The DNA: Athens is not short on luxury boutique hotels, but the industrial style 18 Micon St. is a first for the Greek capital. Set in an abandoned warehouse of the 1950s, it is located in the burgeoning creative and lively haven of Psirri, at the foot of the Acropolis. The Monastiraki flea market and metro station (with direct links to the airport) are a 5-minute walk. The hotel has a strong personality with a cool industrial style. All flinty grey, pale marble, and weathered terracotta, the design pays homage to cement, brick, and wood (although the wallpaper is more urban chic than industrial grit). The ground floor is an open-plan lobby-cum-living-room, with windows on all sides for people-watching and a communal table. Here breakfast is served including handmade jams and pies, fruits, and a variety of Greek cheeses. Free coffee, tea and fruits are available during the day. The cosy Decompression Room features showers, lockers, changing rooms, comfy sofas and games, and is available for guests from 07:00 on the day of arrival until midnight on check-out day. Stylish air-conditioned rooms come with a flat-screen TV,  a minibar stocked with Greek beer, soft drinks and water, a safe and a preloaded smartphone. Modern marble bathrooms are fitted with a walk-in rain shower, and have slippers and robes. The third and fourth floor units open to a spacious terrace or balcony with Acropolis and city views. A short room service menu (served 16:00 to 22:00), is delivered by Oineas, a popular restaurant across the street.

✅ free Wi-Fi • size matters: 15 rooms (20-35m2) (215-377 sq ft) • hotel opened: 2017 • bathroom amenities: Olivia • parking possible at a location nearby (charged) ✅ pets allowed on request, no charges