in Athens is unique because it functions as a living, large-scale art installation and a pioneering example of sustainable design, masterminded by the famous Brazilian designers, the Campana Brothers.
Here are the key features:
Design by the Campana Brothers: This was the first-ever hotel project by the award-winning Brazilian design duo, Humberto and Fernando Campana. They are world-renowned for their “favela” style, which involves creating new, high-design objects from cast-offs and reclaimed materials.
Radical Upcycling of the Original Hotel: The hotel was built on the site of the former 1950s “Olympic Palace Hotel.” Instead of demolishing and discarding the old building, the owner, art collector Dakis Joannou, and the Campana brothers salvaged almost everything. Remnants of the old hotel (furniture, doors, wooden scraps) were transformed into new, bespoke pieces of art and furniture that are used throughout the hotel.
A “Living Art Installation”: The entire hotel is a Gesamtkunstwerk (a total work of art).
The Lobby: The restaurant and lobby feature columns and walls covered in a jumble of reclaimed wood, a direct reference to the Campanas’ famous “Favela” chairs.
The Rooms: The 79 rooms are art installations in themselves, each based on one of three themes rooted in Greek culture:
Karagiozis: Featuring golden, wall-mounted figures from Greek folklore shadow puppet theater.
The “Evil Eye”: Using handmade glass eyeballs as illuminated, wall-mounted charms to ward off evil.
Postcards: Displaying a collage of historic postcards of old Athens.
The Rooftop “Art Lounge”: While many Athens hotels have rooftop bars, the New Hotel’s is unique. It serves as a restaurant, bar, and a library with over 2,000 art books, all while offering spectacular 360-degree views of the Acropolis, Lycabettus Hill, and the city.
In short, the New Hotel is not just a place to stay; it’s a “living museum” of contemporary, sustainable design. Its uniqueness comes from the Campana Brothers’ signature philosophy of transforming “rubbish” into art, making every piece of furniture and every public space a conversation starter.
