Set quietly among pistachio trees and sun-washed stone, Nikolaou Residence is not simply a place to stay, but a house with a past that sets it apart from anywhere else on the island.

Once the home and atelier of renowned Greek painter Nikos Nikolaou, it retains a strong sense of that life, where light, texture, and a certain stillness shape the experience, and each space feels connected to what came before.

Luxury here shines through in the calm, considered details, and in the feeling of being removed from everything else, despite being just an hour from Piraeus by ferry.

The Concept

At Nikolaou Residence, the focus extends beyond design into preservation and continuity. A careful renovation completed in 2019 by Zoumboulakis Architects brought new life to the house and its grounds, creating six guesthouses while maintaining the integrity of the original property.

The approach is measured- original objects, artworks, and the spatial layout have been retained, allowing the house to reflect the way Nikolaou once lived and worked.

This is not a hotel designed to imitate an artistic atmosphere, but a place where that atmosphere already exists. The intervention has been minimal, with an emphasis on respecting what was there rather than introducing something new.

Lowdown

Pistachio trees, fig groves, olive trees, and wild rosemary scent the air, shaping the green, layered setting of the estate. The rooms are spread across the property, each opening onto a shared garden that feels central to the overall experience.

Passing through the wooden gate, the view shifts to the sea- open, still, and uninterrupted. It sets the tone immediately, and from there, everything seems to follow at a gentler pace.

Near the entrance, the gallery door is left open, encouraging you to step inside as you please. It’s an easy transition between living space and studio, and one that feels entirely natural.

And across from the residence stands Aegina by Yannis Moralis, a quiet reminder of the friendship between the two famous artists, and of a time when this part of the island drew a close-knit creative circle.

Details

Built in 1964, the house soon became a meeting place for leading figures of the Greek artistic and intellectual world, including Moralis and Elytis. 

The gallery retains a strong sense of that earlier period, while the restoration introduces a more contemporary approach to hospitality- one that focuses on simplicity, respect for the setting, and a considered use of materials.

The interiors follow a warm, earthy palette, with wood as the dominant material and a restrained use of colour throughout. Each space opens onto a small private balcony, looking out over the lush surrounding grounds.

Rooms

The residence is made up of a small collection of studios- Rhodi, Elia, Fistiki, Levanta, Luisa, and Daphne- each drawing subtly on the landscape and the artistic identity of the property.

Inside each you will find earth-toned palettes that reflect Aegina’s natural surroundings, with simple lines, built-in furnishings, and small handcrafted details that reference the house’s past. Kitchenettes are fully equipped, making it easy to settle in for longer stays, while Olive Era products in the bathrooms add a considered local touch. Bookshelves, stocked with a mix of literature and art titles, give each space a more personal feel.

Daphne, the newest addition, sits slightly apart with elevated sea views and a more generous layout, suited to those who prefer a little more space. Fistiki, set on the top floor of an independent building alongside Rhodi and Elia, offers a greater degree of privacy, with a quieter, more self-contained feel. Designed with couples or solo travellers in mind, it leans into that sense of seclusion without feeling isolated.

Food + Drinks

Mornings begin with a breakfast basket that brings together a selection of local produce- organic Greek yogurt, honey, granola, dried fruits and nuts, along with smoothies and Aegina’s well-known pistachio sweets. Coffee or tea is included, depending on how you like to start the day. It can be enjoyed on your private veranda or on the front terrace facing the sea. Either way, it’s an easy, unhurried way to begin the morning.

Extra Touches

Guests are free to move through the shared spaces, including the stone terraces where Nikolaou and his circle once gathered in the late afternoons. It’s the perfect place to pause at sunset, with a clear sense of the life that unfolded here among artists and poets. 

The art collection is open to visitors during the summer months, with scheduled access on Saturdays between 6:30 and 7:30pm. Nikolaou’s atelier can also be visited; guests are advised to check directly with the property or via the website for confirmed days and hours.

What’s Close By

Nikolaou Residence sits in Plakakia, around a 10-minute walk from Aegina Town. It strikes the perfect balance between being close to everything and still feeling as though you are in a world of your own. From here, the rest of the island is also within easy reach, from the Temple of Aphaea and Paleochora to quieter stretches of coastline and inland paths lined with olive trees. Kolona Beach is a short walk away, while Agios Nektarios Monastery is around 7 km from the property. 

Highlight of Stay

Time here is easily spent between the garden, the terrace, and your own space, with the sea never far from view. The presence of art is subtle but constant, a reminder of what the house once was, and still is. It’s not about escape in the usual sense, but about stepping into a place that already has its own pace- and being willing to follow it.

Background on Nikos Nikolaou 

Nikos Nikolaou (1909–1986), born on the island of Hydra, was part of Greece’s influential “Thirties’ Generation,” a group that reshaped modern Greek art by balancing tradition with a more contemporary, European outlook. He studied at the Athens School of Fine Arts under Oumvertos Argyros and Konstantinos Parthenis, where he formed a lifelong friendship with painter Yannis Moralis. His work gained recognition early, with exhibitions in Greece and abroad, and he later represented the country at major international events including the Venice Biennale.

From the 1960s onwards, Nikolaou made Aegina his base, where he lived and worked in the house that now forms part of the residence. That connection is what gives the property its depth- this was not a retreat created for visitors, but a working home shaped by an artist’s daily life. Today, elements of that world remain in place, offering a more immediate sense of his work and way of living than you would find in a gallery alone.

Perfect for… Couples looking for a slower pace on the island, solo travellers wanting time and space to switch off, and those drawn to art and history, with an interest in experiencing a more personal side of Greece’s cultural past.

Type: Boutique residence

Location: Nikou Kazantzaki 39, Aegina

Images Courtesy of @laurentfabrephotographe | @meltem.magazine