After Istanbul, Hilton also reignites Athens: new Conrad opened in former Hilton Athens
The travel season is approaching and, as always, along with flights come new hotel openings. In the days [...]
Greece
The travel season is approaching and, as always, along with flights come new hotel openings. In recent days we have been talking about the grand return of theHilton Istanbul Bosphorus, Instead, today we move to Athens, one of the most popular destinations for Italian travelers, perfect for a long weekend getaway, a stop-over before the islands, or a getaway of culture, food and sea.
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Hilton has officially opened the Conrad Athens The Ilisian, marking the Conrad brand's debut in Greece and, most importantly, the rebirth of one of the Hellenic capital's most iconic buildings: the former Hilton Athens. So we are not talking about just any hotel, but a piece of the city's history which changes its skin and re-enters the scene as luxury urban resort In the cultural heart of Athens.
From Hilton Athens to Conrad: a city icon changes name and ambition
The new Conrad Athens The Ilisian was born from the transformation of the historic Hilton Athens, an address that for decades was part of the social and cultural life of the Greek capital. The hotel is located in Leoforos Vasilissis Sofias 46, in the neighborhood of Ilisia, a very convenient location for those who want to experience Athens without necessarily being squeezed only on the more touristy area of Plaka and Monastiraki.
The facility today is part of The Ilisian, a new mixed-use complex that brings together hotels, restaurants, bars, wellness, private residences and spaces dedicated to the city's social life. The direction is clear: not just a place to sleep, but a destination within a destination.
278 rooms and suites, many with balconies and city views
The new Conrad features 278 rooms and suites, presented by Hilton as among the most spacious in Athens. Many have private balconies and some offer prominent views of the city, the Acropolis and, in the highest solutions, even out to sea.
Then there are three Presidential Suites, a Royal Suite and, coming later this year, the Omega Penthouse, with a private pool and panoramic views of the Acropolis and the Aegean Sea.
In short, not exactly the hotel where you just go to put down your suitcase and rush out. Here Hilton wants to position Conrad as a luxury address for those seeking Athens in a more upscale, more international, more resort version.
The old facade remains the protagonist
One of the most interesting elements is that the project does not erase the history of the building, but uses it as a starting point.
The facade preserves the large marble surfaces carved by the Greek artist Yannis Moralis, a monumental 600-plus-square-meter intervention that for generations has made the former Hilton Athens recognizable in the city skyline.
In the evening, the facade is enhanced by a lighting design signed by Eleftheria Deko, lighting designer also awarded an Emmy. A choice that transforms the exterior of the hotel into a kind of urban gallery, consistent with the idea of making The Ilisian not just a hotel, but a new meeting point for the city.
Nine gastronomic addresses, including the return of Galaxy
As is often the case with high-end openings, an important part of the bet is on food & beverage.
The Conrad Athens The Ilisian promises. nine gastronomic concepts, including restaurants and bars inside the hotel and addresses found in The Ilisian complex. The heart of the offer is Byzantine, which is being reborn as a grand brasserie with French and Greek dishes. Leading the gastronomic offerings is chef Angelos Lantos, the first Greek chef to be awarded two Michelin stars in Athens.
Then there are theAthenian Lounge, designed as a meeting point throughout the day, a poolside Italian restaurant and Onuki, Japanese restaurant already opened in 2025.
Later on, the legendary Galaxy Bar, which will reopen as Galaxy Dispensary and Galaxy Supper Club. For those who know Athens, this is not a minor detail: the Galaxy was one of the city's most iconic rooftop addresses.
Athens' largest swimming pool and a strong push on wellness
Another highlight of the facility is wellness. Hilton presents Conrad Athens The Ilisian as a destination designed to combine movement, recovery and lifestyle. Outside, there is Oasis, described as the largest outdoor pool area in Athens. This is flanked by a poolside Italian restaurant and, further on, a Green Roof of 700 square meters With running track, outdoor gymnasium and pickleball court.
Inside there will be a gymnasium, studios for yoga, Pilates, Gyrotonic and spinning, a heated swimming pool and dedicated hot and cold areas. Also coming from May will be the Odei Wellness Residence, with facial and body treatments inspired by ancient Greek rituals.
Put simply: it is the classic hotel where the leisure traveler can sell the excuse of culture, but then spend half a day between the pool, spa, and rooftop.
Perfect address for a weekend in Athens
Athens is one of the easiest European destinations to include in Italians' travel plans. It is close by, well-connected, perfect for a long weekend, and increasingly it is also becoming a stopover before continuing on to the Greek islands.
The opening of the Conrad adds an important address especially for those traveling with points, status and loyalty programs. Indeed, we are talking about a high-end Hilton Honors property, so it is attractive to those who accumulate Hilton points, those with Gold or Diamond status, and those seeking benefits such as upgrades, breakfast or food & beverage credit, depending on program rules and the rate booked.
It may not be the cheapest hotel in town, but it is one of those openings to keep an eye on: either for possible redemptions with Hilton Honors points, or for introductory offers or more attractive rates during periods of lower demand.
Hilton accelerates in Greece
This opening also confirms how central Greece has become in the strategies of large international hotel groups. Hilton is growing strongly in the country, and the new Conrad Athens The Ilisian comes in a particularly buoyant year for the group's luxury brands.
In addition to Conrad's debut in Athens, Hilton also opened Sandblu Santorini, LXR Hotels & Resorts, while later it is expected Conrad Corfu.
Greece is no longer just about white houses, sunsets and independent boutique hotels. Increasingly, it is a breeding ground for big international luxury brands, with facilities designed to intercept both the high-spending American traveler and the European public looking for reliable hotels, loyalty programs and big-chain amenities.
In conclusion
The new Conrad Athens The Ilisian is one of the most interesting hotel openings of the season in Europe.
Not only because it brings the Conrad brand to Greece for the first time, but because it returns one of its most recognizable buildings to the city, transforming it into a contemporary complex of rooms, suites, restaurants, wellness, rooftop and residences.
For those who love Athens, for those who are already thinking about a Greek getaway, or for those who always think with a frequent traveler's head, this is an address to put on your list. Maybe not to sleep there tomorrow paying cash lightly, but definitely to be monitored with Hilton Honors points, promos and benefits.
