by Konstantina Voulgareli
Hilton announces today the opening of Conrad Athens The Ilisian, marking the rebirth of one of Athens’ most recognizable landmarks. This new beginning coincides with a symbolic anniversary, as the Athens Hilton, which was housed in the same building, welcomed its first guest on April 23, 1963. Exactly 63 years later, Conrad Athens The Ilisian opens its doors as a modern Urban Resort in the heart of the city.
The opening of Conrad Athens The Ilisian marks the first presence of Conrad Hotels & Resorts in Greece, introducing the brand’s philosophy — a blend of bold design, contemporary luxury, and experiential connection to place — to one of Europe’s most historic and culturally rich capitals.
The hotel features some of the most comfortable and spacious accommodation options in the city, with a total of 278 rooms and suites. It is located at the heart of THE ILISIAN, Athens’ new multi-dimensional destination where, alongside the hotel, there are private residences from Hilton’s award-winning brands Conrad and Waldorf Astoria, as well as dining, entertainment, and wellness venues centered around the largest outdoor swimming pool in Athens, along with the contemporary members’ club House of NYNN.
The name THE ILISIAN, inspired by the ancient Ilissos River and the Ilisia neighborhood, expresses the timeless, inseparable connection of the new destination with Athens, Ilisia, and the local community. The aim of THE ILISIAN is to reflect the cosmopolitan character that is part of the building’s identity, offering experiences of authentic, modern Athens. With respect for the city’s cultural identity, the destination connects contemporary international trends with its heritage, creating a meeting point for Athenians and visitors alike.
Conrad Athens The Ilisian: An Athenian landmark redefined
Immediately recognizable to all generations of Athenians, the building that houses Conrad Athens The Ilisian is deeply intertwined with the social and cultural memory of the city. On the façades created by pioneering Greek artist Yannis Moralis, the original marble reliefs with mythological references have been preserved and highlighted with particular care. The compositions, inspired by ancient Greek themes, incorporate symbols such as the goddess Athena, the ship, the altar with offerings, the flute players, and the horse. Rendered in a modern visual language, through curves, spirals, and straight lines, they form a timeless symbol of travel, communication, and return to the city.
During the evening hours, the façade is enhanced through carefully designed lighting, curated by Emmy Award-winning lighting designer Eleftheria Deko, adding new dynamism and brilliance to the nighttime image of Vasilissis Sofias Avenue.
The architectural design of the project was undertaken by AETER Architects. Inside, the spaces designed by AvroKO revive the optimism of the golden era of Athenian modernism, combining preserved mid-century elements with new works of art and specially designed pieces by the historic Athenian furniture maker Saridis and ceramic artist Eleni Vernadaki. The art program — and the design of the lobby in collaboration with AvroKO — is curated by Mare Studio, acting as the hotel’s art consultant and curator.
Most of the rooms and suites at Conrad Athens feature private balconies with privileged views of some of the most beautiful parts of the city and the Acropolis. The hotel offers the largest collection of suites in Athens — three Presidential and one Royal — while later this year the Omega Penthouse will open, featuring a private pool and panoramic views stretching from the Acropolis to the Saronic Gulf.
All interventions have been carried out with respect for the design of the original building, inaugurated in 1963 and considered one of the most important structures of modern post-war architecture in Greece, as it combines the principles of international hotel design with strong references to Greek materials and artistic tradition. The original architects credited with the building’s design are Emmanouil (Manolis) Vourekas, Prokopis Vasileiadis, Antonis Georgiadis, and Spyros Staikos.
Simon Vincent, CBE, President, Europe, Middle East and Africa at Hilton, stated regarding the opening:
“Today, Greece is one of Hilton’s fastest-growing markets in Europe, driven by increasing visitor demand and a strategic shift toward high-quality, year-round tourism development. With our portfolio in Greece having grown from just a few hotels a few years ago to more than fifty today, and with many more projects underway, the opening of Conrad Athens The Ilisian highlights our long-term commitment to Athens and Greece as a leading global tourism destination.”
Dino Michael, Senior Vice President and Global Category Head of Hilton Luxury Brands, stated:
“Athens is one of those rare cities where history, creativity, and modern life coexist and are in constant dialogue. This unique combination makes the city exceptionally attractive for Conrad. The aim of Conrad Athens The Ilisian is to bring an iconic building back to life in a way that respects its past, while fully aligning with the contemporary identity of Athens.”
Nassos Papazoglou, General Manager of Conrad Athens The Ilisian, added:
“The Athens Hilton opened its doors on this exact same day in 1963 and for decades played a defining role in the cultural and social life of Athens. Our vision is to honor this legacy while creating a hotel that is open, vibrant, and in constant dialogue with the modern city. From the way guests move through the spaces to how they dine, relax, and discover Athens, every detail has been designed to offer a genuine sense of familiarity and connection.”
A new gastronomic destination in the heart of the city
Guests of Conrad Athens The Ilisian are surrounded by a dynamic culinary destination, featuring nine different dining concepts, from the hotel’s restaurants and bars to the destination’s signature venues, shaping the rhythm of the day and bringing together Athenians and international visitors from morning until night.
At the heart of the hotel stands the Byzantino Grande Brasserie, which opens alongside Conrad Athens The Ilisian and is reintroduced as Athens’ first grande brasserie, designed by Tristan Auer. Under the guidance of Executive Chef Angelos Lantos, who brings significant experience, Byzantino presents a menu that combines French and Greek culinary traditions.
The overall experience is complemented by a cheese master, curated wine pairings, and sweet creations through the Byzantino Chocolaterie & Patisserie. Chef Angelos Lantos also curates the menu of the Athenian Lounge, a space opening alongside the hotel and aspiring to become a meeting point, with classic cocktails and favorite flavors shaping the experience throughout the day.
Later in the year, the iconic Galaxy will return as Galaxy Dispensary and Galaxy Supper Club, reclaiming its position as one of Athens’ most iconic rooftop destinations. It will be accompanied by a series of internationally recognized restaurant concepts making their debut in Athens at The Ilisian, as well as the Japanese restaurant Onuki, which opened in 2025, designed by Yabu Pushelberg.
