Hotel Herodion, Athens

Hotel Herodion, Athens

Space to unwind

Stavropoulou Architects was commissioned by the owners, second-generation hoteliers, to complete a phased renovation of a 1970s hotel in the historic centre of Athens.

The clients were familiar with our work and design approach, having spent time in an apartment we previously renovated for a relative of theirs.

The establishment, Herodion Hotel, is located in a neighbourhood where the ancient architecture of the Acropolis meets more recent neoclassical styles.

Their objective was the creation of a pleasant environment for visitors, more storage options as well as flexibility and optimisation of room layouts, without compromising on the aesthetics of the space.

For the rooms, we created two design options – one inspired by the remaining neoclassical buildings in the area, and the other by the minimalism of the atmosphere that ancient monuments inspire.

Throughout the rooms vivid colour contrasts and materiality are cleverly employed to make space feel more expansive. Lighting fixtures are concealed within specially designed frames in the room, to provide flexibility and create a relaxing atmosphere.

Our architectural philosophy goes beyond aesthetics – we want to enhance the visitor experience by crafting practical but captivating interventions. Eco-friendly materials were selected for their durability, appearance and sustainability. Tactile wood and metal finishes are both decorative and useful, protecting corners from damage, and able to withstand heavy, frequent use.

As frequent travellers, we understand the ways visitors use hotels; Our design includes discrete surfaces to organise personal travel valuables such as phone chargers, wallets, books, sunglasses and so on. This creates a sense of calm for guests – removing the stress and fear of misplacing these small but vital items.

We collaborated closely with craftspeople to create bespoke interiors adaptable for different room sizes and layouts. Overall this builds a sense of creativity and eclecticism within the hotel.

The adjacent garden has been transformed into an inviting outdoor space, harmoniously blending nature with our interior design. Working with an experienced landscape designer, we selected plants and shrubs to create an ambiance, complemented by the wall of verdant greenery and shading from historic trees – just the thing for relaxation after a active day exploring Athens.

A modern outdoor space with a rusted metal panel featuring rectangular cutouts and a small garden area with green plants.
A hotel courtyard featuring a decorative rusted metal panel with cutouts, a potted green plant, and glass doors leading to interior rooms.
A modern hotel room with a large bed, wall-mounted TV, and floor-to-ceiling windows with curtains.
A modern hotel room interior with a minimalist design, featuring a wall-mounted TV, a mirror, and geometric metal frames.
A modern hotel room with a comfortable bed, decorative wall panel, and minimalist metal frame shelving.
A modern hotel bedroom with a dark gray accent wall, a large bed with white linens and orange cushions, and a well-lit ambiance.
A modern hotel room with a dark gray accent wall, white bedding with orange cushions, and recessed ceiling lighting.
View into a modern hotel room featuring a bed with red accents, framed by an open doorway with gray walls.
An outdoor hotel space with rusted metal panels featuring cutouts, green plants, and a bright yellow chair.
A close-up view of a rusted metal panel with rectangular cutouts, used as a decorative element in an outdoor space.
A vertical view of a narrow, enclosed courtyard with multiple floors and windows, leading down to a checkered tile floor.
A vertical view looking down into an enclosed courtyard with a variety of windows and a checkered tile floor at the bottom.