ATHENS and MCLEAN, Va. – Hilton (NYSE: HLT) and Ionian Hotel Enterprises (IHE) have announced an agreement for a new hotel and residences to be developed by IHE in the Greek capital. The news marks the introduction of Hilton’s luxury brands — Conrad Hotels & Resorts, Conrad Residences and Waldorf Astoria Residences — to Greece. A renowned city landmark currently operating as Hilton Athens is set to be transformed into a new destination comprising a luxury hospitality and residential offering, which will connect authentic modern-day Athens with its Greek and international audience.
Simon Vincent, executive vice president and president, EMEA, said, “For more than half a century Hilton Athens has played a pivotal role in the city’s emergence as a global destination, welcoming international guests, royalty, and captains of industry. We’re incredibly proud to continue that legacy with the introduction of Conrad Hotels & Resorts alongside Waldorf Astoria and Conrad branded residences.
Hilton’s luxury brands are on a powerful growth trajectory, with new properties opening in Sardinia, Kuwait, Tulum, Rabat, Shanghai and Los Angeles in the next year. With contemporary luxury interiors, seamless service and stunning views overlooking the ancient citadel of the Acropolis, this is set to be an incredible addition to the portfolio.”
The agreement strengthens the longstanding partnership between Hilton and IHE, and represents a significant milestone in Hilton’s 60-year legacy in the Greek capital. Hilton Athens first opened its doors in 1963 as the first major international hotel in Greece and has been instrumental in Athens’ growth as a leading travel destination, offering unforgettable hospitality experiences to visitors from all over the world.
An integral part of the city’s history, Hilton Athens is cherished by the Athenians, who had fervently demonstrated this during an extensive stakeholder survey carried out by IHE a year ago, in which Hilton was viewed as a key element of the new destination’s identity.
The new destination represents a strategic investment of more than 130 million EUR by IHE — in addition to the initial c. 145 million EUR for the property acquisition — and aims to introduce an innovative mixed-use development model to the city and become a focal point of reference for both visitors and locals.
It will feature a luxury hotel along with premium private residences, a private lifestyle members’ club, multiple culinary and entertainment venues, curated shopping as well as leisure and wellness experiences, with the goal of contributing further to establishing Athens among the top choices in Europe to travel or live. A well-curated blend of global and local brands will inspire the capital’s residents, as well as a wide and inclusive audience, to experience the true spirit of modern Athens.
“Ionian Hotel Enterprises is developing a new city destination that aspires to connect the world to this vibrant capital and its people. We are honored and excited to extend our partnership with Hilton and we are confident that the legacy of Hilton Athens along with the global expertise of Hilton will contribute significantly towards making this new destination a successful contributor to the city’s growth,” said IHE Chairman Achilles V. Constantakopoulos, adding, “After six decades of cooperation between IHE and the group founded by Conrad Hilton, we are thrilled to now call Hilton by its first name.”
Dino Michael, senior vice president and global category head, said, “Athens is a city that perfectly responds to the needs of today’s luxury traveller. Steeped in history, with a thriving cultural and entertainment offering, it’s a fitting location in which to introduce our Conrad Hotels & Resorts brand. Increasingly, we’re also seeing significant demand for branded residences that offer our signature luxury hospitality, so we are particularly pleased to be expanding our partnership with IHE to introduce this exciting concept to Athens for the first time.”
The new Conrad hotel, which is expected to welcome its first guests in 2024, will include approximately 280 stylishly appointed guest rooms and suites, alongside approximately 50 private residences under the Conrad and Waldorf Astoria brands. The development marks the latest European entry for Hilton’s rapidly expanding luxury portfolio, joining trading European properties in locations including Portugal’s Algarve, Amsterdam, and Rome. Spanning five continents with 40 properties, Conrad Hotels & Resorts creates a seamless connection between contemporary design, leading innovation, and curated art to inspire the entrepreneurial spirit of the globally connected traveller.
In addition to the brands’ renowned hotel offerings, Waldorf Astoria and Conrad boast a best-in-class global residential portfolio of properties that provide the comfort of a private home featuring luxury design, unsurpassed amenities, and legendary service in locations including Koh Samui, Chicago, Dubai, and Las Vegas.
About Ionian Hotel Enterprises
Ionian Hotel Enterprises S.A. is one of the leading companies in tourism, hospitality and asset management in Greece. The company owns a historic and emblematic property in the center of Athens, with an exceptional legacy in international hospitality. This unique landmark is currently being transformed into a new city destination that will feature a luxury hotel and premium private residences, a private lifestyle members’ club, multiple culinary and entertainment venues, curated shopping as well as leisure and wellness experiences.
About Conrad Hotels & Resorts
Spanning five continents with 40 properties, Conrad Hotels & Resorts has created a seamless connection between contemporary design, leading innovation and curated art to inspire the entrepreneurial spirit of the globally connected traveler. Conrad is a place where guests can experience service and style on their own terms — all while connecting with local and global culture. Experience a positive stay at Conrad Hotels & Resorts by booking at conradhotels.com or through the industry-leading Hilton Honors app. Hilton Honors members who book directly through preferred Hilton channels have access to instant benefits. Learn more about Conrad Hotels & Resorts at newsroom.hilton.com/conradhotels, and follow the brand on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
About Hilton
Hilton (NYSE: HLT) is a leading global hospitality company with a portfolio of 18 world-class brands comprising more than 6,700 properties and more than 1 million rooms, in 122 countries and territories. Dedicated to fulfilling its founding vision to fill the earth with the light and warmth of hospitality, the hotel has welcomed more than 3 billion guests in its more than 100-year history, earned a top spot on the 2021 World’s Best Workplaces list, and been recognized as a global leader on the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices for five consecutive years. In 2020, Hilton CleanStay was introduced, bringing an industry-defining standard of cleanliness to hotels worldwide.
Through the award-winning guest loyalty program Hilton Honors, the nearly 123 million members who book directly with Hilton can earn Points for hotel stays and experiences money can’t buy. With the free Hilton Honors app, guests can book their stay, select their room, check in, unlock their door with a Digital Key and check out, all from their smartphone. Visit newsroom.hilton.com for more information, and connect with Hilton on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube.
About Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts
Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts is a portfolio of nearly 35 iconic properties that creates a unique sense of place with a relentless commitment to personal service and culinary expertise in landmark locations around the world. Unified by their inspirational environments and True Waldorf Service, Waldorf Astoria hotels deliver graceful service from the moment a guest books through checkout. In addition to the brand’s renowned hotel offerings, Waldorf Astoria boasts a best-in-class residential portfolio that provides the comfort of a private home combined with the unsurpassed amenities and legendary service of Waldorf Astoria. Waldorf Astoria is part of the hotel, a leading global hospitality company.
Experience a positive stay at Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts by booking at waldorfastoria.com or through the industry-leading Hilton Honors app. Hilton Honors members who book directly through preferred Hilton channels have access to instant benefits. Learn more about Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts at newsroom.hilton.com/waldorfastoria, and follow the brand on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
