Here - design hotels
Transcription
Here - design hotels
B I ~ N RERT T TN -- -- 25HQURS HOTELS GO WEST IN BEjaUN ROSEWOOD BARCELO A NEW LANDMARK IN LUXURY FOR LONDON SIMONE MICHELI BUSINESS IN MILAN MEAN^ MALDIVES LOCATION REPORT BLOC - GATWICK 6 h DESIGN EMEA * BEATRICE GIREUJ http://trendland.com/memmo-alfama-hotel-portugal/ http://trendland.com/memmo-alfama-hotel-portugal/ http://trendland.com/memmo-alfama-hotel-portugal/ http://trendland.com/memmo-alfama-hotel-portugal/ http://trendland.com/memmo-alfama-hotel-portugal/ http://trendland.com/memmo-alfama-hotel-portugal/ All rooms combine minimal design with a laid-back atmosphere, filled with high quality Portuguese products, from the amenities to the menus and wines, giving to its guests a “feel like home” mood and a spirit of a Portuguese house. The name Memmo means “memory” and this concept reflects in everything around you: from the flavors of the great breakfast, smells of the location and sounds of the Portuguese music playing around. http://trendland.com/memmo-alfama-hotel-portugal/ http://trendland.com/memmo-alfama-hotel-portugal/ http://trendland.com/memmo-alfama-hotel-portugal/ For more information, visit www.memmoalfama.com Memmo Alfama Hotel Travessa das Merceeiras, nº 27 1100-348 Lisboa – Portugal http://trendland.com/memmo-alfama-hotel-portugal/ Europe's best new boutique hotels By Kristine Hansen, for CNN June 17, 2014 -- Updated 1529 GMT (2329 HKT) The new OD Port Portals hotel on the Spanish island of Mallorca has a 1960s vibe. Junior suite customers get use of a complimentary car or driver. Another classic building reinvented as a hotel. Stockholm's Miss Clara Hotel was a girls' school in a former life. http://edition.cnn.com/2014/06/17/travel/europe-boutiquehotels/index.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+rss%2Fc nn_latest+%28RSS%3A+Most+Recent%29 The roof terrace of the unselfconsciously cool 25Hours Bikini Hotel overlooks Berlin's Zoological Gardens. How laid back is it? There's a hammock in the lobby. The Vernet features walls of woven copper thread and abstract-patterned carpets, all under a classic French glass roof. There's also a resident DJ. http://edition.cnn.com/2014/06/17/travel/europe-boutiquehotels/index.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+rss%2Fc nn_latest+%28RSS%3A+Most+Recent%29 Located among pine trees, the Praia Verde in Portugal is suitable for long stays. The suites feature cozy bedrooms and kitchenettes with fridges and stoves. (CNN) -- Some travelers never stray from giant hotel chains, preferring familiarity and the reassuring presence of a pants press. For those willing to throw their loyalty points to the wind and spend a few extra dollars, there's the world of boutique hotels. The "boutique" concept has become overused in recent years. Some hoteliers think funky wallpaper, scatter cushions and an in-room iPod dock are enough to justify the label. Europe's latest crop of high end boutiques are a far cry from this, bridging historical architecture with cutting-edge design to create destinations that are as much an attraction as the surrounding landmarks. These are hotels that exude so much style, their customers won't care where the pants press is. Here are some of the best celebrating their first summer: Chiltern Firehouse (London) The 26-room Chiltern, which opened in spring, is the first property outside the United States for Andre Balazs, the man behind L.A.'s Chateau Marmont and The Mercer in New York. Located in a former fire station in London's Marylebone district, the hotel's Firehouse's restaurant attracts celebs like Robert Pattinson and Lindsay Lohan. It also attracts an occasional crowd of paparazzi photographers outside. http://edition.cnn.com/2014/06/17/travel/europe-boutiquehotels/index.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+rss%2Fc nn_latest+%28RSS%3A+Most+Recent%29 The kitchen is equally star-studded, with Nuno Mendes of Portugal's Michelin-starred Viajante supplying the dishes. Good for visiting: The clothing boutiques in nearby Marylebone High Street frequented by the same Hollywood stars staying at the hotel. Chiltern Firehouse, 1 Chiltern St., Marylebone, London; +44 20 7073 7676 MORE: CNN Traveler's 2014 'hot hotel' list Miss Clara Hotel (Stockholm) With 92 rooms decked out in neutral hues, along with arched windows, marble baths and parquet floors, Miss Clara breathes life into a former girls' school while retaining the building's art nouveau features. Open since spring, the hotel has a brasserie-style restaurant that combines Nordic cuisine with plates such as pulled Moroccan lamb with harissa yogurt. Good for visiting: The city's new Abba museum, on the island of Djurgarden. Miss Clara Hotel, Sveavagen 48, Stockholm; +46 8 440 67 00 Hotel Vernet (Paris) It's hard to stand out in Paris, but the sleek modern design features of the 50-room Hotel Vernet in the city's 8th arrondissement does its best to make a statement. There are walls of woven copper thread and abstract-patterned carpets, all under a classic French glass roof. The hotel features a resident DJ, but the real attraction are bathrooms fitted with Carrrara-marble basins, brass taps and glass mosaics. Good for visiting: The ritzy shops of the Champs Elysees, just a champagne bottle's throw away. Hotel Vernet, 25 Rue Vernet, Paris; +33 1 44 31 98 00 MORE: China's outrageous crop of new hotel designs Traditional roof, funky floors: Hotel Vernet, Paris. http://edition.cnn.com/2014/06/17/travel/europe-boutiquehotels/index.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+rss%2Fc nn_latest+%28RSS%3A+Most+Recent%29 Cromlix House Hotel (Dunblane, Scotland) Scottish tennis player Andy Murray is behind this extensive renovation near his hometown, which opened in April to almost as much applause as hislong-overdue 2013 Wimbledon victory. The 34-acre grounds include tennis courts (of course) and host activities such as archery and a mini Highland games. There's also a farm-to-table restaurant, conservatory, chapel and loch. The 15-bedroom Victorian Perthshire mansion is packed with Scottish antiques. Good for visiting: Leighton Library -- Scotland's oldest private book collection open to the public. Cromlix House, Kinbuck, Near Dunblane; +44 1786 822 125 OD Port Portals (Mallorca, Spain) Whitewashed rooms, a 1960s glam ambiance and an inviting pool area welcome guests at OD Port Portals, a 77-room hotel opened in April in Puerto Portals, western Mallorca. Junior suite guests receive either a Smart Cabriolet car (for use during their stay) or a driver, making it easy to trail the jet-set crowd in this affluent port town. Food in the restaurant is eclectic and health conscious. Good for visiting: Costa d'en Blanes beach or the nine-holeBendinat Royal Golf course. OD Port Portals, Calle Tomas Blanes Tolosa, 4, Mallorca, Spain; +34 971 675 956 MORE: World's 10 best golf resorts Praia Verde Boutique Hotel (Castro Marim, Portugal) Opened in April, this low-slung 40-suite hotel surrounded by pine forest on Portugal's eastern Algarve coastline is set up for long stays. Guests bunk in cozy rooms but each suite has its own kitchenette with fridge and stove, plus a balcony to soak in the view of salt flats and white-sand beaches. Artisan groceries are available on site from a grocery store linked to the hotel's family-style A Terra restaurant. Good for visiting: The National Forest and the traditional Portuguese town of Cacela Velha. Praia Verde Boutique, Castro Marim, Portugal; +351 281 530 600 Hotel Son Ametler (Mallorca, Spain) http://edition.cnn.com/2014/06/17/travel/europe-boutiquehotels/index.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+rss%2Fc nn_latest+%28RSS%3A+Most+Recent%29 Another new venture on the Balearic island of Mallorca, this hotel is located away from the main tourist towns, in the foothills of the Tramuntana mountains. Surrounded by olive, fig and lemon trees, there's a farmhouse feel to Son Amelter, but accommodations in the eight-room restored manor is far from rustic. There's an outdoor pool with sweeping views of the countryside, Mallorquin stone in the rooms and Italian stucco walls in the bathrooms. Dinner is served al fresco three nights each week. Good for visiting: Posh restaurants and beaches can be reached by car in a matter of minutes. Hotel Son Ametler, Cami Son Riera Sin Numero, Moscari, Mallorca, Spain; +34 687 934 435 MORE: Is Spanish cuisine the best food in the world right now? 25hours Hotel Bikini (Berlin) This laid back 149-room concept hotel is the sixth property for 25hours, a luxury chain that's established itself in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. The Bikini rifs on its artsy, big city surroundings, with cocktails and skyline views on a rooftop terrace. Andy Murray's Cromlix House Hotel Catering to younger travelers, it has a DJ, on-site bakery and free bicycle loans -- but the biggest surprise is a hammock in the lobby. Meals in the glass-walled Neni restaurant are inspired by Austrian and Russian cuisine. Good for visiting: The Zoological Garden is so close it's possible to hear the lions roar. Europe's largest department store, Kaufhaus des Westens, and the Theater des Westens opera house are also at hand. 25Hours Hotel Bikini, Budapester St. 40, Berlin; +49 30 1202 210 MORE: Insider Guide: Best of Berlin Lake Geneva Hotel (Versoix, Switzerland) http://edition.cnn.com/2014/06/17/travel/europe-boutiquehotels/index.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+rss%2Fc nn_latest+%28RSS%3A+Most+Recent%29 It may only have three stars, but the Lake Geneva Hotel substitutes internal luxury for external dazzle. The 103 rooms are stylish enough, with muted hues highlighted by a pop of orange color. Then there's the views. Stellar vistas across the lake and Swiss Alps can be enjoyed from window seats in many of the rooms and suites, or from the terrace of the hotel's O'Five Mediterranean restaurant. Good for visiting: Near the Versoix railway station, the hotel is a handy weekend escape from Zurich and is close to beaches, equestrian centers and the Favarger chocolate factory. Lake Geneva Hotel, Route de Suisse 77, Versoix, Switzlerand; +41 22 907 81 11 MORE: World's most extraordinary hotels Based in America's heartland, Kristine Hansen covers wine, food and travel for a variety of publications. http://edition.cnn.com/2014/06/17/travel/europe-boutiquehotels/index.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+rss%2Fc nn_latest+%28RSS%3A+Most+Recent%29 The View Tulum, Mexico PAPAYA PLAYA PROJECT P From top: Talk about snoozing with a view – the outlook from one of the ‘new casitas’; Venture to the relaxed Beach Club for a sunset cocktail; The refreshingly pared back décor. 138 www.internationaltravellermag.com alm tree-lined jungle, a white sand beach dotted with day beds, the Caribbean Sea a barefoot stroll away... the Papaya Playa Project is the kind of place you want to be marooned (BYO Wilson). This unique property in Tulum is far removed from the flashy resorts in the tourist hotspots it’s sandwiched between (Cancun is roughly 130 kilometres north and Playa del Carmen 70 kilometres south). Originally designed as a communal playground for creatives in the form of a pop-up hotel, it’s thankfully here to stay and has been given the über cool Design Hotels touch with a refreshingly pared back, barefoot luxury, bohemian vibe. The hotel has a strong sustainable ethos, sourcing local food for its light Mexican fare-based menu, as well as using green products, recycled water and low-pressure showers and toilets. The 85 palapa-thatch roof cabañas and casitas have been ecologically built with local materials and designed with the bare necessities. Open planning takes advantage of gentle sea breezes with fresh colours, simple furnishings, cosy beds (some with mosquito nets), and the real clincher – no power. But who needs to stare at a screen when you can gaze out at the breathtaking Caribbean Sea? To really get into the swing of your castaway-style holiday, pull up a chair (or a hammock, if you’re lucky) on your private deck for an afternoon margaritainduced siesta. As we said, bare necessities. Ocean front cabana from $209 per night; papayaplayaproject.com Pillow Talk METROPOLITAN BY COMO Miami Beach, Florida, USA The first stateside property from the ultra cool COMO brand, the 74 rooms – and a luxe Shambala Spa – occupy one of Miami’s signature Art Deco buildings. comohotels.com NEW HOTELS OPEN FOR BUSINESS SOFITEL SO Singapore MOTOR ONE EDINBURGH-PRINCES Edinburgh, Scotland Located in the historic heart of the magnificent Scottish capital, this 140-room hotel – a riot of tartan, modern design pieces and regal whimsy – is a brilliantly affordable option (starting from $124 per night). motel-one.com/en With décor inspired by 19th-century French decadence, a golden tiled roof top pool and commissioned elements by Karl Lagerfeld (including the front-of-house ‘ambassador’ uniforms), this is set to redefine the local hotel scene. sofitel.com ROYAL PAVILION VILLAS BY QASR AL SARAB Abu Dhabi, UAE HOTEL LA SEMILLA Playa del Carmen, Mexico Fashioning itself as ‘rough luxe,’ Hotel La Semilla and its nine rooms have an earthy, bohemian vibe; rendered from local stone, concrete and brick and decorated with a shabby chic mix of vintage furniture and curios found at local flea markets. hotellasemilla.com 16 www.internationaltravellermag.com Building on the opulence of Anantara’s Qasr Al Sarab Resort, this exclusive cluster of 10 villas really is the last word in luxury, from the personally monogrammed bathrobes to the Neil Perrydesigned barbecues. qasralsarab.anantara.com ALSO HOT RIGHT NOW » Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam, The Netherlands » Holiday Inn ANA Sapporo Susukino, Japan » Shangri La Hotel Qufu, China » Wya Point Resort, British Columbia, Canada » Langham Dubai, UAE HOTEL MIRA MOON Hong Kong Saturated in colour and kitsch, the interiors of this 91-room design hotel have been conjured up by Marcel Wenders, once described by The New York Times as the “Lady Gaga of the design world”. miramoonhotel.com www.internationaltravellermag.com 17 Journeys ATHENS GETS ITS GROOVE BACK 106 www.internationaltravellermag.com Don’t call it a crisis: in the wake of its well documented rocky financial road, Athens has reinvented itself, and its indie fashion, art and food scenes are flourishing, says Juliet Kinsman. www.internationaltravellermag.com www.internationaltravellermag.com www.internationaltravellermag.com 107 107 107 Journeys SINCE OPENING IN 2009, THE GLEAMING GLASS OF THE new Acropolis Museum and the soul-stirring presentation of its priceless contents has been a welcome source of pride for the natives of Athens, a city with one hell of a Hellenic heritage. We know all about the myriad achievements of ancient Greece, but now it’s the modern-day triumphs that deserve time in the spotlight. Young, positive artists and creatives – who decided to fight rather than flee – have joined forces, sticking to their passions and breathing new life into the city centre. The side effects of a less-than-healthy economy have been a fresh love for vintage fashion, the proliferation of low-key but sophisticated wine bars, an uplifting camaraderie, which pervades the city’s edgy new hangouts, and, now that cars are too expensive for many to run, trafficfree streets and cleaner city air. An intrepid generation of Greek talent is getting the party started again – without bragging about it. A resident of Athens during the pre-2004 Summer Olympics boom, I enjoyed a spell reviewing restaurants and hotels across this boisterous city. Everywhere was being gilded or gutted, and the urban sprawl was reconfigured with a fancy new infrastructure. A colourful nightlife scene spilled into new neighbourhoods such as gritty Psirri and outof-town gasworks site Gazi, and the air crackled with optimism and ouzo-fuelled hedonism. Happily distracted by the many macho big-player businessmen popping open the champagne, revellers blithely ignored the mutterings of older hard-working folks worried that their taxes wouldn’t cover all this activity. A decade on, many bubbles have burst and a lot of the economy’s cash has long since been secreted away to Swiss bank accounts. Still, I’ll dare to declare that as a result, Athens is giving Berlin a run for its money. Not in terms of financial clout, but certainly for its creativity and contemporary cool. (When the Greek 108 www.internationaltravellermag.com capital’s debts reached nadir and social tensions were spiking, pressure fell on its fellow EU members to bail them out and some joked that Greece should be renamed Southern Germany.) The resulting doom-and-gloom news reports were misleading: when you’re in the blue-skied city as a visitor it couldn’t feel sunnier – figuratively and meteorologically. Truth is, the economy’s collapse had a dazzling silver lining, and the city previously considered merely a stop-off for island-hoppers on the way to the Aegean is now a dynamic destination in its own right. Athens is giving Berlin a run for its money. Not in terms of financial clout, but certainly for its creativity and contemporary cool. Truth is, the economy’s collapse had a dazzling silver lining. Syntagma Square still has its pom-pomshoed changing of the guard display at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier on the hour, every hour. And the Hotel Grand Bretagne looks more elegant than ever, presiding over the north-east corner of Constitution Square. But now the fivestar grand dame has been joined by Starwood’s Luxury Collection with its next-door neighbour, the spruced-up and utterly chic King George. A few years ago, Athenians would have gasped at travellers being signposted to the seedy lanes just off this main square but now, instead of being lured to the kitsch of Pláka or the glitz of Kolonaki, style-seeking visitors are discovering New Hotel, which won TripAdvisor’s top accolade for 2014, and just south of Syntagma Square, the buzzing bars and hip boutiques of Monastiraki, all of which come blogger endorsed. When the music-and-cocktail hotspot Six D.O.G.S. opened in Monastiraki in 2009 it marked a new era for the Athens landscape. Now this ’hood is a hipsters’ paradise where new outlets seem to pop up weekly. Thank Zeus for Daily Secret, an online newsletter set up to alert readers to all the hot new rendezvous in a witty and wise email that leads you to a greatlooking website, which might just have you as excited about a trip to Athens as you would be about one to NYC. It was a simple idea, a daily email designed to remind Athenians what they love about their city. In fact, new local Andria Mitsakos is a designer and publicist who traded Tribeca for an apartment with a view of the Parthenon. “From Manhattan to Miami to Milan, quite simply Athens doesn’t compare to another city. NYC has its competitive buzz that fuels ambition, which I respect and need, but Athens takes me down a notch. When you say you’re going for coffee here, it’s because you can dedicate two hours to the person you’re going to see. It’s just more human.” As the designer behind accessories label Dea Rosa, Mitsakos feels the city offers never-ending inspiration. “Living in Athens, you can’t escape the ancient energy that haunts you here.” Athens has the energy of a city in a constant flux of metamorphosis. It goes beyond the folklore stereotypes delivered through Greek tourism and it awakens visitors’ emotions and rewards the sophisticated traveller seeking to study urban transformation. I’ve never felt more optimistic about the city that gave birth to the fundamental concepts of our civilisation and about its ability to keep inspiring its citizens. « www.internationaltravellermag.com 109 Journeys WHAT TO DO DOPIOS CIT Y TOUR Connect with locals, which is what ‘dopios’ means in Greek, through this Athens-born online service and arrange to have an authentic insider’s city tour. dopios.com NATIONAL MUSEUM OF CONTEMPOR ARY ART SIX D.O.G.S EATING & DRINKING PAPADAK IS INSIDER’S TIP: Cash is king over credit cards in this town. Installations, photography, paintings and video bring this brand new space dedicated to contemporary talents to life. 17–19 Vasileos Georgiou B & Rigilis; www.emst.gr ACROPOLIS MUSEUM Nowhere is the contrast of old and new more staggering than in architect MYRTO Bernard Tschumi’s bold four-level glass-floored showcase for Greece’s ancient ruins and millennia-old statues. 15 Dionysiou Areopagitou; theacropolismuseum.gr HAMMAM BATHS After pounding the pavements get a good pummeling on the heated marble slabs at this spa, a new take on ancient baths that gives Istanbul’s finest a run for their peshtemal towels and wooden slippers. Whether you’re up for a scrub and steam or a full backrub, a spell here is totally relaxing. 17 Agion Asomaton and 1 Melidoni Thissio; hammam.gr AVOCADO Vegetarian Sydneysiders no longer have to leave their hankering for healthy smoothies or fruity salads at home – the organic, local and seasonal movement has landed in Athens, and this café is its mothership. Nikis 30, Syntagma; avocadoathens.com K ILO SHOP A fresh approach to peddling vintage: you can buy second-hand clothes and accessories by weight here. Located on what was once the poshest of shopping streets, it fits in well with the area’s new flea market-chic look and feel. 120 Ermou; kilo-shop.gr PAPADAK IS OINOSCENT SECOND HAND LUX Pre-loved, high-end designer labels find their way back onto rails and shelves here for fashion lovers who are after luxe for less. 27 Haritos, Kolonaki; secondhandlux.gr OINOSCENT DIMITRIS PE TROU Head to this little beauty tucked away in a side street not far from central Syntagma and be prepared to be surprised by the quality of the homegrown vintages available. 45–47 Voulis. oinoscent.gr Dimitri Petrou’s elegant tailored approach to fashionforward leather creations and romantic lace details has been luring foreign fashionistas to the city for exclusive fittings. The perfect spot to splash out on that specialoccasion dress. 23 Kanari, Kolonaki SIX D.O.G.S 110 www.internationaltravellermag.com You’ll need to book an appointment to check out the kitsch objects here, but it’s worth it. You’re as sure to leave with a big smile as a sack of original souvenirs, from sunglasses-sporting Hermès (God of wealth and luck) and Aphrodite beeswax candles to skateboards made in the style of ancient Greek pottery. 50–52 Valtetsiou; greeceisforlovers.com Here in her Kessaris showroom, Myrto Anastasopoulou’s original nature-inspired jewellery designs are as bold as they are delicate. Whether you’re a big-time buyer or a casual browser, take the time to pop in. 7 Panepistimiou; myajewellery.com The name of this could-be-in-Manhattan cutie applies to the stars of the menu: deep-fried doughnut balls steeped in honey and cinnamon, which pair perfectly with a cup of local Taf coffee. 21 Eolou, Monastiraki Live bands, inspired cocktails and a glorious little garden make this vibrant venue, fashioned from four separate bars, a favourite with folks in the know. 6–8 Avramiotou, Monastiraki sixdogs.gr GREECE IS FOR LOVERS MYRTO LUK U ( LUK UMADES ) Chef/owner Argiro Barbarigou is praised for her cookbooks and TV appearances, but she can still be found here finessing the fresh, full Greek flavours in the kitchen of this contemporary taverna in upscale Kolonaki. Grouper with a lemon-egg sauce? This dame knows how to make seafood sing. 47 Voukourestiou & 15 Fokilidou SHOPPING & FASHION LUK U LUK U DIMITRIS PE TROU ACROPOLIS MUSEUM www.internationaltravellermag.com 111 Journeys WHERE TO STAY ... NE W HOTEL LOCAL TASTEMAKER COSTAS VOYATZIS, ART AND DESIGN BLOGGER (YATZER.COM) When Costas went off to do military service in 2006 he was worried the momentum he’d gathered working on design magazines would disappear, so he started Yatzer, a blog to keep up with everything while he was a soldier. Yatzer is now a full-time job and one of the world’s leading design websites. “I look back at the opening ceremony of the 2004 Olympic Games and it was a celebration of Greek history and identity, a panorama of our past and present. Before the Olympic Games, it was a time of prosperity, but I believe we have found ourselves again as we had forgotten our values, our history, our roots. The Greeks are hospitable by nature, and any visitor can experience our hospitality whether in Athens or on a remote island. Every day I pass the New Acropolis Museum – it’s a stunning building – and I’m happy to see that it has so many visitors every day, even in winter.” Yes! Hotels group owner Dakis Joannou flaunts his cred as a world-class art collector at this TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice 2014 Winner. The air is scented with a sultry spicy fragrance, the eccentric lobby walls are clad in recycled wooden furniture, and each bedroom is tricked out in hi-tech everything and write-home-about-it mattresses. Meanwhile the stylish bakery-cumrestaurant New Taste is as popular with styleseeking business travellers as local movers and shakers after a watermelon martini in the evening. Rooms from $218 a night. 16 Filellinon; yeshotels.gr HOTEL GR ANDE BRETAGNE Built in 1874, this neoclassical stunner opposite parliament has offered calm and class to celebrities and shipping magnates alike, whatever the political climate. As glam now as when it emerged from its multi-million dollar facelift over a decade ago, gleaming marble, flamboyant floral arrangements and valuable antiques promise a setting as grand as luxury five-star hotels can provide. The panoramic views from its rooftop restaurant and pool are as dazzling as the entries in its guestbook. Soul uplifted, have a whirl in the subterranean spa, with its vast pool and gamut of therapy and steam rooms, and mind and body will soon be soothed too. Rooms from $334 a night. Syntagma Square; grandebretagne.gr “From Manhattan to Miami to Milan, quite simply Athens doesn’t compare to another city. You can’t escape the ancient energy that haunts you here.” ALICE INN Those with Bohemian tastes more along the lines of Airbnb will appreciate this new Plaka townhouse converted by Greek-Scot (and architect) John Consolas and named after his grandmother. As a host, he couldn’t be more helpful, whether lending you a book to read or helping with planning a tour of this edifyingly history-steeped neighbourhood. A true home from home, guests are invited to make use of the kitchen, dining and reading rooms too. He has big plans for the courtyard garden. Rooms from $30 a night. 9 Tsatsou; aliceinnathens.com Costas loves… ATHENS FESTIVAL “It takes place early in summer with high-quality and international events and an extensive ancient drama programme at the venerable Theatre of Epidaurus.” HOTEL GR ANDE BRE TAGNE A BOULEVARDIER AT 42 BAR “Like a Negroni, but instead of gin it’s bourbon.” 3 Kolokotroni, Athens THE BREEDER GALLERY “Aris Zambikos was commissioned by George Vamvakidis and Stathis Panagoulis to renovate this characterless ’70s building and the architect created this award-winning space.” 45 Iasonos A LICE INN 112 www.internationaltravellermag.com NE W HOTEL www.internationaltravellermag.com 113 http://www.manager-magazin.de/immobilien/artikel/die-schoensten-luxushotels-von-paris-a983160-3.html http://www.manager-magazin.de/immobilien/artikel/die-schoensten-luxushotels-von-paris-a983160-3.html