Mona Athens: At the Intersection of Art and Collaboration

Mona Athens, tucked into the ever-awake heart of Athens’ Psirri district, is a sanctuary where design, art, and hospitality converge. Housed in a repurposed 1950s textile factory, the boutique hotel hums with industrial charm, raw architectural elements softened by curated aesthetics. Each of its rooms offers a unique experience, reflecting the ethos of House of Shila, the creative studio behind Mona’s conception.

 

In 2022, House of Shila, co-created by Eftihia Stefanidi and Shai Antebi, transformed this historic space into a multidisciplinary venue that blurs the lines between hospitality and art. Mona now holds 20 characterful rooms, a concept café lounge and bar, a speakeasy-style basement venue, and, crowning it all, a members-only rooftop. From there, guests take in sweeping views of Athens and the Acropolis, paired with natural wines and local delicacies.

 

Upon entering my room, a sense of stillness enveloped me immediately. A huge white Corian bathtub sat center stage, more sculpture than fixture, and I made the most of it, more than once, with the windows cracked open to the soundtrack of the city below. Mornings began with a ritual: breakfast in bed. A large, circular tray arrived piled high with Levantine meze, French toast, soft eggs, and a Greek yoghurt energy bowl layered with chia seeds, peanut butter, and date molasses. (I’m now officially addicted to breakfast in bed.) One morning, I took it to the rooftop instead, watching Athens stir below—modern life unfolding in the shadow of ancient ruins.

 

The room’s amenities were quiet luxuries—a small kitchenette, a proper desk, and an iPad that connected directly to reception via iMessage. Every request was met with prompt, thoughtful replies, a detail that made the stay feel effortlessly personalized. Downstairs, Mona’s communal spaces blur the lines between home and gallery. The open kitchen and living room flow together, hosting everything from casual hangouts to artist-led events. People drift in and out: writers, travelers, locals. The rooftop, a members-only haven, offers curated wines, ambient soundscapes, and a front-row seat to the Acropolis. I often ended my days there, letting the city’s hum settle into the background like a soft echo.

 

One afternoon, I met with Eftihia (Creative Director and Co-creator). We spoke at length about the hotel’s guiding principle: collaboration. Mona isn’t just a place to stay, it’s a living gallery, a space for dialogue. Original artwork hangs on the walls, available to take home. Rooms aren’t simply decorated—they’re curated. As we walked the space, she showed me a glimpse of SPACE REIMAGINED, their upcoming summer residency. Launching June 6, 2025, it invites artists not just to stay—but to transform. The inaugural edition features Elise Wouters and Angeliki Stamatakou, who have reimagined Mona’s penthouses as immersive, tactile installations. These aren’t just rooms, they’re stories. Spaces you don’t just admire, but inhabit.

 

And then beyond Mona’s glass doors, Athens. A city built on contradiction, vibrating with charisma. One minute, you’re passing grand columns; the next, you’re caught up in the buzz of a bustling market street, alive with chatter and colorful stalls. I spent days meandering through side streets, watching the world happen in bursts—orange trees lined pavements, whilst gold light warmed white stone. I ate an absurd amount of souvlaki (often walking, sometimes seated, always delighted), and watched the changing of the guards a few times in Syntagma Square, skirts, pom-pom shoes, and all. It felt like watching folklore in motion.

At night, Mona welcomed me back like an old friend. A place to drop your shoulders, draw the curtains, and come home to yourself. It isn’t just a hotel, it’s a feeling. A rhythm. A space that holds both stillness and motion, where the lines between guest and artist, travel and home, begin to dissolve.

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Book your summer stay at Mona Athens. Find more info on the residency program and how to apply here.