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.
In mid-2024, we learned about plans for a new luxury Hilton “compound” in Greece’s biggest city, and that has now officially opened.
Hilton opens new luxury hotel in Athens, Greece
Conrad Athens The Ilisian has opened as of April 2026. This takes over the space of the former Hilton Athens, which closed in 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.
In this post I’ll be focused on the 278-key Conrad hotel that’s part of this development, though there are also residences that are both Conrad and Waldorf Astoria branded, which are located on the upper floors of the building.
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.
Given the size of this complex, the property has several dining outlets. This includes Byzantino Grande Brasserie (with Greek & French cuisine), Athenian Lounge (the all-day lounge), Pool Restaurant & Bar (serving Italian food), and Onuki (offering a modern Japanese dining experience).
The hotel also has a full service spa, and one of the largest pools in Athens, so it looks like a pretty property.
As you’d expect for a property in Greece, rates vary throughout the year, with summer being peak season. That being said, rates don’t vary quite as much as I would’ve expected.
I generally see entry level rooms starting at €450-600 per night, give or take. If you’re booking a cash rate here, I’d recommend doing so through the Hilton for Luxury program, which offers extra perks when booking through select travel advisors, including breakfast, a hotel credit, an upgrade subject to availability, and more.
For those looking to redeem Hilton Honors points, I generally see rates of 120,000 points per night. So based on my valuation of 0.5 cents per point, that’s not exactly a very exciting redemption, which is par for the course with Hilton nowadays.
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:
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 Conrad Athens brings to the market. Admittedly this is the furthest thing from a boutique property, but the intent is for it to be a destination in and of itself, with modern and luxurious rooms, several food and beverage outlets, and even shopping.
Bottom line
The Conrad Athens The Ilisian is now open, replacing the Hilton Athens, after a roughly four-year renovation. In addition to the Conrad hotel, there are also residences that are both Conrad and Waldorf Astoria branded.
While I can’t say I’d seek out this property as the final destination for a holiday, it’s definitely a property worth considering as a stopover point. It’s priced somewhere between properties like the Grand Hyatt and the two Marriott Luxury Collection properties, so I appreciate the new options.
What do you make of Athens’ new Conrad hotel?