Semiramis Hotel, Athens
Where is it? Opposite Kefalari Square, 30 minutes' drive from the city centre and five minutes' drive from Kifissia, a commercial and entertainment hub.
In the 'burbs then? Absolutely - but don't think for a moment that its residential location means it's a conventional place. Semiramis is Athens' first hip hotel, attracting a clutch of celebrity reservations before its opening, just before the start of next week's Olympic Games.
Can we name names? Star-spotters will have to keep their eyes peeled, because the management refuses to break its confidentiality code.
Who designed it? The brainchild of product and furniture guru Karim Rashid (clients include Sony, Prada and Issey Miyake), Semiramis is notable for its peppy palette of lime greens, pinks, oranges and yellows.
Sounds like a bag of wine gums: While the candy colours are child-like, there's nothing immature about Rashid's techno-organic vision, which combines curvy pop-art aesthetics with computerised laptop controls that draw curtains and switch on lights.
Tell us more: Each of the 52 rooms (including four rooftop suites and six pool- side bungalows) has an arty, designer feeling. Light-box installations or large abstract paintings hang above the beds, the internet TVs have plasma screens and cordless keyboards, and the furniture is crafted out of concrete, dark wood, metal, rubber and glass.
What are the bathrooms like? Delightfully fruity. The doors are frosted in apple green, the glass sinks stained a dark avocado and the shower cubicles tinted raspberry pink.
Is there a restaurant? Modern Greek cuisine (feta cheese salad, moussaka, stuffed vine leaves) is served at the three-tiered eatery, which has open-air verandahs running alongside the pool.
Anything else we should know? Semiramis offers a variety of feel-good facilities, including yoga, massage and a mini-gym. There's also a Karim Rashid shop, bursting with clever products in tutti-frutti shades.
