 |
|
|
|
|
Its old-money neighbours are aghast at the lime-and-strawberry facade. Nouveau-riche Athenians are jamming the retro-futuristic restaurant. Design aficionados love it or loathe it. In the unlikely setting of suburban Kifissia, industrial deisgner Karim Rashid has created his first hotel for local mogul Dakis Joannou. This 52-room popsicle is as much a showcase for Joannou's contemporary art collection as for Rashid's curvaceous, colourful designs. Across the glowing pink threshold in the long, horizontal lobby, Tim Noble and Sue Webster's neon YE$ flashes above a bank of black sofas shaped like pouting lips. The bar is a homage to the blob, from the star-studded 'Belly' protruding from the ceiling to tables that interconnect to accommodate unepxected guests. A giant statue of Jeff Koond groping La Cicciolina is in full view of dolled-up couples drinking Caipirinhas from lopsided tumblers. The rooms, pool or park view, display the same barefaced cheek. A celebration of candy colours, plastic and Plexiglas, they are packed with playful gadgets: scrolling LED signage warns 'Do Not Disturb'; lounge CDs and 'Soft Scene' lighting get you in the mood. Forget fluffy slippers: think pink Havaianas, Valrhona chocs and Kinky Khemist sex toys. The bright, glass bathrooms are functional, with power showers (only the suites have tubs). Round-the-clock room service offers sophisticated snacks, and the young staff, in pastel flares and sneakers, are eager to please.
WHEN TO GO
High summer, to pose around the amoeba-shaped pool
ROOM TO BOOK
One of the six pool bungalows with their gravel gardens for secret sunbathing
CONTACT
Semiramis Hotel, Charilaou Trikoupi 48, Athens, Greece (00 30 210 628 4400; fax: 628 4499; www.semiramisathens.com). Doubles from euro 180; pool bungalows from euro 260 |
|
|
|
|
|
