Hospitality Giant Hilton Set to Strengthen Presence in Greece

Alan Mantin, Managing Director of Hilton Development in Southern Europe, speaking to the Greek press in Athens.

Leading global hospitality company Hilton recently announced its aim to increase its presence in Greece in the years ahead.

Speaking to Greek journalists on Tuesday in Athens, Alan Mantin, Managing Director of Hilton Development in Southern Europe, highlighted that Greek hospitality and the “uniqueness” of the islands is a pole of attraction for the US hotel giant.

“In 2021 we had only two hotels under our brand in Greece and today we have reached 14 open and in the pipeline with 1,797 rooms (trading and in the pipeline),” Mantin said during a press conference to announce the company’s franchise agreements with Brown Hotels for two properties in Greece.

According to the agreements, two of Brown Hotels’ “Isla Brown” properties in Greece (the Isla Brown Chania Resort on Crete and the Isla Brown Corinthia Resort & Spa in Agioi Theodoroi) have entered the “Curio Collection by Hilton” brand. These additions bring the number of properties in Greece under the brand to 9 (open and in the pipeline).

Alan Mantin, Managing Director of Hilton Development in Southern Europe, announcing Hilton’s deal with Brown Hotels.

“Hilton’s development story continues in Greece,” Mantin said, mentioning the hospitality giant’s partnerships with the Troulis Group, HIP and Domes Resort, Tsiledakis SA on Crete and the Douzoglou group (SCD real estate investment group).

Hilton Athens transforming into ‘Conrad’

Currently in the pipeline is the transformation of the property that once housed the Hilton Athens, located on Vasilissis Sofias Avenue in the Greek capital. A renowned city landmark, the Hilton Athens is being converted into a new mixed-use destination that will comprise luxury hospitality and residential offering under the name of “Conrad” (the first name of the Hilton chain’s founder Conrad Hilton). The Conrad hotel in Athens is expected to open its doors in 2025.

When asked about plans to open another Hilton Athens in a different location in the Greek capital, Mantin said that it is expected to happen in the next few years.

“We are interested in bringing the Hilton name back to Athens but we need to find the ideal investor and location,” he said.

An impression of the new Conrad hotel in Athens.

Hilton also plans to open another two hotels in Athens in cooperation with SCD group. The global hospitality company will open the “Pentelikon Athens, Curio collection by Hilton” in the upscale neighborhood of Kifissia and also debut its “Hampton by Hilton” brand in Greece with the “Hampton by Hilton Piraeus Mikrolimano” in Piraeus, the city where the country’s largest port is located.

Both hotels are expected to open in two to three years following major renovations works.

Moreover, the Numo Ierapetra Beach Resort on Crete will also be added to Hilton’s “Curio Collection” portfolio in Greece following an agreement with the Troulis Group.

When referring to thoughts of Hilton expanding to other destinations in Greece, Mantin mentioned that there is a high interest in Greece’s two major urban centers, Athens and Thessaloniki, as well as the islands of Corfu, Mykonos, Kos and Skiathos. He added that expanding the Hilton name on Rhodes is also under consideration as the company currently has one hotel on the island – the Lindian Village Beach Resort Rhodes, a member of the Curio Collection. Greece’s popular island Santorini is also home to another “Curio Collection” hotel, the Sea Breeze Santorini Beach Resort.

“We really feel that our future in Greece is bright,” Mantin said.

Hilton has a portfolio of 22 world-class brands comprising more than 7,500 properties and nearly 1.2 million rooms in 126 countries and territories. The company has another 4,000 hotels in the pipeline. In Europe, Middle East and Africa, Hilton operates some 700 hotels and has another 400 in the pipeline.

Hilton’s loyalty program – Hilton Honors – today counts over 180 million members and offers important privileges to guests.