A thousand shades of beauty

Fresh Hotel in Athens embodies creativity and the colours of beauty. As you step inside, you are immediately aware of the special atmosphere, the varied and engaging spaces that mirror the eclectic spirit of the Greek capital. The hotel is a cheerful, slightly curious establishment marked by bold colour choices with a predominance of blue, as well as materials and craftsmanship inspired by the Mediterranean tradition. This vision was brought to life by the interior design project led by OTTO Studio – Paola Navone, in collaboration with Gianpaolo Venier and Cristina Pettenuzzo. Initially housed in a 1970s modernist structure, the hotel was expanded in 2019 to incorporate an adjoining neoclassical building. “Our goal was to redesign the interiors to offer a unique sense of hospitality, merging the two buildings in a modern, yet cohesive manner, while respecting their distinct architectural styles,” commented OTTO Studio. This renovation added 15 more rooms, many with views of the Acropolis, and reorganised the common areas. The expansion also introduced a new ground-floor restaurant and cafe, a wellness and gym area, a meeting space and a rooftop Lounge Bar & Restaurant offering panoramic views of the Athens skyline. Fresh Hotel’s design narrative reveals a powerful sense of place and a vibrant homage to Greece, a constant source of inspiration for the designers: “the contemporary, imaginative style avoids strict adherence to historical authenticity” in favour of “simplicity that never equates to abnegation”. The interiors stand out for their bright, modern atmospheres with cool colours inspired by the air and the sea, alongside “that touch of hybridisation that is always present in our projects as well as our penchant for creating unexpected associations between seemingly unrelated elements”, explain the designers. The hotel interiors play with contrasts, from glossy ceramic surfaces to matt stone, and vibrant colour splashes against neutral natural tones. For the flooring, the need for a decorative yet durable material suitable for public use led to the choice of Poetry House, a porcelain stoneware collection designed by OTTO Studio – Paola Navone for ABK. In the guest bathrooms, the Poetry Decor Stamp collection was chosen for its poetic, slightly retro feel, featuring a plaster-effect surface with delicate, aged white glaze decorations. The communal areas and terrace feature ABK’s stone-effect Poetry Stone series with the Carpet Paint Ash design, creating the illusion of a hand-painted carpet with a slightly irregular, ephemeral quality. This embrace of imperfection and the unique stories behind handcrafted objects define Fresh Hotel’s aesthetic, offering a multilayered experience of beauty. According to OTTO Studio, these elements are key to hospitality. “They make guests feel at home while stirring their imagination, and transforming their stay into an unforgettable experience.”