Four properties across Athens, Corfu, Santorini and Crete. Here is what is worth your attention and what to book first.
Updated: March 2026 | By The Hotel Trotter
If you’ve been dreaming of a Greek island escape or a luxury stay in Athens, 2026 is the year to make it happen. Hilton has just announced four major hotel openings across Greece, a country that has become one of the hospitality giant’s fastest-growing markets in Europe.
In just five years, Hilton has expanded its Greek portfolio from a single property to more than 50 hotels, with a further 20 still under development. The four openings this season, Conrad Athens The Ilisian, Conrad Corfu, Sandblu Santorini (LXR Hotels & Resorts), and Hilton Chania Old Town Resort & Spa, represent the brand’s most ambitious push yet into one of the Mediterranean’s most beloved destinations.
Below, we break down each property in detail so you can decide which one belongs on your bucket list (or your booking calendar).
1. Conrad Athens The Ilisian
The Overall Picture
Athens is finally getting the world-class luxury hotel it deserves. Conrad Athens The Ilisian is set to become the Greek capital’s most significant new five-star address, and it is hard to argue with the credentials: 307 rooms and suites, a 2,000-square-metre wellness floor, and nine dining and bar concepts — all framed by postcard-worthy views of the Acropolis.
The Wellness Floor
Over 2,000 square metres of wellness space is unusual for an urban property anywhere in Europe, let alone in Athens. The offering includes a longevity clinic, both indoor and outdoor pools and a rooftop running track. That last detail is worth dwelling on: you can run laps with the Acropolis in your eyeline. It is the kind of thing that sounds gimmicky until you are actually doing it.
Dining
Nine bars and restaurants is ambitious. The two that will attract the most attention are the Galaxy, which returns after years away as The Galaxy Dispensary, and Byzantino, reborn as a grand all-day brasserie. Both carry real weight in Athenian cultural memory, and their revival is a genuine event for the city rather than just for hotel guests.
Opening: Spring 2026
Rooms: 307 rooms and suites
Good For: Cultural city breaks, serious wellness, landmark dining
Worth Noting: The return of iconic Galaxy rooftop bar
Tip: Athens is worth visiting in April and October when the city is cooler, less crowded and considerably cheaper than peak summer.
Discover all about the much anticipated opening of The Conrad Athens The Ilisian here
2. Conrad Corfu
The Overall Picture
The Overall PictureCorfu is a polarising island. The north is busy and in parts overdeveloped. The south is a different story. Conrad Corfu sits on a secluded stretch of the southern coastline, which is immediately the right answer to where a Conrad property should be on this island. The grounds are set among olive and eucalyptus trees with 136 rooms, suites and villas, most of which come with private pools or jacuzzis.
Rooms, Suites & Villas
All 136 rooms, suites, and villas are designed with privacy and relaxation in mind, most come equipped with private pools or jacuzzis, and the design thoughtfully incorporates contemporary artworks celebrating Corfu’s layered cultural heritage. It is the kind of hotel where you could happily never leave the grounds.
Art and Design
The resort has made a genuine effort with its art programme, commissioning contemporary works that engage with Corfu’s cultural heritage without feeling like a theme park version of it. The dialogue between the island’s Venetian and Greek past and the contemporary aesthetic works better in person than it sounds on paper.
Dining
Three restaurants and two bars, with the headline act being a signature fine-dining restaurant curated by Michelin-starred chef Alexandros Tsiotinis. He is one of the most respected names in Greek cooking and his involvement here is not cosmetic. If you are going to spend on one meal in Corfu, this is probably where to do it.
Opening: Summer 2026
Rooms: 136 rooms, suites and villas
Good For: Couples, food-focused travellers, anyone wanting genuine seclusion
Worth Noting: Fine dining by Michelin-starred chef Alexandros Tsiotinis
Tip: Book the fine-dining restaurant at Conrad Corfu in advance. Michelin-starred chefs attached to resort properties tend to generate waiting lists quickly, especially in peak season.
3. Sandblu Santorini, LXR Hotels and Resorts
The Overall Picture
LXR Hotels and Resorts is Hilton’s independent luxury collection, which means each property is supposed to feel specific to its location rather than conforming to a brand template. Sandblu is the first LXR property in Greece, and it has chosen its position thoughtfully. Rather than joining the cluster of infinity-pool hotels above Oia, it sits above Kamari on the eastern coast, above the island’s famous black-sand shoreline.
Location: A Fresh Take on Santorini
Kamari sits on the eastern coast of Santorini, away from the crowds of Oia and Fira. The volcanic landscape here is stark and beautiful, and Sandblu has been designed to echo the island’s natural palette: white Cycladic forms, volcanic stone textures, and interiors that frame the deep blue of the Aegean horizon. For travellers who love Santorini but have grown weary of the overtourism narrative, this is an exceptionally well-timed opening.
Dining and Wine
Six dining venues is a substantial offering for a 66-room property. The focus on Santorini’s volcanic-grown wines is the right call. Assyrtiko from the island is among the most distinctive white wines produced anywhere in Europe and having it positioned centrally in the food and drink programme gives the resort something genuinely worth talking about.
The Aurora Spa
Treatments from ESPA and 111SKIN give the Aurora Spa a credibility that a lot of Greek resort spas lack. These are serious skincare brands with proper protocols, not just a nice room with scented candles. For guests who take wellness seriously, this matters.
Rooms: 66 rooms, suites and villas
Brand: LXR Hotels and Resorts (Hilton’s independent luxury collection)
Good For: Honeymooners, design-focused travellers, wine enthusiasts
Worth Noting: Assyrtiko wine programme and the Aurora Spa with ESPA and 111SKIN
Tip: LXR properties earn and redeem Hilton Honors points like any other Hilton property, so do not overlook loyalty benefits because the brand feels independent.
4. Hilton Chania Old Town Resort and Spa
The Overall Picture
Crete’s second city, Chania, is one of the most beautiful in Greece and now it has a resort to match. Hilton Chania Old Town Resort & Spa opens in June 2026, positioned between the vibrant city centre and the Aegean coastline. What makes this property stand out is its all-year-round operating model, rare for a Greek beach resort, and the backdrop of Chania’s extraordinary Venetian Old Town.
Location
The resort sits between the city centre and the coastline, which in Chania means you are genuinely close to both. Chania’s Old Town was recently recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the hotel is steps away from it. That is not a figure of speech. The Venetian harbour and its lighthouse are within easy walking distance.
Rooms
All 85 rooms and suites are seafront and all come with private pools. Every single one. That is an unusual level of consistency and it means there is no bad room in the hotel. Views across the Aegean are standard rather than a premium upgrade.
The Year-Round Case
The hotel operates all year. This matters more than it might seem. Crete is one of the few Greek islands that works well in winter. The weather is mild, the food scene does not shut down and the landscape, particularly around the Samaria Gorge and the western coast, is arguably at its most atmospheric between November and March. Having a proper luxury resort open during those months opens up a part of Greece that most international visitors have never seen.
Spa and Events
The spa spans 600 square metres, supported by a rooftop pool club and a full fitness centre. Conference facilities for up to 250 guests make this a realistic option for corporate retreats and incentive groups, which is a segment that Crete has been trying to develop seriously for several years.
Opening: Summer 2026
Rooms: 85 seafront rooms and suites, all with private pools
Good For: Year-round travel, culture seekers, shoulder-season breaks
Worth Noting: Every room has a private pool. The Old Town is on your doorstep.
Tip: Visit Chania in late October or early November. You will have the Old Town almost to yourself, the weather is still warm enough for the pool and room rates drop significantly after the main season.
Which One Should You Book?
The honest answer is that it depends entirely on what you are looking for from a Greek trip. A few pointers:
- Conrad Athens is the right choice if you are primarily interested in Athens as a city and want a hotel that can anchor a proper cultural break. The dining and wellness alone justify the stay.
- Conrad Corfu works best for anyone who wants seclusion and luxury above everything else, with serious food as a secondary priority. The Ionian setting is gentler and greener than the Aegean islands.
- Sandblu Santorini is for people who already know Santorini and want to see a different side of it, or for those who find Oia overwhelming and want something quieter with the same quality of experience.
- Hilton Chania is the most versatile of the four. It works as a summer beach resort, a cultural base and a winter escape in a way that none of the others can quite claim.
Hilton Honors: A Note on Loyalty
All four properties participate in the Hilton Honors programme. Through 30 April 2026, members earn an additional 2,000 Bonus Points per qualifying stay under the Points Unlimited Promotion, which is worth registering for before you travel even if you do not usually think of yourself as a points person.
LXR properties are sometimes assumed to sit outside the main loyalty structure because of their independent positioning. They do not. You earn and redeem points at Sandblu Santorini exactly as you would at any other Hilton property.
Tip: Hilton Honors is free to join and you can register and earn points from your first night. If you are booking any of these properties, sign up before you confirm the reservation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Hilton hotels are opening in Greece in 2026?
Four properties are opening in 2026: Conrad Athens The Ilisian, Conrad Corfu, Sandblu Santorini (LXR Hotels and Resorts) and Hilton Chania Old Town Resort and Spa.
Can I book these hotels now?
Yes. All four are taking reservations. Dates run from spring through August 2026. Given the level of interest in new luxury openings in Greece, booking early is sensible rather than just cautious advice.
What is the difference between Conrad and LXR?
Conrad Hotels and Resorts is Hilton’s flagship luxury brand, operating globally with a consistent service model. LXR Hotels and Resorts is a collection of independent luxury properties, each designed to feel specific to its location rather than tied to a brand identity. Both sit at the top of Hilton’s portfolio.
Is Greece worth visiting outside of summer?
Yes, in many cases more so. Athens is excellent year-round. Crete works well from March through November and the winter months there are genuinely mild and underrated. Corfu and Santorini have shorter seasons but shoulder periods in May and September are increasingly popular for good reason.
Do these hotels earn Hilton Honors points?
All four properties participate fully in Hilton Honors. Points can be earned and redeemed across the portfolio including at the LXR property in Santorini.
Discover more of the most exciting luxury hotel openings of 2026 around the world
TheHotelTrotter.com is curated by greek journalist and fanatic hotel lover Eleni Stasinopoulou. With the eye of a fashion and lifestyle editor, Eleni hopes to inspire all connoisseurs of traveling, focusing on stylish hotel moments around the globe.
