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.
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- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
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Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.