Hilton: The collaboration with Brown and the new hotels in Athens and Piraeus

In the "umbrella" of Hilton are the Isla Brown Chania Resort in Crete and the Isla Brown Corinthia Resort & Spa in Agios Theodoros, one hour from Athens

It took two and a half years after the first meeting for the Hilton group's franchise collaboration with the Israelis of Brown Hotels to proceed for the two resorts in Agios Theodoros and Crete that will operate from April of this year under the "Curio Collection" brand of the American hotel giant.

Mr Alan Mantin, managing director of Hilton Development in Southern Europe, in the presentation of the strategic cooperation of the two parties, revealed that there will be now 14 hotels of there's in operation or planning in Greece.

Brown is now proceeding with the conclusion of a franchise agreement with Hilton for the inclusion of two hotel units in the ''Curio Collection by Hilton'', which are managed and operated by Brown Hotels in Greece and are ready to welcome guests for the summer season that comes.

These are the Isla Brown Chania Resort, Curio Collection by Hilton in Crete and the Isla Brown Corinthia Resort & Spa (main text photo), Curio Collection by Hilton, in Agios Theodoros, one hour from Athens, two luxury hotels with multiple swimming pools, high-level dining areas and distinctive design in all areas.

In a related question, it was mentioned that the goal is for the two hotels to operate for a longer season this year, with prices 12-15% higher due to the network of services they will offer.

Ηilton

From Hilton's point of view, the group's presence now concerns both the islands and Athens, starting in 2025 with the long-awaited first ''Conrad'' in Athens, in the former Hilton on Vasilissis Sofias Avenue, which is being transformed into a complex destination of hospitality, residences and commercial in the symbolic property owned by Ioniki Xenodocheiaki, TE.MES groups. S.A. and Olayan.

Hilton also revealed it is looking for new opportunities in Athens.

Referring to the agreement that has been announced with the Douzoglou group for the former Mistral hotel in Piraeus with the American group's Hampton brand and the former Pendelikon in Kifissia, Mr Mantin said that the works at the port are expected to start in the second half of 2024, while later, in 2025, the historic hotel in the north of Athens will be launched.

Asked about the delays in the initial announcements for the opening of the two hotels (i.e. the initial planning two years ago, in 2022, when the agreement was announced), he said that the ''Pentelikon Athens'' of the Curio Collection by Hilton would open in the fall of 2024 and the ''Hampton by Hilton Piraeus'' in Mikrolimanos in the spring of 2024) the managing director of Development of Hilton in Southern Europe stated about the Douzoglou group that it is an investor from abroad, which came to Greece and needs to organise his activities in the country gradually.

For its part, however, Hilton continues its development story in Greece. In 2021, there was only two hotels, in the centre of Athens and the Curio Collection in Crete with the Trouli group, with whom they are now working again for Numo Ierapetra.

Brown

It is on the same wavelength as the Israeli Brown chain that continues to open new hotels in our country.

For 2024, Brown will proceed with new openings in Athens, on Piraeus Street, next to the Archaeological Museum and Crete.

Asked about the business environment in Greece, Mr Avigad expressed his thanks to the Greek authorities for how supportive they are.

The two ISLAs will reopen early in April and late October with slightly higher prices, from 12-15% and upgraded services.

The Brown Hotels chain was founded in 2010 by Leon Avigad and Nitzan Perry and has had a strong presence in our country since 2020. Its portfolio has 12 hotels, of which six are in Athens, in points and neighbourhoods of the centre.

At the same time, Brown Hotels has five resorts (in Agios Theodoros, Eretria, Chalkida, Corfu and Chania) and a beach boutique hotel in Loutraki.

Hilton is an international hospitality giant with a portfolio of 22 brands and nearly 7,400 hotels with over 1.1 million rooms in 124 countries. The Hilton Honors loyalty program has more than 173 million members.

The Curio Collection by Hilton is a global network of more than 145 unique hotels and resorts selected for their special character. Curio Collection hotels allow guests to enjoy independent hotels that offer authentic experiences while taking advantage of Hilton benefits and the Hilton Honors guest rewards program.

Stefania Souki is a columnist for New Money.

READ MORE: Kythnos: The “Smart Island” project and the €30 million investment.