Day trips in Athens may be a thing of the past considering the huge increase of luxury hotel options and a booming tourist economy. Despite the recent tragic fires that claimed at least 96 lives East of Athens, travelers have not canceled or changed their plans, and the country is breaking records for new tourism. The Ministry of Tourism is actually projecting 33 million visitors to Greece for 2018, as arrivals by land and sea are on an upward climb.
I recently spent time in Athens exploring the new and upcoming offerings of resorts and boutique hotels including the dramatic new Four Seasons Astir Palace which was my first stop. Scheduled to open in March 2019, the stunning Four Seasons is located on the newly revived Athens Riviera, on the end of a pine-studded peninsula in Vouliagmeni. I took a tour with the resorts very handsome General Manager Sam Ioannidis and was amazed at how the plans were shaping up to restore the resort to its former glory and what will quickly become the hottest new destination.
Located in the former legendary Astir Palace just 30 minutes from the airport, the sprawling 60s landmark once hosted almost every foreign leader and screen star and will offer a complex featuring two luxury buildings, the “Nafsika” with 110 rooms and 22 suites and the “Arion” with 102 rooms and 20 suites while remodeling the existing 58 bungalows. The bungalows feature a secluded private beach inside the complex, so that VIPs can enjoy the sun away from prying eyes. It was on that beach in 1969 that Brigitte Bardot famously posed for photographers in her tiny pink bikini.
There will also be eight restaurants, including a branch of the Nobu franchise, Matsuhisa Athens; and a spa. Aside from the private beaches and yacht marina, there will be a wide variety of unique experiences like stomping grapes and other activities that will truly embrace Greek culture and its past.
Among the most luxurious accommodations at the resort will be the 3,174 sf Duplex penthouse suite with four bedrooms, with two levels including living and dining areas and a rooftop garden with a plunge pool.
I enlisted the support of a local Athens expert in creating a wide variety of the best of Athens and how you can enjoy the perfect 48 hours in the city. Anthia Vlassopoulou is the head of Greece Insiders, a unique travel agency providing visitors with personalized and memorable experiential activities. They also have the best private guides available for your exclusive exploration. I toured along with Anthia as we did a whirlwind visit to the Best of Athens.
BEST HOTELS
The majestic leader of hotels in Athens sits opposite the Parliament on Syntagma Square and has been an iconic location offering luxury and sophistication in the city for many years.
The 1842 vintage building used to be a private mansion and is now a 321 room hotel featuring an amazing rooftop restaurant and bar with some of the best views of the Acropolis, a spa with three kinds of steam rooms, a sauna, and a large indoor pool. The rooms have high ceilings and crown moldings, but with fully modern and updated bathrooms.
King George, a Luxury Collection Hotel is the sister hotel to its neighbor the Grande Bretagne. It has rooms all decorated with local antiques and featuring neoclassical moldings, with awesome views of the Acropolis and surrounding areas. The 63 rooms and 39 suites are all filled with hardwood floors, oil paintings, silk-damask curtains, marble bathrooms and contemporary features. I particularly fell in love with the Penthouse Suite with its own private pool overlooking the Acropolis. The Tudor Hall restaurant on top offers up stunning views o the Acropolis and boasts a Greco-French menu by galloping chef Alain Ducasse.
At this 79-room hip boutique hotel in the centrally located neighborhood of Syntagma, it’s all about the design. After all, the hotel is owned by Dakis Joannou, one of the most famous art collectors in Greece. It is also the first ever hotel project of the award-winning Brazilian designer duo, Fernando and Humberto Campana.
The decor includes work from the Venice Biennale, and there is even a space that includes 2,000 art book titles. There’s an excellent cafe, as well as a beautiful rooftop for dining. The rooms are sleek and minimalist, and there are a gym, Jacuzzi and steam bath.
This 216-room hotel has sweeping views of the Parthenon, an outdoor pool, and is centrally located near Syntagma Square. There are three restaurants, a rooftop bar, a sauna and a Turkish bath. Bathrooms amenities come from Korres, a Greek skincare company that makes products such as Greek yogurt sun care.
This boutique 16 room hotel offers up spacious apartment style rooms including kitchenettes and is only a 10-minute walk to the Acropolis and other major sights. Located in a lovely neighborhood filled with cafes and shopping.
This small, affordable urban cool hotel has a young and friendly staff crowd and includes 22 rooms and suites that are all furnished in a contemporary style. While not the greatest neighborhood, the location is only 10 minutes from the Acropolis and some of the rooms offer amazing views.
Look for future announcements with a ton of new hotel developments in Athens including; One & Only, Ritz-Carlton, Waldorf Astoria, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, Mandarin Oriental and Autograph Collection.
RESTAURANTS
In the trendy, upcoming Metaxourgio neighborhood, Aleria is in a perfectly restored former neoclassical villa and considered to be the most romantic restaurant in Athens. There is an outdoor courtyard for candlelit dining and artistically decorated rooms on two additional floors. It is one of the most acclaimed and possibly the most popular gourmet restaurant in Athens.
This avant-garde restaurant in the Keramikos neighborhood gives Greek food a dramatic makeover and has quickly become the most theatrical and innovative restaurant in the country, with two Michelin stars. Chefs Georgianna Hiliadaki and Nikos Roussos have created artistic food that is a delight to see when it arrives at your table and is equally delicious. The restaurant also offers a glass-roofed dining room on top of the neoclassical building.
The talk of the town since it first opened in late 2014, as it brought together five of the most impressive chefs of their generation. They’ve managed the perfect balance between a high-end restaurant setting and service to match with unpretentious food made with great locally sourced ingredients
I enjoyed an amazing lunch at this iconic location that is considered a must for all visitors to the Acropolis. Located a stone’s throw from the ruins, it has been a legendary venue for over 50 years with the best view possible. With the most attentive service and quality gourmet meals, this place is far from a tourist trap, and it offers one of the very best dining experiences you can have on your visit with both indoor and outdoor seating. This is a magical location with a young talented chef offering up modern style Greek cuisine and the freshest fish and most delicious desserts I had the entire trip.
This unique space was recently awarded one of the ‘Best Bars in the World.’ With several different rooms, offering completely different experiences, it is one of the most sought-after bar experiences in the city. Delicious finger food accompanies the some of the world’s most crazy and unique cocktails served by the very best international mixologists.
THE PERFECT 48 HOURS
For anyone visiting Athens in a limited time, Anthia Vlassopoulou offers through her company Athens Insiders, the best unique ways to experience a long weekend;
- A visit to the Acropolis and the Acropolis museum. Make sure to visit early around 8am or late after 6pm to avoid the heat and massive crowds. A private guided tour is a must!
- A wine experience to taste some unique Greek wines with a wine tasting tour or a wine pairing dinner, Greece might not be famous as a winemaking country but wine has been produced there since antiquity, and some appellations are quite unique.
- A visit to the Athenian Riviera for a swim or a cocktail at the best beach in town, Astir beach. You can pre-book your front row sunbed and enjoy the breeze.
- A show at the Athens and Epidaurus Festival. Epidaurus is not close, but there are other impressive venues in Athens like the Herodion. For the ones interested in going to Epidaurus for the night, it is a 2 1/2 hour drive with the option of taking a luxurious high-speed boat.
- A night out to the bar district of Agias Eirinis Square for some exceptional cocktails under the stars.
