Its first day of operation, on April 23, 2026, symbolically coincides with the day the Hilton Athens welcomed its first guest, on April 23, 1963.
Hilton announces today the opening of Conrad Athens The Ilisian, marking the renaissance of one of Athens’ most recognizable landmarks. This new beginning coincides with a symbolic anniversary, as Hilton Athens, 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 contemporary 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, modern luxury, and immersive connection to place — to one of Europe’s most historic and culturally rich capitals.
The hotel offers some of the most comfortable and spacious accommodations in the city, with a total of 278 rooms and suites. It is located at the heart of THE ILISIAN, Athens’ new multidimensional destination where, alongside the hotel, the private residences of Hilton’s award-winning Conrad and Waldorf Astoria brands coexist with culinary, 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 Ilisos River and the Ilisia neighborhood, expresses the timeless, inseparable bond between the new destination and Athens, Ilisia, and local residents. THE ILISIAN aims to embody 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 place for Athenians and visitors.
An Athenian landmark redefined
Instantly recognizable to every generation of Athenians, the building that houses Conrad Athens The Ilisian is deeply intertwined with the city’s social and cultural memory. On the façades crafted by pioneering Greek artist Yannis Moralis, the original marble bas-reliefs with mythological references have been carefully preserved and highlighted. The compositions, inspired by the ancient Greek canon, incorporate symbols such as the goddess Athena, the ship, the altar with offerings, the flute players, and the horse. Rendered in a contemporary visual language, through curves, spirals, and straight lines, they form a timeless symbol of journey, communication, and return to the city.
After dark, the façade is brought to life through meticulously designed lighting by Emmy Award-winning lighting designer Eleftheria Deko, adding new dynamism and radiance to the nighttime scene of Vasilissis Sofias Avenue.
The architectural design was undertaken by AETER Architects. Inside, AvroKO-designed spaces revive the optimism of the golden age of Athenian modernism, blending preserved mid-century elements with new artworks and bespoke pieces from the historic Athenian furniture maker Saridis and ceramicist Eleni Vernadaki. The art program —and the shaping of the lobby in collaboration with AvroKO— is curated by Mare Studio, as the hotel’s art consultant and curator.
The rooms and suites of Conrad Athens mostly 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 and one Royal - while later in the 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 significant works 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, said regarding the opening: «Today, Greece is one of Hilton’s fastest-growing markets in Europe, driven by increased visitor demand and a strategic shift toward high-quality, year-round tourism development. With our portfolio in Greece having grown from a few hotels a few years ago to more than fifty today, and with even more projects underway, the opening of Conrad Athens The Ilisian underscores our long-term commitment to Athens and Greece as a leading global travel destination».
Dino Michael, Senior Vice President and Global Category Head of Hilton Luxury Brands, said: «Athens is one of those rare cities where history, creativity, and contemporary life coexist in constant dialogue. This distinctive blend makes the city exceptionally compelling for Conrad. The purpose of Conrad Athens The Ilisian is to bring an iconic building back to life in a way that honors its past while fully aligning with the modern identity of Athens».
Nasos Papazoglou, General Manager of Conrad Athens The Ilisian, added: «Hilton Athens opened its doors on the very 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 how they dine, unwind, and discover Athens, every detail has been designed to offer an authentic sense of warmth and connection».
A new gastronomic destination in the heart of the city
Guests of Conrad Athens The Ilisian are immersed in a dynamic gastronomic destination, with nine distinct dining concepts, from the hotel’s restaurants and bars to the destination’s signature venues, setting the rhythm of the day and bringing Athenians and international visitors together from morning to night.
At the heart of the hotel stands Byzantino Grande Brasserie, which opens alongside Conrad Athens The Ilisian and reintroduces itself as Athens’ first grande brasserie, designed by Tristan Auer’s studio. Under the guidance of Executive Chef Angelos Landos, with significant experience, Byzantino presents a menu that marries French and Greek culinary tradition. The overall experience is complemented by a cheese master, curated wine pairings, and sweet creations from Byzantino Chocolaterie & Patisserie. Chef Angelos Landos also curates the menu at the Athenian Lounge, a space opening with the hotel that aspires 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 place as one of Athens’ most iconic rooftop destinations. It will be complemented by a roster of internationally recognized dining concepts making their debut in Athens at The Ilisian, as well as the Japanese restaurant Onuki, which opened in 2025, designed by Yabu Pushelberg.
Wellness options for today
Conrad Athens The Ilisian has been conceived as a comprehensive wellness destination, with hotel guests enjoying full access to THE ILISIAN Wellness Floor, which brings together an extensive array of experiences that blend fitness with a contemporary lifestyle. At its heart lies 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 features a state-of-the-art gym, dedicated studios for yoga, Pilates, Gyrotonic, and spinning, a heated pool, as well as thermal therapy and cryotherapy facilities, shaping a comprehensive wellness proposition for guests, residents, and members of House of NYNN.
From May, Odei Wellness will offer Athenians a specialized series of face and body treatments inspired by the rituals of ancient Greece. Later in the year, internationally recognized specialist Dr. Kostas Papageorgiou will bring his valuable expertise in longevity therapies to Athens for the first time, strengthening THE ILISIAN’s holistic approach to wellness.
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 a significant moment for Hilton’s Luxury Brands, entering the 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 Ave in Athens. Reservations are made directly via the hotel’s website or the Hilton Honors app. For more information about the Conrad Hotels & Resorts brand visit Stories.Hilton.com.
