As one of the hotels within the Yes! Hotels group, the New Hotel Athens is an eccentric, playful hub of design and modern art, where creativity and luxury converge in central Athens. The transformation of the former Olympic Palace Hotel by Brazilian architects Humberto and Fernando Campana (aka the Campana Brothers) was the first of its kind in Athens, paving the way for other quirky and daring hotel developments. It was very much a New and exciting proposition that perked up the hotel scene in Athens.
New Hotel Athens
The Campana Bros. have left a striking visual stamp throughout the hotel’s interiors. Photograph: Why Athens | New Hotel Athens
After receiving much adoration from both locals and visitors, it continues to draw crowds thanks to its famous brunch menu (another new concept for Athens) and must see architectural traits. Of course such a visionary development couldn’t prosper without the full support of owner Dakis Ioannou, a devout art collector and active patron of the visual arts in Athens.
Guest rooms
The hotel’s corridors are covered in bark cloth wallpaper (I’m told from the Moraceae tree family in Uganda). There are five room categories starting with the lead in standard room moving up to a superior, superior plus, studio and junior suite room. Standard rooms start at 20 square metres and you will get up to 25 square metres of space in the superior and superior plus rooms. The studios offer 30 square metres with a comfortable sitting area.
Left: bark cloth wallpaper adorns the hallways. Right: the famous Favela chair by the Campana Bros. Photograph: Why Athens
The bathrooms feature striking solid brass washbasins in the shape of fragmented rocks. Each room comes with one out of three themes; ‘Karagiozis’ a fictional character of Greek folklore, ‘Evil Eye’ to ward off misfortune and ‘Post Card’ that pays homage to old Athens.
Left: the New Hotel’s guest bathrooms. Right: ‘Evil Eye’ themed guest room. Photographs: Why Athens | New Hotel Athens
All guest rooms feature a private balcony of varying sizes, depending on the room grade and custom made furniture with some featuring the famous Favela chair. Most rooms have views of the historical centre of Athens. The penthouse suite provides the perfect space to entertain guests with a bedroom and separate living area along with a huge outdoor terrace providing 270-degree views of Athens. The bathroom is cast entirely out of marble and oozes opulence and luxury.
The New Hotel’s penthouse features views across Athens best landmarks. Photograph: Why Athens | New Hotel Athens
Amenities
With 24-hour room service and front desk assistance, the hotel offers family friendly facilities including connecting rooms. There is a spacious business centre and several meeting rooms for the busy work traveller. The New Sense gym and wellness club has a fully equipped fitness room, Jacuzzi and steam bath.
Left: The modern business centre facilities. Right: New Sense day spa. Photograph: Why Athens | New Hotel Athens
Food & drink at New Hotel
New Taste restaurant located on the ground floor offers a Mediterranean menu using top-notch Greek organic produce. The buffet breakfast and Sunday brunch are highlights, with an in-house bakery making traditional breads and pastries daily. The restaurant interiors are impressive with walls adorned with recycled furniture from the original Olympic Palace Hotel. You will often find locals dropping in for take-away treats.
Brunch every Sunday at the New Taste restaurant. Photograph: Why Athens | New Hotel Athens
New Art Lounge is a rooftop space on the seventh floor that provides panoramic views of Athens including Lycabettus Hill. Designed to relax and unwind, the lounge provides an art library with more than 2000 art book titles with large leather armchairs and sofas to sit back and enjoy. A provocative collection of photographs from Toilet Paper Magazine adorn the walls and add to the overall zeal of this hotel. Light meals, coffee and signature cocktails are served from noon through to midnight and an a la carte menu is available for dinner.
The New Art Lounge is on the hotel’s top floor and features views across Athens and a well stocked art book library. Photograph: Why Athens
With 79 rooms, two restaurants, a spa, business centre, meeting rooms and a gym, there is little missing from this boutique city hotel. Minutes away from Syntagma Square, the metro and upmarket shopping in Kolonaki.
Booking Enquiries: Find the best rate here
We would like to thank the management at New Hotel for their assistance and hospitality. This post was not sponsored in any way and as always, all opinions are our own.
