The Semiramis Hotel is the original YES! Hotel and was designed by Karim Rashid as a fusion of Rashid’s loud refusal to embrace mundane functionality and Joannou’s dedication to the modern art world. Semiramis Hotel encapsulates an aspirational and ambitious notion of design in the thriving area of Kifissia, a stylish, well-heeled suburb of Athens. It is the epitome of a 21st century creation, surprisingly and seamlessly fusing art and practicality in its 51 guest rooms.
Playful and vibrant, Semiramis is really a showcase for Karim Rashid’s fluid style and Dakis Joannou’s provocative contemporary art collection.
Enter through the glowing pink glass cube into the lobby, where a bi-annual rotating exhibition of fine art astounds for its museum quality. Vibrant colors of acid pink, lime green, and lemon are creatively mingled against the white background, with a huge, flashing YE$ by internationally renowned artists Tim Noble and Sue Webster instantly creating an exuberant atmosphere.
As if forming a wave of joie de vivre, Karim’s trademark wavelength sofas resemble, in their black and white version, pouting lips. Candy-coloured armchairs sit prettily on the custom-made carpets, the glossy plastic tables adding extra pizzazz. Throughout, Karim’s trademark curvy shapes take hold, unifying the hotel’s interiors, and energizing its public spaces.
Designed to appeal to art enthusiasts of all ages, Semiramis has an innovative approach to combining texture, materials and colour.
The striking palette of lime, pink, orange, yellow and white is the canvas upon which Rashid projected glass tiles, terrazzo floors, custom coloured carpets, patterned wall coverings and coloured glass walls. Works from Joannou’s extensive art collection including pieces by Jeff Koons, Sue Webster and Tim Noble can be viewed at the Semiramis’ bi-annually rotating exhibition in the public spaces. For business travellers, Semiramis offers a creative space in which guests can be both relaxed and inspired.
Each guest room is decorated to the highest standards of design, with unique pieces of furniture by Karim Rashid and cutting-edge technology, such as LCD screens on each guestroom door which allow inhabitants to not be disturbed/for their room to be prepared, etc. All rooms feature private bathrooms; in-room cable TV, DVD and CD all supported by built-in sound system; balconies; portable phones; and free high-speed internet access, air conditioning, multi-bar and safe box. The Penthouse and bungalows have rotating flat-screen internet televisions with stereo sound and remote-controlled utilities such as hvac, curtain control, 2.4 ghz cordless phones and digital locks. The pool bungalows have their own private gardens. The hotel’s Presidential suite offers panoramic views of the leafy suburbs, the rolling hills which cradle Athens, and the built-up city centre to the South.
YES! Hotels will support ESO Conference 2017 by offering accommodation to its renowned speakers!
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