The "Hotel des Étrangères" or "Foreigners' Hotel" at Filellinon street of Athens

The "Hotel des Étrangères" or "Foreigners' Hotel" was located at the junction of Filhellinon and Othonos Streets, at Syntagma Square. It was housed in the three-story corner building of Stefanos Xenos, which was constructed in 1849. It began operating in 1852 and was the first hotel to appear in Syntagma Square. By 1870, possibly even earlier, the "Hotel des Étrangères" belonged to George Xenos and Gerasimos Leivadas. During that period, the hotel briefly ceased operations for renovations. It was expanded with larger rooms, European-style baths, a reading room, a billiard room, and a large reception hall. In 1899, the hotel was renovated, as indicated by the following entry, and it acquired new furnishings, among other improvements. In 1901, the new owner and manager of the hotel, Th. Isaris, advertised the "Hotel des Étrangères" along with its luxurious restaurant, the "Splendid." In his autobiographical book, Theodoros P. Petrakopoulos mentions that the owner of the hotel was Stamboulopoulos. He further writes that the wealthy and the Lords preferred this hotel, which declined after the death of Stamboulopoulos. The hotel closed around 1912 and was demolished in 1916. In its place, the Giannaros Mansion was erected in 1917, which still exists today. Pictured: Philellinon Street on the south side of Syntagma Square of Athens in 1890. On the left is the "Hotel des Étrangères". ©Municipal Photography Museum of Kalamaria ‘Christos Kalemkeris’.