The Escape | Rebirth Of A Legend: Four Seasons Astir Palace Hotel, Athens
A hotspot of the Athenian Riviera, the Vouliagmeni peninsula is the luxe epicentre of Hellenic lifestyle. Celebrating a triumphant come-back blending just enough nostalgia with a hefty dose of contempo-glamour, the revamped luxury hotel steps forward as the ultimate Greek odyssey
The seaside suburb of Vouliagmeni in Athens has been attracting affluent crowds since the 1960s when the legendary Astir Palace first opened its doors to the likes of Frank Sinatra, Brigitte Bardot, Liza Minnelli, Roger Moore and Aristotle Onassis.
Fast forward a few decades, add a two-year overhaul costing close to Dhs3 billion, and an army of 700 employees now looks after the modern-day glitterati under the auspices of Four Seasons management, in what has become the beating heart of Athenian social circles, with multiple breathtaking vistas of the Aegean thrown in for good measure.
Dreamy azure views in the heart of history from Four Seasons Astir Palace plus breathtaking interiors
Spread over 30 hectares of prime real estate, the tripartite complex of edifices – Arion, Nafsika and the original 1960s bungalows – unveil a sumptuous urban retreat, courtesy of Greek architecture studio AETER, K-Studio and American architect Meyer Davis.
They co-sign the design of the polished décor, while the main restaurants and bar areas have been consigned to Swedish interior architect, Martin Brudnizki.
Following the construction of the seaside bungalows in 1961, the Arion building was erected shortly after in 1964, rising elegantly above the half-moon-shaped bay in full ’60s splendour with its clean-lined façade. In 1979 the terraced structure of Nafsika, the preponderant and bouncier part of the resort, was added only a short walk away, impressing with its geometric lines in a build that cascades down the hillside onto a carefully landscaped pool area.
While the original structures have remained relatively untouched, the interiors tell a completely new story. Slathers of refined marble flooring, a compelling mix of textures in pastel tones and around 2,000 works by contemporary Greek artists create a winning design mix that is innovative, while showing respect to the property’s modernist heritage.
At the snazzier Nafsika, the rooms bring out all the tricks of modern hospitality: in the form of mirrored-walls that masquerade large TV screens, glass-fronted bathrooms and mood lighting. In contrast, the slightly more sober Arion rooms and suites wrap guests into a more grown-up aesthetic of muted beiges, pastel blues and greys.
This beautiful facelift heralds a new era in the long history of this legendary resort, inspired by the grandeur of the original Astir Palace Hotel on the Athenian Riviera and its splendid coastal panorama. A true gem of the Aegean, and certainly a dream destination.
To book, visit fourseasons.com/athens
Images courtesy of Four Seasons Resorts, Richard Waite, Ken Seet and The Author
From Harper’s Bazaar Arabia’s November 2020 issue.