In the 1950s and 1960s, the Greek National Tourism Organisation’s implied agenda regarding the modernisation of the Greek countryside promoted the idea that newly built infrastructure was not only intended for tourists and travellers but also for the local community. Xenia hotels and motels, beyond serving tourism, provided a highly modern backdrop for various local events -such as entertainment, recreational activities, performances, religious or secular ceremonies, political gatherings, and receptions of government officials- often compensating for the infrastructure shortcomings of small towns and modernising the public presence of power. Thus, Xenia facilities became ambassadors of modernity, offering not just a modern architectural style but also a fresh perspective and a new ethical stance, to the introverted, isolated, and backward regions of the Greek hinterland. They provided an ideal setting for introducing the locals to an urban lifestyle, different from the traditional one, or a hybrid combination of both.

This was the case with the Xenia Hotel in the city of Drama, in Northern Greece. The Drama Xenia was designed in 1961 by the GNTO architect Konstantinos Stamatis and is located in a privileged position in the Municipal Garden of Drama, in the city centre. It was completed in 1963 as a B-class hotel, with a capacity of 24 rooms and 44 beds. In 1979, it received a one-storey addition, doubling the number of beds while maintaining its original architectural style. The hotel became a popular meeting point for the city’s residents and it was in continuous operation for more than 50 years. Currently, the Xenia Hotel in Drama is closed and awaiting an investor.