Hilton is making a luxury play in Greece with a new hotel and branded residences
Greece just keeps getting better and better — especially for Hilton Honors loyalists looking to visit Athens.
Just announced, the former Hilton Athens will transform into a multipurpose destination called The Ilisian, which will include the Conrad Athens hotel, plus Conrad- and Waldorf Astoria-branded residences alongside a series of restaurants, bars and more.
Found in Athens' Ilisia neighborhood, east of major tourist attractions like the Acropolis, The Ilisian "seeks to blend contemporary international trends with the city's heritage, creating a meeting place for Athenians and visitors alike," according to a statement from Ionian Hotel Enterprises.
Before undergoing its current transformation, the historic building served as the Hilton Athens, a property that brought Greece into the international luxury tourism sector. When it opened in 1963, then-first lady Jacqueline Kennedy was at the grand opening party.
Related: Everything to know about Hilton Honors
Now, 61 years later, the building will stay in the Hilton family, with a focus on the company's luxury brands. The Conrad Athens will have 278 rooms and suites, as well as conference and event spaces. Additionally, 55 serviced residences will be branded as the Conrad Residences Athens, The Ilisian and Waldorf Astoria Athens, The Ilisian.
The combined hotel and residences complex will also feature the largest pool landscape in Athens, a rooftop garden and an outdoor sports areas.
Across from The Ilisian, there will be 10 bars, restaurants and lounges, including a contemporary take on the Hilton Athens' iconic Galaxy Bar, called The Galaxy Dispensary and The Galaxy Supper Club, located on the top floor. There will also be a new take on the famed Athens restaurant The Byzantino, serving a menu of Greek-French fusion cuisine; a Japanese restaurant; a lobby bar; a poolside restaurant and bar; and more.
The Ilisian will also offer a Soho House-like membership club, with members access to lounge areas, work areas, a gym, and indoor and outdoor pools, as well as entertainment and club programming.
In the wellness areas of the multibrand property, there will be pickleball courts, a running track, specialized training studios, and a wellness clinic and spa offering treatments ranging from acupuncture to aesthetic treatments.
A full-service community concept, it will even include a retail complex, with the center being a curated concept store offering fashion, art and design, including luxury products not yet available in the country.
During the remodeling and construction of The Ilisian, public art installations will be on view around the building. These will highlight the building's historic past, local street art and works from emerging Greek artists, among other things.
At an event unveiling The Ilisan, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis doubled down that the property will connect Athens' past with its hopeful future, adding that, "Its modern operation will once again, in its own way, become part of the new image of a country that has new and great horizons."
The Ilisian is expected to open next year.
Related reading:
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees