Semiramis Hotel Athens
48 Charilaou Trikoupi, Kefalari, Athens, Greece, 145 62
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#20 of 25
expert-rated hotels in Athens- Recommended for:
- Business travellers, Families with teenagers, Seasoned travellers, Singles, Stag / hen parties, Design and architecture, Trendiness
Expert review of Semiramis Hotel Athens
A day-glo homage to pop-culture and contemporary art.
All acid pink, lemon and lime, this unabashedly playful hotel is a showcase for designer Karim Rashid’s curvaceous designs and owner Dakis Ioannou’s provocative contemporary art collection. The startling hues and giant nudes initially raised eyebrows among residents of suburban Kifissia to the north of the city, but the vibrant bar and restaurant now have a strong local following. I love the Miami-on-magic-mushrooms vibe of the colourful pool and restaurant. But I'm not so convinced by the day-glo brights in the bedrooms. I didn't have the most restful experience when I stayed here, but I had fun fiddling around with all the gadgets. And I got a kick out of trying to identify the artworks by the likes of Jeff Koons and Spencer Tunick.
Location:
Leafy, affluent Kifissia, about 45-minutes’ drive from downtown Athens, brims with expensive boutiques and restaurants. The northern suburbs are a business hub, so this is a handy location for corporate trips – less convenient for leisure travellers.
Bedrooms:
With symbols instead of room numbers, flip-flops instead of slippers, coloured glass pods instead of bathrooms, the 51 candy-coloured rooms are anything but conventional. Karim Rashid designed everything from the pink marshmallow armchairs to the psychedelic carpets. The coloured glass windows and panels around the bathrooms make you feel a little exposed. Beds are super comfortable and you can adjust the lighting to suit your mood (if you can figure out all the knobs).
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Public areas:
The horizontal lobby is a ripple of black sofas shaped like pouting lips. In the retro-futuristic restaurant, a star-studded ‘Belly’ protrudes from the ceiling above a life-size self-portrait of artist Jeff Koons fondling his ex-wife, porn star Cicciolina.
Eating and drinking:
In the poolside bar, you can stare at sunbathing babes and eye-popping art while sipping signature cocktails like Tequilitos (tequila, Cointreau, orange and pink grapefruit) and Frozen Alexanders. The trendy restaurant fuses Mediterranean dishes with Asian flavours – polenta-crusted shrimp souvlaki, salmon with citrus couscous, and galaktoboureko (fyllo pastry filled with warm custard and served with apricot sorbet). The Semiramis recently introduced a Sunday brunch menu (1-4.30pm), which is a hit with locals. It's not cheap at 35 euros, but you do get a Mimosa or a Bellini with your waffles and bagels.
Leisure facilities:
There’s a well-equipped gym with a steam room if you can peel yourself off the sun-loungers around the colourful, kidney-shaped pool. The papaya shakes at the pool bar are addictive.
Service:
Even the young, keen, casually dressed staff sometimes find all the gizmos and gimmicks confusing.
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Who stays there:
Adventurous business travellers rub shoulders with fashionistas and the occasional scary celebrity (Naomi Campbell and Björk have stayed).
Price advice:
It's worth paying the extra charge for a pool bungalow, with a private patio for secluded sunbathing.
Pros:
The art collection is museum quality
A real buzz in the restaurant and pool bar
Cons:
All those lurid hues can wear you down
Coloured glass walls compromise privacy
A schlep from the city centre
More information on Semiramis Hotel Athens:
- Price from:
- Type:
- Hotel
- Address:
- 48 Charilaou Trikoupi, Kefalari, Athens, Greece, 145 62
- Free tags / Keywords:
- Contemporary design, art, trendy
- Amenities:
- Business Centre, Fitness Centre, High-Speed Internet, Parking, Restaurant, Room Service, Swimming Pool
- Neighbourhood:
- Kifissia
