Everything Athens for a Reason: Four Seasons Astir Palace Hotel Athens Celebrates the Enduring Highlights of the Greek Capital

Heart-warming taverna dining. Spa treatments infused with local ingredients.  And the latest laboratory-led evolution of a cocktail culture first documented in The Iliad (yes, really!). This summer, Four Seasons Astir Palace Hotel Athens continues its celebration of all things Athens – past, present and future – through experiences that spotlight the enduring creativity, culture, and cuisine of one of the world's oldest cities.  

An Evolution in Mixology

Renowned as an ancient city of genius, from philosophy to science, astronomy to literature, it is no surprise that Athens is also celebrated as the ancient birthplace of the cocktail. Kykeon (“the drink of champions”) was a water-barley blend mixed with herbs, honey, wine and more, first recorded in The Iliad (750 BC). This summer, Bar Manager extraordinaire Manon Kapfer continues the city's libation lineage with a next-level mixology masterclass at Avra; guests not only select ingredients from the Hotel's gardens, but mix up their own sustainable creations in the bar's future-forward laboratory. They can then bottle their own brew to take home, and sample four of Kapfer's own award-winning lab-perfected creations.

Guests can also raise a glass to Greece's eons-old wine culture this summer through a Wine Experience with the Hotel’s Head Sommelier – an opportunity for oenophiles to discover the sun-kissed secrets of the drink described by Socrates as the "oil to the dying flame of life."

A Taste of Authenticity

From drinks of the future to dishes of the past, the Hotel’s Taverna 37 showcases the tantalising traditions of the city's favourite flavours under “culinary custodian” Chef Alexandros Koskinas. In a smile-inducing setting laden with love and the warmest of Greek hospitality, diners can enjoy everything from energy-boosting Mediterranean breakfasts to moreish mezzes and salads, grilled lamb, chicken souvlaki and tender fried calamari; each dish is also served with its own side story of provenance and heritage. In addition, guests inspired by the creations of Chef Alexandros and his team can gain newfound skills during cookery classes that share family recipes and visionary insights.

A Culture of Creativity

Creative summertime activities at Four Seasons Astir Palace Hotel Athens explore the unique charms of the storied location. Guests can get hands-on with the Ancient Greeks' first storytelling arts during fascinating pottery classes, while this summer's Games – one of Athens' most enduring and best-known exports – inspires a unique program of experiences for families. Across at the Hotel's Hippocrates-inspired Spa, age-old remedies and organic hand-harvested essential oils from Grecian farms merge with the latest spa technologies in a new treatment menu that focuses on holistic healing: a tribute to the Ancient Greek belief in good health being dependent on a harmonious state between body, mind and soul.

Rated #35 in the World’s 50 Best Hotels, Four Seasons Astir Palace Hotel Athens connects guests to the culture, history, people and soul of the Athens Riviera and city beyond. Just 30 minutes from the UNESCO treasures of the Acropolis, the 30-hectare (75 acre) oceanfront Hotel – awarded its first Forbes Five-Star in 2023 – it is also a gateway to adventures in the azure waters of the Saronic Gulf from the adjacent Astir Marina, reopening in May 2024 following a USD 55 million renovation.

To experience the best of Athens at Four Seasons Astir Palace Hotel Athens, call +30 210 890 1000 or click here.