The nine-suite Hotel Aristide on the Greek island of Syros reopens on 7th of April for the 2023 season with new food and wine experiences and private access to some of the island’s restored neoclassical mansions. The hotel is also introducing a new season of its successful artist residencies and opening a dedicated gallery and art shop in a re-purposed chapel in the garden.
Petros Braikidis, executive chef at the hotel and a certified sommelier – a rarity on the island – has curated a list of sixty of the best Cycladic and Greek wines. Guests will be able to sample a few of these during private wine-tastings, either on the hotel’s roof top overlooking the Aegean Sea, or in the salon of Kois Mansion in Hermoupolis. The mansion has undergone a painstaking renovation under the supervision of a descendent of the original owners and is a prime example of neoclassical architecture in Hermoupolis during the height of its industrial wealth in the 19th century. The owner, Stavros Kois, can also give a personal tour of the house and his
family history.
Guests interested in learning more about the food on the island can join Chef Petros on a visit to Hotel Aristide’s own small holding where much of the produce for his modern Greek menu is sourced. This is followed by a visit to the historic village of Chroussa and the organic farm of Viveta Karpontini. Viveta will walk guests around her farm explaining the produce and organic farming methods before guests take their seats in the orange and lemon grove for the picnic and barbecue of local specialities including Cycladic cheese, artichoke and fennel, capers, local sausages, wild herbs and locally caught fish.
The restaurant at Hotel Aristide is situated on the rooftop where guests are seated in Honore’s Deco vintage Croisette chairs with panoramic views of the Aegean sea and neighbouring islands, or in the oasis-like garden at ground level, where the hotel’s chic bar is also situated and where mixologist Konstantinos Kostopoulos creates his inventive cocktails. After launching last year, the restaurant is fast becoming one of Syros’s hottest dining spots.
For those inspired by the art at Hotel Aristide, artist residencies take place throughout the season. This year they include established names such as celebrity collector favourite Salustiano, and the director of the Barcelona Academy of Art Jorge Diaz Alama, but also artists at the start of their careers. The hotel will host their exhibitions and guests will have the opportunity to meet with the resident artists and in some cases to sit for portraits. Works from current and previous resident artists will be exhibited for sale in the chapel gallery.
Hotel Aristide is a restored neoclassical mansion in the historical centre of Hermoupolis, just a few minutes’ walk from one of the city’s beaches and an easy stroll into the central square, waterfront tavernas and a short drive to the regenerated warehouse quarter. The hotel has nine individually designed suites with generous proportions and original architectural details. The suites have been designed with a focus on contemporary furnishings and lighting, and sustainability, and three of the suites have their own plunge pools. Original contemporary art works hang throughout the property.
Syros remains an authentic, year-round island with a small university, galleries, cocktail bars and thriving cultural calendar including art, jazz and film festivals. Part of the Cycladic Islands, Syros is just 30 minutes ferry ride from Mykonos or a two-hour ferry from Athens.
A stay costs from EUR 308 per room per night with breakfast.