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The overall ambience is rustic chic at the Ruschmeyer's Hotel,with simple wood-panelled rooms, tepees on the lawn and activities that range from Ping-Pong to paddle boarding.

The latest openings and events from around the world.

TEPEE IN THE HAMPTONS

Montauk, N.Y. Summer camp meets East Hampton beach chic at Ruschmeyer's, a revamped 20-room lakeside hotel in Montauk. The overall ambience is rustic chic with simple wood-panelled rooms, tepees on the lawn and activities that range from Ping-Pong to paddle boarding. This is the Hamptons, however, so guests can also expect organic bath products, free Wi-Fi, an iPod dock and a gourmet mini-bar in the room. The food similarly caters to finer tastes. The owners of Manhattan's The Fat Radish restaurant run the kitchen, above, serving up fresh seafood dishes such as white-clam pizza and whole porgy with crispy potatoes and watercress, paired with biodynamic wines in a candle-lit dining room. visitruschmeyers.com

AN EVIL EYE IN ATHENS

Athens Despite its economic woes, the Greek capital has a stylish new hotel to boast about. It's called New, and it's the latest addition to YES! Hotels, chic Athens addresses that includes Karim Rashid's Semiramis. Funky fraternal furniture designers Fernando and Humberto Campana are behind the design concept, which also marks their first foray into architectural refurbishment. In the lobby, recycled planks (remnants of the hotel that used to occupy this site) become decorative tree trunks which complement the designers' salvaged-wood Favela chairs. Ubiquitous Greek cultural symbols accent the themed guest suites. If you want to ward off bad karma, request an evil-eye room which comes with a wall covered in blue-and-white-glass amulets. The major downside to staying here? The hotel is close to protest-ravaged Syntagma Square, which means getting a good night's sleep may be difficult. www.yeshotels.gr

FLOWER POWER

Seattle Seven years in the making, a steel flower pot, more than 8 metres high, has sprouted in Seattle. Environmentalists may have expected something a bit earthier as the focal point of a downtown revitalization project, but the oversized sculpture is more distinctive than the average urban garden. Local artist Ginny Ruffner's handiwork includes a spinning yellow daisy, giant bluebells that open and close and a red watering can that tilts and waters the flowers. Curious spectators can peek inside the base of the pot to see its inner workings. The installation completes the Sheraton Seattle Hotel's Garden Walk project, which has transformed a drab downtown block into a green pedestrian walkway. The installation will officially be inaugurated at a public garden party on July 21. sheratonseattle.com/garden-walk

PROVENANCE, BY THE GLASS

London If you prefer quaffing pinot noir to pints of lager, then bypass the pub and head to Galoupet. Sitting in the heart of Knightsbridge, alongside other posh establishments in Beauchamp Place, the recently opened wine bar and all-day eatery puts its culinary focus on organic dishes served with quality vintages from lesser known vineyards such as Spain's Mas la Mola, Italy's Fiano del Salento and France's Domaine Gauby. All of the wines and Champagnes on offer can be served by the glass thanks to the restaurant's Enomatic sealing systems. The £55 ($84), five-course tasting menu is great value for dinner, and the dining room opens at 8 a.m. for breakfast. Early birds can enjoy everything from free-range eggs with British chorizo to spelt waffles with maple syrup. galoupet.co.uk

Special to The Globe and Mail

Editor's note: The "Flower Power" item has been updated to correct the height of the statue.

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