Castro Hotel Syros

By Cycladic standards the island of Syros flies a little bit under the radar, at least from the perspective of tourism. But that’s certainly no obstacle for an inventive boutique hotelier. The Castro Hotel Syros, in the capital city of Ermoupolis, contains only seven rooms and two suites, after all; it only takes about a dozen guests to make it feel like the hippest little hotel in the Mediterranean.

It helps, of course, that even when empty, the Castro is a particularly impressive place. It was built in the 19th century for its wealthy Italian owner, and has always had a flashy streak; in its current incarnation as a luxury boutique hotel it’s every bit as dramatic, and now has a century and a half of historical depth as a complement to its modern-luxe fixtures and furnishings.

There’s a small spa with a hammam, a gym, and an indoor jacuzzi, all impressive features for a hotel of the Castro’s size. Cellar 1857, named for the year of the house’s construction, is a wine bar and restaurant set beneath the arches of the original stone vault; it’s joined by the open-air Aithrio Lounge.