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While the war for independence from the Ottoman Empire was raging, Hermoupolis went from zero to boom in the blink of an eye as the leading maritime hub for trade and transportation between Europe and the East. Among the thousands who arrived in the promising new city to start a new life was Grigorios Paikos; a former member of The Filiki Eteria - The Society of Friends, a secret Greek revolutionary brotherhood founded to overthrow the Ottoman rule and establish an independent Greek state.
Fast forward to 1853, Grigorios Paikos was an accomplished businessman who was building his residence in Vaporia (meaning Ships), the aristocratic district of shipowners and industrialists. Following the dominant artistic trend of the early 19th century, his grand home was characterized by a sense of grandeur, simplicity of geometric forms and references to the Classical Period of Ancient Greece. A mansion for his family of 11 - him, his wife and their 9 children - with lush decorations, ceiling and wall paintings, created mostly by Venetian painters, a parlor and a ballroom to host social gatherings and balls for the upper class.
His death in 1879 marks the end of a glorious era. Over the decades, the mansion passed through the hands of several prominent families and was put on the market several times. Sliding further and further into disrepair, eventually, despite its standing in the wealthiest and most celebrated quarter of the island, it was left to deteriorate.
The Polykretis family embraced the challenge to breathe new life into the degraded mansion. Yiannis, the father, remembers growing up next to the decaying building. With the intent on fully revitalizing it and restoring it to one of the beautiful centerpieces of the neighbourhood that it once was, he and his family acquired it and embarked on 7 years of renovations. Seeing the building as a part of Hermoupolis’ cultural heritage, a testament to the history of Syros, the family made it their mission to restore it to its former splendour and give it back to the island and its people.
Decades of gross neglect had caused significant damage. Shoddy and improper repairs, sagging ceilings and leaks caused by cracks in the roof led to severe deterioration of the interiors and significantly damaged and discolored the ceiling paintings. Challenging and time-consuming, the restoration of the listed building came with specific regulations and guidelines by the Hellenic Ministry of Culture. The works included the restoration of the ceiling paintings and the conservation of important elements with respect to the style of the building. The building continues to hold its original character and architectural features, with only necessary upgrades and alterations so that it would become a hotel. The layout, the 1.20 m thick stone masonry walls and the tall internal double-leaf hardwood doors were restored. Various parts of the decorative scheme were uncovered and recreated, like the marbleizing on the walls. The oak planks of the floors are as wide as they were back in the 19th century. Materials and practices, such as cement-free mortars, were applied to preserve the existing structure.
Hotel Argini opens its doors to welcome those who wish to live a unique experience, where the charm of the past and modern aesthetics are inextricably woven together. Each of the 11 rooms is an ambience where the echoes of history and the pulse of the modern world meet in harmony. Marble, with emphasis on the Greek marbles, plays a dominant role in the bathrooms. Designed with the perceptive traveler in mind, the Argini offers a breakfast area and two lounges for relaxing moments and a business lounge for guests who want to catch up with work. The basement cisterns, with their vaulted ceilings and stonework, were transformed into a wellness retreat with a hammam and an indoor heated pool with hydromassage, so guests can enjoy a rejuvenating stay experience.
Inspired by the culture of Syros, elexis, the restaurant of the hotel, invites guests to its garden to embark on a gastronomic journey. The love for the cuisine of Greece is expressed through a menu focused on dishes of the Cyclades with international references and modern techniques. A feast of flavours complemented by exceptional wines. Against the backdrop of Cyclades's iconic skyline, the Bar Under the Sky is dedicated to the experience of enjoying the perfect drink, at the perfect moment.
