Argini Hotel, a new boutique hotel in a restored neoclassical mansion on Syros in the Cyclades, opens for its first full season with a rooftop bar, garden restaurant and indoor pool and hammam. The eleven-room hotel opened softly last year in the historical centre of the island’s capital Hermoupoulis, just a short walk from the town beach and city centre, The restoration, undertaken by the Polykretis family, took seven years and included bringing to life a unique collection of ceiling frescoes painted by 19th century artists and many neoclassical marble details.
Originally built in 1853, the building was once the residence of Grigoris Paikos, a notable figure in the Greek Revolution and member of the Society of Friends. After suffering decades of decay, the building was acquired by Yiannis Polykretis, who grew up next door. With deep ties to the area and a passion for local history, the family took on the challenge of preserving the character of the building whilst incorporating modern amenities and contemporary touches.
Craftsmen restored original architectural features including the 1.2-metre thick stone masonry walls, tall double-leaf hardwood doors, and oak flooring with boards as wide as those laid in the 1800s. Decorative schemes were revived, including marbleising on the walls and the intricate ceiling frescoes, which depict mythical creatures, Renaissance motifs, and heroes of the Greek Revolution. Hotel Argini is the only hotel on the island to offer wellness. The mansion’s original cisterns featuring vaulted ceilings and stone architecture, now house a hammam and a heated indoor pool with hydromassage.
Elexis is the hotel’s signature restaurant set in a shady garden and rooted in the rich culinary traditions of Syros. The menu is a refined, modern expression of Greek cuisine using a farm to table approach, fresh local ingredients and reimaging local recipes, whilst the wine list includes the best of Cycladic Greek and international wines. The Bar Under the Sky on the rooftop has a large plunge pool and offers panoramic views of the Aegean and neighbouring islands alongside signature cocktails and small bites.
Argini Hotel has three suites and eight individually designed rooms all decorated in a paired back contemporary style to showcase the bold ceilings and classical marble features. The marbles have been sourced from a wide range of famous marble regions, including Tinos, Epidaurus and Ioannina in Greece. They have also used Sahara Noir from Tunisia, Azul from Brazil and striking black and gold marble from Italy and China.
The Argini Masterpiece suite was once the ballroom of the mansion. The ornately painted ceiling depicts heroes of Greek history and there is a large balcony overlooking the historical district of Vaporia and the St Nicholas Cathedral. Artemide, Panzeri and Flos lamps light the ceiling and wall paintings, while Poltona Frau products bring modern design to the furnishings. The bathroom features Covelano Macchia Veccia marble, one of the most beautiful in the world, as well as a free-standing bathtub and Codage Paris amenities.
In contrast, the Signature Stone suite has its own distinct character combining bare stone walls, wood and marble connecting three spaces. The suite has its own entrance and offers maximum guest privacy. And the Centurion junior suite is inspired by the mythical centaur depicted overhead.
Sustainability is integral to Argini Hotel’s ethos. The building uses solar-powered water systems, energy-saving infrastructure, and collaborates with local producers to reduce its environmental footprint.
Over the course of the 19th and 20th centuries, war refugees from Asia Minor, who already had a background in shipping, flocked to Syros and transformed the island. For about seventy years, it was the wealthiest place in Greece, with palatial buildings and large, neoclassical public squares being built in the capital Hermoupolis. Herman Melville wrote a poem about the island and Lawrence of Arabia also visited during that time.
Situated in Vaporia, the most aristocratic neighbourhood of Hermoupolis, with its narrow alleyways, marble pavements, neoclassical facades and Venetian influences, Argini Hotel is just steps from the island’s major landmarks: the cathedral of Saint Nicholas, the Apollon Theatre by architect Pietro Sampo, and the iconic Miaoulis Square with its grand Town Hall designed by Ernst Ziller. A short walk brings guests to Asteria Beach for a swim, or the Archaeological and Industrial Museums, boutique shops, cafés, and art galleries. Guests can also take the steep steps up to the historic hilltop settlement of Ano Syros, which offers panoramic views over the island.
Today the island remains an authentic and lived-in place, with an urbane, year-round arts scene, with numerous festivals, a university, student bars and galleries, in addition to the secluded beaches, diving spots, walking trails and foodie havens.
