Greece: Design hotel Apollo Palm has officially opened its doors in Athens’ evolving Psyrri neighbourhood.
The 48-room hotel, which seeks to retain an authentic Mediterranean atmosphere and design ethos, nodding to the nearby Aegean and Mediterranean Seas, houses a patio, wine bar and rooftop cocktail bar overlooking the Acropolis and the surrounding neighbourhood.
Neighbouring the Agora of Athens, Psyrri now plays host to a buzzing café scene, open-air galleries, and globally-inspired bars and restaurants.
Hotel developer Konstantinos Polatidis of FORMA said: “This is a very special project for Athens, and in particular, Psyrri; Apollo Palm is a direct manifestation of the neighbourhood’s rich culture, appreciation of the arts, and culinary excellence.
“Every piece of this project features bespoke design reflecting its surroundings, from the custom-made furniture to the inventive rooftop cocktail list. We created this hotel to be a custodian of sorts for our city’s prolific cultural heritage that spans millennia, and we hope it remains an alluring home base for travellers and residents alike for many years to come,” he added.
Apollo Palm’s interiors were designed by one of Europe’s most promising new design ateliers: Mariette Sans-Rival Studio, a Parisian design firm helmed by Mariette Sans-Rival.
For the hotel, the studio reimagined two 20th-century buildings into 48 guest rooms, while restoring and conserving the Bauhaus-style stained-glass window spanning multiple floors. The hotel furniture is custom designed in collaboration with local craftspersons to create a unique identity for Apollo Palm.
Sans-Rival said: “As my first architecture and interior design project, I leaned heavily on my background in the world of opera and live theatre to create a unique perspective, drawing parallels between set scenography and an inviting hotel atmosphere. I was challenged to create emotions through a narrative vision in an entirely new setting, building stories into the nascent place and developing recurring patterns to make the hotel autonomous and alive.
“I started drawing unusual shapes which ultimately led to the exclusive ‘Lucie’ collection of furniture created for the hotel; no detail was overlooked in making Apollo Palm an ideal, Mediterranean getaway that delights the senses in every way possible,” she added.
The hotel also hosts several dining options curated in tandem with Greek hospitality icons, ranging from an all-day cafe to late-night spots that are suited for taking in Greece’s nightlife:
- Patio Wine Bar and Bistro is a casual café located in Apollo Palm’s courtyard where guests and locals can enjoy all-day à la carte menu selections, from Mediterranean breakfasts each morning to coffee from local roasters and regional comfort food.
- Perched atop Apollo Palm, the rooftop cocktail bar is designed with a “Spritzeria” concept, offering views of the Acropolis and surrounding Psyrri neighbourhood. The bar’s cocktail list was designed by Alekos Alexiadis, founder and owner of Santa Rosa; an acclaimed newcomer to Athens’ bar scene.
- From September, Studio Olala will be Apollo Palm’s late-night venue, where a listening room and bar will feature a curated event series each weekend, ranging from jazz nights and small concerts to disco parties and DJ sets.
Opening rates at Apollo Palm start at $170.
