Hilton and Ionian Hotel Enterprises announced their agreement for a new hotel and private residences that will be developed in the centre of Athens.
With this deal the luxury brands of Hilton Conrad Hotels & Resorts, Conrad Residences and Waldorf Astoria Residences will have a presence in Greece and will be part of the new destination that Ionian Hotel Enterprises is developing. The emblematic building in Athens that today operates as Hilton Athens will be transformed into an innovative and multidimensional destination that will offer high quality hospitality, residences and various experiences to both Greek and foreign visitors.
Simon Vincent, Executive Vice President & President of Hilton, ΕΜΕA, said: “For over half a century, Hilton Athens has been crucial in making the city a top international destination, offering unforgettable experiences to visitors from around the world, including royalty and business executives. We are particularly proud to continue this historic legacy with the brands Conrad Hotels & Resorts, Waldorf Astoria, as well as with the Conrad branded residences. Hilton’s luxury brands have been on a powerful development trajectory with new units in Sardinia, Kuwait, Tulum, Rabat, Shanghai and Los Angeles in the following year. With modern and luxurious interiors, a huge range of services on offer, and an amazing view of the Acropolis, our new presence in Athens will be a unique addition to the company’s portfolio.”
This agreement further strengthens the longstanding partnership between Hilton and Ionian Hotel Enterprises and is a milestone in the long presence of Hilton in Greece. Hilton Athens first opened its doors in 1963 as the first international hotel in the country, and since then has fundamentally contributed to making Athens a top tourist destination. Hilton Athens is an integral part of the capital’s history, as has be shown from the detailed survey carried out last year by Ionian Hotel Enterprises as part of the conversation with city institutions and authorities, that proved Hilton to be an essential element of the new destination’s identity.
This new destination is a strategic investment of over 130 million euros by Ionian Hotel Enterprises, in addition to the original investment of about 145 million euros for the acquisition of the building. It aims to introduce an innovative developmental model of mixed use to the city and become a point of reference for the citizens as well as for visitors. It will include – apart from the hotel – private residencies, a private member’s club, multiple restaurants, and curated shopping, as well as unique experiences through leisure and wellness activities, aiming to further establish Athens as a top travel destination or place to live in Europe. Offering a unique combination of international and Greek brands, this new destination wants to inspire the citizens of Athens as well as the travelers, inviting them to experience the true spirit of modern Athens.
“Our aim is to create an innovative city destination that will connect Athens and its citizens to the rest of the world. It’s a special honour and joy for us to be able to expand our strategic partnership with Hilton and we are certain that the legacy of Hilton Athens together with the international expertise of Hilton will further contribute to Athens’ growth” Achilleas V. Konstantakopoulos, Chairman of Ionian Hotel Enterprises, said, adding that “After six decades of Hilton in Greece, and of our collaboration with the company founded by Conrad Hilton, we are excited to be able to call it by its first name, Conrad.”
Dino Michael, Senior Vice President & Global Category Head of Hilton Luxury Brands, said: “Athens is a city that meets the needs of the modern traveler seeking luxury. With a long history connected to culture and entertainment, it’s the ideal location for the brand Conrad Hotels & Resorts in Greece. At the same time, we see an increasing demand for private residences that offer the our signature luxury hospitality. That’s why we’re particularly happy to be expanding our partnership with Ionian Hotel Enterprises to present this exciting project to Athens for the first time.”
The new Conrad hotel, that will be ready to welcome visitors in 2024, will consist of around 280 rooms and suites, as well as around 50 private residences under the Conrad and Waldorf Astoria Residences brands. This project is the newest addition to Hilton’s fast-growing luxury European portfolio that includes locations like Portugal’s Algarve, Amsterdam and Rome. With a presence on five continents with 40 hotels, Conrad Hotels & Resorts is for world citizens and combines innovation, modern design, and art.
In addition to the hotel facilities, the Waldorf Astoria and Conrad brands also have a top residence portfolio that redefines luxury, combining the comfort of a private residence with high end design and top services in locations like Ko Samui, Chicago, Dubai and Las Vegas.
