The Gem Society Boutique Hotel: Greek ‘Filoxenia’ at its Finest
If you are in Athens and after a boutique hotel with charm, style and spectacular cuisine thrown in for good measure, then look no further than The Gem Society Boutique Hotel and Spa.
Wonderfully positioned, this beautifully renovated building is the perfect place to stay for discovering the city’s iconic ancient history, covetable culture and brilliant food scene. To say that everything is reachable on foot from this place isn’t remotely a stretch, in fact the location partly inspired the hotels name!
Blessed with an already strong personality – given the building’s previous role as a decades old bank, unique aesthetic flows through.
The rooms are modern and spacious, with well-appointed en-suite bathrooms. There is a very practical layout where functionality and ease for the modern traveler has clearly been a major consideration.
The beds and bedding are sumptuous to sleep in, which adds to an overall feeling of understated luxury. All rooms have Nespresso machines and fridges with daily replacements of pods and water. The sixth floor of this 35 room boutique hotel features their signature suite, with a free-standing, deep-soaking bath, and a terrace from where part of the Acropolis can be seen.
Muse Bistro is the onsite restaurant, which has received outstanding reviews for their à la carte breakfast alone. Served until 11am for those wanting to sleep in a bit, the menu is testament to their philosophy of wanting to offer “five-star service and quality at four-star prices,” says the hotel’s co-founder Henry Gemayel. “All our ingredients are locally sourced and everything is made in-house, including our bread and even the ketchup!”
This is evidenced in the impressive stature of all 3 of their menus and in particular, the A la Carte menu, where an ambitious and passionate young chef puts a modern spin on regional classics alongside Gemayel’s vision “to bring accessibility to refined cuisine where there is something for everyone”.
They are non-negotiable on the food they serve and as Gemayel says “we have deep roots in our neighborhood, but we have wings and are always aiming high in the quality of everything we do”.
Evidence of the building’s previous role can be seen underground where an impressive, and boldly painted refurbished vault door fronts their spa. Almaz Spa is quiet and nicely sized with 3 treatment rooms (including one for couples) plus a Cycladic cave inspired jacuzzi and a hammam. By appointment only ensures maximum privacy too.
The lobby and lounge itself feels like the beating heart of the hotel, with the friendliest of staff always on hand to assist, guide and extend the “filoxenia” Greek hospitality is so famous for. Guests’ feel comfortable and at ease as soon as they enter, where welcome drinks are served at once.
“We want our guests to feel immediately at home,” says Gemayel. “But more than that, we want them to feel that nothing is too much trouble and that each guest has our full attention.”
Reception is 24 hours and every effort is made to ensure maximum comfort and detailed assistance, even early check-out breakfast boxes are provided.
This devotion to unparalleled hospitality is what sees guests returning again and again since doors opened in 2020.
Steadfast in always wanting to go the extra mile for all their guests, they frequently post and blog with the intent of ‘wanting our guests to love Athens as much as we do’.