New Hotel
With a desire to create a property that would be an interactive part of the neighborhood, not an exclusive haunt stuck behind locked gates, hotel owner and art collector Dakis Joannou commissioned the award winning designer duo, Fernando and Humberto Campana to create a hotel that both felt like it belonged in the neighborhood and was actually part of the local scene. The Brazilian brothers are known for their ability to articulate a location’s sense of place and then curate a property that reflects the town’s spirit. One of the five YES! properties that are scattered around Athens, The NEW Hotel is a perfect execution of Joannou's vision. The 79 rooms and all of the public spaces were stripped down and recreated using the bones of the Olympic Palace Hotel, which formerly stood on this ground. The interiors showcase the brothers’ style: the marriage of eco-sensitivity and forward design. In the hotel’s Mediterranean via California style restaurant, NEW TASTE, they’ve created a bar, arching room dividers and columns that are reminiscent of their famous Favela chairs - constructions made of tacked together recycled planks from the old hotel. It’s edgy and urban, but sophisticated and high design. The guest rooms are spread through 6 floors - they’re all soundproof, flooded with the strong Athenian sun, and arranged to showcase the city that lays just outside the floor to ceiling windows (which slide to reveal a private balcony.) Every room is individually designed with selected pieces of modern art from the owner’s collection in mind; the art ranges in style, but remains mindful that the room's purpose is to let the guest seek refuge from the city. Like the rest of the hotel, they’re the sweet spot between interesting, fun, comfortable and not overdone.
An urban hotel that’s packed with art and a whole lot of local flavor.
An Old World palace hotel, a prefab chain property, nor a sprawling family-friendly resort.
Athens has an incredible history - surrounded by ancient wonders of the world, it’s a hard to remember that the city is presently creating wonders. The NEW Hotel promotes the message that this city is alive - plus with the Campana brothers designing, you know you’re in for a treat.
Having ordered your first cup of coffee to your room in the morning, you thank the beautiful attendant and close the door. Walking across the room, you notice the colored shadows from the glass evil eyes hanging on the wall, with a smile, you slide open the glass wall and step onto the balcony. Athens is in full bloom before you: the narrow streets of Plaka filled with the morning bustle.
New Taste - Ground floor restaurant New Art Lounge - Rooftop restaurant Both restaurants offer International Cuisine and a variety of Mediterranean signature dishes New Art Lounge, Penthouse Lounge located on hotel's 7th floor offering a unique view of the city. Art installation by Maurizio Catellan and a library featuring more than 500 books all of them related to contemporary art.