xenodocheio Milos, Athens – A Hotel Review
xenodocheio Milos, Athen’s first gastro-hotel opened its doors in January 2022 and is the home of the world-renowned estiatorio Milos restaurant that can also be found in seven other locations around the world from Miami to Mexico. This is the brand’s first culinary hotel, a luxury boutique hotel celebrating the best of Greek heritage, art, and, of course – cuisine! Although the restaurant estiatorio Milos is the heart and soul of xenodocheio Milos, the hotel is very much a star in itself.
Conveniently located in downtown Athens opposite Old Parliament, a 5-minute walk from the tube station, the area is full of history and all Athens has to offer is only a few minutes’ away by foot. The luxury hotel is elegant and refined, yet minimalistic and the friendly Greek hospitality creates a warm and welcoming atmosphere.
Rooms
With 43 beautiful rooms and suites, guests can choose between an array of rooms from charming, cosy classic rooms to spacious, luxuriously designed one-bedroom suites with large outdoor sunny terraces and a jacuzzi overlooking Old Parliament Square and Lycabettus Hill. Although each room has been individually designed, all rooms feature a minimalistic style, high ceilings, luxurious linen, wooden finishes, and marble bathrooms.
I’m staying in the Executive Room which is spacious with a stunning view over the town square. The window features soft cushions and is a great spot to curl up with a glass of wine to absorb the vibrant city view. The in-room bar is stocked with handpicked local and international wines and spirits. The Nespresso machine comes with different coffee capsules and the tea selection includes herbal and black teas.
The bathroom turns out to be my favourite part of the room. It’s spacious with a beautiful double sink in marble and wood. The walk-in shower with a large rainshower is impressive and so are the amenities from Naxos Apothecary (a brand owned by Korres which I’m told are in the process of developing a unique line of products for the hotel). The body oil is marvelous and a fantastic replacement for a traditional body lotion and the shower sponge and body scrub are a testimony to the hotel’s attention to detail.
The king-size bed with its luxurious linen and different pillows guarantees a good night’s sleep and the sweet treats left on the bedside table in the evening are a lovely touch.
estiatorio Milos
Founder and chef executive Costas Spiliadis is offering a high-end gastronomy experience at his restaurant with Mediterranean dishes celebrating local produce. His cooking philosophy of minimal interference and respect towards the highest quality products and ingredients is evident in the dishes served in the modern restaurant where the interior design follows the same mantra with clean lines, white walls, and the use of natural materials.
The four-course set lunch menu is truly fantastic. It’s fresh, and light yet incredibly flavoursome. The seabass sashimi and ceviche are followed by a Greek salad and ‘Milos Special’ an impressive stack of thin zucchini chips and Saganaki cheese. The main course is a fish of the day, cooked to perfection and served with stammagathi. The dessert is a delicious custard and whipped cream pastry (Ekmek Kantaifi) which it’s difficult to resist although the previous dishes, despite being light and fresh, are very filling. The lunch menu is paired with a local wine of choice and a sommelier is available for recommendations.
Breakfast is served in the restaurant from 7 am – 10 am and is equally as impressive as the lunch. There’s a set breakfast menu (35 EUR) which consists of fresh juice, coffee/tea, homemade toasted bread and pastries as well as greek yoghurt, a fruit platter, a selection of cheese, and eggs to order. It’s fresh, delicious, and generous when it comes to the amount. There’s also an a la carte menu available with highlight dishes such as brioche with smoked salmon, scrambled eggs with feta cheese, and bio granola.
It’s hard to imagine anyone leaving estiatorio Milos hungry. Luckily the city requires a fair bit of walking which is well needed after all the delicious food.
The Spa & Wellness Suite
The Spa(read the full review here) is located on the third floor and is powered by Elemis, a British luxury skincare brand. Hotel guests can enjoy a selection of facials, body treatments, and massage therapies in the soothing and calming wellness suite. I’m booked in for a ‘Superfood Pro-Radiance Facial’ (120 EUR) which is a deeply relaxing and hydrating treatment. During the 60-minute treatment, my face is double-cleansed, and masks, hydration serums, and toners are applied, all by Elemis. The treatment is relaxing and the result is glowing skin that feels incredibly soft and hydrated. The last step of the facial is the application of a tinted moisturiser which meant no makeup was required after the treatment before heading out for dinner.
The signature massage ‘Philoxenia’ is a full-body relaxing massage and Greek essential oils inspired by the Mediterranean are being used for a mindful treatment.
For a complete rejuvenating wellness experience guests can also enjoy rooftop yoga and pilates in the boutique gym.
Tip: Ensure you visit The Naxos Apothecary flagship store located next door to the hotel. It’s a beautiful shop which also features its own laboratory. The shop offers skin analysis so skincare products can be tailored to your individual skin and its needs.
Nightly rates at xenodocheio Milos start from £310 for a classic room
For more information and bookings visit https://www.xenodocheiomilos.com/
