Life Gallery Athens ★★★★★

Athens is such a historic city, imbued with ancient culture and a backstory of thousands of years, that it’s a wonder how it can ever be considered modern. But the times they are a-changing and Greece’s capital has managed to dive head first into the present day without forgetting its full and fruitful past that has made it such an esteemed destination.

Today, the streets are lined with contemporary art venues, trendy bars, and restaurants and the city is characterised by sleek glass exteriors and refreshingly colourful interiors. Still, the grand pillars of the Parthenon stand tall and proud on top of the Acropolis, providing an age-old backdrop to the urban city that Athens has become. This mismatch of old and new simply gives it soul and a depth that only the oldest city in Europe could have.

The Life Gallery Athens ***** is testament to the contemporary, design-led city that Athens is becoming. From the sleek, simple glass-fronted exterior, to the stripped-back, monochrome interior, it plays on contemporary trends, but with an added splash of character in the form of a quirky installation here, or a street art-inspired nuance there. It’s an art hotel at its very essence, and sits pretty amongst the surrounding natural gardens and sun-drenched terraces, offering a stylish respite in the bustling, hedonistic city.

With its cubic design stemming from its roots as an old factory building, and views out across the magnificent nearby mountains, the Life Gallery Athens ***** provides the ideal experience of old and new, rural and urban, and natural and manmade. I spent very happy days basking in the sun by one of the two outdoor pools and enjoying a few of the extensive spa treatments. Having catered to mind and body at the museums and the spa, when evening came it was time to cater to the stomach at the aptly-named Kool Restaurant, where I sampled a range of delicious dishes by Chef Yiota Kotsomyti.

The Life Gallery Athens *****’s attention to detail is second to none, whether it’s in the fresh ingredients of Botrini’s menu, the colour combinations in the comfortable, spacious rooms, or the eco-inspired feel to the terraces and pools. By bringing all of these aspects together in the sophisticated neighbourhood of Kifissia – just half an hour from the city centre – the Life Gallery Athens ***** is mirroring the contemporary destination that Athens has become. The direction that Athens is heading in today is exciting, exhilarating, and downright legendary – a familiar feeling for the ancient city – and the sanctuary-like arms of the hotel was a fitting place to watch it all unfold from.

From its very beginnings to the present day, Athens has consistently been ahead of its game. Now, more than ever, it’s the perfect time to visit the city with a mythical past and a modern face, but make sure you check into the Life Gallery Athens ***** for the full experience.