Coco-Mat Hotel Athens

Coco-Mat are purveyors of premium bedding and home furnishings. The brand makes a statement here, where lobby spaces are reached via Athens' Coco-Mat boutique, and free-to-rent wooden bicycles outside introduce quirky fittings. Nearly everything here revolves around Coco-Mat's sleep mentality, from ultra-personalized room beds, to "pillowsophy" wall quotes in the bar, although storefront setups compromise the amount of common space. Interiors are modern and hip, from bleached or light woods, smart marble floors, and back-lit hallways, to cuboid bookshelves in the lobby that introduce open concept themes. These manifest most in the 24-hour Honesty Bar, where guests can help themselves to food and drink, note consumption for later payment, and head to the rooftop terrace. This brightly furnished space with funky animal wall murals and hanging planters offers spectacular views and dining tables, but it's subject to closure in winter/high winds. A basement space with hanging lamps and colorful accents offers an alternative, but it has more of a cafeteria feel than full-on restaurant. Trend-seeking guests here mostly spend their days out, returning for what is generally guaranteed to be a good night's sleep.

The hotel occupies a great spot in Athens' upscale Kolonaki district. Fancy restaurants accompany designer boutiques here, and attractions a few blocks away include the Byzantine and Christian Museum, and Museum of Cycladic Art. Syntagma Square is 13 minutes away on foot, but it's closer to half an hour for historic Plaka, Monastiraki, the Acropolis, and Parthenon. All, however, are easily reached with trains from Evangelismos metro station, a six-minute walk, plus taxis are plentiful. Multiple embassies are within a 15-minute walk. Athens International Airport is a 30-minute drive, or 45 minutes by metro, via direct links from the nearby Evangelismos station.

Chic, minimalist rooms tote Nordic styles, featuring washed concretes, slate-gray or pale-blue drapes and throws, and industrial-looking accents. Hardwood floors are topped with trendy woven or shag rugs, and fun decor includes tree stump tables, modern artwork, and patterns on the sides of wooden stairs. As expected for the brand, all rooms have comfortable "Four Layer" Coco-Mat beds, organic linens, down duvets, and a 12-strong pillow menu selection. Also standard are solid work desks, flat-screen TVs, Nespresso machines, kettles, safes, hairdryers, and AC. The 215-square-foot (20-square-meter) Sleep Tight rooms are dark from limited (or no) windows, but upgraded units with balconies and floor-to-ceiling windows offer city or Athenian skyline vistas. Measuring 431 square feet (40 square meters), Suites have separate living areas, and split-level Loft Category rooms offer more space. Both of these categories include perks such as free minibars and organic snacks, or Mount Lycabettus views. Tiling in entry-level bathrooms turns to black-and-white marble flooring in upgraded categories, although all have swish bowl sinks, rainfall showers, scales, O.LIVE toiletries, slippers, and robes. Rooms can be fitted with cribs.

Features aren't extensive here, but the quality of amenities is high-end. Served in the breakfast area, excellent free morning spreads offer build-your-own granola bowls, continental options, made-to-order eggs, tea, coffee, and juice. Healthy lunches, dinners, Honesty Bar soft drinks and alcoholic beverages, and snacks can be served here, in-room, or on the roof terrace (weather-permitting). Providing panorama vistas encompassing the entire city, the rooftop space is fun and popular, outfitted with colorful seating, cushioned sofas, and murals. A small internal terrace offers alternatives when it's closed during winter. On the downside, there are no fitness, wellness, or kids' facilities. A Coco-Mat boutique in the lobby sells the brand's products. Guest computers and printing facilities are free, as are rentals of custom-made bikes. Pets stay free. No parking is offered, but paid parking is available nearby. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property.