The Ilisian Athens is entering a new chapter. Once known as the Hilton Athens, the landmark that defined modern Greek hospitality in 1963 is being reintroduced as a multi-layered luxury destination anchored by Conrad Athens, branded residences, a private members’ club and a nine-venue culinary ecosystem.

Opening in Spring 2026, The Ilisian Athens is not simply a hotel reopening. It is the reinvention of one of the city’s most recognisable buildings into a contemporary cultural and lifestyle district, reconnecting Athenians and international travellers with a new vision of modern luxury.

From Hilton Athens to Conrad — A Landmark Reborn

When the Hilton Athens first opened in 1963, it symbolised a new, outward-looking Greece. Its marble façades by Yiannis Moralis became part of the city’s architectural identity, while its public spaces functioned as social stages for decades. Today, under the Conrad name, the building retains its architectural integrity while embracing a contemporary sensibility. The lighting redesign by Eleftheria Deko enhances the original structure, while interior direction by AvroKO draws inspiration from the optimism and artistic energy of the 1950s and 60s, reinterpreted through a refined, modern lens.

The result is not nostalgia, but continuity.

For a deeper look at the transformation from Hilton Athens to The Ilisian, revisit our detailed breakdown of the project’s evolution and architectural legacy.

Conrad Athens — The Hotel at the Core

At the heart of the development sits Conrad Athens, The Ilisian, the hotel that anchors the entire project. The property will offer 307 guest rooms and suites – among the largest in Athens – many featuring balconies with views of the Acropolis, Lycabettus Hill and the Aegean horizon.

The suite collection includes three Presidential Suites, a Royal Suite and the Omega Penthouse: a 400-square-metre residence with a private pool and sweeping, amphitheatre-like views across the city.

The design language reflects architectural clarity and natural light, favouring calm materials, sculptural lines and understated elegance over theatrical excess.

Branded Residences: A New Era of Luxury Living in Athens

For the first time in Greece, both Conrad Residences and Waldorf Astoria Residences will operate within the same landmark development. A total of 55 branded and serviced residences introduce a hybrid model of urban living, combining private ownership with hotel-level services and amenities. Positioned in the city centre yet integrated within a larger lifestyle ecosystem, the residences mark a significant evolution in Athens’ high-end real estate landscape.

Gastronomy as the Backbone of The Ilisian

At The Ilisian, food is not an amenity — it is infrastructure. More than nine distinct culinary and entertainment venues will gradually unfold, transforming the building into one of the most dynamic F&B hubs in Athens.

Among them:

Onuki, the refined Japanese restaurant by acclaimed chef Stamatis Skriapas, already setting the tone poolside with precision-led technique and cosmopolitan atmosphere. We previously explored Onuki at The Ilisian in detail, including its culinary direction and design identity.

Byzantino, the historic restaurant returning as a chic brasserie blending Greek ingredients with French culinary discipline under executive chef Angelos Lantos.

The Galaxy Dispensary, reintroducing the iconic Galaxy Bar as an eclectic gastro bar with an extensive wine and premium spirits collection.

The Galaxy Supper Club, an elevated fine-dining and entertainment venue reviving the building’s rooftop legacy.

Athenian Lounge, designed as the social heart of the lobby, active from early morning to late night.

Together, these concepts form a layered dining ecosystem, designed to bring Athenians back into the building as much as it attracts international guests.

House of NYNN and the Rise of Members’ Culture in Athens

Spanning more than 5,000 square metres across three levels, House of NYNN introduces a new model of private members’ culture to the Greek capital. Developed by TEMES, the club blends co-working, curated programming, dining, wellness and social spaces into a lifestyle environment shaped by balance and community.

Members have access to lounge and bar spaces, an event forum and office pods, a state-of-the-art gym, indoor pool and heat experiences, as well as the largest outdoor pool landscape in the city centre.

Explore our full feature on House of NYNN for an in-depth look at the club’s design, philosophy and cultural positioning within The Ilisian.

Wellness, Longevity and the Largest Pool Landscape in Central Athens

Wellbeing at The Ilisian is approached as an integrated system. The development includes more than 2,000 square metres of indoor wellness facilities, anchored by a 500-square-metre Longevity Clinic overseen by Dr Costas Papageorgiou. Guests, residents and members will have access to personalised aesthetic and diagnostic programmes, restorative therapies, specialist fitness studios, an indoor heated pool, a 700-metre rooftop running track and the largest outdoor hotel pool in central Athens.

The new pool draws inspiration from the geometric language of Yiannis Moralis, while the original 1963 diving board returns as a symbolic bridge between past and present.

The Ilisian as a New Cultural Landmark in Athens

The Ilisian is not simply the rebirth of Hilton Athens under a new name. It represents a recalibration of how luxury operates within the city.

Rooted in the Ilisia neighbourhood and within walking distance of major museums, ancient landmarks and contemporary districts, the development occupies a natural crossroads between old and new Athens.

By combining Conrad hospitality, branded residences, a members’ club, extensive wellness facilities and a robust culinary identity, The Ilisian repositions the building as a living, evolving ecosystem rather than a static hotel. Its stated motto “connecting the world with modern Athens” becomes less a slogan and more a framework for how contemporary Athens chooses to present itself to the world.

The post The Ilisian Athens: The Complete Guide to the City’s Most Ambitious Luxury Reinvention appeared first on Travel My Day Blog.

There are Easter eggs, and then there are luxury hotel Easter eggs: limited-edition creations born somewhere between haute pâtisserie, collectible object and seasonal fantasy.

For Easter 2026, some of Europe’s most legendary hotel addresses are once again treating chocolate as an art form, unveiling beautifully crafted pieces that go far beyond the expected. In Paris, palace hotels reinterpret classic French desserts as sculptural eggs. In Zurich, a storied grand hotel releases a highly limited chocolate creation with architectural precision. In Brussels, a beloved Easter event transforms a hotel into a showcase for Belgian chocolate artistry.

For design lovers, dessert obsessives and anyone who appreciates a hotel with impeccable taste, these are the most beautiful hotel Easter eggs of 2026.

Le Bristol Paris unveils a Saint-Honoré-inspired chocolate Easter egg

At Le Bristol Paris, Easter arrives with all the elegance one would expect from one of the French capital’s most refined palace hotels. This year’s creation pays tribute to the Saint-Honoré, one of the great icons of French pâtisserie, reimagined as a sculptural chocolate egg by Chocolate Chef Johan Giacchetti and Executive Pastry Chef Maxence Barbot.

The result is not simply decorative. It is a study in movement, texture and restraint. The egg is defined by soft, flowing Chantilly-like waves, drawn in a single gesture to echo the signature curves of the classic dessert. The final shape emerges through an elaborate creative process involving sketches, sculpted prototypes and custom moulds, giving the piece the precision of a design object.

Inside the shell of 70% Venezuelan dark chocolate, the flavour profile is equally considered: tonka bean caramel, roasted Piedmont hazelnuts, cocoa praline and fleur de sel create a rich yet balanced composition. Delicate teardrop-shaped choux details nod back to the original pastry and add a poetic touch to the whole.

The limited-edition Saint-Honoré Easter egg will be available from March 18, 2026 at Le Bristol Paris’ in-house Épicerie, priced at €115. An accompanying pastry version will also be available for €39 until April 5, while other Easter creations continue through April 12, 2026.

The Peninsula Paris turns Easter into a sunflower in chocolate

For Easter 2026, The Peninsula Paris opts for something radiant, poetic and unmistakably joyful. Imagined by Pastry Chef Anne Coruble, recently named Pastry Chef of the Year 2026 by Gault & Millau, Fleur de Lumière takes the form of a majestic red sunflower and transforms Easter chocolate into an ode to light, renewal and togetherness.

Inspired by childhood memories and her grandfather’s sunflower paintings, Coruble’s creation is both emotionally resonant and visually striking. Beneath a crisp shell of Venezuelan dark chocolate, delicate milk chocolate petals open onto a heart of Tahitian vanilla marshmallow, vanilla Linzer shortbread and an airy sunflower seed and vanilla praline.

Designed to be shared by six guests, each petal detaches gently, turning the act of eating into a small, generous ritual. More than an Easter egg, it feels like a centrepiece made for a spring table.

Pre-orders run from March 10 to April 2, with collection at 19 avenue Kléber from April 1 to April 5, 2026.

Hôtel Plaza Athénée unveils the Golden Key Egg for Easter 2026

At Hôtel Plaza Athénée Paris, Easter arrives with a touch of theatre. For 2026, Executive Pastry Chef Angelo Musa and Pastry Chef Elisabeth Hot have imagined the Golden Key Egg, a playful and impeccably polished chocolate showpiece inspired by the hidden secrets of the iconic palace hotel.

Dressed in the hotel’s unmistakable signature red, the egg is crafted from 62% Passionato dark chocolate and finished with a textured velvet coating, giving it the look of a precious object rather than a simple Easter treat. Once opened, it reveals a series of chocolate keys, a witty nod to mystery, discovery and the many doors of fantasy a great hotel can unlock.

Each key is sculpted in Tannea 43% milk chocolate and filled with a silky hazelnut praline, adding a rich, indulgent layer to the creation’s visual drama.

The Golden Key Egg is priced at €120 including VAT and will be available for purchase from March 9, 2026, with collection at the hotel following a minimum 72-hour pre-order period.

Mandarin Oriental Lutetia, Paris unveils a floral Easter egg shaped like a peony bouquet

At Mandarin Oriental Lutetia, Paris, Easter takes a distinctly floral turn with a chocolate creation that looks almost too pretty to break into. The Floral Easter Egg is conceived as a true showpiece, shaped like a sumptuous bouquet of peonies and hiding a bi-layer Manjari dark chocolate egg filled with smooth hazelnut praline.

Each delicate flower reveals its own surprise, with notes of marshmallow, white and milk chocolate, or raspberry chocolate, bringing a playful dimension to the creation’s elegant appearance. Finished with leaves in white chocolate and Dulcey chocolate, the piece feels poised somewhere between grand pâtisserie and springtime centrepiece.

Romantic, decorative and unabashedly photogenic, it is the kind of Easter confection that turns seasonal indulgence into tabletop art.

Brach imagines Easter 2026 through the poetry of an eclipse

At Brach, Easter 2026 takes on a more cosmic mood. Inspired by the solar eclipse set to cross Europe on 12 August 2026, the hotel introduces the Brach “Eclipse” Egg, a sculptural creation imagined by Fabien Emery, Pastry Chef for Evok Collection.

Designed as an object to gift, keep or even display, the egg channels that rare suspended moment when the light shifts, the city seems to pause and the sky becomes briefly otherworldly. In that sense, it feels less like a conventional Easter confection and more like a small piece of edible symbolism.

Behind its graphic silhouette, the flavour profile is built around depth and texture: 64% Gaya dark chocolate, hazelnut praline, and shards of dark and milk chocolate studded with hazelnut pieces. The result is rich, tactile and quietly dramatic, perfectly in step with Brach’s distinctive aesthetic universe.

The Brach “Eclipse” Egg will be available at Brach Paris and Brach Madrid from March 20 to April 7, 2026.

Baur au Lac presents one of the most exclusive hotel Easter eggs of 2026

If your preferred Easter aesthetic leans more rare, architectural and impossible to replicate, Baur au Lac in Zurich has delivered one of the most collectible luxury chocolate creations of the season.

Created by Head Pastry Chef David Potier, the hotel’s 2026 Easter egg continues the tradition of using “1844 Chocolat Baur au Lac”, the property’s own chocolate line. This year’s piece is especially exclusive, with just 25 available.

Its dark chocolate outer shell is designed with an openwork structure, giving it an unexpectedly airy, almost lace-like lightness. Inside sits a white egg filled with pistachio ganache, while the base hides another indulgent surprise in the form of pecan ganache. The interplay of textures and tones gives the piece both visual depth and a sense of ceremony.

The ingredients are no less luxurious: Arriba 72% chocolate from Ecuador, Edelweiss 36% chocolate, 42% milk chocolate, Madagascar vanilla, pistachios and pecans all come together in a composition that feels both rich and meticulously balanced.

The limited-edition Easter egg is priced at CHF 150 and can be pre-ordered from March 9, 2026, for collection at 1844 by Baur au Lac.

For those unfamiliar with it, 1844 Chocolat Baur au Lac has existed since 2010 and takes its name from the founding year of the Zurich hotel. It is one more expression of the institution’s long-standing devotion to craftsmanship and detail.

Four Seasons Hotel des Bergues Geneva celebrates Easter with a limited-edition chocolate egg

At Four Seasons Hotel des Bergues Geneva, Easter 2026 unfolds as a polished celebration of indulgence, elegance and springtime conviviality. Alongside a festive brunch, Easter-themed children’s activities and a chocolate-led Afternoon Tea served in the cosy setting of Salon Dufour, the hotel introduces a limited-edition Easter egg by Pastry Chef Lyece Major.

Created in a strictly limited run of just 30 pieces, the 2026 edition is crafted from 65% Maracaibo chocolate from Madagascar and pays homage to the natural beauty of cacao itself. Its silhouette, inspired by the organic curves of the cocoa bean, reveals a glossy shell that encases a crisp Piedmont hazelnut praline.

On the palate, the intensity of dark chocolate meets the gentle sweetness of roasted nuts in a composition that feels both refined and deeply comforting. Elegant, sculptural and highly collectible, it is exactly the kind of seasonal creation one expects from one of Geneva’s most storied luxury addresses.

Hotel Amigo Brussels brings back Bel’Œuf for Easter 2026

Not every Easter chocolate experience has to be boxed and ribboned. At Hotel Amigo Brussels, a Rocco Forte Hotel, Easter 2026 takes the form of an event that celebrates Belgian chocolate on a grander, more imaginative scale.

From April 2 to April 8, 2026, the hotel hosts the fourth edition of Bel’Œuf, an exhibition dedicated to the creativity of Belgian chocolatiers and organised in collaboration with renowned chocolatier Marc Ducobu. This year’s theme, “Pleasure in Motion,” invites around 40 Belgian chocolatiers to interpret the mechanics, rhythm and poetry of movement through artistic chocolate Easter eggs.

The works will be exhibited in the hotel’s Ambassadeur Room, open daily from 10 am to 5 pm. Entry is priced at €10, with proceeds donated to Télévie, the Belgian initiative supporting cancer research.

This year’s edition also honours Marc Ducobu and features Grand Master Chocolatier Christophe Morel, who will unveil a monumental chocolate artwork to be auctioned online. The eggs presented during the exhibition can also be purchased for €900, making Bel’Œuf part exhibition, part philanthropic gesture, part collector’s temptation.

To extend the experience, Bocconi, Hotel Amigo’s restaurant, will offer a special Easter menu inspired by Italian festive traditions. Guests dining there during the event will also receive access to the exhibition.

For anyone interested in where to see extraordinary Easter eggs in Brussels in 2026, this is the address to know.

La Réserve Paris reimagines Easter through Paris-Brest

At La Réserve Paris – Hotel and Spa, Easter is treated with the house’s signature mix of intimacy, discretion and quiet seduction. Under the direction of Head Pastry Chef Jordan Talbot, the hotel presents two exclusive Easter experiences for 2026, both rooted in emotion and French pastry memory.

The first is a signature Easter egg inspired by Paris-Brest, a dessert Talbot associates with childhood and comfort. Its circular, sculptural form captures the silhouette of the classic pastry and reinterprets it in dark Peruvian chocolate. Hidden inside are chocolate-coated marshmallows perfumed with Madagascan vanilla, while the base and crown of the egg recall crisp choux pastry through a Valencia almond praline with roasted cocoa nibs. Notes of salted caramel and roasted vanilla add warmth, depth and indulgence.

The Signature Easter Egg is available exclusively by pre-order from March 2 to March 28, 2026, priced at €99.

Then comes L’Instant Gourmand – Edition N°2, taking place over the Easter weekend from April 4 to April 6, 2026 in the hotel’s intimate Duc de Morny Library. This special experience unfolds as a three-part pâtisserie journey: a Paris-Brest interpretation with roasted vanilla and cocoa nibs, a lemon and basil tart with airy mousse, and a truffle composition layered with almond praline, puffed rice, caramel and black rice cake.

To complete the ritual, La Réserve adds a specially created Easter Martini made with Hennessy VS Cognac, Grande Réserve chocolate, Frangelico and Grand Marnier. Refined, a little decadent and very Paris in spirit, it feels exactly in line with the hotel’s universe.

Luxury hotel Easter eggs are having a moment

There is something especially appealing about the way grand hotels approach Easter. Rather than treating it as a purely commercial holiday, the best addresses use it as an excuse to showcase what they already do best: craftsmanship, storytelling, aesthetics and atmosphere.

In that sense, these creations are not just seasonal novelties. They are extensions of each hotel’s identity. At Le Bristol Paris, the reference is classic French pâtisserie elevated into sculpture. At Baur au Lac, it is refinement and rarity. At Hotel Amigo, it becomes a cultural event. At La Réserve Paris, it is intimacy, memory and understated indulgence.

And perhaps that is exactly why these luxury Easter eggs for 2026 feel so irresistible: they are not just made to be eaten. They are made to be admired, gifted, photographed and remembered.

The best luxury hotel Easter eggs and chocolate creations to know for 2026

For anyone planning a spring city break, searching for a stylish seasonal gift or simply indulging in a little chocolate fantasy from afar, these are among the most elegant hotel Easter eggs and Easter experiences in Europe for 2026:

• Le Bristol Paris for a Saint-Honoré-inspired sculptural egg
• Hôtel Plaza Athénée Paris for the playful and polished Golden Key Egg
• The Peninsula Paris for Anne Coruble’s radiant sunflower-inspired Fleur de Lumière
• Mandarin Oriental Lutetia, Paris for a floral chocolate creation shaped like a peony bouquet
• La Réserve Paris for a Paris-Brest-inspired signature egg and a gourmet Easter experience
• Four Seasons Hotel des Bergues Geneva for a highly limited cacao-bean-inspired creation
• Baur au Lac Zurich for a rare collectible chocolate piece with architectural appeal
• Hotel Amigo Brussels for Bel’Œuf, an artistic Easter exhibition celebrating Belgian chocolatiers
• Brach Paris for a solar-eclipse-inspired Easter egg with graphic appeal

This year, Easter at the grand hotels is looking less like a holiday tradition and more like a beautifully wrapped excuse to worship at the altar of chocolate.

The post Luxury Hotel Easter Eggs 2026: The Most Beautiful Chocolate Creations in Paris, Zurich and Brussels appeared first on Travel My Day Blog.

Following a €60 million transformation, The Carlton Milan marks one of the most significant luxury hotel reinventions in Italy’s fashion capital. Under the direction of Rocco Forte Hotels, the historic property has been carefully restored to balance Milanese grandeur with contemporary elegance.

The redesign emphasizes restraint over excess, with interiors that feel polished, modern, and unmistakably Italian. Situated at the cultural and commercial heart of Milan, the hotel positions itself as a refined urban retreat rather than a showpiece.

Why it matters: A confident return to timeless European luxury, where heritage is updated with intelligence rather than spectacle.
Best for: Design-conscious travelers, fashion insiders, and guests who value discretion.

Skyra Retreat

Set on the shores of Lake Norvajärvi, Skyra Retreat introduces a new vision of Nordic luxury rooted in stillness, landscape, and elemental design. Opening at the end of 2025 and coming fully into its own in 2026, the retreat is deliberately remote and intentionally understated.

Architecture blends seamlessly into the surrounding environment, prioritizing natural materials, expansive views, and a slow rhythm shaped by the Arctic landscape.

Why it matters: Skyra reflects the growing shift toward experiential, nature-led luxury defined by authenticity rather than amenities.
Best for: Travelers seeking solitude, creative reset, and high-design minimalism.

La Réserve Firenze

La Réserve’s arrival in Florence in 2026 introduces one of Europe’s most discreet luxury brands to one of its most culturally saturated cities. Housed within a historic palazzo, the hotel favors atmosphere over display, offering hushed interiors, curated art, and deeply personalized service.

Rather than competing with Florence’s visual intensity, La Réserve Firenze refines it, delivering a residential experience designed for guests who already know the city well.

Why it matters: Reinforces the return of quiet, ultra-high-end hospitality in major cultural capitals.
Best for: Seasoned travelers and collectors who value privacy over visibility.

The Lake Como EDITION

The Lake Como EDITION introduces contemporary energy to one of Europe’s most formal luxury destinations. Known for its design-driven, socially oriented approach, the EDITION brand brings a modern hospitality sensibility to Lake Como’s traditionally classic hotel scene.

Expect striking interiors, a strong food and beverage identity, and a hotel that functions as both a stay and a cultural hub.

Why it matters: Signals a generational shift in how iconic destinations evolve without losing relevance.
Best for: Creatives, design lovers, and travelers seeking luxury with rhythm and edge.

The post The Best New Luxury Hotels to Visit in 2026 appeared first on Travel My Day Blog.