Hotel Aktaion is housed in a building constructed in1843 in the port of Hermoupolis. Reflecting the first phase of neoclassicism, the building was designed with six storerooms on the ground floor and the main residence on the first floor for the Geralopoulos family, a merchant from Smyrna and vice mayor for the period 1837-1840. Built of stone-made masonry with marble corbels and simple wrought iron on the balconies, curved ceilings and tiled roof, it stands out for its simple compact shape.
Some years later the building was converted into one of the first hotels in Syros and ever since the story of Hotel Aktaion has been intertwined with the development of Hermoupolis. The restoration and radical refurbishment in 2010 modernized the building and revived its style. Preserving its character-defining features, such as the vaulted ceilings in some rooms and the exposed stone walls, certain parts were modernized in order to meet today’s requirements.
Particularly interesting features which demonstrate the respect to the building’s initial architecture are the wooden staircase and the indoor balcony that looks over the main hall, where the hosts used to hold their salons, thus the gathering of people to read their own works and hear the works and ideas of other intellectuals.
As for the interior, the styling has a retro-chic vibe going on, pairing classic style with contemporary appeal.