There’s a youthful spirit within the ancient city of Athens, Greece, forever keeping this landmark destination rich with history and culture, timeless.

With awe-inspiring views, world-class cuisine, a lively ambiance, and first-class customer service that anticipates and delights at every step, Four Seasons Astir Palace Hotel Athens captures this essence, creating the ideal Greek experience for every traveler.

From its idyllic location on the Athens Riviera to the thoughtfully designed accommodations and world-class amenities, Four Seasons Astir Palace Hotel Athens promises lifelong memories. Whether you’re the couple with a burning passion, escaping to the Mediterranean for a romantic getaway, a family balancing adventure with relaxation, or culinary enthusiasts in pursuit of Michelin-starred excellence, every moment is crafted to inspire.

Arion: Where Modern Elegance Meets Heritage

Being here, at the Four Seasons Astir Palace Hotel Athens, is a gift. Every detail feels thoughtfully curated, creating a sense of personal connection at every touchpoint. Guests can choose from a variety of accommodations, including two distinctive towers—Arion and Nafsika—as well as a collection of charming bungalows.

While the Nafsika tower offers a family-friendly atmosphere with a kids’ corner for childcare and easy access to the all-ages pool, the Arion tower—where I stayed—is elegantly cozy and quiet, fostering intimacy and reflection amid a stunning Riviera backdrop. Inside the guest room, modern elegance unfolds with soft white shiplap walls, honey-hued hardwood floors, and gold accents on the mirrors and armoires, creating a gentle ambiance as daylight pours in from the private balcony.

Days are happily spent lounging on the balcony overlooking the Four Seasons’ private beach, where a jewel-toned cove glows with vibrant turquoise. This view can also be enjoyed in a relaxing, warm bath from the luxurious, white-marbled bathroom vanity. Here, the Aegean Sea’s gradient, ranging from clear blue to shimmering indigo, captivates from the privacy of your bathroom, offering multiple ways to soak in the moment.

With the touch of a finger, tech enables a natural rhythm that carries from evening repose to morning renewal. Automated lighting and shade controls at your bedside help transition to restful nights, while Four Seasons-provided universal adapters keep all guest devices fully powered. Complementing all this is a turndown service that exceeds expectations, offering cord tacos for mind-easing organization, a calming pillow mist, and insights from the Greek Tsolias for daily inspiration. All these notes echo a certain sense of luxury and heritage at the Four Seasons, connecting past and present, tradition and modernity, for an unforgettable stay.

Avra: For the Golden Hour Aperitivo

At Avra, magic starts with the pour of a cocktail. There’s no shortage of ways to indulge in a quintessential Athenian food and drink experience at The Four Seasons in Athens; however, Avra’s rooftop is a must. Here, sweeping amber sunsets and lavender-hued mountain silhouettes stretch uninterrupted across the Riviera, creating cherished moments for lovers and friends. It is pure romance on display, a love letter from the Aegean Sea, inspiring intimate gatherings and lively conversations.

Each drink at Avra skillfully blends innovation, tradition, and mindful mixology using seasonal, sustainable ingredients. While the menu changes with the seasons, it always features four main themes: Pear, Dairy, Pine, and Orange. I visited during the summer and had the Dairy, a complex yet smooth blend of prebiotic kefir, peach, a Greek grape spirit, and lemon. It was lightly tart and full-bodied, leaving a lingering citrus note on the palate. Guests can also explore a curated book of timeless cocktail classics, enriched with charming anecdotes that weave each drink into cherished stories and lasting impressions.

Taverna 37: A Beachfront Celebration of Greek Cuisine

We sat under the glow of warm lighting at Taverna 37, a lively beachside restaurant located in Arion by the private cove. Ahead, Athens glowed above the stretch of dark waters as a myriad of classic Greek meze, such as spiced hummus and cheese-stuffed cherry tomatoes, were served all night long.

Led by Chef Alexandros Koskinas, Taverna 37 features a curated menu that further highlights Greece’s seasonal ingredients. The summer menu we enjoyed included Aged Striploin from Naxos, served with savory fries, rosemary-smoked paprika sauce, and corn. We also enjoyed the Seabass with broccolini, fennel, arugula, carrot, and an orange vinaigrette, which added a vibrant touch.

Learn more about their Christmas lunch and NYE dinner.

Helios: A South of the Border Immersion in Athens

On the bottom floor, outside Nafsika, is Helios, a poolside Latin American paradise pulsating with Baja Mexico vibes, set along the Athens Riviera. Quite surprisingly, the scene feels real. Vibrant tequila-based drinks. Tableside guacamole. Simmering smells. And of course, the sun beaming over the pool and la playa. It’s everything I’d expect to see walking beachside in Tulum or Cabo. All of which is possible through the mastermind of Chef Manuel Martín del Campo Bräuner.

A native of Guatemala City, Chef Manuel has shifted focus from the Tex-Med style that previously prevailed, bridging international borders to create a Latin- and Greek-infused menu and atmosphere. And it’s working. The scene here radiates authenticity with house-made chips, salsas that pack a punch, and imported Latin American staples like avocados, masa, and peppers; a south-of-the-border glimpse for many who haven’t been to this side of the hemisphere. I felt right at home.

After trying a fair share of the menu, I don’t think you can go wrong with any option. The Agua Chile de Camarón al Estilo Sinaloa is a fresh start. Made with prawns in a spicy blend of coriander, cucumber, red onion, chili, and avocado, it’s a light and satisfying option perfect for the pool. The Ceviche Negro, a protein-rich medley of prawns, sea bass, octopus, cucumber, red onion, avocado, and aguachile negro, is ideal for sharing.

My favorite entrees include the Quesabirria, a super-savory dish of short ribs slow-cooked for 16 hours and folded into a homemade flour tortilla with cheese, onion, coriander, and birria’jum, and the Pulpo Sanchez, a meaty octopus, made with smoked paprika, sesame, and garlic, served with blue Peruvian papas rotas, and slow-cooked to a slice-with-a-spoon tenderness.

True to Latin American flair, desserts are playful, colorful, and tropical. The signature Cheesecake Guava arrives in a crisp ruby cacao shell that breaks open to unveil a delightfully sweet and tangy glaze that runs over an airy guava sorbet and luscious cheesecake cream. With a topping of cashew crumble and a dash of red spicy sauce, the dessert finishes with a harmonious blend of sweet, savory, and texture.

Another notable option is the Bananas Tequila, an interactive dessert that opens up to reveal banana and milk chocolate cream over a ginger crumble, paired with a rich tequila-infused chocolate ice cream for a bold, indulgent finish.

Pelagos: Where the Michelin Star Shines Bright

As its name suggests, Pelagos, meaning “ocean” in Greek, is a restaurant inspired by the ongoing movement of flavors across the Greek islands and Aegean Sea. Situated on the ground floor of the Arion Tower, the flagship restaurant, led by renowned Chef Luca Piscazzi, emphasizes local sourcing and seasonality while delivering refined hospitality to offer a world-class, Michelin-starred dining experience.

As evidenced by the breadcrumbs on my table, plates scraped clean, and empty wine glasses, I recommend the chef-driven, seasonal tasting menu. It simplifies decisions, allowing you to taste many options in one satisfying sitting.

The summer tasting menu I had started with interesting takes on appetizers, such as the Burrata salad, a one-bite wonder that packs the flavor of an entire dish into a compact portion. A basket of fresh bread, accompanied by caramelized butter and light-bodied olive oils with floral notes and fruity aftertastes, makes an excellent stand-in between courses.

As the course progresses, the staff explains each tasting, including which island the dish is named after and its key feature. Dishes like the Santorini, a deconstructed and reconstructed tomato-and-watermelon topped with caviar, and the Kalymnos, known for its natural production of sea sponges, provide a cool, refreshing start to the lineup.

The Sifnos, a lightly crispy slice of swordfish atop a champagne sauce, is paired with glazed raspberries that leave a lingering balance of sweetness and tartness and is sure to delight—the dish pairs well with a full-bodied French Chardonnay, whose crispness complements the rich sauce. Then Pelagos’s take on a traditional Surf and Turf, featuring rabbit with miso and mustard seeds, topped with watercress, and a lobster and fried eggplant mousse, delivers a complex, robust earthiness in a small, satisfying tasting portion.

Rounding out the experience is an ode to the pollinators, the butterfly and the bee, a banana sorbet topped with vanilla mascarpone.

An Intended Journey Beyond the Ordinary

Surrounded by the sea, with breathtaking coastlines of pristine beaches, stunning blue waters, and lush evergreen pines that paint the landscape, the Four Seasons in Athens doesn’t exist by coincidence. It’s the result of deliberate planning that blends Greece’s natural beauty with thoughtful design and a government effort to create an Athenian paradise for locals and visitors alike. This initiative, dating back to the 1960s, began when the government allocated beach land and beautified it to create an attraction separate from the islands. After changing hands for decades, the popular and beloved Four Seasons brand took over, elevating the area’s grandeur with world-class service, bespoke amenities, and Michelin-awarded cuisine.

During our stay, we lounged by the infinity pool. We sipped palomas and mocktails from the Kyma menu and watched how the pool’s edge seemed to blend into the sea, where millionaire yachts sailed along the Athens Riviera.

Outside the resort, the best way to explore the charming peninsula where the Four Seasons Athens sits is by foot. I ran one morning along the narrow trails that cut through the lush chaparral landscape, breathing hard as I took in breathtaking views of the Athenian coastline, where cobalt blue waters crashed against the pink rock bluffs. I ran south along a winding dirt path and found the Agios Nikolaos Chapel in Vouliagmeni, a historic 1947 church carved into the rocky hillside, and admired the Byzantine-inspired stonework.

For six miles, I ran over rocky drop-offs where abandoned military fortresses stand idle, now painted with graffiti, a reflection of the rebellious undertones within a city once a fortress of Western thought. The run took me past beach clubs with sunbathers lying carefree in the open and past marinas where luxury yachts are moored. Amid this odyssey, Athens revealed its many facets, all meeting, colliding, and blending, much like its island-like coastline merging with the Mediterranean hillside. Here, class and culture find adventure and accessibility, resulting in a persistent youthful energy that swells within the spirit of tradition. At the heart of it all, the Four Seasons Athens sits rightfully among it all, a beacon of this harmonious blend.

Around Athens: The Acropolis

It’s a marvel to stand among the Acropolis, where marble giants stand sentry over a mass of tourists. I firmly believe no trip to Athens is complete without a visit to the cradle of Western civilization, where marbled floors and short steps have been worn slick for over two millennia. So, take caution when visiting, but bask in the glory of ageless wonders.

I visited in late September as summer was ending and took the journey through time in the late afternoon, almost evening. It was pleasantly warm and breezy, ideal conditions for a sunny walk. The crowds were plentiful, but I’m told they’re still historically lower than in the early summer months, such as June and July. Nonetheless, a historic site like this will have a year-round draw, so prepare for crowds.

From the towering Parthenon to the Temple of Athena Parthenos, each step wows with antiquity. While much of the archaeological site is undergoing restoration, which may add unsightly scaffolding to your photos, the monumental awe remains. And as with Oia, a certain patience is required for photos. But take them all, as many as possible.

Having seen the blue domes of Santorini, the shores and country hillside of Paros, the unspoiled beauty of Ios, and now the classical heritage of Athens, my Greek journey concludes—for now. Each destination offered a unique interpretation of Greece, highlighting the enduring qualities that unite the mainland and its surrounding islands. What that is was reinforced everywhere I went. In Greece, you’re nurtured by its people and the land. So, you eat well, drink well, and rest well, as you would at home. That’s because in Greece, you’re treated like family.

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Cover photo Martin Ramirez

Martin Ramirez is a brisket-eating, Shiner-loving, road-tripping enthusiast of all things Texas. This Dallas-born writer / adventurer is ready to take his ‘78 El Camino to find the best in food, fun, and fitness throughout the Lone Star State.