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.

Updated October 2025: We added new photos of House of Nynn at The Ilisian, Athens’ legendary Hilton reborn

The House of NYNN Opens at THE ILISIAN: Where Athens Gets Its Groove Back—in Style

Athenians have long known this building as the historic Hilton Athens — but today, it enters a new era as The Ilisian, housing the newly opened House of Nynn Hotel. This transformation blends the city’s rich history with bold contemporary design, marking one of the most important hospitality openings in Greece

With the launch of the House of NYNN at THE ILISIAN, the Greek capital welcomes a new kind of urban sanctuary—equal parts private club, lifestyle laboratory, and aesthetic playground. It’s not just a space. It’s a statement.

The New Athens, Embodied

You’ll find THE ILISIAN in the heart of the leafy Ilisia district, an architectural rebirth of an iconic Athenian landmark—elegantly reincarnated as a multi-dimensional destination where hospitality, culture, and creativity converge. Think next-gen luxury, but with a distinctly Hellenic soul.

At the center of this ambitious vision? The House of NYNN, the city’s first modern members’ club—a concept more akin to the trendsetting social hubs of London and New York than anything Athens has seen before. But make no mistake: this isn’t copy-paste cosmopolitanism. This is Athens on its own terms.

Inside the House: Where Every Room Tells a Story

Spread across 5,500 sqm of exquisitely designed interiors and 3,000 sqm of verdant outdoor spaces, the House of NYNN is more than the sum of its parts—it’s an ecosystem of elegance. Four key areas unfold like chapters in a beautifully edited lifestyle journal.

The Living Room: The Beating Heart

This all-day social salon is where conversation flows as easily as the cocktails. With a curated ambiance that walks the line between residential chic and discreet opulence, it’s a space for lounging, mingling, or simply observing Athens’ creative class in its natural habitat.

The Forum: Work, But Make It Sublime

Hybrid work has found its high-design home. The Forum is a co-working and meeting space that swaps fluorescent lighting and sad desk lunches for natural textures, intuitive acoustics, and beautifully brewed Greek coffee. Here, ideas don’t just spark—they ignite.

The Wellness Floor: Total Body Reset

Descending into the lower level reveals the Wellness Floor, a serene, tech-forward sanctum for body and soul. From data-driven fitness programs to holistic therapies, this is where high performance meets deep restoration. Expect curated playlists, infrared saunas, and trainers who know your VO2 max better than your star sign.

The Oasis: A Lush Urban Hideaway

And then there’s the Oasis—a sun-drenched outdoor haven surrounding what is poised to become the most Instagrammed pool in Athens. Dappled light, curated flora, and design-led lounging create a Riviera-esque vibe without ever leaving the city.

A Club With a Mission: Cosmopolitanism with a Pulse

The House of NYNN isn’t just offering luxury; it’s curating meaningful connection and elevated experience. Gastronomy, wellness, culture, and design come together with a focus on “ευζωία”—the Greek notion of living well. It’s the kind of place where members might discuss film theory after a reformer Pilates session, or debate politics over an organic brunch. This is slow living for fast thinkers. And as the first concept by NYNN, the new hospitality and wellness brand by TEMES S.A., it sets the tone for more immersive lifestyle experiences to come.

Why It Matters: A New Identity for Athens

With its debut, House of NYNN signals a shift. A city once defined by its past is now embracing a chic, creative present—and inviting the world to join in. This is not merely a space for members; it’s a lighthouse for a new Athenian identity: modern, stylish, and globally relevant.

The House of NYNN isn’t just offering luxury; it’s curating meaningful connection and elevated experience. Gastronomy, wellness, culture, and design come together with a focus on “ευζωία”—the Greek notion of living well. It’s the kind of place where members might discuss film theory after a reformer Pilates session, or debate politics over an organic brunch. This is slow living for fast thinkers. And as the first concept by NYNN, the new hospitality and wellness brand by TEMES S.A., it sets the tone for more immersive lifestyle experiences to come.

Why It Matters: A New Identity for Athens

With its debut, House of NYNN signals a shift. A city once defined by its past is now embracing a chic, creative present—and inviting the world to join in. This is not merely a space for members; it’s a lighthouse for a new Athenian identity: modern, stylish, and globally relevant.

The post House of Nynn Hotel at The Ilisian (Ex-Hilton Athens) – A Bold New Luxury Icon appeared first on Travel My Day Blog.