While Greece has long been a popular tourist destination, the country’s appeal keeps growing, with more people flocking there year after year. As you’d expect, this also means we’re seeing a lot of investments in new hotels and resorts. Here’s the latest example of that.
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Conrad & Waldorf Astoria brand comes to Athens
Plans have been announced for The Ilisian, which will be the name of a new luxury lifestyle destination in Athens, comprised of a hotel, residences, restaurants, a members’ club, and more. The development is expected to open in 2025 — as you might expect, it has been under construction for a couple of years, but the full concept has just been revealed.
The Ilisian is taking over the space of the former Hilton Athens, which closed in early 2022 for extensive renovations. This was kind of an iconic property, as it first opened in 1963, so it was in operation for nearly 60 years.
The development will include the Conrad Athens Hotel (with 278 guest rooms), the Conrad Athens Residences (with 18 hotel residences), and the Waldorf Astoria Athens Residences (with 37 private residences, located on the upper floors of the building).
The Ilisian will also feature a lifestyle members’ club, as well as multiple culinary and entertainment venues, shopping, leisure, and wellness experiences.
This development represents an investment of around €340 million. It’s claimed that the overall economic impact of the development in the first five years will exceed €1.25 billion, and that it will be responsible for up to 800 direct jobs.
Here’s how the design inspiration for the property is described:
Its name, THE ILISIAN, is inspired by the historic Ilisos River and the surrounding Ilisia neighborhood, expressing the timeless connection of the new destination with the city, the area of Ilisia and its residents. THE ILISIAN conveys the cosmopolitan character that forms an integral part of the building’s identity, while bringing to life experiences which are the essence of authentic and modern Athens. With respect for the city’s cultural identity, THE ILISIAN seeks to blend contemporary international trends with the city’s heritage, creating a meeting place for Athenians and visitors alike.
This is a unique addition to the Athens hotel scene
Athens isn’t the final destination for most tourists visiting Greece, but it is a popular stopover point. Some people want to see the Acropolis, some people may be starting a cruise from Piraeus, or some people may want a little buffer before traveling to an island.
With that in mind, I think this is a useful addition to the Athens hotel scene, as there’s nothing quite like this. Looking at the current situation:
- The best points hotels in the city are arguably Hotel Grande Bretagne Athens and King George Athens, both of which belong to Marriott Luxury Collection; these have central locations, and the former is definitely better than the latter
- We have seen some cool boutique, independent properties pop up in the city, like The Dolli at Acropolis
- While not in Athens “proper,” the top hotels in the area are probably the Four Seasons Athens Astir Palace, and the new One&Only Aesthesis Athens, but these are more resorts on the Athenian riviera, rather than an ideal destination if you want to sightsee
Beyond these options, just about all the major chains have properties in Athens, though the locations and facilities generally aren’t as good as the above.
With that in mind, I appreciate what the new Conrad Athens will bring to the area. Admittedly this will be the furthest thing from a boutique property, but it’ll be a destination in and of itself, with modern and luxurious rooms, and lots of food and beverage outlets, as well as shopping, just steps away.
I’m curious to learn more details about the property when it opens next year, and also to see what pricing is like. Given hotel rates in Athens, more inventory is a good thing.
Bottom line
The Hilton Athens closed in early 2022, and after an extensive renovation, it’ll reopen in 2025 as The Ilisian Athens. This will feature a Conrad Hotel, Conrad Residences, and Waldorf Astoria Residences. On top of that, the compound will have a significant amount of dining, shopping, and even a members’ club.
What do you make of the plans for The Ilisian Athens?
Open in 2025?! I walk by here regularly. Nothing is going on. This is Greece, it will open in five years if they are lucky.
The building will be very compartimentalized, with the best, top-floor hotel rooms embedded in the ‘Residences’ section, which occupy the top floors. Hotel guests, probably, will not have access to the ‘Lifestyle Members’ Club’.
The building looks like something from Ceausescu’s Romania.
I'm excited for the opening of this hotel
We always stayed at the Athens Hilton and just loved it. Using points, is was usually just under 50k/night and staying 5 nights gave you one free which was a great deal. Their Galaxy Bar on the top floor was iconic. They had a great executive lounge with free alcohol nightly. You could have breakfast in the lounge (I'm lifetime Diamond Honors) or downstairs in their restaurant...
I'm excited for the opening of this hotel
We always stayed at the Athens Hilton and just loved it. Using points, is was usually just under 50k/night and staying 5 nights gave you one free which was a great deal. Their Galaxy Bar on the top floor was iconic. They had a great executive lounge with free alcohol nightly. You could have breakfast in the lounge (I'm lifetime Diamond Honors) or downstairs in their restaurant which was a much better deal.
Sadly, I probably will never stay there since I moved 100% of my busines to Marriott. We stay at the Grand Bretagne every 2 years and have gotten spoiled with the location and the service they provide.
I stayed at Hilton Athens twice, and I agree that the 'Galaxy' was a great place for an evening drink, with its outdoors seating that offered an awesome view of the Acropolis at night.
I memorably turned down a suite upgrade at Hilton Athens after I found out that the suite was on the opposite and did not offer a view of the Acropolis, whereas...
I stayed at Hilton Athens twice, and I agree that the 'Galaxy' was a great place for an evening drink, with its outdoors seating that offered an awesome view of the Acropolis at night.
I memorably turned down a suite upgrade at Hilton Athens after I found out that the suite was on the opposite and did not offer a view of the Acropolis, whereas staying in the King Deluxe that I'd booked offered me "the view." Also, one night during my second stay there, the whole place was turned into security zone, with metal detectors installed that anyone entering the hotel had to go through. The reason for the high alert was that "a very important US dignitary", who turned out to be then-Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, was staying there.
Hilton Athens was a great hotel in the iconic city, therefore, I can't wait to see what the new place will be like as a higher scale Conrad...