Our Heritage – Hotel Miranda

Hotel Miranda was built in 1810 as the residence of the Tsipis family, former mayor of Hydra. Constructed from stone, with a simple exterior, graceful arches, Italian frescoes, high ceilings, embossed decorations, and a wealth of objects and furniture brought from across Europe.

It later came into the possession of Artemi Danabasis and in 1961, Nikos Sofianos fell in love with the house, purchased it, and reopened it as a first-class guesthouse. He passed it on to his children, leaving them with his final wish: “This house must never be sold.”

A hotel that celebrates art

Miranda and Aris, together with Phoebe, kept the vision alive.

In 1976, Miranda Sofianou created an exhibition space on the ground floor of the building. Students from the Athens School of Fine Arts, as well as renowned artists, presented works that entered into dialogue with both the space and its visitors. Over time, this initiative became a landmark for contemporary art in Hydra.

Alongside the exhibitions, concerts, readings, and gatherings were organised, focusing on music, literature, and reflection. Guests, collaborators, and artists return every year to the hotel to celebrate creation and enjoy the atmosphere of a place that welcomes and nurtures creativity.

Our notable guests

Over the years, Hotel Miranda has welcomed creators, thinkers, composers, performers, and writers. Among them: Melina Mercouri, Panagiotis Tetsis, Jules Dassin, Seiji Ozawa, Santiago Calatrava, Jeff Koons, Leonidas Kavakos, Nikos Graikos, Dimitris Papaioannou, Kostas Axelos, and Margarita Karapanou.

Hotel Miranda Through Time

Today, Miranda stands as a living testament to Hydra’s heritage —a place where history and hospitality intertwine. It is not defined by passing fashions or commercial trends, but by a deeper purpose: to offer a haven of stillness, reflection, and genuine connection.

While its architecture is officially protected as a listed monument, what truly endures here is intangible: the feeling of belonging, the gentle slowing of time, and the rare grace of simply being.