Conrad Athens The Ilisian Opens, Redefining an Athenian Landmark
Hilton announces the opening of Conrad Athens The Ilisian, marking the rebirth of one of Athens’ most iconic landmarks. Formerly the beloved Hilton Athens, the property has undergone a significant transformation to emerge as a contemporary urban resort in the cultural heart of Athens.
Situated along the elegant Vasilissis Sofias Avenue, just moments from the Acropolis, Kolonaki and the city’s cultural institutions, Conrad Athens The Ilisian is far more than a hotel. It forms the centrepiece of The Ilisian, an ambitious mixed-use destination that seamlessly combines luxury accommodation, exceptional dining, wellness, private residences and an exclusive members’ club into one vibrant urban lifestyle hub.
The result is a destination that feels equally appealing to international travellers and Athenians themselves—a place where the city’s rich heritage meets its exciting contemporary energy.
Honouring an Architectural Icon
Few buildings in Athens are as instantly recognisable as the former Hilton Athens. Opened in 1963, the property quickly became a symbol of modern Greece and welcomed royalty, world leaders, artists and celebrities from around the globe.
Rather than erase this remarkable legacy, the transformation into Conrad Athens The Ilisian embraces it. The hotel’s most distinctive architectural feature—the magnificent 620-square-metre sculpted marble façade created by renowned Greek artist Yannis Moralis—has been carefully preserved. Depicting scenes inspired by classical mythology through a distinctly modernist language, it remains one of the country’s most celebrated public artworks.
As daylight fades, the building takes on an entirely different character. Emmy Award-winning lighting designer Eleftheria Deko has created a sophisticated lighting installation that transforms the façade into a living work of art, giving guests yet another reason to linger over an evening aperitif while Athens transitions into its vibrant nightlife.
Contemporary Design Rooted in Athenian Heritage
Inside, internationally acclaimed design studio AvroKO has crafted interiors that celebrate the optimism of Athens’ mid-century golden age while introducing a distinctly contemporary aesthetic.
Original architectural details have been thoughtfully preserved and complemented with bespoke furnishings created by the historic Athenian atelier Saridis, alongside handcrafted ceramics by artist Eleni Vernadaki. Curated by Mare Studio, the property’s art programme reinforces the feeling that guests are moving through a sophisticated gallery rather than a conventional luxury hotel.
The design successfully avoids becoming either overly nostalgic or excessively minimalist. Instead, every space feels authentically connected to Athens—elegant, artistic and effortlessly cosmopolitan.
Some of Athens’ Largest Luxury Accommodations
The hotel offers 278 guestrooms and suites, many featuring private balconies overlooking the city skyline.
Accommodation is notably generous by European city standards, with several room categories offering panoramic views stretching from Lycabettus Hill towards the Acropolis and even the Aegean Sea beyond.
Luxury reaches its pinnacle in the hotel’s extraordinary suite collection, currently the largest in Athens. Three Presidential Suites and an impressive Royal Suite cater to the most discerning travellers, while later this year the spectacular Omega Penthouse will debut. Complete with its own private swimming pool and breathtaking panoramic terraces, it promises to become one of the most exclusive hotel accommodations in Southern Europe.
A Culinary Destination in Its Own Right
One of Conrad Athens The Ilisian‘s greatest strengths lies in its ambitious culinary programme. Rather than relying on a single signature restaurant, the property introduces nine distinct dining concepts, transforming the hotel into one of Athens’ most exciting gastronomic destinations.
At its heart stands the reborn Byzantino, reimagined as Athens’ first Grande Brasserie. Here, Executive Chef Angelos Lantos—the first Greek chef to earn two Michelin stars in Athens—creates an elegant dialogue between refined French techniques and beloved Greek classics. The experience extends well beyond the menu, with expertly curated wine pairings, an in-house cheese specialist, artisanal pastries and a dedicated chocolaterie completing the experience.
The relaxed Athenian Lounge serves as the hotel’s social heart throughout the day, offering expertly crafted cocktails, premium coffee and elevated comfort cuisine in an atmosphere that naturally encourages lingering conversations.
One of Athens’ most beloved nightlife institutions is also preparing its long-awaited return. Later this year, the legendary Galaxy Bar will reopen as Galaxy Dispensary and Galaxy Supper Club, reclaiming its position among Europe’s most iconic rooftop destinations while offering spectacular Acropolis views after sunset.
The broader Ilisian destination further enriches the culinary landscape with internationally acclaimed restaurant concepts, including the sophisticated Japanese restaurant Onuki, designed by the celebrated studio Yabu Pushelberg.
Wellness Designed for Modern Living
Unlike traditional luxury hotels that treat wellness as an additional amenity, Conrad Athens The Ilisian places wellbeing at the centre of the guest experience.
The property’s outdoor spaces revolve around Athens’ largest hotel pool complex, creating an atmosphere more reminiscent of a Mediterranean resort than a bustling European capital. Adjacent to the pool, an Italian-inspired restaurant provides relaxed all-day dining beneath the Greek sun.
Above it all sits the expansive Green Roof, where guests discover panoramic jogging paths, an outdoor fitness area and even a pickleball court overlooking the city’s skyline.
Inside, the wellness facilities continue with a heated indoor pool, advanced fitness centre, dedicated studios for yoga, Pilates, Gyrotonic and spinning, alongside sophisticated heat and cold therapy experiences.
The wellness programme will expand further with the arrival of Odei Wellness Residence, whose treatments draw inspiration from ancient Greek healing rituals. Later in the year, internationally recognised longevity specialist Dr. Costas Papageorgiou will introduce advanced therapies focused on healthy ageing, reinforcing the hotel’s holistic approach to wellbeing.
Discovering Athens Beyond the Tourist Trail
Conrad Hotels & Resorts has long emphasised meaningful local experiences, and Conrad Athens The Ilisian continues this philosophy through its signature Conrad 1/3/5 programme.
Rather than offering conventional sightseeing tours, guests can choose carefully curated experiences designed around the time they have available. Whether enjoying a sunset aperitif overlooking the Acropolis, exploring modern Athenian architecture through an expert’s perspective or uncovering the city’s thriving culinary and creative neighbourhoods, each itinerary feels highly personalised and deeply connected to local culture.
It is an approach that reflects the hotel’s broader philosophy: encouraging visitors not simply to see Athens, but to genuinely understand it.
A New Era for Luxury Hospitality in Greece
The opening of Conrad Athens The Ilisian represents more than the arrival of another luxury hotel. It marks the successful reinvention of one of Greece’s most cherished hospitality landmarks while introducing a fresh vision of urban luxury centred on art, gastronomy, wellbeing and authentic local experiences.
As Hilton continues expanding its luxury portfolio across Greece—with recent openings such as Sandblu Santorini, LXR Hotels & Resorts, and the forthcoming Conrad Corfu—the rebirth of this iconic Athenian address stands as perhaps its most significant statement yet.
For travellers seeking to experience Athens beyond the expected, Conrad Athens The Ilisian offers something increasingly rare: a hotel that honours the city’s remarkable past while confidently embracing its exciting future. It is not simply a place to stay—it is destined to become one of the defining social and cultural destinations of contemporary Athens.
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