ATHENS: XENODOCHEIO MILOS

In the very center of Athens, opposite the Old Parliament and just steps from Syntagma Square, lies a hotel that has quietly redefined the way we think about luxury stays. Xenodocheio Milos is not just another boutique hotel, it’s the first true gastronomic hotel by the acclaimed Estiatorio Milos brand, founded by visionary chef and restaurateur Costas Spiliadis.

Spiliadis, whose career began with the opening of Estiatorio Milos in Montreal, has since built a culinary empire with restaurants in New York, London, Dubai, Miami, and Las Vegas. His philosophy has always been simple: respect the ingredient, cook it perfectly, and let its natural quality shine. Seafood, in particular, is his hallmark: Milos restaurants around the world are renowned for offering some of the freshest fish imaginable, presented with precision and restraint.

At Xenodocheio Milos, this ethos is woven into every detail. The on-site Estiatorio Milos restaurant is the beating heart of the property. Guests are greeted with market-fresh fish displayed on ice, daily catches grilled to perfection, and dishes that celebrate Greek simplicity with international finesse. Think whole fish baked in sea salt, delicate ceviches, and velvety taramasalata, all served in a space of understated elegance, where marble, pale wood, and natural light allow the food to take center stage.

But what makes this hotel remarkable is how it balances culinary gravitas with unpretentious hospitality. Rooms and suites are designed with calming minimalism: high ceilings, marble bathrooms, warm tones, and terraces that open toward Lycabettus Hill or the bustling city streets. The location places you right in the cultural and political core of Athens, yet once inside, the atmosphere shifts to a retreat of quiet sophistication.

The service is perhaps its most surprising quality. While many five-star hotels lean into grandeur, Xenodocheio Milos embraces philoxenia, the Greek spirit of hospitality. Staff are attentive without formality, warm without overstepping, making you feel less like a guest in a hotel and more like a friend welcomed into a home.

In 2025, the hotel was recognized with a Michelin Key: a new distinction from the Michelin Guide celebrating hotels of outstanding character and service. Much like Michelin Stars for restaurants, Keys are awarded not for flashiness, but for authenticity, consistency, and a strong sense of place. For Xenodocheio Milos, the award acknowledges what travelers already feel when they check in: that they’ve made a choice both thoughtful and timeless.

What sets this property apart is its integrity. Xenodocheio Milos doesn’t chase trends or overwhelm with theatrics. Instead, it offers what modern travelers crave most: centrality without chaos, luxury without pretense, and a culinary identity so strong that every stay becomes a story of taste as much as comfort.

In a city rich with history and movement, Xenodocheio Milos has carved out something rare: a sanctuary where gastronomy and hospitality intertwine seamlessly. For those who believe that food is as much a part of travel as monuments and museums, this is a hotel that doesn’t just host you. It nourishes you.