Travel news: Rooftop views and high design in Athens

Plus: Armani Dubai offers ‘staycation’ deal; A historic hotel reopens in Sydney; Cool rooms on the canal in Amsterdam.

The AthensWas rooftop. Courtesy Design Hotels

Rooftop views and high design in Athens

There's a new designer hotel in the Greek capital that artfully references the city's rich past with a modern design twist. AthensWas, which is within walking distance of the Acropolis yet tucked onto a quiet, pedestrian-friendly cobbled street in Plaka, is being touted "as a fresh celebration of Greek design". It features large, light-filled spaces and glass walls, with funky furniture to help give the 21-room hotel pizzazz. Aside from all of this the hotel offers views from the rooftop restaurant and bar on the sixth floor. Opening rates start from Dh1,344 per night, including taxes. For more information visit www.designhotels.com/athenswas.

Armani Dubai offers ‘staycation’ deal

Dubai's Armani Hotel lays claim to being the world's first hotel designed and developed by Giorgio Armani. The Downtown Dubai property has an "Enjoy a Staycation at Armani" offer that is available for stays until 2017. Those guests who stay for two nights or more will get a free pickup and drop-off from Dubai International Airport in a Bentley, breakfast for two, a two-hour city trip and a daily spa credit of Dh150. A deluxe room starts from Dh2,540 per night, including taxes. For more information visit dubai.armanihotels.com

A historic hotel reopens in Sydney

The Old Clare Hotel in Sydney, Australia, is a uniquely designed property worth checking out next time you are Down Under. Hotelier Loh Lik Peng and a Sydney architecture firm have taken two of the city's heritage-listed buildings, the Clare Hotel (originally a pub) and the former Carlton United Breweries building and joined them with a glass atrium. After four years of redevelopment, the hotel opened last month with 62 rooms and suites boasting high ceilings, large windows, timber panelling and exposed walls as well as three restaurants. Rates start from Dh1,185 per night including taxes and breakfast. For more information visit www.designhotels.com/the-old-clare.

Cool rooms on the canal in Amsterdam

The Hoxton Hotel, Amsterdam, which is made up of five canal houses, opened its doors in July with plenty of quirks and impressive canal views. The 111-room property, which was once home to the city's mayor in the 17th century, has five types of rooms across the same number of floors. It also features its own restaurant, which is run in partnership with its coffee and drinks den, lobby bar and meeting and event space. Room rates start from Dh625 per night including taxes, breakfast, free Wi-Fi and an hour of free phone calls to the United Kingdon, Europe and the United States per day. For more information visit www.thehoxton.com.

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