Brown Hotels has announced the launch of its first three properties in Athens – Brown Acropol, Dave Red and Villa Brown Ermou – marking the third international location for the Tel Aviv-born hotel group as it looks to open seven new outposts in Greece over the next two years.

Brown Acropol

Housed within a property originally constructed in 1976 by Greek architect Emmanouil Vourekas, the 165-key Brown Acropol is located on Athens’ Omonia Square amongst the city’s Neoclassical buildings. After undergoing careful renovations led by architect Dimitris Karabatakis of K Studios, Brown Acropol retains its vintage Athenian charm whilst introducing a new and contemporary era of hospitality.

Drawing inspiration from the original Brown TLV Urban Hotel, guests can anticipate an interior decor reminiscent of the 1960s, furnished with an eclectic mix of vintage and bespoke pieces including a retro trolley bar and record player in each room. With a nostalgic feel, materials such as greek marble, wood, concrete and aluminium are present throughout, with a colour palette of burned orange, mustard-yellow and shaded brown that warm the high-ceiling space.

The hotel lobby features the signature Brown Hotels library and a mural by Α. Pikionis, the son of the noted architect Dimitris Pikionis, which was painted in the 1950s and creates harmony with the interior decor. Visitors are welcomed by a retro-inspired cocktail bar, with panelled oak, dusty pink furnishings and gold finishings. The buffet and a la carte breakfast is served in the lobby week-long, with a special brunch on weekends, all offering locally sourced, fresh produce.

Brown Acropol’s rooftop meanwhile is one of the largest in the city, offering panoramic views of the Athenian cityscape and Acropolis. Alongside an open-air bar, the rooftop features relaxation areas with sun beds, hammocks, outdoor showers, a fully equipped gym and four outdoor hot-tubs. Elsewhere, there is a spa with treatment rooms, a dry sauna and a Hammam. Additional amenities in all rooms include Nespresso coffee machines and Brown Acropol branded robes and slippers.

Dave Red Athens

Having opened this July, Dave Red Athens is the fourth property from Brown Hotels’ affordable urban collection following Dave Gordon, Dave Levinsky and Dave Downtown in Tel Aviv. Situated on the opposite side of Omonia Square just a stone’s throw away from Brown Acropol, the development breathes fresh energy into the recently redesigned area, offering fun and budget-friendly accommodation to the modern tourist.

The 87-room boutique features an industrial style and fiery red branding, boasting a retro design aesthetic that sees each room finished with exposed pipes, bare concrete walls, marble top surfaces and oak wood furnishings, and equipped with nostalgic gadgets including a vinyl player. The building, which formerly served as the KKE – Communist Party of Greece – headquarters, is honoured through a wall mural at the entrance of the hotel’s mezzanine area, which comprises pool tables, original Nintendo and Packman consoles, hammocks and an intimate bar.

The ground floor meanwhile houses a bar and restaurant, and a soon-to-launch underground nightclub accessed through a secret door imbedded in the Brown Hotels library, both operated by Six D.o.g.s hospitality group. With an all-day-dining concept, guests are invited to enjoy the breakfast buffet and a la carte menu, offering the signature Six D.o.g.s beef burger and an indulgent cocktail list. The roof terrace offers a place to relax and unwind, with sweeping views across the ancient city as well as a spacious sundeck, pool table, jacuzzi hot tub, massage room and complimentary sparkling wine on tap.

Villa Brown Ermou

Nestled in the Parisian-like Plaka neighborhood, Villa Brown Ermou opened in mid-May and presents a refined, urban retreat in the heart of the city amongst some of its main attractions such as Syntagma Square and the famous Ermou shopping street. As the first international outpost of the original Villa Brown Jerusalem, the hotel comprises 51 rooms and suites that take on an old-school yet contemporary opulence.

The sophisticated design aesthetic sees interiors imbued with Greco-French influences, including a black and white monochromatic colour palette dressed with soft pink and copper accents. Honouring traditional design and the use of natural materials, each room features classic panelled walls, wooden parquet flooring and a decorative marble mantelpiece, finished with sage green and pale pink velvet furnishings. The hotel lobby meanwhile boasts a monochrome tiled floor with clean white walls, leading into a cosy cocktail lounge and Neo-bistro, where guests can savour casual all-day dining and a menu offering local wines and contemporary small dishes. In addition, this winter will welcome the arrival of Villa Brown Ermou’s rooftop, complete with a swimming pool, lounge area, French-style bistro, spa with Hammam, dry sauna and jacuzzi baths, and panoramic views across the entire city.

“We believe that Athens is a destination on the rise and are taking the opportunity to expand early into the market,” says Leon Avigad, founder of Brown Hotels. “Greece has much more to offer than just the islands – Athens has a vibrant art, cultural and nightlife scene and we’re excited to play a part in the revival of the city. Having partnered with many local talents such as architects, designers, chefs and mixologists, we are proud to be involved with cultivating the creative community in Athens.”

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Brown Hotels is seeks to expanding its property portfolio further through the opening of four additional hotels in Athens by 2023 – including Lighthouse Athens, Brown Spices and Theodore Athens – as well as additional properties in Thessaloniki, Cyprus, Corfu and beyond.