Premier Hotels & Resorts - Winter/Spring 2009 - (Page 52) Athens GREECE Semiramis Hotel Athens In the affluent, leafy suburb of Kifissia, Semiramis Hotel opened in 2004 as the first design-inspired hotel in Athens. The hotel’s environment bears the influence of its owner, Dakis Joannou, and his affinity for modern art. Joannou, a prominent collector, modern arts patron and certified architect, personally charged designer Karim Rashid with the task of creating a hotel—Rashid’s first— that offers Athenian locals and visitors alike more than simply a place to rest their heads. As a result, the 51-room hotel delights modern-minded visitors with its ultra-contemporary decor and subtle touches—a desk with an unexpected curve, a lightbox installation behind a headboard. Additional surprises include the combination of colored concrete, ceramic tiles, dark wood, epoxy, metal and rubber floors and colored glass. A refreshing, fruity color palette dominates Semiramis’s decor: The hotel’s façade is covered in small, white lacquered tiles, and pink, green orange and yellow are used throughout. For guests, the Semiramis experience begins upon passing through a glowing, colored glass cube that gives way to the hotel’s lobby, which features a rotating exhibition of modern art borrowed from international galleries. Guest rooms employ the same spare, contemporary look, with minimalist furnishings and floor-to-ceiling windows offering stunning views. The hotel’s Penthouses and Pool Bungalows sport rotating flat-screen televisions with surround-sound, as well as remote-controlled utilities, including drapes. All rooms offer 24hour wireless Internet connectivity. And with the simple flick of a switch, guests can choose a message that will display outside their room, indicating whether their accommodations are in need of maid service, or if they prefer not to be disturbed. With a wealth of on-site options and all the wonders of Athens within minutes’ reach, guests of Semiramis won’t have difficulty finding ways to enjoy their stay here. Semiramis is surrounded by high-end boutiques, restaurants and cafes, 52 PREMIER HOTELS & RESORTS | Winter/Spring 2009
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