Sept. 07, 2026 • 12 min read Jump to section Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Copy URL Email The cards we feature here are from partners who compensate us when you are approved through our site, and this may impact how or where these products appear. We don’t cover all available credit cards, but our analysis, reviews, and opinions are entirely from our editorial team. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information. Editor's Note Conrad Athens The Ilisian provided TPG with a complimentary three-night stay so that we could get an inside look at the hotel and its amenities. The opinions expressed below are entirely those of the author and weren't subject to review by the hotel or any external entity. How does a hospitality company take a 1960s modernist landmark — a place well loved by Athenians, tourists and celebrities (think Frank Sinatra and The Rolling Stones) — and turn it into a hotel that preserves a decades-long history, while also ushering it into a new era of sophistication?
It's a tall order, to say the least. But that's exactly what Hilton managed to do with the newly minted Conrad Athens The Ilisian, which officially opened its doors in April of 2026 as a fully reimagined version of the former Hilton Athens.
From an impressive attention to detail around every corner of the hotel to thoughtful art direction and inspired menus in the restaurants, Conrad Athens The Ilisian gets a lot of things right. And because the hotel is a fresh take on a historic property, it has that certain je ne sais quoi that so many hotels simply can't achieve. It feels like a living, breathing part of the city.
When I arrived a Conrad Athens The Ilisian on a sweltering day earlier this summer, I certainly had high hopes for the property. TPG caught wind that Hilton was planning to renovate the legendary Hilton Athens into a Conrad and we knew the hotel would have a place on our most exciting hotel openings list for 2026. But despite all of our excitement and anticipation, I didn't realize just how big of an impression Conrad Athens would make on me.
Previous slide Next slide 1 of 4 ELLIE NAN STORCK/THE POINTS GUY 0 1 2 3 The property itself is the stuff of a hotel editor's dreams (more on that below), but the location is excellent, too. It's far enough away from the hustle and often exhausting bustle of the charming yet densely touristed Plaka and Anafiotika neighborhoods (which are about a 15 minute drive or 30-45 minute walk from the hotel), but it's not so far that it's inconvenient. Guests of the Conrad also have the benefit of being the literal neighbor of the Athens National Gallery. Just around the corner, you can hike through a beautiful and upscale residential area to Mount Lycabettus, which offers panoramic views of the city and the sparkling sea beyond.
Here's what to know about booking a stay at Conrad Athens The Ilisian — and why I can't wait to go back.
Previous slide Next slide 1 of 5 ELLIE NAN STORCK/THE POINTS GUY 0 1 2 3 4 The vibe: Upscale and sophisticated with nods to midcentury modern art, design and Greek culture. The Athenian Lounge and the pool area feel like places to see-and-be-seen, while the rest of the hotel feels like a glamorous, slightly hushed home-away-from-home. The location: The hotel is conveniently located in Ilisia, near the Kolonaki and Pagrati neighborhoods, about a…