-Its opening day, on 23 April 2026, symbolically coincides with the day the Athens Hilton welcomed its first guest, on 23 April 1963
Hilton today announces the opening of Conrad Athens The Ilisian, marking the rebirth of one of Athens’ most recognizable landmarks, exactly as previously reported by money-tourism.gr. This new beginning coincides with a symbolic anniversary, as the Athens Hilton, which was housed in the same building, welcomed its first guest on 23 April 1963. Exactly 63 years later, Conrad Athens The Ilisian opens its doors as a contemporary urban resort in the heart of the city.
The launch 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 meaningful connection to place — to one of Europe’s most historic and culturally rich capitals.
The hotel offers some of the most comfortable and spacious accommodation 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 also the private residences of Hilton’s award-winning Conrad and Waldorf Astoria brands, dining, entertainment and wellness venues centered around the largest outdoor pool in Athens, as well as the contemporary members’ club House of NYNN.
The name THE ILISIAN, inspired by the ancient Ilissos River and the Ilisia neighborhood, expresses the timeless and inseparable relationship of the new destination with Athens, Ilisia, and the local community. THE ILISIAN aims to embody the cosmopolitan character that is part of the building’s identity, offering experiences of authentic, modern Athens. Respecting the city’s cultural identity, the destination connects contemporary international trends with its heritage, creating a meeting place for Athenians and visitors alike.
An Athenian Landmark Reimagined
Immediately recognizable to generations of Athenians, the building that houses Conrad Athens The Ilisian is deeply intertwined with the city’s social and cultural memory.
On the façades created by pioneering Greek artist Yannis Moralis, the original marble reliefs with mythological references have been carefully preserved and highlighted. Inspired by themes from ancient Greek culture, the compositions incorporate symbols such as the goddess Athena, the ship, the altar with offerings, female flute players and the horse. Rendered in a modern artistic language through curves, spirals and straight lines, they form a timeless symbol of travel, communication and return to the city.
At night, the façade is brought to life through a carefully designed lighting concept by Emmy Award-winning lighting designer Eleftheria Deko, giving new dynamism and brilliance to the nighttime image of Vasilissis Sofias Avenue.
The project’s architectural design was undertaken by AETER Architects. Inside, the spaces designed by AvroKO revive the optimism of the golden age of Athenian modernism, combining preserved mid-century elements with new artworks and custom-designed pieces by the historic Athenian furniture maker Saridis and ceramic artist Eleni Vernadaki. The hotel’s art program — and the design of the lobby in collaboration with AvroKO — was curated by Mare Studio, serving as art consultant and curator of the hotel.
Most of the rooms and suites at Conrad Athens feature private balconies with privileged views of some of the city’s most beautiful landmarks and the Acropolis. The hotel offers the largest collection of suites in Athens — three Presidential Suites and one Royal Suite — 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, which opened in 1963 and is considered one of the most important examples 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 design of the building are Emmanuel (Manolis) Vourekas, Prokopis Vassiliadis, Antonis Georgiadis and Spyros Staikos.
Simon Vincent, CBE, President, Europe, Middle East and Africa, Hilton, said of 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 even more projects under development, the opening of Conrad Athens The Ilisian underscores our long-term commitment to Athens and Greece as a leading global tourism destination.”
Dino Michael, Senior Vice President and Global Category Head, Hilton Luxury Brands, said:
“Athens is one of those rare cities where history, creativity and contemporary life coexist and remain in constant dialogue. This distinctive combination makes the city exceptionally attractive for Conrad. Conrad Athens The Ilisian aims to bring an iconic building back to life in a way that respects its past while being fully aligned with modern Athens’ identity.”
Nasos 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 that legacy while creating a hotel that is open, vibrant and in constant dialogue with the contemporary city. From the way guests move through the spaces to the way they dine, relax and discover Athens, every detail has been designed to offer an authentic sense of familiarity and connection.”
A New Culinary Destination in the Heart of the City
Guests at Conrad Athens The Ilisian are surrounded by a dynamic culinary destination, with nine distinct dining concepts, from the hotel’s restaurants and bars to the destination’s signature venues, shaping the rhythm of the day and bringing Athenians and international visitors together from morning until night.
At the heart of the hotel stands Byzantino Grande Brasserie, which opens alongside Conrad Athens The Ilisian and is reintroduced as Athens’ first grande brasserie, designed by Tristan Auer. Under the direction 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 from Byzantino Chocolaterie & Patisserie. Chef Angelos Lantos also curates the menu of the Athenian Lounge, a venue opening together with the hotel and aspiring to become a social meeting point, with classic cocktails and favorite flavors shaping the experience throughout the day.
Later this year, the iconic Galaxy will return as Galaxy Dispensary and Galaxy Supper Club, reclaiming its place as one of Athens’ most iconic rooftop destinations. It will be complemented by a series of internationally acclaimed restaurant concepts making their Athens debut at The Ilisian, as well as the Japanese restaurant Onuki, which opened in 2025 and was designed by Yabu Pushelberg.
Wellness Choices for Today
Conrad Athens The Ilisian has been designed as a comprehensive wellness destination, with hotel guests enjoying full access to THE ILISIAN Wellness Floor, which brings together an extensive range of experiences combining fitness with contemporary lifestyle.
At its center is the largest pool in central Athens, while the Green Roof offers panoramic city views and includes a 770-meter running track, an outdoor gym and a pickleball court.
Indoors, the Wellness Zone includes a state-of-the-art gym, specialized studios for yoga, pilates, Gyrotonic and spinning, a heated pool, as well as heat therapy and cryotherapy facilities, creating a complete wellness proposition for guests, residents and House of NYNN members.
From May, Odei Wellness will offer Athenians a specialized series of face and body treatments inspired by rituals of ancient Greece. Later this year, internationally renowned specialist Dr. Kostas Papageorgiou will bring his expertise and experience in longevity treatments to Athens for the first time, further enhancing THE ILISIAN’s holistic wellness approach.
First Presence of the Conrad Hotels & Resorts Brand in Greece
Conrad Athens The Ilisian joins the global portfolio of 50 Conrad Hotels & Resorts properties and marks the brand’s first presence in Greece. This year is an important milestone for Hilton’s Luxury Brands, which are entering the Greek market dynamically, with the opening of Sandblu Santorini, LXR Hotels & Resorts earlier this month and Conrad Corfu later in 2026.
Conrad Athens The Ilisian is located at 46 Vasilissis Sofias Avenue, Athens. Reservations are available directly through the hotel’s website or the Hilton Honors app.
Conrad Hotels & Resorts
Conrad Hotels & Resorts is the largest brand in Hilton Luxury’s portfolio, with 50 properties across five continents, combining bold design, meaningful experiences and curated contemporary art to inspire travelers. At Conrad, exploration is encouraged through highly personalized service and experiences that connect travelers authentically with each destination.
Beyond its award-winning hotels, the brand features a growing portfolio of residences that combine refined design with top-tier amenities and tailored services in high-demand destinations.
Experience Conrad Hotels & Resorts by booking at conradhotels.com or through the Hilton Honors app. Hilton Honors members who book directly through Hilton’s official channels enjoy immediate benefits.
THE ILISIAN
THE ILISIAN is Athens’ new multi-dimensional city destination in the heart of the Ilisia district. It is a home for creativity that connects hospitality, culture and the dynamic spirit of the contemporary city. The destination includes Conrad Athens The Ilisian, as well as Conrad Residences Athens and Waldorf Astoria Residences Athens, the city’s first contemporary members’ club House of NYNN, dining venues, and a range of services and experiences addressed both to visitors from around the world and to city residents.
Rooted in the character of modern Athens and its heritage, THE ILISIAN is a place for connection, creativity and innovation, aiming to connect the world with authentic modern Athens.
