Athens has a long-awaited new top-tier hotel – Conrad Athens The Ilisian, officially opening on April 23, 2026, on the anniversary of the day the Athens Hilton first welcomed guests in 1963. An old landmark reborn in a new form, it is one of the most closely watched openings in Europe's luxury hotel market in recent years.
Latest update
Updated May 2, 2026: Conrad Athens The Ilisian officially opened on April 23, 2026. It is the Conrad brand's first property in Greece, and can now be booked with Hilton Honors points.
About the hotel
The site was formerly the Athens Hilton, which closed in 2022 for a major renovation. After nearly 4 years of rebuilding, it has reappeared under the Conrad flagship brand, named "The Ilisian" after the nearby Ilisos River. The whole project is more than a hotel: it also includes branded residences, a private members' club, an integrated wellness center, and several dining and social spaces, effectively rebuilding the entire Hilton landmark into an integrated luxury living district.
Hotel basics
- Location: Ilisia district, Athens, Greece, about a 25-minute walk to the Acropolis
- Rooms: 278 rooms and suites, including 3 presidential suites and 1 royal suite, one of the largest suite collections in Athens; an Omega Penthouse with a private pool and views of the Acropolis and the Aegean is to follow
- Highlights: one of the largest outdoor pool areas in Athens; a high-end spa and fitness center; 9 dining concepts in different styles
- Flagship restaurant: Byzantino tavern, led by Angelos Lantos, the first chef in Athens to win two Michelin stars, presenting both French and Greek cooking
Redeeming Hilton Honors points
- Entry-level rooms start at about 96,000 Hilton Honors points a night, with most dates at 120,000 points a night (higher at peak times)
- On cash rates, from May most dates start at about US$650 a night; peak season (May–September) cash rates are higher, and the off-season is relatively reasonable
- Hilton Honors Diamond members get free breakfast and upgrade benefits
Greece's tourist high season runs from May to September each year. If you plan an Athens summer trip, book early while you have enough points in your balance.
Final Thoughts
Conrad Athens The Ilisian has only just opened, and for readers who want to add European destinations for points redemptions, Athens deserves serious consideration. Pair it with Hilton Honors points-buying promotions to build up a points reserve and wait for the right moment to act.
Other related Hilton Honors articles:
- An Introduction to the Hilton Honors Program
- Hilton Honors Points Purchase Promotions
- Hilton Introduces Global Automated Upgrades
- Experience Sharing – How to Quickly Get Top-Tier Hotel Status with Marriott and Hilton, and How Stays Compare
- Analysis – Marriott vs. Hilton: Which Makes It Easier to Earn a Free Night by Staying at Hotels?
- Hilton Rolls Out Several Favorable New Policies