Athens, October 30, 2025 – Four Seasons Astir Palace Hotel Athens has earned the #17 position in The World’s 50 Best Hotels 2025, underscoring its status as one of Greece’s premier luxury destinations. The accolade marks the second time the property has appeared on the prestigious list since its inaugural edition in 2023.
Anonymous Expert Panel Recognizes Athenian Icon
The World’s 50 Best Hotels list highlights industry-defining properties across six continents, based on votes from 800 anonymous experts. The voting panel includes hoteliers, travel journalists, educators and experienced luxury travellers who evaluate exceptional hotel experiences worldwide.
The 303-key property on the Athenian Riviera stands with an elite group of hotels recognized for outstanding hospitality and guest experience. The ranking system relies on firsthand knowledge from industry professionals who maintain anonymity to preserve impartial assessments.
String of International Accolades in Recent Years
The World’s 50 Best Hotels recognition comes on the heels of a series of notable awards for the Athenian property. In 2023, the hotel earned Forbes Five-Star status in its debut year of eligibility. Most recently, the property was awarded three Michelin keys in 2025, affirming it as a destination of exceptional quality in the Michelin Guide’s hotel rating system.
“It’s an honour for us to be recognised once again among the world’s best,” said Jann Kaiser, General Manager of Four Seasons Astir Palace Hotel Athens. “This recognition reflects our team’s genuine dedication to creating memorable experiences, inviting guests to come as they are and engage with the destination on their own terms.”
Kaiser emphasized that the accolade motivates continued innovation in luxury hospitality, grounded in heritage and brought to life by staff dedication.
Historic Property Hosted International Icons
Set on a 30-hectare peninsula on the Athenian Riviera, the hotel occupies a site with rich cultural history. The legendary retreat has long welcomed notable figures including Brigitte Bardot, Jackie Onassis, Sean Connery and Nelson Mandela. The property continues to blend its historical glamour with modern luxury standards.
The hotel’s location puts it 30 minutes from Athens International Airport and the same distance from the city’s UNESCO World Heritage landmarks, including the Acropolis and ancient Agora. Three private beaches offer direct Aegean Sea access, while two pools and sun-dappled docks serve as launch points for excursions to the Saronic Gulf islands and Cyclades.
Pine Forests and Aegean Waters Frame the Property
Fragrant pine forests encircle the 75-acre peninsula, creating a natural buffer between the resort and the surrounding area. The setting captures essential elements of the Greek coastal environment, combining land, sea and vegetation in a single location accessible from central Athens.
Seven Dining Venues Anchor Culinary Program
The property runs seven restaurants, lounges and bars, ranging from fine dining to casual Greek taverna experiences. Pelagos, the hotel’s Michelin-starred restaurant, heads the culinary lineup with contemporary interpretations of Greek seafood traditions.
Taverna 37 focuses on classic Greek dishes, while Mercato has recently introduced winter menus reinterpreting Italy’s cucina povera, traditional peasant cooking, with modern techniques and presentation. The seasonal menu changes reflect the property’s year-round operations and adaptation to cooler months.
Avra bar will host five world-leading Four Seasons bars this November as part of the 15th annual Athens Bar Show. The venue has also unveiled the winter edition of its sustainable, ingredients-led cocktail menu, developed in the hotel’s on-site mixology laboratory. The bar focuses on locally sourced ingredients and waste reduction in its beverage program.
Wellness and Recreation Programs Expand for Winter Season
The award-winning spa takes inspiration from ancient Greek healing traditions, integrating historical wellness practices into contemporary treatments. Seasonal wellness programming takes priority during the cooler months, according to hotel management.
Recreational facilities include three tennis courts and a newly added padel court. Water sports are available year-round, adjusted to seasonal weather conditions. The hotel also arranges bespoke boat excursions, cycling tours and helicopter transfers to Greece’s archaeological sites and cultural landmarks.
Philoxenia and Meraki Guide Service Philosophy
Hotel management stresses two Greek concepts in staff training and guest service: philoxenia, meaning hospitality or love of strangers, and meraki, which refers to the passion and care invested in one’s work. These principles form the foundation of the property’s approach to luxury hospitality, according to General Manager Kaiser.
Year-Round Destination Adapts to Seasonal Demand
Unlike many Mediterranean coastal resorts that close during winter months, Four Seasons Astir Palace Hotel Athens stays open year-round. The property has developed a dynamic set of winter offerings to attract guests during the typically slower season, including updated menus, seasonal spa treatments and cultural excursions to Athens’ historical sites.
The hotel’s proximity to Athens lets it serve both leisure travellers seeking coastal relaxation and visitors who use the property as a base for exploring the capital’s ancient monuments and museums. The 30-minute transfer time from the airport offers convenient access for international arrivals.
Second Appearance on World’s 50 Best Hotels List
The #17 ranking in 2025 signals the property’s second appearance on The World’s 50 Best Hotels list since the list launched in 2023. The hotel appeared in the inaugural edition and has now returned to the list after a one-year absence, showing sustained recognition from industry experts.
The voting methodology requires panelists to have visited hotels within a set timeframe, ensuring rankings reflect current conditions rather than historical reputation. The 800-person voting panel is refreshed in part each year to incorporate fresh perspectives while maintaining continuity.
Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts operates the property within its global portfolio of luxury hotels and resorts. The Athens location is among the brand’s flagship Mediterranean properties, combining the company’s service standards with Greek hospitality traditions and the advantages of its Athenian Riviera location.
The hotel’s performance in international rankings helps position Athens as a competitive luxury destination alongside well-established Mediterranean markets such as the French Riviera, Italian coast and Spanish islands. The recognition supports Greece’s broader tourism sector, which accounts for a significant share of the national economy.
Source: https://press.fourseasons.com/athens/hotel-news/2025/worlds-best-hotels
