for the final stretch.
• Most rooms have an open-plan, loft-style layout, so don't expect much privacy, particularly in the bathrooms.

Authenticity

Mona Athens is the second hotel from Athens-based design studio House of Shila, who turned this industrial 1950s building (and former textile factory) into an achingly cool creative space in 2022. The building retains its main textures of concrete, metal, and stone, and original features like the curved iron staircase and terrazzo floors have been carefully preserved—now serving as a stripped-down backdrop for carefully chosen artwork, vintage furniture, hand-thrown ceramics, custom-knit rugs, and flourishing potted plants. If you fall in love with the aesthetic, you're in luck: every curated item in the hotel is available for purchase, from organic cotton bedding to original paintings and locally made bath products.

Location

You'll stay in Psyri, a former artisans' quarter that's recently transformed into one of the city's coolest neighborhoods. Narrow streets, renovated warehouses, and neon street art give the area a gritty, alternative feel, and it's a popular spot for artists and creatives, with a lively nightlife scene. It's still conveniently central when it comes to sightseeing: Monastiraki Square is just two blocks south, and you can stroll to historic Plaka in under 10 minutes or reach the slopes of the Acropolis in under 20. Transport links are also excellent: you're just 2 minutes from the Monastiraki metro stop, which connects to the airport in 45 minutes. There's no parking on-site, but you'll find a private garage around the corner.

Rooms & Bathrooms

The Mona's 20 loft-style rooms range in size, but all continue the theme of industrial chic design and attention to detail—think brushed concrete walls, exposed pipes, and original terrazzo tile floors softened with glowing pendant lamps, breezy linen textiles, and vintage velvet furniture. Low, platform-style beds are draped with bespoke organic bedding, and some rooms include French doors opening onto furnished terraces. Bathrooms are open-plan (separated by linen curtains) with rainfall showers, egg-shaped Corian bathtubs, and organic, local toiletries. This is a TV-free hotel, but all rooms include iPads loaded with Netflix and Spotify, Marshall Bluetooth speakers, artisan minibars, and espresso makers with fresh beans.

Amenities

Breakfast is served in an airy, greenery-filled space with an open kitchen, where you can watch the chefs prepare Levantine-style meze dishes, scrambled eggs with wild oregano, and brioche French toast. You can also order breakfast treats like matcha lattes and pitaya smoothies to your room or on the roof terrace. Said terrace is a highlight here, with views of the Acropolis, lots of inviting lounge areas, and a small bar that pours natural local wines, beer, and cocktails and hosts weekly events open to guests. Downstairs, the basement speakeasy offers a rotating calendar of art exhibits and live music sessions. 

Family-Friendliness

The hotel isn't particularly kid-friendly; though families are welcome, it's better suited to couples and single travelers. Children under the age of three stay for free, and those under are charged a reduced rate. Families should consider the Penthouse or Mona's Suite units, with extra space and kitchenettes. There's an elevator for strollers, but it doesn't go all the way up to the roof.