Hilton Athens {GRC}
Dec 18, 2021, 12:50 am
#467
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: TOA
Programs: HH Diamond, Marriott LTPP/Platinum Premier, Hyatt Lame-ist, UA !K
Posts: 20,061
Dec 18, 2021, 11:32 pm
#468
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2000
Posts: 15,355
The Hilton Athens, Hilton Istanbul and Rome Hilton Cavalieri are in some ways unique hotels, they were built at a time when such hotels did not exist, and were such a "get" for these countries that they were able to have incredible footprints size and location wise (and often still enjoy a prestige in their countries that is a curiosity for those not from those countries), that is something that is either impossible to acquire today either because of cost or simply lack of well located land.......................so it has been a thing for years that the current owners of these properties have from time to time been looking to either convert them into something else, or seek other uses for their land as well as being a Hotel. DeLEE, with that in mind, who knows what deal there is in ATH, in Istanbul there had been a deal for years that there could only be ONE Hilton (as opposed to more modern agreements that allow for more in a city), which is why despite there being dozens of Hilton properties in Istanbul they have played semantics with the names of all other properties in Istanbul forever, "Hiltonsa", etc.
Dec 18, 2021, 11:58 pm
#469
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: TOA
Programs: HH Diamond, Marriott LTPP/Platinum Premier, Hyatt Lame-ist, UA !K
Posts: 20,061
The Hilton Athens, Hilton Istanbul and Rome Hilton Cavalieri are in some ways unique hotels, they were built at a time when such hotels did not exist, and were such a "get" for these countries that they were able to have incredible footprints size and location wise (and often still enjoy a prestige in their countries that is a curiosity for those not from those countries), that is something that is either impossible to acquire today either because of cost or simply lack of well located land.......................so it has been a thing for years that the current owners of these properties have from time to time been looking to either convert them into something else, or seek other uses for their land as well as being a Hotel. DeLEE, with that in mind, who knows what deal there is in ATH, in Istanbul there had been a deal for years that there could only be ONE Hilton (as opposed to more modern agreements that allow for more in a city), which is why despite there being dozens of Hilton properties in Istanbul they have played semantics with the names of all other properties in Istanbul forever, "Hiltonsa", etc.
David
Dec 19, 2021, 12:53 am
#470
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 932
There's a great book on those first Hiltons built overseas in the 50s and early 60s:
Sadly, it looks like it's gotten pretty expensive.
They were built as cultural showpieces. Huge American architectural firms worked with local firms to create massive modern hotels with air conditioning and pools that served American food. They were landmarks in each city: Istanbul, Athens, Rome, Berlin, etc.
Conrad Hilton was very politically motivated. They were intentionally all built in cities where there was some question as to whether they might go Communist, or where they were right on the edge of the Iron Curtain, to show off the economic power of the US. If I remember right, the US government put sizable amounts into some of them too.
Sadly, it looks like it's gotten pretty expensive.
They were built as cultural showpieces. Huge American architectural firms worked with local firms to create massive modern hotels with air conditioning and pools that served American food. They were landmarks in each city: Istanbul, Athens, Rome, Berlin, etc.
Conrad Hilton was very politically motivated. They were intentionally all built in cities where there was some question as to whether they might go Communist, or where they were right on the edge of the Iron Curtain, to show off the economic power of the US. If I remember right, the US government put sizable amounts into some of them too.
Dec 19, 2021, 6:30 am
#471
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Bainbridge Island, WA
Posts: 8,966
I lived in Athens for a year in 1977 ( college junior year abroad) and I remember occasionally going down to the Hilton for an " American" hamburger.....being one of the only places in town to serve something like that.
Dec 19, 2021, 6:57 am
#472
Join Date: Jul 2012
Programs: DL DM 2 MM, Marriott Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium/Ambassador Elite , Hilton Honors Lifetime Diamond
Posts: 504
I stayed at this property in August. Have stayed there every year since 2006 so have gotten to know many of the managers, etc. It's my favorite Hilton property in the world. I'm a lifetime Diamond member. Have 100% received a suite upgrade facing the Acropolis each time. The lounge is fantastic with complimentary beer, wine and food for 2 hours each eventing (used to have mixed drinks, ouzo, etc. but that ended I believe). A little secret I figured out several years ago for breakfast is you can go downstairs and have their wonderful full buffet complimentary v the small spread in the lounge each am. Miss Sophie downstairs makes the best tiropita, spanakopita and bougatsa! The Galaxy Bar is an iconic rooftop bar facing the Acropolis. Service here has always been exceptional and the rooms clean. This property recevied a lot of convention business prior to COVID.
With all the great things said above, it is showing its age in the rooms, hallways and lobby. There is major construction going on now in the pool area. One of the managers did tell me I probably would not be able to stay there until 2024 if I come back next year.
I really like this location. We like exploring non-tourist areas (of course we have been to Athens more than 10 times so being close to the Plaka is not as important to us). Kolonaki is right across the street. We don't mind the walk to Syntagma just exploring.
Looking forward to see what the Conrad will be
With all the great things said above, it is showing its age in the rooms, hallways and lobby. There is major construction going on now in the pool area. One of the managers did tell me I probably would not be able to stay there until 2024 if I come back next year.
I really like this location. We like exploring non-tourist areas (of course we have been to Athens more than 10 times so being close to the Plaka is not as important to us). Kolonaki is right across the street. We don't mind the walk to Syntagma just exploring.
Looking forward to see what the Conrad will be
Last edited by buckeye91; Dec 19, 2021 at 3:53 pm
Dec 19, 2021, 7:22 am
#473
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Bainbridge Island, WA
Posts: 8,966
I stayed at this property in August. Have stayed there every year since 2006 so have gotten to know many of the managers, etc. It's my favorite Hilton property in the world. I'm a lifetime Diamond member. Have 100% received a suite upgrade facing the Acropolis each time. The lounge is fantastic with complimentary beer, wine and food for 2 hours each eventing (used to have mixed drinks, ouzo, etc. but that ended I believe). A little secret I figured out several years ago for breakfast is you can go downstairs and have their wonderful full buffet complimentary v the small spread in the lounge each am. Miss Sophie downstairs makes the best tiropita, spanakopita and bougatsa! The Galaxy Bar is an iconic rooftop bar facing the Acropolis. Servie here has always been exceptional and the rooms clean. This property recevied a lot of convention business prior to COVID.
With all the great things said above, it is showing its age in the rooms, hallways and lobby. There is major construction going on now in the pool area. One of the managers did tell me I probably would not be able to stay there until 2024 if I come back next year.
I really like this location. We like exploring non-tourist areas (of course we have been to Athens more than 10 times so being close to the Plaka is not as important to us). Kolonaki is right across the street. We don't mind the walk to Syntagma just exploring.
Looking forward to see what the Conrad will be
With all the great things said above, it is showing its age in the rooms, hallways and lobby. There is major construction going on now in the pool area. One of the managers did tell me I probably would not be able to stay there until 2024 if I come back next year.
I really like this location. We like exploring non-tourist areas (of course we have been to Athens more than 10 times so being close to the Plaka is not as important to us). Kolonaki is right across the street. We don't mind the walk to Syntagma just exploring.
Looking forward to see what the Conrad will be
Dec 19, 2021, 9:44 am
#474
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: TOA
Programs: HH Diamond, Marriott LTPP/Platinum Premier, Hyatt Lame-ist, UA !K
Posts: 20,061
I stayed at this property in August. Have stayed there every year since 2006 so have gotten to know many of the managers, etc. It's my favorite Hilton property in the world. I'm a lifetime Diamond member. Have 100% received a suite upgrade facing the Acropolis each time. The lounge is fantastic with complimentary beer, wine and food for 2 hours each eventing (used to have mixed drinks, ouzo, etc. but that ended I believe). A little secret I figured out several years ago for breakfast is you can go downstairs and have their wonderful full buffet complimentary v the small spread in the lounge each am. Miss Sophie downstairs makes the best tiropita, spanakopita and bougatsa! The Galaxy Bar is an iconic rooftop bar facing the Acropolis. Servie here has always been exceptional and the rooms clean. This property recevied a lot of convention business prior to COVID.
With all the great things said above, it is showing its age in the rooms, hallways and lobby. There is major construction going on now in the pool area. One of the managers did tell me I probably would not be able to stay there until 2024 if I come back next year.
I really like this location. We like exploring non-tourist areas (of course we have been to Athens more than 10 times so being close to the Plaka is not as important to us). Kolonaki is right across the street. We don't mind the walk to Syntagma just exploring.
Looking forward to see what the Conrad will be
With all the great things said above, it is showing its age in the rooms, hallways and lobby. There is major construction going on now in the pool area. One of the managers did tell me I probably would not be able to stay there until 2024 if I come back next year.
I really like this location. We like exploring non-tourist areas (of course we have been to Athens more than 10 times so being close to the Plaka is not as important to us). Kolonaki is right across the street. We don't mind the walk to Syntagma just exploring.
Looking forward to see what the Conrad will be
Also, after their return to the U.S., she told him of her desire to go back to the hotel.
David
Dec 19, 2021, 3:56 pm
#475
Join Date: Jul 2012
Programs: DL DM 2 MM, Marriott Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium/Ambassador Elite , Hilton Honors Lifetime Diamond
Posts: 504
Your experiences mirror what my colleague (since passed) and his wife enjoyed on their stays there. He remarked that, even with the City of Athens at their feet, his wife wanted to stay at the hotel and enjoy all of its services. And their stay was on points.
Also, after their return to the U.S., she told him of her desire to go back to the hotel.
David
Also, after their return to the U.S., she told him of her desire to go back to the hotel.
David
Rack rates where I stay generally are in the 150/e per night range.
Dec 20, 2021, 2:41 am
#476
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan
Programs: Airline Free Agent, Fairmont Lifetime Platinum, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Honors Diamond
Posts: 3,041
Dec 21, 2021, 1:19 am
#477
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: try to stay home
Programs: AY, M&M, BAEC ...and don t care of status anymore
Posts: 2,047
I really wonder where the prices will go when the reconstruction and rebranding is done, I guess it will go somewhere between 350€ - 450€ and therefore out of my budget.
Dec 21, 2021, 2:04 am
#479
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan
Programs: Airline Free Agent, Fairmont Lifetime Platinum, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Honors Diamond
Posts: 3,041
Wonder if they will let me charge a purchase of one of them residences on my Amex Aspire card lol
https://www.ekathimerini.com/economy...hilton-athens/
https://www.ekathimerini.com/economy...hilton-athens/
Jan 11, 2022, 2:57 pm
#480
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Bainbridge Island, WA
Posts: 8,966
Update.