There’s the postcard Athens—Acropolis, Plaka, sun on marble—and then there’s Athens the locals keep for themselves. Kolonaki is very much the latter: a leafy, upscale quarter, climbing the slopes of Mount Lycabettus, lined with designer boutiques, art galleries, elegant cafés and restaurants where the city’s old aristocracy and new creative class quietly overlap. It’s here, at the foot of Lycabettus, that The Duke Boutique Suites hides in plain sight: a compact, contemporary aparthotel that feels more like a private residence than a hotel.
The building is a modular, four-storey structure with just 14 suites, and that small scale is part of its charm. Interiors are clean and modern—soft greys, warm wood tones, big windows letting in that bright Attic light. There’s no unnecessary decoration, just thoughtful choices: good fabrics, comfortable seating, clever lighting, and layouts that make each suite feel like a little city apartment rather than a standard room. Whether you book a studio or a larger executive suite, you get the impression someone has actually lived in the space and tested how it works.
Location-wise, it’s hard to beat. Step outside, and within minutes, you’re in the thick of Kolonaki’s café life, strolling toward Kolonaki Square, browsing concept stores and jewellery ateliers, or sliding into a gallery opening. The Benaki Museum and Museum of Cycladic Art are a short walk away; Syntagma and the historic centre are within easy reach on foot or by a quick taxi ride. You get the sense of being stitched right into the fabric of the city’s most stylish quarter, yet the street itself feels residential and calm.
Mornings at The Duke are low-key in the best way. Guests are treated to a complimentary breakfast—usually an expanded continental spread of pastries, eggs, cheeses, fruit and proper coffee—served in the café area downstairs or out on the terrace when the weather plays along. It doesn’t feel like a hotel buffet; it feels like going down to your building’s communal kitchen, chatting to neighbours and then retreating upstairs to get ready for the day. That “staying at home” feeling is exactly what makes repeat guests loyal.
The crown, quite literally, is the rooftop. A seasonal pool and lounge area are open onto a cinematic view of Mount Lycabettus, with the cityscape spread out at your feet and, on clear evenings, a discreet glimpse of the Acropolis in the distance. Sundowners up here are dangerously addictive—one minute you’re taking a quick dip after shopping, and the next you’re still on your sunbed as the city lights click on.
Downstairs, a small spa and fitness area extend the “home, but better” vibe: a gym for quick workouts, plus massage and wellness treatments you can book for post-museum recovery. Combine that with friendly, on-first-name-terms staff, and you understand why so many guests talk about The Duke Boutique Suites in the language of homecoming rather than hotel stays.
The Duke Boutique Suites, for us, is the address we’d choose when we want to plug straight into Kolonaki’s chic energy, then retreat to our own rooftop pool and quiet suite. It’s Athens as we like to live it: stylish, personal, and just a little bit insider.
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