Next month is the much-anticipated reopening of Athens’ favourite hotel by the sea, Four Seasons Astir Palace Hotel.
For many who haven’t stayed at Astir on previous visits to Greece’s capital city, the new hotel will be a great introduction to the seaside area, but for many others, who are frequent visitors to this part of town, it will be a pleasant makeover of a modern classic.
Astir Palace is a 1961 landmark built after World War II and the Greek Civil War, during Greece's peak period. Throughout the 60s, this hotel was the place to be seen, where Frank Sinatra once had to flee adoring crowds through the hotel kitchen, while Brigitte Bardot caused a stir by strolling the beach in a wide-brimmed sun hat and a tiny pink bikini. Other celebrities to have stayed here include Nelson Mandela, Jackie Kennedy, Telly Savalas, Sean Connery, Anthony Quinn, Ronaldinho and Lady Gaga. The Astir Palace continued to attract big names right up until 2016, when the final guest before the hotel closed was Barack Obama, on his last official visit to Greece as President.
In June, the hotel will reopen after a $123 million renovation, with 303 redesigned guest rooms; eight restaurants, including a branch of the Nobu franchise, Matsuhisa Athens; and a spa inspired by the teachings of Hippocrates.
The restaurant at Astir Beach will relaunch as the latest from Nice-n-Easy, a farm-to-table restaurant group. The new Nice-n-Easy eatery will stay open until 11:30 p.m. and serve contemporary Greek cuisine. There will also be a modern seafood restaurant and Italian trattoria.
There are also lounges, bars, a fitness club, tennis academy, two outdoor pools and two private beaches.
