The first ring is the guest. The second is the space they are staying in. The third is the neighbourhood wrapped around them. The idea was that good hospitality does not stop at the front door. It extends outward, into the street, the market, the corner café.
A halo does not shine inward. It radiates. That is the idea Jeff and I kept coming back to when we were trying to put words to what we were building. Not just properties. Not just rentals. Something more intentional than that. Athens is now home for us, and we wanted every person who stayed with us to feel that too.
The Halo Collection is a team project that Jeff and I built from the ground up in Athens, Greece. It consists of three rental properties, each named after the neighbourhood it calls home. Looking back, it happened naturally rather than through intention or design. It felt important to us that each space belonged exactly where it was.
Athens is not a city you understand from wandering the touristy spots. You understand it from the Laiki, the farmers market, on a Tuesday morning, from the kafeneion, the café, with the old men playing backgammon, and from street graffiti that turns into street art. We wanted our guests to have access to that city. The real one.
Of course, you must not miss the Acropolis, the Panathenaic Stadium, the museums and all the iconic places that make Athens so special. But the Athens that stays with you is usually smaller than that. It is the smell of fresh koulouri in the morning, the sound of a neighbourhood waking up, and the moment you realise you have stopped navigating and started just walking. That is the Athens we want our guests to find. We want them to leave knowing the city, not just having seen it.
Kypseli means beehive in Greek. So, The Hive named itself, really. It is a two-bedroom apartment designed for people who want to truly live in Athens rather than pass through it. Available for mid to long-term stays, it sits in one of the city’s most characterful neighbourhoods, full of corner bakeries, neighbourhood cats, and the daily rhythm and buzz that makes you forget you ever lived anywhere else.
Kypseli has been overlooked for years, which is exactly why we love it. It is the Athens the guidebooks have not quite caught up to yet.
The Hill is a one-bedroom apartment at the foothills of Mount Lycabettus, one of Athens’ most iconic landmarks. The summit trail starts metres from the front door. If you have never stood at the top of Lycabettus and looked out over the whole city, with the Acropolis in the distance and the sea beyond that, put it on your list.
It is one of those views that stops you mid-sentence. The Hill is for guests who want to be in the middle of everything but feel like they have found a quiet corner of it.
The restoration was not about making it new. It was about keeping everything that made it worth saving, or at least we tried. The original character of the building is still very much present. It is a three-bedroom villa that suits families, groups of friends, or anyone who wants to stay somewhere that genuinely has a story.
Athens is having a moment. Anyone who visits knows it. But we did not come here chasing a trend. We came here because we want to make it our home, and for Jeff, it was a return to his roots.
There is something different about restoring a building in a city that already means something to you personally. Every decision carries a little more weight. We are not just renovating. We are responding to something that was already there long before we arrived.
The Halo Collection came out of that. It came from wanting to build something with staying power, something rooted in the actual fabric of these neighbourhoods. As Jeff always says, “We take what’s there and breathe new life into it while respecting the foundation.”
Three properties is not a large portfolio by any measure. But it is the right size to keep a very close eye on every detail, every guest experience, and every small thing that makes the difference between a stay that was fine and one that people talk about when they get home. That matters to us.
We are genuinely excited about what we are building here. Athens has given us more than we expected when we first arrived, and The Halo Collection is our way of passing some of that forward.
I watched cars inside a roundabout stop to let entering traffic through. The opposite of every road rule I'd ever known. I waited for the chaos. It never...
Explore three boutique residences across Kypseli, Lycabettus and Metaxourgeio, each shaped by its neighbourhood and designed to offer a distinct way to experience Athens.
A warm, design-led apartment in Kypseli, one of Athens’ most vibrant neighbourhoods, close to local cafés, culture and everyday city life.
A calm apartment near Lycabettus Hill, designed for guests who want a quieter Athens stay close to the city centre, scenic viewpoints and local dining.
A restored 1930s neoclassical house in Metaxourgeio, blending original architectural character with modern comfort in one of Athens’ most creative neighbourhoods.
A collection of real guest reviews from recent stays across our boutique homes in Athens, sharing what guests loved about the comfort, design, locations and thoughtful details.
" We had such a lovely stay at the Hill. It’s incredibly neat and well organised, all you need is present at the apartment. We walked up the hill in the morning for a beautiful view over the city and if you’re looking for a nice place to spend an evening nearby, Jazz in Jazz is recommended! "
" Very nice , good communication and will recommend 100% "
" So much more than a “cold” rental , Sergei & Jeff actually provide a home with everything you need for a perfect stay. "
" My stay in this apartment was absolutely wonderful! It’s perfect for solo travelers as well as couples—spacious, comfortable, and furnished with high-quality pieces. The designer who arranged the apartment clearly has exceptional taste and a real love for detail; every element feels thoughtfully chosen. "
" Excellent location, very comfortable with all the convenient amenities and facilities available "
" It was a great option, real value for money! "
" I stayed at the Hive for 1 week and found it to be amazingly comfortable. It is very quiet, private, secure and beautifully furnished. It has all the amenities anyone would need for either a short or long stay. It is in a very interesting area of Athens with welcoming restaurants within walking distance. "
" We stayed at the Hive last year and I can only give it 5 stars. Jeff and Sharona have really done an amazing job renovating this place and Kypseli really surprised us. Vibrant community, lots of great restaurants, parks and coffeehouses in the area. "
" We stayed at this recently renovated gem in Athens and loved it! The art deco entrance and common area was magical and the marble stairs made us feel like royalty when we entered. The flat was spacious and bright tastefully designed by a professional interest designer. "
" We had a truly five-star experience staying in Kypseli. The area is vibrant, authentic, and full of character, with fantastic cafés, bakeries, and local shops just steps away. Everything felt convenient and walkable, and getting to all the major tourist attractions was easy thanks to great public transport links nearby. "
" Incredible cozy apartment. Very clean and quiet, great amenities. A quick walk into the heart of the city. Great food and coffee all around. Beautifully furnished with a great balcony. Perfect place to stay with a family or a group of friends. Open concept is ideal for hosting. 10/10. "
Follow The Halo Collection on Instagram for a closer look at our Athens residences, local neighbourhoods, design details and everyday moments from Jeff and Sharona.
