Conrad Debuts in Greece With a Reimagined Athens Icon

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Conrad Debuts in Greece With a Reimagined Athens Icon

Transfer over, Aphrodite: a brand new goddess rises.

Hilton’s Conrad Lodges & Resorts is touchdown in Greece, and it is doing so by resurrecting one in every of Athens’ most recognizable buildings. The posh model opened Conrad Athens The Ilisian this week, reworking the previous Hilton Athens, a modernist fixture since 1963, right into a 278-room mixed-use vacation spot anchored by 9 eating idea and what the group is labeling the town’s most formidable wellness providing.

The opening marks the fiftieth Conrad property globally and indicators severe momentum in Hilton’s Greek enlargement.

Conrad Athens, The Ilisian

The brand new Conrad is a revitalization of the previous Hilton Athens.
(Conrad Athens, The Ilisian)

“Greece is one in every of Hilton’s fastest-growing markets in Europe, pushed by file customer demand and a rising give attention to high-quality, year-round tourism,” Simon Vincent — Hilton’s president of Europe, the Center East, and Africa — mentioned in ready remarks.

The corporate has grown its Greek portfolio from a handful of properties to greater than 50, and Hilton is not stopping there (extra on that later).

What distinguishes the Ilisian is not simply the visitor room stock, although the suites are among the many metropolis’s largest, however the respect paid to the constructing’s architectural legacy. The unique sculptured marble façade by modernist artist Yannis Moralis stays a key point of interest. By night time, lighting designer Eleftheria Deko animates it, making a social hub the place locals and vacationers converge for an al fresco glass of one thing fabulous. Inside, AvroKO’s design work pairs preserved mid-century parts with newly commissioned artworks and items by historic Athenian artisans, reviving what the model calls “the optimism of Athens’ modernist golden period.”

Mid-century design accents visitor rooms and suites.
(Conrad Athens, The Ilisian)

“Athens is a kind of uncommon cities the place historical past, creativity and modern dwelling exist in dialog with each other,” Dino Michael, the senior vp and international class head of Hilton’s luxurious manufacturers, mentioned in an announcement. “For Conrad, that makes it a deeply compelling place to be. Conrad Athens The Ilisian has reawakened a landmark in a method that respects its previous whereas feeling solely in tune with the town Athens has change into.”

The culinary journey facilities on Byzantino below govt chef Angelos Lantos, the primary Greek chef to earn two Michelin stars in Athens. The restaurant operates with in-house cheese service, curated wine pairings, and a devoted chocolaterie and patisserie. Later this yr, the legendary Galaxy Bar returns as Galaxy Dispensary and Galaxy Supper Membership, re-seizing its place as one in every of Athens’ most recognizable rooftop retreats. A number of globally celebrated restaurant ideas are additionally slated to debut, together with the beforehand opened Japanese idea Onuki by studio Yabu Pushelberg.

The wellness bundle spreads throughout what’s billed as Athens’ largest out of doors pool, a 700-square-meter inexperienced roof with a operating observe and out of doors fitness center, and intensive indoor services together with specialised studios for yoga, Pilates, Gyrotonic, and spinning. In Might, the Odei Wellness Residence debuts with therapies impressed by historic Greek rituals. Later, Dr. Costas Papageorgiou (greatest identified for longevity-focused therapies) will deliver his follow to Athens for the primary time.

Conrad’s 1/3/5 experiences program provides visitors structured entry to the town by insider-led views: one-, three-, and five-hour curated itineraries starting from golden-hour aperitivos overlooking the Acropolis to architectural walks that reframe classical landmarks by a up to date lens.

The property additionally capabilities as a mixed-use enclave, housing the Home of NYNN non-public members’ membership, Conrad Residences on the seventh and eighth flooring with south-facing Acropolis views, and Waldorf Astoria Residences occupying the highest 4 flooring of the adjoining tower. Further culinary and retail ideas, together with the Omega Penthouse, full with non-public pool and panoramic views, launch all through this yr.

“Hilton Athens opened on this date again in 1963, and for many years performed a defining function in Athens’ cultural and social life,” added Nassos Papazoglou, the property’s basic supervisor. “Our imaginative and prescient has been to honor that legacy whereas making a lodge that feels open, dynamic, and deeply related to the town right this moment. From the way in which visitors transfer by the areas, to how they dine, unwind, and discover Athens, each element has been designed to supply a real sense of belonging.”

The opening arrives amid vital motion from Hilton’s luxurious manufacturers in Greece. Sandblu Santorini, an LXR Lodges & Resorts property, opened earlier this month, and Conrad Corfu is slated to reach later this yr: a marathon of openings within the land of the Marathon.