4 Seasons Resort Astir Palace (Athens, Greece)

December 20, 2023

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Wednesday newsletters all the time characteristic a resort or flight evaluation.

At this time: 4 Seasons Resort Astir Palace (Greece)

On the subtle Athens Riviera, on the tip of a pine-clad peninsula, 4 Seasons Resort Astir Palace presents the perfect of each worlds: a laid-back seaside escape simply half-hour from the historic metropolis middle. Company can uncover the wonders of historical civilization on the Acropolis, then return to 4 Seasons to unwind and loosen up. Astir Palace got here to life within the Sixties, as the realm gained tempo as a seaside resort, drawing a crowd that spanned from Greek royalty, to Hollywood glitterati and elite jetsetters, and reopened as a 4 Seasons property in 2019 following a $700 million USD renovation. Consisting of two completely different buildings, the fabulous property options 8 eating places and bars, three swimming pools, a spa middle with 10 remedy rooms, a health middle and an expansive shoreline comprising three personal seashores. Astir Palace ranks among the many greatest luxurious resort I’ve ever stayed at.

Have you ever ever stayed at 4 Seasons Resort Astir Palace in Athens? If that’s the case, what was your expertise? Go away a remark.

4 Seasons Resort Astir Palace options in my prime 10 lists of the greatest luxurious accommodations in Greece and the greatest 4 Seasons Accommodations & Resorts on this planet.

On this evaluation (extra information and pictures beneath my YouTube video):

PROS & THINGS I LIKE

4 Seasons Resort Astir Palace is ready on an impressive, lush peninsula within the coronary heart of the Athenian Riviera, some of the coveted areas in Greece. Due its chic location, the resort is a good alternative for vacationers who wish to expertise the perfect of historical and trendy Greece, weekenders from Athens or the area, households on the lookout for a vacation that may be each fun-filled and academic, and {couples} who’re honeymooning or renewing their lives collectively in one of many world’s most romantic locations. Along with the five-star resort, the peninsula, stretched throughout 30 hectares (75 acres) of pine-dotted and scenic landscaped gardens, additionally includes upscale retail & eating choices, in addition to high-end seafront residences. The resort is conveniently situated 25 km (16 mi) south of Athens and 24 km (15 mi) from Athens Worldwide Airport.

Earlier than 4 Seasons took over administration of the property, Astir Palace had already been one in every of Greece’s most iconic accommodations for greater than 50 years. As an entity, Astir was first created within the late Fifties, gracing the magnificent pine lined peninsula of Laimos in Vouliagmeni. Two years later, in 1961, the cabanas of Astir began internet hosting visitors, whereas within the golden decade of the Sixties a waterskiing college – a novelty on the time for Athens – was opened. On the similar time Astir Seaside of Vouliagmeni – maybe the perfect swimming spot in Athens – grew to become established as a preferred assembly level. In 1967 the resort Arion was created adopted by Nafsika in 1979. 4 a long time later, the landmark resort on the Athens Riviera grew to become a 4 Seasons property after an in depth $700 million USD overhaul which concerned a top-to-bottom renovation of the resort’s services.

Drawing inspiration from the unique property’s historic glamor, the ultra-luxe resort incorporates a magnificent design. Following its multi-year renovation, the property’s light-filled areas exhibit a recent, up to date look that stylishly spills outside, with considerable use of pure supplies all through. Ok-Studio dealt with the architectural features of the renovation, whereas Meyer Davis and Martin Brudnizki Design Studio labored alongside it on the inside design. One of many components that makes 4 Seasons Astir Palace distinctive from a design perspective is the distribution of the resort services over two separate buildings, known as Arion and Nafiska (which operated as two unbiased accommodations previous to the renovation). Each resort wings characteristic a definite design that defines them: Arion’s look is extra refined and aimed toward {couples} and singles, whereas Nafiska’s decor feels extra relaxed and household oriented.

The Arion constructing – with its modernist structure and retro-chic design – presents a laid again vibe and distinctly refined environment. Upon arrival, visitors are welcomed by the foyer’s minimal aesthetic, lovely flower preparations, and a smooth colour palette of sandy hues. The foyer’s elegant lounge bar has huge floor-to-ceiling home windows which open to an expansive terrace with a number of lounge areas, providing lovely sea views. In comparison with the Nafsika constructing, the Arion wing has a extra intimate really feel, combining trendy class with relaxed resort model. Arion is residence to 101 uber-luxurious rooms and suites, two of the resort’s eating places -including the signature Michelin starred venue – together with the spa and indoor pool (extra on that beneath).

At quick strolling distance from Arion is the Nafiska resort wing, whose arrival courtyard is situated on the constructing’s prime ground, offering magnificent views over the Mediterranean Sea. On arrival, visitors are welcomed by a lit water characteristic and an Antony Gormley sculpture with a backdrop that resembles a forest of illuminated pillars. Nafsika’s vigorous foyer incorporates a darker colour palette in comparison with Arion, creating a gorgeous distinction with the deep blue of the Mediterranean Sea. At Nafsika, the resort services cascade down from the foyer on the highest ground to the immense swimming pool space beneath. Azure sea views dominate each single one of many constructing’s 133 rooms and suites – a few of that are geared up with a personal pool. Nafsika can also be residence to the social hub Avra Lounge and Terrace, two eating places, the health middle and several other luxurious boutiques.

4 Seasons Resort Astir Palace presents a variety of uber-luxurious lodging, that are situated in three distinct resort areas: 101 rooms and suites within the Arion constructing, 133 rooms and suite within the Nafsika constructing, and 61 hillside bungalows that are set in their very own tranquil, pine-clad enclave overlooking Astir seaside on the peninsula’s northern tip. Initially constructed within the early Sixties, the spacious sea- and garden-view are good for visitors searching for more room and privateness, and maybe just a little nostalgia for the reason that bungalows retain the identical glamorous attract in the present day as they did. That includes a recent look and up-to-date facilities for in the present day’s vacationers, all bungalows have a personal villa really feel and include swimming pools or furnished terraces. The world the place the bungalows are situated options its personal idyllic shoreline with seaside, and is only a 5 min stroll from the Arion constructing (24/7 buggy service is offered).

Throughout my keep at 4 Seasons Resort Astir Palace, I used to be upgraded to the outstanding Arion Royal Suite, some of the unimaginable suites I’ve ever stayed at throughout all my years of touring around the globe. Positioned within the Arion constructing on the ground-level, proper subsequent to the foyer, the 310 m2 (3,336 sq.ft.) Arion Royal Suite is the resort’s second largest suite. The regal suite featured a big dwelling & eating room, open kitchen, TV room, workplace space, walk-in closet, two spacious bedrooms with kingsize beds, and two ensuite marble loos, every with twin self-importance sinks, deep soaking tub and separate bathe. The large suite embraced the outside with floor-to-ceiling home windows, an expansive furnished terrace and a personal pool overlooking the Aegean Sea. The Arion Royal Suite is likely one of the resort’s so known as signature suites, whose visitors profit from unique companies and facilities, together with meet-and-greet airport service and a devoted private assistant.

Helmed by Government Chef Bertrand Valegeas who brings greater than 1 / 4 century’s expertise in kitchens everywhere in the world, 4 Seasons Resort Astir Palace’s culinary providing is as various as Greek tradition. The sprawling property options 4 eating places and three lounges & bars:
- Awarded one Michelin star, Pelagos is called after the Greek phrase for ocean and set inside the Arion constructing (on the foyer stage). The restaurant presents a forward-looking interpretation of nice eating utilizing recent seasonal produce of the Mediterranean Sea. Signature dishes embody langoustine tartare with caviar sauce and Dover sole meunière with saffron hollandaise and Kalamata olives.
- Set beneath the Arion constructing and open seasonally, is Taverna 37, a enjoyable and vibrant seafront taverna which showcases native Greek specialties. It’s an amazing and informal spot to share mezzes and salads, grilled lamb, hen souvlaki and fried calamari.
- Providing a vigorous Latin American vibe, Helios is a poolside restaurant situated beneath the Nafiska biulding. The menu consists of zesty ceviches and tiraditos, piquant tacos, guacamole, grilled meat cuts and refreshing margaritas.
- Positioned inside the Nafiska biulding, Mercato Restaurant brings to life the vibrance of an upscale Italian trattoria. Every morning, the venue presents a buffet breakfast (complemented by à la carte dishes) whereas at evening, it serves genuine Italian dishes in a sublime indoor house and beneficiant terrace overlooking the Athenian Riviera.
- Positioned subsequent to Mercato, Avra is a real vacation spot bar with placing sea-view venue, providing seasonal cocktails, nice ingesting, elevated bar snacks and stay DJs.
- Astron is a light-filled lounge bar within the foyer of the Arion constructing. A fantastic spot for mingling with buddies, Astron presents trendy drinks, a wide range of desserts, scrumptious bar snacks and an in depth champagne record.
- With golden-age glamour, the resort’s unique cigar lounge – situated subsequent to the foyer within the Arion wing – pairs the world’s most interesting cigars with uncommon cognacs, whiskeys and a craft cocktail record.
- In addition to its personal culinary ideas, the resort additionally presents easy accessibility to different marquee eating places on the Astir Peninsula together with Nobu’s Matsuhisa Athens and the steach restuarant Beefbar Athens

Certainly one of 4 Seasons Resort Astir Palace’s greatest promoting factors is its monumental personal shoreline, which seems out over the shimmering blue waters of huge, well-sheltered Vouliagmeni Bay. Two personal golden sand seashores are strung collectively by a 300 m (1000 ft) seafront boardwalk, which connects the Arion and Nafiska buildings. On prime of that’s the space with the bungalows, which options its personal personal seaside (subsequent to the general public Astir seaside) in addition to a number of quiet coves, lapped by the calm waters of the bay. All seashores in addition to the boardwalk and the coves characteristic dozens of snug solar loungers, greater than sufficient to accommodate all visitors even throughout instances of excessive occupancy. Alongside the boardwalk, beneath the Arion constructing is is a watersport middle which presents a myriad of watersports from windsurfing to sea kayaking plus a sundown sail each night.

Dotted alongside 4 Seasons Resort Astir Palace’s boardwalk are three swmming swimming pools, two of that are situated outside. The biggest, Olympic-size swimming pool is present in entrance of the Nafiska constructing. Seemingly floating on the tranquil waters of Vouliagmeni Bay, the large pool is surrounded by loads of stylish sunbeds and umbrellas. Open to visitors of all ages, the Nafiska swimming pool is particulary in style amongst households with youthful kids and youngsters. A second out of doors swimming pool is discovered on the spa stage of the Arion constructing. This adults-only, infinity pool is just not as massive because the Nafiska however is presents a extra tranquil and serene ambiance in addition to gorgeous sea views as a consequence of its elevated place. Complimentary sunscreen is obtainable at each swimming pools in addition to facilities all through the day (e.g. ice pops, frozen fruits, and ice tea photographs). The third, indoor lap pool is situated inside the spa advanced (extra on that beneath).

Taking to coronary heart the sage phrases of Hippocrates – “Treatment typically, deal with typically, consolation all the time” – The Spa at 4 Seasons Astir Palace Resort Athens presents a complete menu of therapies and companies attuned to trendy life. Impressed by historical Greek traditions, the Fountain Home is the spa’s hydrotherapy adults-only zone and options state-of-the-art services that embody an aroma steam grotto, hammam, vitality pool and chill showers. An arcade-like hall, which is illuminated by daylight filtered by picket ceiling slats, leads visitors to the remedy rooms. Signature therapies created particularly for the spa embody the two-hour Iremia Stillness Restoration Ritual (“a blissful, nurturing remedy for bodily or emotionally exhausted souls,” recommends Lefebvre); the 90-minute Epanorthosi Inexperienced Caviar Restore that addresses problems with ageing and environmental injury to the pores and skin; and the Frodida Physique Ritual (60, 90 or 120 minutes), which is fastidiously tailor-made to particular person needs and wishes by the Spa’s caring therapists.

Again within the Sixties and Nineteen Seventies – neglect Mykonos – Astir Palace was the place to see and be seen (and that’s nonetheless the case). The final well-known visitor of Astir Palace earlier than it transitioned to a 4 Seasons Resort was USA President Barack Obama. However the record of the world-renowned figures which have graced its suites & cabanas, eating places & bars, and seashores & gardens is lengthy: Margaret Thatcher, Jimmy Carter, John F. Kennedy, Francois Mitterrand, Boris Yeltsin, Mikhail Gorbachev, Giscard d’Estaing, Helmut Kohl, Frank Sinatra, Jacqueline Bisset, Brigitte Bardot, Telly Savalas, Paul Newman, John Wayne, The Beatles, Charles Aznavour, Isabella Rossellini and Pierce Brosnan are simply a few of them. It’s mentioned that at Astir Palace, the King of Saudi Arabia Ibn Saud would hand out gold watches as suggestions when he would e book a whole ground on the resort for himself and his royal entourage. Aristotle Onassis, Ioannis Latsis and Constantinos Karamanlis, in addition to virtually the whole lot of the Greek elite together with the celebrities of the Greek movie business had been as soon as amongst its common clientele.

Astir Palace is managed by 4 Seasons, in all probability the perfect identified luxurious resort model on this planet. The Toronto-based firm has remodeled the hospitality business in a story of continuous innovation, outstanding growth and a single-minded dedication to the best of requirements. 4 Seasons was based in 1960 by the younger architect Isadore Sharp, however the true breakthrough of the model got here within the seventies with the opening of the 4 Seasons London. Though the corporate went public in 1986, the Sharp household – together with a bunch of like-minded traders reminiscent of Invoice Gates and Saudi Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal – took the corporate personal once more in 2007 to guard the integrity of the model effectively into the long run. 4 Seasons presently manages greater than 120 accommodations and resorts worldwide. The corporate additionally presents personal jet journey onboard its personal Airbus A321 (with all Enterprise Class structure), and can quickly launch personal ultra-luxe yacht itineraries.

CONS & THINGS TO KNOW

Though Astir Palace is a widely known iconic resort inside Greece, it doesn’t have the identical worldwide fame because the accommodations on the favored Greek Islands. That’s as a result of most worldwide vacationers to Greece will skip the Athens Riviera and head to the Greek islands for his or her trip. Nonetheless, the Athens Riviera is a glamorous space and the 4 Seasons Resort Astir Palace is a spectacular property that’s far superior to any resort discovered on the Greek Islands. It’s a vacation spot in itself, providing an unimaginable array of eating places, bars, swimming pools, and seashores. Additionally, it’s a real seaside resort and never only a place to remain in a single day in Athens: the capital’s vacationer sights are close by however many visitors hardly go away the property after coming into the oasis of this unique resort.

Though the grounds of 4 Seasons Resort Astrid Palace have palatial dimensions, the resort is not a palace, opposite to what its title might counsel (and I’m not certain the place the title comes from). As already talked about, the resort is comprised of two massive resort buildings, partly hidden within the pine timber alongside the shoreline. The 2 buildings should not notably engaging from the surface and their condo-alike exteriors don’t evoke the ideas of a palace (though the interiors characteristic a stunningly glossy and trendy design).

MY VERDICT

Location: 10/10
Design: 9/10
Pool: 10/10
Rooms: 10/10
Meals: 10/10
Breakfast: 10/10
Spa: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Wow issue: 9/10
Worth for cash: 9/10
General expertise: 9,7 (distinctive resort!)

TIPS FOR FUTURE GUESTS & SAVE MONEY

Lower your expenses: get complimentary VIP perks at 4 Seasons Resort Astir Palace when reserving through Virtuoso (e.g. room improve, every day breakfast, early check-in, late check-out, and $100 USD resort credit score).

Lower your expenses: learn right here my suggestions for getting the perfect deal at a luxurious resort like 4 Seasons Astir Palace Resort (and/or obtain many free perks).

Lower your expenses: get complimentary VIP perks at 4 Seasons Resort Astir Palace when reserving through Virtuoso (e.g. room improve, every day breakfast, early check-in, late check-out, and $100 USD resort credit score).

Room tip: {couples} and singles will choose the serenity of the Arion constructing, whereas households will really feel extra at residence at Nafsika.

Learn my suggestions for making ready your journey in time.

BEST TIME TO VISIT

The very best instances to go to Athens are spring (March to Might) and autumn (September to November), when the climate is sweet, delicate and sunny. As well as, crowds are thinner at these instances and resort and airfare offers are simpler to come back by than in summer season. Although chilly, Athens’ winters are comparatively delicate and dry, thanks partially to Greece’s Mediterranean location, and will also be a pleasant time for a metropolis journey. Summer time is from June by August, and brings insupportable warmth, hordes of vacationers, and excessive room charges to the Greek capital, so exploring city is each uncomfortable and costly throughout this time.

HOW TO GET THERE

Athens’ Eleftherios Venizelos Worldwide Airport (ATH) is a 30-min drive from 4 Seasons Resort Astir Palace. Click on right here for a listing of airways that supply direct flights to the Greek capital.

PHOTOS

Under is a number of my pictures of 4 Seasons Resort Astir Palace. To view extra pictures (together with dinner at Michelin-starred restaurant Pelagos), click on right here.