Semiramis Hotel, Athens

Where is it? The Semiramis Hotel (right) stands 340 metres above sea level in Kifissia, one of the most hip outer suburbs of sultry Athens. Inside are 52 rooms, many offering a blend of cubist-style aestheticism and modern design. The green expanses outside are dotted with elegant boutiques and cafes.

Luxurious or basic? Luxurious and appreciated by those who crave good design as much as they do comfort; guests experience interiors as art in the form of designer Karim Rashid's latest creations (see image from the lobby, far right). Rooms are modernistic havens and the penthouse suite looks good enough to eat, with its pink and yellow furnishings, which catch the light from the floor-to-ceiling windows. Views encompass the Attika region.

Who should visit? Anyone who wants to catch Athens while it is on the cusp of developing into a top European destination for party-goers and fashion hunters fatigued by the crowds of Barcelona and Ibiza. And anyone who enjoys modern art (the hotel houses a gallery) and dancing (a resident DJ pumps out tunes).

What's on the menu? Local fresh ingredients such as plump green olives and creamy feta are served alongside international dishes. Go glam for a spot of futuristic dining in a restaurant featuring bold yellows and purples, and decked out with huge sofas. If you prefer, you can just slip outside and sip your cocktail under one of the parasols surrounding the rippling pool.

What else is there to do? Goulandris Natural History Museum takes you back even further than the Parthenon with a collection devoted to marine molluscs found in Greek waters. And for a treat that also takes you back in time, hitch a ride in a horse-drawn carriage before enjoying a coffee at one of the many cafes. Nearby stand a number of small but elegant restaurants with good food and even better wine - plus enough one-off shops to give your credit card a decent workout.