The Margi

When you think of a Greek seaside getaway it’s only natural to think of the Aegean islands. But lately there’s beachfront bliss to be had around the capital as well. This is Vouliagmeni, the heart of the new Athenian Riviera, a newly upscale seaside district just south of Athens proper. And it’s home to, among others, The Margi, an 88-room hotel that’s as clear an exemplar of the luxury-boutique genre as you’re likely to find on these shores or any other.

The rooms and suites are somewhat conservative in their stylishness — antique furnishings and artworks attempt to draw you into their history rather than dazzle you with their modernity. They don’t skimp on the luxury, however; every room and suite is equipped with a modern entertainment center, a private balcony or patio, and a bathroom stocked with the obligatory (in these parts, anyway) Korres bath products.

There’s plenty to do on site, from the restaurant, bar and lounge to the swimming pool and the fitness suite. But there’s also plenty to tempt you to wander — not just the coastal bike and jogging path, but the coast itself, including Vouliagmeni’s chic little beach, the yacht marina, even the local golf and tennis club. It’s another side of Athens, to be sure — though only a few miles away, the chaos of the bustling capital is left far behind.