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Ask any Greek about the Astir Palace, and you’ll likely hear stories about the glory days of the 60s and 70s, where legendary names like Frank Sinatra, Jackie Onassis and an endless list of screen icons frequented the Athenian luxury landmark.

Since its much-anticipated rebuild and re-opening in 2019 under the management of the Four Seasons, the Astir Palace Athens offers an elite holiday destination that celebrates its gilded past and presents a heightened sense of luxury and comfort, for the discerning traveller of today.

Location

Located 25km from the center of Athens, the Four Seasons Astir Palace sits on the Vouliagmeni peninsula, with the beaches of Vouliagmeni, Varkiza and Cape Sounio’s Temple of Poseidon all within driving distance. Surrounded by pine trees and with sweeping views of the Aegean, the Four Seasons Astir Palace Vouliagmeni is undoubtedly a jewel in the crown of the Athenian Riviera.

Insights Greece - Four Seasons Astir Palace Athens - A Cosmopolitan Classic Meets Modern Luxury

Style and Feel

The grounds of the Four Seasons Athens cover 75 acres and house 2 hotels, 3 beaches, 2 pools, 61 private bungalows, spa, gym, restaurants, eateries and bars. While the grounds are large and impressive, they manage to retain a chic, intimate experience and, upon stepping foot on-site, it’s clear that everything has been designed to maximise the sprawling sea views. The resort has been designed to honour the natural elements around it and manages to seamlessly blend into its rocky, pine-clad surroundings. Most notably, the staff at the Four Seasons Athens are dedicated to offering the impeccable service you’d expect from the hotel group, coupled with the signature warmth of Greek filoxenia.

Suites

With 21 varieties of rooms, suites and bungalows, there are accommodation options for singles, couples, families and groups to enjoy. The Arion – a Luxury Collection Resort and Spa – offers guests an elegant and sophisticated environment. Rooms and suites in the Arion have a sense of warmth to them, with plush furnishings that are made for ultimate comfort. The Nafsika hotel boasts sleek rooms and suites in a grand building, with family-friendly amenities nearby.

The Bungalows are tucked away in the surrounding pine trees for privacy and are a piece of history in their own right, having been home to names like Brigitte Bardot and Aristotle Onassis. The bungalows retain aesthetic nods to their vintage glory days yet boast every modern luxury one could need in a cabana that overlooks the Aegean.

No matter which room or suite you choose, the in-room facilities and service are consistently thoughtful and unobtrusive. It’s the details that remain with you long after leaving the Four Seasons Athens, like smart lighting with settings for morning, afternoon and evening, Four Seasons signature bedding that was seemingly designed for you to have the perfect night’s sleep, and thoughtful touches like afternoon ouzo and olives. With rooms this luxurious and comfortable, it’s worth staying in a little and enjoying the in-room service.

Food and Drinks

With 10 restaurants, eateries and bars on-site, the dining options at the Four Seasons Athens will entertain even the most demanding foodie. Breakfast offers buffet and a la carte dining options, featuring a mix of healthy (think smashed avocado toast with poached eggs and detox juices) and decadent choices (the array of freshly baked cakes and pastries will satisfy any sweet tooth).

Once you’ve worked up a post-swim appetite, the dining options just keep getting better. Taverna 37 is perched upon Arion beach and serves up an elevated take on taverna fare, including the note-worthy salad of compressed watermelon, feta and mint and seafood kritharoto. Poolside restaurant Helios offers Peruvian/Nikkei cuisine with a playful selection of ceviches and raw dishes, as well as tacos, burgers and a cocktail menu that will have you enjoying your afternoons by the pool more than you could have imagined.

The pinnacle of dining options at Four Seasons Athens is undoubtedly Pelagos. With chef Luca Piscazzi at the helm, this forward-looking interpretation of fine dining uses fresh seasonal produce with a focus on fish and seafood. The tasting menu boasts signature dishes like caviar pasta and dry-aged wild sea bass, as well as mind-bending amuse-bouche bites like sea urchin tiramisu.

Activities

The outdoor hotel pool is the centrepiece of the grounds and boasts uninterrupted views of the peninsula. Olive trees are seemingly magically planted around and within the pool, creating a poolside scene out of your grandest Grecian dreams. If the pool gets a little too active for your liking, you can always stroll over to the Arion “quiet pool”, where guests aged 12 and over are welcome to enjoy the facilities.

Often, staying at a hotel means giving up the beach for the pool. Not so at the Four Seasons Athens, which boasts three pristine on-site beaches. If the sea is your Happy Place, you can access the best of the crystal-clear Aegean waters, just steps away from your room.

All beaches and pools at the Four Seasons are staffed by the pool club, with amenities such as watersports lessons, complimentary water and towels, lunch bites, beverages and treats throughout the day like frozen fruit and iced tea shots.

The Four Seasons spa and gym both provide plenty of wellness options, including morning pilates classes and massage therapy that is nothing short of heaven-sent. Parents, worry not, Kids For All Seasons has a range of activities to keep the young ones entertained while you follow your bliss.

Ideal for…

Four Seasons Athens is ideal for those who desire rest and relaxation in luxurious surroundings that honour the natural beauty of the Vouliagmeni peninsula. If comfort, impeccable service, luxury and gastronomy are what you value in a getaway, then the Four Seasons Astir Palace Hotel Athens is the sanctuary you’ve been seeking.