Athens, GreeceEkali
Life Gallery Athens Hotel
Minimalist glass pavilion
Ekali Athens, Greece
Opened
2004
Price
$$
Rated for
Design Wellness SocialOutside the door
The house
bluegrMinimalist glass pavilion
The property runs like a gallery in the pines, swapping central Athens for geometric glass pavilions and quiet gardens.
What it’s good at
Notable
Minimalist green glass cubes house contemporary art curated from the Mamidakis Foundation.
Listed
Pine gardens surround twin freshwater pools, including a signature glass-walled swimming pool.
What they say
Michelin Selected
Michelin
its current look is minimalist but not stark, and behind that green glass there’s plenty of warmth provided by rich organic materials.
Somewhere quiet
Away from the crowds. Getting around takes intention.
Ekali sits thirty minutes north of central Athens, trading the dense capital for quiet, pine-lined residential streets.
The rooms
Blonde timber and natural light soften the minimalist rooms, which look straight out into the surrounding pine gardens.
The glass-walled pool
Bring a swimsuit.
A transparent glass wall reveals swimmers underwater against blue tiles. Teak decking stretches out under the pine trees.
Hydrotherapy and yoga
A compact gym corner provides indoor workout equipment, while private yoga and meditation sessions can be arranged upon request.
At the table
The Commons serves Mediterranean dishes on a terrace lit by woven lanterns. Inside, a semicircular bar pours local Greek wines.
Athens
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Our shorthand
How we rate hotels.
The medals
Gold
Extremely rare. Sets the global standard.
Silver
Brilliant execution. And we’re picky.
Bronze
They did this well. You’ll notice.
Listed
A defining trait. Makes the hotel what it is.
The eight vibes
Design
Built around a vision. Even the door handles have a designer.
Luxe
Cared for at every turn. The bath is drawn before you ask.
Local
It could only be here. You wake up knowing where you are.
Social
Where the city goes out. The bar is full and the night is young.
Heritage
A building with a story. Once a palace, a monastery, a station.
Wellness
You leave feeling new. Rest, sweat, soak and sleep like a stone.
Classic
The city grew up with it. Same rituals, same regulars, same bar.
Resort
A world of its own. Something to do from breakfast to nightcap.
The scene
Lively
Where things happen: restaurants, shops, people.
Central
Well-located: walkable to some things, a short ride to more.
Quiet
Away from the crowds. Getting around takes intention.
Secluded
A place apart: the property is the destination.