T+L’s Assessment of 4 Seasons Astir Palace Lodge Athens

Why haven’t they filmed a season of The White Lotus right here? I’m sitting at a desk within the shade, a couple of steps from the ocean, with a glass of chilled assyrtiko and a plate of marinated octopus shut at hand. A number of {couples} are perusing the lunch menu, and the superyachts are bobbing within the harbor. A server checks on a close-by desk, chatting in Greek about what I can solely presume are the small print of the day’s catch.

By the point my lamb kebabs arrive, I notice that there’s one distinction between this magical 4 Seasons on the Athenian Riviera and the fictional resorts of the HBO present: everybody right here is just not solely properly dressed but additionally behaving themselves.

It is smart: this stretch of seaside golf equipment, quiet coves, luxurious outlets, and high-end lodges has been an escape for the jet set for the reason that Sixties, when boldface names began vacationing in Vouliagmeni and the encompassing communities, turning the world into the Hamptons of Athens. On the coronary heart of all of it was the Arion, an iconic constructing that remembers different legendary resort lodges, just like the Fontainebleau Miami Seashore or San Juan’s Hilton Caribe. A further tower, the Nafsika, and a sequence of bungalows helped spherical out the unique Astir Palace, which sits on a non-public peninsula about half-hour by automotive from the middle of Athens.

At the moment, these lodges have been unified because the 4 Seasons Astir Palace Lodge Athens, an enormous resort that spans 75 acres. It presents a number of seashores, quite a few eating places (together with outposts of New York’s Beefbar and chef Nobu Matsuhisa’s eponymous Matsuhisa), and loads of bars, in addition to quiet corners with seaside lounge chairs, whether or not you’re after full solar or a shaded hideaway. Racquet courts, an archery vary, a “wellness backyard” with outside health lessons and spa companies, a “watersports middle,” and even a helipad are among the many many (many) facilities.

I’d arrived on the property after a week-long cruise by the Adriatic Sea, so I used to be already in a resort-y mindset, having spent seven days aboard Oceania Cruises’ 1,200-passenger Allura. Nonetheless, I used to be considerably in awe of the size of Astir Palace. It appeared to stretch to the horizon, with one other beautiful seaside restaurant or pool round each bend alongside the Saronic Gulf. But I additionally discovered moments of subdued privateness, in my sea-view bungalow, with its non-public plunge pool and what must be one of many world’s most snug beds.

Strolling the footpaths one morning, mesmerized by the electrical blue of the ocean, I’d catch the aromas of rosemary and lavender, as mild waves crashed ashore and cicadas buzzed within the pine bushes that perfumed the salty air. It might be a stretch to name this 303-room, practically 70-year-old resort an under-the-radar secret. However I’m glad it hasn’t but had a star activate HBO. It’s too good to go unhealthy.

Learn on for my full evaluate of the 4 Seasons Astir Palace Lodge Athens, together with data on the rooms and suites, the eating choices, and the numerous facilities on the property, which is positioned south of Athens, skirting the Saronic Gulf.

The Rooms

The 4 Seasons Astir Palace Lodge Athens has a complete of 303 rooms, suites, and bungalows, which supply a superb number of choices to satisfy completely different wants. The resort has three unofficial zones, from south to north, clustering across the Nafsika Constructing, the Arion Constructing, and the bungalows.

• Many of the family-oriented facilities reminiscent of the primary pool, the youngsters’ membership, athletic courts, and Mercato restaurant, which amongst different issues hosts the buffet breakfast, might be discovered within the Nafsika constructing.
• The Arion has a extra subdued vibe, with the resort’s Michelin-star restaurant, Pelagos; the spa; and an indoor pool.
• North of the Arion are what the lodge calls the bungalows, a sequence of hooked up suites constructed right into a hillside, every with a non-public plunge pool and terrace. A number of—however not all—are connecting to allow households or teams to share area whereas retaining some privateness.

My bungalow, 33, wasn’t overly massive however felt supremely snug, notably due to the indoor-outdoor movement between the bed room and the shaded terrace, which had an out of doors bathe, cafe desk, and two chaise lounges, in addition to a pleasant plunge pool. The view of the ocean, framed by what gave the impression to be an Aleppo pine tree, additionally didn’t harm. I’d’ve gladly stayed for every week.

Meals and Drink

There’s no scarcity of excellent meals right here. On the prime of the record is Pelagos, a fascinating fine-dining restaurant with a Michelin star that overlooks the ocean. It has a splendidly concise menu of creative dishes from chef Luca Piscazzi, who developed lots of the plates after intensive analysis on the islands of Greece—a troublesome job if ever there have been one. The outcomes embrace preparations such because the rabbit and lobster entrée impressed by Crete or the sole-and-Champagne course impressed by Sifnos. An Instagram-famous caviar pasta appeared to scream “stunt eating” to me—however was, fortunately, indulgently scrumptious. Beverage service, together with a choice of martinis and decrease ABV selections, was equally on level; the dreamy baba au rhum on the conclusion of my dinner was improbable, even for any person who usually declines sweets.

I used to be equally impressed by Taverna 37, a waterfront venue that channels the texture of Greece’s informal eating places whereas delivering elevated variations of classics reminiscent of saganaki, salt-roasted complete fish, and grilled lamb. A desk within the shade, a bounty of Greek salad, some olives, and a calming glass of assyrtiko: if there’s a greater lunch on the market, I’d like to have it.

Elsewhere on the 4 Seasons, there are extra choices like Mercato (Italian), Helios (Latin American), Astron (espresso and elaborate pastries), Kyma (a seaside bar with gentle bites), and, naturally, an in-room eating menu.

For cocktails, Avra is the resort’s go-to spot, placing the proper stability between modern cocktail tradition (suppose playful menus and loads of collabs) and the type of old-school magnificence I nonetheless like in a lodge bar. (It helps that this one was designed by Martin Brudnizki, the go-to designer for these trying to make an announcement.) The 4 Seasons additionally presents cocktails and specialty spirits at its cigar lounge, Aristotle’s.

Expertise and Actions

In case you can dream it, they will do it, typically at further value. Resort actions reminiscent of chilling by the pool, swimming within the sea, lounging on the seaside, or jogging on the working path across the peninsula are a given. 4 Seasons additionally has a protracted menu of a la carte selections, together with spa remedies, health lessons, tennis teaching, boating, kayaking, historical past excursions, helicopter rides, and padel video games. (A workforce of concierges take care of company and may also help coordinate actions and transportation.) Price a particular point out is the Athens Spa, a well-appointed facility that nods to thalassotherapy with a lot of its remedies, which embrace scrubs, massages, and facials. As is the case at many resorts in Europe lately, the 4 Seasons has a pleasant menu of family-friendly spa companies.

Location

The 4 Seasons Astir Palace Lodge Athens is positioned on a thin peninsula south of the town middle, in the city of Vouliagmeni, which is a vacation spot in its personal proper. It’s actually doable to have an entire trip throughout the grounds of the lodge and to really feel, at occasions, such as you’re probably not in Greece, however for the abundance of fantastic meals and heat hospitality. That mentioned, the resort is just not so faraway from the town that it’s troublesome to coordinate a extra holistic expertise: a drive to the Parthenon, for instance, can take round 45 minutes. The resort can also be conveniently positioned for embarking or disembarking a cruise or ferry connection, with the port of Piraeus about 30 to 45 minutes away, relying on site visitors.

Accessibility and Sustainability

The resort has a number of accessibility options for people with disabilities. “The property presents wheelchair-accessible rooms, bogs, and public areas, in addition to listening to and visually impaired options like visible alarms and notification units,” a spokesperson tells T+L. “There are 10 rooms tailored for wheelchair customers: 5 within the Nafsika constructing and 5 within the Arion constructing, which embrace options like digital doorways that open robotically, lowered bathrooms, and roll-in showers with rails. Each buildings, in addition to all public areas, are additionally serviced by lifts.”

When it comes to sustainability, the Athens property has applied a number of practices which are a part of the worldwide 4 Seasons for Good framework. Particularly, these embrace EV charging, vegetarian and vegan menus, photo voltaic water heating, greywater recycling, composting, and arranged seaside cleanups, amongst different initiatives.

Guide Now

4 Seasons doesn’t have a loyalty program, however 4 Seasons Astir Palace is bookable on bank card platforms like American Specific Advantageous Inns and Resorts, which supply Platinum card holders complimentary every day breakfast and a $100 resort credit score, amongst different perks. Nightly charges begin at $944.

Each T+L lodge evaluate is written by an editor or reporter who has stayed on the property, and every lodge chosen aligns with our core values.