Located on a discreet street half a mile from the Acropolis, the Apollo Palm Hotel combines refined rooms with indulgent details for a balanced boutique offering in Athens. The 48 bedrooms were designed by Paris-based Mariette Sans-Rival Studio, opening in June 2023 across two reimagined 20th-century buildings half a mile rom the Acropolis.

Guests are greeted with a reassuringly hefty steel door, with dining area to the right and reception to the left, each gilded. An internal courtyard centres the building, with bedrooms up to the fifth storey providing a compact layout. Lower rooms look onto the neighbourhood, while upper floors and the rooftop terrace look across the city (southern rooms overlook the Acropolis). A Mediterranean coastal pallet features throughout, providing a warm glow that’s almost too intense.

Bedrooms range across economical Cozy rooms to a handful of larger suites Junior and Superior. A generous amount of hooks within the shower and bathroom point to social showering and ample hanging space for sports gear expecting a second showing. Soft furnishings dampen noise, blending mid-century notes with Bauhaus references – sleek lines, warm woods, terrazzo.

The is no gym at Apollo Palm Hotel.

Neighbourhood

Apollo Palm’s Psyrri neighbourhood is densely packed with modern cafes, stores and restaurants all within the shadow of the city historical buildings. Coffee try Samba for coffee. Restaurants Gallina and Wine is Fine for lighter bites. The Clumsies for a cocktail, a Top 50 Bar in the World for many years (didn’t make the 2025 list)

Training Notes

Athens Riviera runs closely to the hillier interior, putting open water swimming and hill climbing within a couple of miles of each other. While coastal elevation isn’t as accessible as Nice and Los Angeles, getting hold of a road bike rental and packing trail shoes opens up Athen’s rooftop.

Runners can start a run south the Acropolis along the trails that surround Socrate’s prison.

The 1892 Olympic track is located less than a mile from the Apollo Palm and for a €10 fee, visitors can run the narrow bends and long straights. A modern track is located further east around where the foothills frame the city – Vyronas Municipal Stadium. Opening is at 8am and it’s free to the public – just check football fixtures and enter from the south-east corner beneath the grandstand.

Cyclists can make the most of the Pedal Greece intel, also servicing premium road and gravel rental in Athens. Be warned that the Riviera roadway is busy with speed limits exceeding 60 kmph – use it early morning and best on weekends.

Swimmers can use the open water in Riviera (35 minutes from), or make the most of the 50m. The most convenient pool is Serafio Swimming Pool, a 50m championship pool less than a kilometre from Apollo Palm.

Learn more at apollopalmhotel.com. Review based on September 2025 stay in Room #202.