T+L Review of Four Seasons Astir Hotel Athens

Why hasn’t a new season been filmed? The White Lotus here? I’m at a shaded table, just a few steps away from the sea. A glass of assyrtiko is nearby, along with a plate of octopus marinated. Several couples are browsing the lunch menu and superyachts bobbing in harbor. A server chats in Greek with a customer at a nearby table about the day’s catch.

When my lamb kebabs arrived, I realized that there was one difference between the Four Seasons on the Beach and the magical Four Seasons in the Sky. Athenian Riviera Everyone here is well dressed and behaved.

This stretch of quiet coves and luxury shops has been a getaway for jet-setters since the 1960s when the boldface names began vacationing at Vouliagmeni, and the surrounding communities. Hamptons of Athens. Arion was the building at the centre of the resort, which was reminiscent of other famous resorts, such as the Fontainebleau in Miami Beach and the Hilton Caribe in San Juan. The original Astir Palace was completed by an additional tower called the Nafsika and a number of bungalows. It is located on a peninsula in Athens, about 30 minutes away by car.

The Four Seasons Astir Palace Hotel Athens is a 75-acre resort which combines these three hotels. The resort has several beaches and a number of restaurants, including outposts for New York’s Beefbar as well as chef Nobu Matsuhisa’s eponymous restaurant. MatsuhisaThere are also plenty of bars and quiet spots with lounge chairs by the sea, so you can choose whether to be in full sun or shade. The many amenities include a helipad, an outdoor fitness center, a spa, a wellness area with classes, and a racquet court.

Arriving at the resort after a cruise of seven days through the Adriatic Sea had me in a vacation-like mindset. Oceania Cruises’ 1,200-passenger Allura. Astir Palace is a huge building. Every bend of the Saronic Gulf was filled with beautiful seaside restaurants and pools. In my sea-view villa, I found quiet moments in the privacy of my private plunge pool, and one of the most comfortable beds on earth.

While walking along the path one morning I was mesmerized by an electric blue sea. The aromas of rosemary, lavender, and cicadas filled the air as they buzzed through the pines trees. The 303 rooms of this nearly 70 year old resort are not a hidden gem. It’s a good thing it hasn’t been featured on HBO. It’s just too good to be bad.

Check out my review of the Four Seasons Astir Palace Hotel Athens. It includes information about the rooms, suites, dining options and many of the amenities of the property.

The Rooms

Four Seasons Astir Palace Hotel Athens offers a variety of rooms, bungalows and suites to suit different tastes. From south to north the resort is divided into three zones. These are clustered around the Nafsika Building and Arion Building.

• In the Nafsika complex, you’ll find the majority of the amenities for families, such as the main swimming pool, the children’s club, the athletic courts and the Mercato, which, amongst other things, hosts the buffet breakfast.
• The Arion is a quieter resort, featuring the Michelin-starred restaurant Pelagos, the spa, and the indoor pool.
• The bungalows are a group of suites that the hotel has built into the hillside to the north of the Arion. Each one comes with its own private terrace and plunge pool. Several—but not all—are connecting to enable families or groups to share space while retaining some privacy.

The bungalow was not large, but the indoor-outdoor flow of the room and terrace with the outdoor shower, café table, two chaise lounges and a plunge pool made it feel very comfortable. It didn’t hurt that the view of sea was framed by a tree that looked like an Aleppo. I would have happily stayed for at least a week.

Food and Drink

The food is outstanding. Pelagos has the highest ranking, a Michelin starred restaurant overlooking the sea. It has a wonderfully concise menu of inventive dishes from chef Luca Piscazzi, who developed many of the plates after extensive research on the islands of Greece—a tough job if ever there were one. The results include preparations such as the rabbit and lobster entrée inspired by Crete or the sole-and-Champagne course inspired by Sifnos. An Instagram-famous caviar pasta seemed to scream “stunt dining” to me—but was, thankfully, indulgently delicious. The beverage service was also excellent, with a variety of martinis, and options for lower ABV. I loved the baba au Rhum that was served at the end of my meal, even though I don’t usually eat sweets.

Taverna 37 is another waterfront restaurant I found impressive. They serve classics, such as saganaki and salt-roasted fish whole, but with a modern twist. The shaded table, the Greek salad, olives, and chilled assyrtiko are all I need for a perfect lunch.

Other options include Mercato for Italian food, Helios for Latin American cuisine, Astron for coffee and pastries, Kyma Beach Bar with light bites and a menu in the room.

Avra, the resort’s cocktail bar, strikes the perfect balance between modern cocktail culture (think playful cocktails and lots of collaborations) and that old-school elegance which I still enjoy in a hotel. This one is designed by Martin Brudnizki who is known for his bold designs. Aristotle’s cigar lounge at The Four Seasons offers specialty spirits, cocktails and other drinks.

Experience and Activities

You can have your wish come true, but it will cost you extra. Activities such as relaxing by the swimming pool, lazing on the beach, or running on the running track around the peninsula, are all part of the resort experience. Four Seasons has an extensive a la cart menu, which includes spa treatments and fitness classes. There are also history tours, helicopter flights, boating and kayaking. The concierge team can coordinate transportation and activities for guests. The Athens Spa is a luxurious facility with a thalassotherapy theme. Treatments include massages, facials, scrubs and more. As at many resorts in Europe these daysFour Seasons Spa offers many family-friendly services.

Location

The Four Seasons Astir Palace Hotel Athens lies on a narrow peninsula to the south of Athens’ city centre. the town of VouliagmeniThe hotel is also a great destination. You can have an entire vacation on the grounds of this hotel. At times you may feel as if you are not in Greece because of the wonderful food and the warm hospitality. The resort isn’t so far from the city, however, that it makes it difficult to plan a complete experience. A drive to the Parthenon can take about 45 minutes. The resort is conveniently located to embark on or disembark from a ferry or cruise. Piraeus port is about 30 to 40 minutes away depending on traffic.

Accessibility, Sustainability and Sustainability

The resort offers several features that make it accessible to people with disabilities. “The property offers wheelchair-accessible rooms, bathrooms, and public spaces, as well as hearing and visually impaired features like visual alarms and notification devices,” a spokesperson tells T+L. Ten rooms are wheelchair accessible: five of them in the Nafsika Building and five others in the Arion Building. These include features such electronic doors that automatically open, lowered loos, and roll in showers with rails. The lifts are available in both buildings as well as the public areas.

The Athens property, in terms of sustainability has implemented several practices as part of the global Four Seasons for Good Framework. Among other initiatives, they include EV chargers, vegetarian or vegan menus and solar water heating.

Book Now

Four Seasons doesn’t have a loyalty programme, but Four Seasons Astir Palace can be booked on platforms such as American Express Fine Hotels and ResortsPlatinum card holders receive complimentary breakfast daily and a resort credit of $100, amongst other perks. Rates start at $944 per night.

Every T+L review is written either by a reporter, or an editor who has actually stayed in the hotel. Each hotel is chosen based on its alignment with our core values.