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At a Glance

With an incredible seaside setting, contemporary accommodations and excellent resort facilities, the Four Seasons Astir Palace reigns as the top hotel in Athens.

Indagare Loves

• The hotel’s setting on Astir Bay, with gorgeous sunset views
• The modern, high-tech rooms
• The delicious waterfront restaurants on-property and popular with local Athenians

Four Seasons Astir Palace Review

When it opened in April 2019, the Four Seasons Astir Palace not only claimed the title of Athens’ premier luxury hotel but also breathed new life into the former Astir Palace, the legendary hotel on the Athenian Riviera that has been frequented by everyone from Brigitte Bardot to Barack Obama. Set on Astir Bay—a popular beach enclave where such celebrities as Jackie Onassis came to sunbathe in the 1960s—the property had once been adored by locals, but its glory gradually faded, until the Four Seasons transformed the series of tired former buildings into a new property that feels modern, fresh and truly luxurious.

Located 30 minutes from central Athens, this beach resort draws travelers to an area previously ignored by most tourists and frequented by well-heeled Athenians. Like many of the best beach towns, Astir Bay has a laidback vibe with casual seaside tavernas, low-key beach clubs and tree-lined avenues. The Four Seasons is located at the tip of Astir Bay, allowing for perfect sunset views. It’s no wonder that many local residents pull up in their Maseratis to enjoy a cocktail in the hotel’s sunset lounge.

Four Seasons Astir Palace has 300 rooms, divided among two buildings and a collection of bungalows. Accommodations feature contemporary furnishings and a calm, neutral palette of creams, grays and blues that reflect the waters outside. Nafsika is the slightly larger building, with a more sophisticated aesthetic, while neighboring Arion is smaller with a boutique feel and a Miami-esque vibe. Of the two, Nafsika enjoys a better location with more expansive views of the horizon, and the resort’s main pool and kids’ club are located there. The spa and adults-only pool are found at Arion.

The 60 bungalows—which were the first part of the original Astir Palace to be built in 1961—are set far apart from the two buildings, nestled among the trees. Travelers should note that the bungalows are not standalone units, but connected rooms. Given this lack of true privacy, as well as the less impressive views, we recommend staying at either Nafsika or Arion instead.

The 75-acre property encompasses several pools with scenic lounge decks, multiple coves, tennis and basketball courts, a marina for yachts, a helipad, a spa with a hydrotherapy center inspired by ancient Athens and nine restaurants, including Matsuhisa Athens and a seaside outpost of Athens’ beloved Nice N Easy restaurant. The hotel’s restaurants, offering Greek, Italian and South American cuisines, among others, are very well-regarded, so it’s not uncommon to see a mix of Athenians and hotel guests dining on the property. There are three small private beaches on-property, but the hotel does not have a particularly wide strip of sandy beachfront.

Who Should Stay

Anyone who plans to spend more than one night in Athens should stay here. Travelers who aren’t able to visit the further-flung Greek islands can also combine relaxing beach time at the Four Seasons resort with historic touring in the city.

Author

• Indagare