Perianth Hotel is a Modernist Beauty [Athens]

Walking into the Perianth’s 1930s building and you are swamped by these soft muted lights, discreetly highlighting the room with an omnipresent elegance. Expressed through stone surfaces, modern furnishings and staff’s matching, Mandarin-collar uniforms, you realize it’s no ordinary place right on the spot. And then, the exploration begins.

It all starts with history. The building dates to the 1930s, exemplifying the grandiose of mid-war modernism. It wasn’t until recently that the renovation was initiated by a local design practice – K Studio. Faced with unusual, triangular structure, the architects reimagined the layout of each floor to maximize the impression of openness. In effect, as soon as you step out from the elevator, you immerse in a hall that bears resemblance to a luxurious living room. K Studio describes the structure as an “avenue” with small, intimate “alleys” leading to each room. All you need to do is just follow the curve.

Bronze, marble, brass, glass-brick walls – if Perianth takes you on a journey back in time, it’s a chic one. Plush, velvet upholstery meets terrazzo floors, custom-made walnut furnishings are lit up by original light fixtures. Private balconies with decorative railings invite you to stay outside and feel Athens’ vibrancy and rhythm. Located next to one of the capital’s most lively, Orthodox squares, you can watch the locals having their coffee in the morning and a cold drink at nighttime.

Even Perianth’s corridors offer a one-off experience to acquaint yourself with contemporary Greek art – an interesting clash of hotel’s art deco character and modern creativity. Maria Papadimitriou, Antonakis Christodoulou, Aliki Panagiotopoulou, Juliano Kaglis. These are just some of the names one can trace at Perianth – no surprise the hotel is considered a cultural hotspot and a perfect destination for a curious, upscale traveler.

Together with its bar, café, and Mediterranean resto, Perianth attracts – with history, design, sophistication. It’s a very different experience to what one may expect considering Athens’ ancient heritage. The space is a canvas for a new history yet to be written where modern travelers can add their testimony. That’s why even a short stay at Perianth is a worthwhile adventure.

Photographs courtesy of Perianth Hotel

www.perianthhotel.com