The Acropolis is Athens’ most recognizable backdrop. From the rooftop of THE DOLLI at Acropolis, however, the Parthenon feels almost within arm’s reach. That unforgettable view, which has traveled the world through countless photographs, is now matched by a major international recognition. At the Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards 2026, THE DOLLI received an outstanding 98 out of 100, ranking first among Athens’ city hotels, fifth among Europe’s best city hotels, and 84th on the magazine’s list of the World’s 100 Best Hotels.

The distinction is of particular importance, as it is based on the votes of more than 207,000 Travel + Leisure readers. In the Athens rankings, THE DOLLI placed ahead of two of the city’s most historic and internationally renowned hotels: the Hotel Grande Bretagne, which scored 94.45, and the King George, with 91.56.

A Historic Landmark Reimagined

Long before it became one of Athens’ most sought-after addresses, THE DOLLI was known as the Kallimasiotis Mansion. Completed in 1925, the building occupies the prominent corner of Mitropoleos and Kapnikareas streets and was designed by architect Andreas Kriezis, one of the leading figures of Greece’s interwar neo-academic movement. Kriezis later directed the transformation of the Old Royal Palace into today’s Hellenic Parliament.

For decades, the property stood at the heart of Athens’ commercial life. It housed the Bazaar d’Orient, the Tsantilis department store and, later, the Chytiroglou department store, becoming a familiar landmark for generations of Athenians. Its next chapter began in 2015, when plans were approved to convert the listed building into a luxury hotel. Following seven years of restoration and redevelopment, it reopened on January 1, 2023, as a boutique hôtel-maison with 46 rooms, suites and apartments.

Rather than attempting to recreate the mansion exactly as it appeared a century ago, the restoration focused on capturing its original elegance while embracing contemporary design. The restored façade, generous windows and soaring ceilings now sit alongside carefully curated interiors featuring works by Picasso, Jean Cocteau, Lucio Fontana and Alexander Calder, complemented by Greek antiquities and bespoke furnishings. The rooftop, designed by Stelios Kois, follows the same philosophy. Its architecture deliberately recedes into the background, allowing the Acropolis – not the building itself – to become the defining feature.

 

 

 

 

 

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Η δημοσίευση κοινοποιήθηκε από το χρήστη THE DOLLI® at Acropolis (@thedolliacropolis)

An Intervention That Adds Value to the City

THE DOLLI did not transform central Athens on its own. Mitropoleos Street, Kapnikarea, Ermou and Monastiraki have long been among the city’s busiest commercial and visitor districts. Its contribution lies elsewhere. The project returned a landmark building that had outlived its commercial purpose to active use, restoring an important piece of Athens’ architectural heritage, adding a new international destination to the city’s historic center. Its opening forms part of a broader wave that has seen historic buildings across Athens adapted for new uses following years of economic decline and underinvestment.

When the View Becomes the Experience

The hotel’s rooftop is its defining feature. From the infinity pool and DOLLI’S Rooftop Restaurant, the Parthenon appears remarkably close, rising above the rooftops of Plaka and the Ancient Agora in a perspective that blurs the distance between the monument and the viewer. Many hotels in Athens boast spectacular Acropolis views but few offer such an immersive relationship with the ancient landmark. The combination of the infinity pool, the gently curved rooftop and the restrained architectural design naturally draws the eye towards the Sacred Rock. Condé Nast Traveller has described the effect as creating the illusion that swimmers are floating towards the Parthenon, while K magazine called it the finest view in Athens.

What Guests Value Most

Guest reviews suggest that THE DOLLI’s international reputation extends well beyond its spectacular rooftop views. As of July 10, 2026, the hotel held a rating of 4.8 out of 5 on Tripadvisor and 9.8 out of 10 on Expedia, with visitors consistently praising its service, location, room quality and meticulous attention to detail. A similar picture emerges on Booking.com, where reviews frequently highlight the professionalism of the staff and the overall guest experience.

The reviews are a reminder that, impressive as the Acropolis views may be, a luxury hotel is ultimately judged by the quality of its hospitality. The only category that scores slightly lower on Tripadvisor is value for money – a predictable observation for a property positioned at the very top of Athens’ luxury hotel market. For most guests, however, its appeal lies in the combination of a beautifully restored historic building, thoughtful design, an unrivaled location and highly personalized service.

An Ambition Realized

Shortly before the hotel opened in late 2022, Mari Daskalantonaki expressed a clear ambition: “Our ambition is to create the finest hotel in the city.” Less than four years later, that ambition has been reinforced by a series of prestigious international accolades. These include the Special Prize for an Exterior at the Prix Versailles 2024 – the first time a Greek hotel received the distinction – and two MICHELIN Keys in 2025, followed by its inclusion among Travel + Leisure‘s World’s 100 Best Hotels.

The statement reflects the significance of the World’s Best Awards, which are determined not by industry experts but by the travelers who experience these hotels firsthand. Moreover, this latest distinction demonstrates that luxury hospitality in Athens is no longer defined solely by the historic grand hotels of Syntagma Square or the seaside resorts of the Athens Riviera. It can also emerge through the thoughtful adaptive reuse of a historic building – by preserving its memory while forging a meaningful connection with its immediate surroundings and the city around it.