We all know The Four Seasons is the ultimate place to stay if you want to live in absolute luxury, be treated like royalty and live out your White Lotus fantasy, sans the drama. There’s also no denying that it can be a little out of budget for some people. This is after all a luxury 5 star hotel chain of extremely high standards.
But the Four Seasons Astir Palace has something that money can struggle to buy. We’re talking about genuine attentive hospitality and passion that the staff live and breathe here everyday; and it really shines through so authentically. So much so you cannot help but smile and feel relaxed. You can tell that they care and you can see that these people really are the best in the business. Which is exactly why it is worth every penny…
Read on for my honest review of The Four Season Asti Palace in Athens, Greece.
Four Seasons Astir Palace Review
Athens is sometimes seen as a stop over to the remote Greek islands and not somewhere you’d necessarily think to stay and relax in. But the Four Seasons Astir Palace is situated only 30 minutes away from the centre of Athens, and is the perfect place to stay if you want to balance a bit of tourism but still be remote enough to enjoy pure luxury.
The Four Seasons Astir Palace took over the existing site in 2019, but it started life in the 1960s with a cluster of 60 cabanas, and has since grown to feature over 300 rooms, which sounds like a lot, but the sheer size of this private cove trailing along the glistening deep blues of the Athenian Riviera is so secluded that you wouldn’t even realise it. Stars such as Frank Sinatra and Brigitte Bardot have even stayed here; with Barack Obama visiting a few times too; no details on which suite he stayed in though…
The main hotel is split into two buildings, with the original, Arion, built in 1967, and Nafsika, built 1979 where we’d recommend staying for guaranteed sea views and iconic architecture. Either way, you’re free to walk between the 2 buildings, have breakfast in either hotel (Arion felt a lot calmer for breakfast so we would recommend that) and test out the waters of the adult only pool, family friendly pool and 3 private beaches across the site.
We enjoyed just strolling along the front at our own pace so that we could discover all the hidden areas and find the perfect spot to find some zen; and if you’re too tired to walk back, because lounging by the sea doing nothing but read and drink cocktails is such a hard life, you can always flag down a buggy to take you back. How Glamorous!
The rooms at the Four Seasons Astir Palace
We stayed in a sea view room in the Nafsika building, which in our opinion, felt the most luxurious and spacious. Upon entering your room, we insist you simply open the big balcony door, sit down outside and just listen to the calm soft waves crashing against the sand and the sounds of the birds above you and just breathe. Unwind, decompress and allow your senses to take it all in and sink into your luxury Greek stay.
Because there’s no public promenade here, it means you can actually relax and let everything go. No sounds or disturbances from traffic, nightclubs, pubs or anything else. A peaceful moment to reflect on the balcony at midnight is a top tip too, just before you delve off into a luxuriously comfy bed and have a restful night sleep.
The room features a sleek large tub perfectly fit for two and Diptyque is the brand of choice for your bath salts, obviously. A smart door system means you can easily turn on the do not disturb sign, even from le toilette. The balcony has lots of shrubbery so it’s not overlooked and is big enough for you to sunbathe on meaning you can have complete privacy if you so wish.
If you’re feeling extra extravagant, you could opt for the Arion Riviera Suite (aka the Royal Suite) which starts from a cool €23k a night. Though there is a private pool and to say that this is an extra large balcony is a bit of an understatement…
Dining at the Four Seasons Astir Palace
To say that the restaurants are outstanding is an understatement. Pelagos is the Greek goddess of the resort, with it boasting a Michelin star, it’s a place to come to even if you’re staying somewhere else in Athens - but you’d just keep coming back as there’s 7 restaurants and 3 bars to choose from here.
When you do go to Pelagos, the Caviar Pasta is the most decadent way to start your course. Chef Luca Piscazzi tells us that when he was a kid, he’d sneak into the fridge at night and eat the leftover pasta that was in the fridge, hence why this dish comes out cold. Now this may sound strange, but the cold setaro spaghetti and umami flavours were the most refreshing and delectable pasta dish we’ve ever had and is just perfect on a hot summer evening.
Mercato is the Italian trattoria on the resort and it does not hold back on portions and wholesomeness. The caprese salad is a highlight, with a thick and creamy ricotta topped with pink pickled onions. Pappardelle Al Ragù Di Agnello is an indulgent main with a lamb ragu that we can still taste now.
Taverna 37 is a more relaxed sea front greek restaurant, where the classic Portokalopita, consisting of a sweet orange sponge and topped with a silky citrus cream is an absolute standout (searching for something similar back home is going to be hard to find - making my own sounds like a lot of work).
Helios is a Latin American fusion restaurant near to the main pool, and is ideal for the day time with some lively flavours to savour. The menu is vast and Chef Manuel Martín del Campo Bräuner is as lively as the food. We highly recommend you try the zesty Ceviche Peruano, and you must get at least a plate or two of the Street Corn Ribs; we wish we knew the seasoning that was on them.
Matsuhisa & Beefbar are not directly managed by the hotel, but are great options if you are staying longer and want to break up your stay and switch things up.
What to do at the Four Seasons Astir Palace
Aside from the sites you must visit when in Athens, such as the Temple of Hephaestus and of course the Parthenon, the team at Four Seasons Astir Palace will undoubtedly take it the extra mile for their guests, for the times when you want something that is a little bit more special and unique.
In between all the relaxing and being waited on hand and foot, head to the reception (or email in advance) and request an exclusive guided tour with one of the hotel's chefs to a market in central Athens that only the locals know about. You’ll find it almost impossible to catch another tourist there taking photos, which is rare these days. The best part of this tour is that you get to decide what you’ll be having for lunch; with the chef’s advice close to hand of course.
You’ll pick up the fish of the day, or octopus if you so prefer, along with colourful veggies and an abundance of herbs. Clams and olives are up for tasting in the market itself too, so you select exactly the flavours you love. You’ll then head back to the hotel, slip into an apron of one of the restaurant kitchens and prep a meal fit for your group. We prepared the sardines, and clams with close guidance of the chefs and we felt fully satisfied when we came to eat.
Another exclusive and sensory experience that the Four Seasons Astir Palace is offering via word of mouth only, and for the first time this year, is Zolotas, named after the beach nearby on the resort. The premise of the evening is quite simple and stripped back (do come as you are), but its hidden location and dishes that awaken every sense are sure to leave you satisfied and taking in everything around you. You’ll arrive to welcome drinks, hopefully at sunset so you can get the perfect photo overlooking the Athenian Riviera. This evening is all about an intimate night around an open fire and sparking your attention.
So if do decide to stay in the Four Seasons Astir Palace, just know that you really are living the 5-star dream, and that sometimes, if the budget allows, you do deserve this break and all of life's little luxuries that come along with it; because life really is too short! Yamas!
Fly from London Heathrow Airport to Athens in around 3hrs 40m.
Book now: Nafsika Sea View rooms start from €1,500/night in the summer months (March to October) and €700/night in the winter months (November to March)
For more from Glamour UK's Ben Neale, follow him on Instagram @ben__neale.
It's the perfect escape for a tropical trip.
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