Four Seasons Astir Palace Athens

Greece's Most Spectacular Beach Resort, Right Outside the Capital

Overall Score: 88/100

Introduction

The Four Seasons Astir Palace Athens sits on a private peninsula just outside the Greek capital, offering something rare in luxury hospitality: a genuine beachside resort experience within easy reach of a major international airport and city. This is one of the most expensive hotels in Greece, occupying a historic property that blends grandeur with the natural beauty of the Athenian Riviera. The property is split across two buildings: Arion, an adults-only wing, and Nafsika, which welcomes families. Multiple restaurants, a private beach, adults and family pools, villas with private pools, and an extensive spa complete the picture.

When booking through a travel advisor, Oskar and I paid 1,527 Euros for one night in Room 221, an ocean view room in the Ion building on the second floor. This was shoulder season, the end of September. That rate was also the most either of us has ever spent in cash on a single hotel night. Our booking through a Four Seasons Preferred Partner rate included complimentary breakfast, a free upgrade to an ocean view room, early check-in at 1:00 PM, late checkout at 3:00 PM, and a $100 property credit, all at the same price as booking directly. In peak season, rates climb considerably higher.

Our expectations going in were, perhaps dangerously, sky-high. The Four Seasons is the luxury hotel brand, and at this price point, every detail feels weighted. What followed was extraordinary in many ways, and honest in others.

Check-in Experience

The arrival experience sets the tone well. The staff asked for our name at the entry gate, and by the time we reached reception, they already knew who we were. Not because we are YouTubers, but simply because the information had been shared. These are the kinds of small, seamless touches that set the service apart.

The Room Experience

First Impressions  

Room 221 is a beautiful space, but it is compact. For a hotel at this price point, the size is the one area where expectations and reality diverge. The room has a thoughtful layout, but when luggage is in the room, it feels tight. There is simply too much furniture crammed into the available space. The pieces themselves are lovely, but there is a sense of everything being squeezed in. The wooden floor is beautiful, though the rug shows some light staining.

What the room does offer: a striking mirror TV that appears as a regular mirror until switched on and includes Chromecast, which is a welcome addition. Four Seasons stationery, a welcome bowl of fruit (pears, apples, grapes), water, chocolate-covered nuts, and a small table with two chairs, a welcome touch since a room for two guests with only one chair is a common frustration.

Curtain controls are clear and intuitive. A practical note: there are no global plugs. The room has one European port and two USB-A ports at the bedside, plus one additional power port near the seating area and one adapter provided. Guests needing more adapters can request them.

The Bed

The first thing Oskar said when he woke up was: this bed. He said he had never slept so well in his life, and I felt the same. It feels like sinking into a cloud, with every part of the cloud caressing you. We went in with high expectations for the Four Seasons bedding, having heard so much about it, and it delivered completely. One of the most comfortable nights of sleep on this trip.

‍Bathroom

A beautiful marble bathroom scoring a 9 out of 10. The only reason it falls short of 10 is the layout: two people may need to squeeze past each other, which at this price point is noticeable. Otherwise, it is excellent. A gorgeous rainfall shower, a deep soaking bathtub with a breathtaking view, and double sinks with a mirror wide enough for two people. There is a toilet with a bum gun, which we always appreciate. The bath mats are luscious, and the bathrobes are hung one on each side of the bathroom, a logical touch. There is also a small bench and a scale.

Toiletries are from Diptyque, a brand with a lovely scent. There is also a shampoo bar, the first we have encountered at any hotel, and a body sponge. Bath salts are provided. The hair dryer is a Parlux, not a Dyson, but it performs well. 

One layout quirk: the hand towels are positioned near only one sink, meaning a guest at the other sink has to walk across the bathroom to dry their hands.

The bathroom amenities initially appeared limited, with only a QR code linking to chargeable spa products. 

The Balcony

The balcony is almost the size of the room itself, and it re-frames the entire stay. Looking out over a private bay docked with yachts, with pine trees scenting the air, the view is breathtaking. Two loungers are set up and ready. It becomes immediately clear that the design philosophy of this hotel is to make the outdoors the primary living space, and the balcony makes that case convincingly. The compact room matters far less once you are out here.

Room Features & Amenities

The minibar includes Aperol Spritz, basic sodas, chocolate, snacks, and fruit mix jellies with a vegan marking. The coffee setup uses Lavazza pods rather than Nespresso, which is arguably a step up. A Philips kettle completes the setup. It is not easily accessible from a standing position due to the room layout, a minor irritation.

The closet can be closed off, which is a nice touch, but it is on the smaller side. A standard suitcase cannot be fully opened inside it, which means luggage ends up staying in the already compact room. Inside the closet: an iron and ironing board, shoehorn, slippers, a shoe bag, mosquito deterrent and laundry list.

The iPad controls the room and handles dining orders, spa bookings, housekeeping requests, and express pressing. The hotel initially appeared to offer only chargeable spa products when we scanned the QR code in the bathroom, but the iPad revealed a full complimentary amenity list on request: dental kit, mouthwash, earplugs, eye mask, firm and plush mattress toppers, extra bathrobes, feminine products, sewing kit, shaving kit, cotton swabs, and more. Everything is available, but you do need to know to look for it through the iPad rather than expecting it to be laid out in the room.

Dining Experience

Breakfast

Breakfast is served across two restaurants: Nafsika, the larger buffet option, and Arion, the more Greek-focused alternative. Both are on the same property and guests are welcome to visit both. The Nafsika buffet is extensive: cold cuts, cheeses, pastries, honeycomb, fresh peanut butter, chickpea and lentil salads, Greek salad bowls, fresh fruit, yogurt, brioche, gluten-free spinach and cheese pie, roasted potatoes, roasted tomatoes, sausages, bacon, and multiple baked goods including gluten-free options. We ordered a freshly squeezed orange juice, tofu scramble and boost smoothie with banana, peanut butter, soy milk and cinnamon from the a la carte section, both good. 

The setting was stunning and the restaurant itself beautiful. We expected every dish at this hotel to be that mind-blowing, which was perhaps an unfair expectation to bring to breakfast. Overall it was a fine breakfast. In Europe you do not get the same type of sprawling buffet you find in Asia or the Middle East, and that context is fair to keep in mind. 

We also stopped by Arion on the way back. Most of the hot dishes are the same, including fried eggs and scrambled eggs, with a slightly smaller overall selection. It leans a little more Greek in character.

Mercato Restaurant (Lunch)

The standout meal of the stay, and one of the best restaurant experiences of the entire Greece trip. The vegan panzanella salad was exceptional, a 10 out of 10 dish that we would return to Athens specifically to eat. Focaccia with a generous serve of tapenade followed. Arrabiata served on a plate designed to look like the ocean with a touch of espresso. The final linguini was perfectly cooked. _‍

Room Service (Dinner)

We ordered a vegan burger with fries for dinner. The total came to 70 Euros for two. The food was fine, nothing more. For that price, we expected something closer to the quality of lunch at Mercato, and it did not reach that level.

Facilities & Amenities

Beach & Pool

The private beach and the pool are the heart of this hotel, and they are exceptional. The adults-only pool is quiet, intimate, and surrounded by impeccably kept grounds with pine trees scenting the air. No music plays at the pool or beach. You hear only waves and nature, a choice we deeply appreciated and that feels increasingly rare. The beach itself is stunning with crystal clear water (and I say that as a beach snob), with beautiful seat covers on the chairs that wrap around the seat like an airline mattress pad, preventing the towel from slipping.

We also ordered non-alcoholic pina coladas, which were excellent. Free cabanas are available on a first-come first-served basis, manned from 10:00 AM, with swimming permitted at any hour of the day or night. That is how it should be done.

One small gripe: no beach bags are provided, which at this price point feels like an oversight.

Gym & Spa

The gym is well equipped and receives a 4 out of 5. We initially entered the private fitness studio by mistake, which has yoga mats, a massage table, and is intended for private sessions. The actual gym includes weight training equipment, cardio machines, a whirlpool, sauna, steam room, and studio classes, accessible 24 hours. Very good for a resort property, though not quite at the level of the very best gym experiences we have reviewed.

The spa menu is extensive, with 50-minute massages from 240 Euros and a wide range of treatments. We did not use the spa during our stay, but it is clearly a significant part of the hotel's offering for guests who build their stay around wellness.

‍Service & Hospitality

Service is a 5 out of 5, and it earns it. The can-do attitude throughout the stay was exceptional. The clearest example: Oskar asked the beach bar team if they had matcha, which was not on the menu. Without hesitation, the answer was yes, and two iced matcha lattes appeared. At Mercato restaurant, when the chef accidentally included cheese in the linguini, the team apologized immediately, sent a complimentary arrabiata to hold us over, and remade the dish. That is service.

One constructive note: staff do not proactively greet guests when passing in the grounds or hallways. At a resort of this calibre, a simple greeting when someone walks by makes a meaningful difference. Here, staff tend to wait to be acknowledged rather than greeting guests first. Not a serious flaw, but noticeable.

Turndown service was thoughtful. The housekeeper arranged toiletries on Four Seasons branded mats, provided fresh towels, and placed a glass of water with a cup on the bedside table. Slippers were left unopened rather than unwrapped, a small but considerate touch that avoids waste. The only mild disappointment was the absence of pillow mist, which has become a standard at this level. Of course, this turn own service was nothing compared to the likes of Banyan Tree Kuala Lumpur.

Technology & Practical Details

Wi-Fi: The speed test showed 17.4 Mbps download and 18.7 Mbps upload. A good benchmark for 2025 is over 100 Mbps download and at least 50 Mbps upload, so this falls well short of that. Adequate for typical guests, but not Youtuber friendly.

Detailed Scoring Breakdown

Scoring Notes

• Room (7/10): Beautifully designed but compact for the price. Too much furniture for the available space, and luggage management is a real challenge at over 1,500 Euros per night.
• Bathroom (9/10): Stunning marble, rainfall shower, double sinks, deep soaking tub with a bay view. The layout is slightly tight for two people, which is the only reason it falls short of 10.
• Night's Sleep (10/10): Oskar said it was the best sleep of his life. The mattress feels like sinking into a cloud. High expectations going in, fully delivered. A clear 10.
• Value for Money (6/10): An extraordinary experience at an extraordinary price. At 1,527 Euros in shoulder season, this is hard to justify against other excellent options in Greece. The Airbnbs on the same trip offered better value. The experience itself was worth it, but the score reflects the overall price-to-value equation.
• Breakfast (7/10): A beautiful buffet in a beautiful setting with attentive service. Not mind-blowing by global comparison.
• Condition (10/10): Immaculate throughout. Everything feels fresh, maintained, and well cared for. A clear 10.
• Service (5/5): The can-do attitude here is exceptional. Off-menu matcha, proactive pasta correction, attentive beach team. The only note is that staff do not greet guests proactively when passing.
• Dining (5/5): The panzanella at Mercato alone could justify a 5. The overall dining experience, including the service recovery on the pasta, was outstanding.
• Location (5/5): Beachside resort feeling with Athens and the airport within easy reach. A rare combination that earns a full score.
• Amenities (5/5): Everything available through the iPad on request. Pillow types, dental kits, mouthwash, mattress toppers, extra robes, and much more. Excellent system once discovered.
• Gym (4/5): Well equipped with sauna, steam room, whirlpool, and studio classes. Very good, not quite at the standard of the very best we have reviewed.
• Pool / Beach (5/5): A 5 without question. Pristine private beach, quiet adults-only pool, free cabanas, no music, swimming permitted at any hour. Exactly what a beachside resort should offer.
• X Factor (10/10): This hotel became our new favorite at the time of this review. The setting, the service, the bed, the beach, the food at Mercato. We were wowed, and we could not think of anywhere in Greece we would be more wowed.

Final Verdict

The Four Seasons Astir Palace Athens is a truly extraordinary hotel that earns its 88 out of 100 score. The bed is the best we have slept in. The service is exceptional, with a can-do attitude that makes every request feel welcome. The beach and grounds are impeccably maintained and deeply relaxing. And the Mercato restaurant alone is worth the visit.

The honest caveat is the room. For 1,527 Euros in shoulder season, a room that feels tight with luggage open, falling short of expectations at this price point.. Guests should consider booking a larger room from the start, as the upgrade options are likely worth the additional cost. The room service dinner also does not match the kitchen's best work, and Wi-Fi is slower than ideal for heavy users.

Would we return? Without any hesitation. We left the hotel sad to go, already thinking about when we could come back. At this price, we would save up for a larger room and build several days around the beach and Mercato. At 88/100, the Four Seasons Astir Palace sits near the top of our hotel rankings at the time of this review, although Park Hyatt Kuala Lumpur is our top stay. If you can afford it, Greece has very few experiences that come close.

Key Takeaways

Exceptional

• The Four Seasons bed (best night's sleep in this review series)
• Private beach with free cabanas, no music, and open swimming at any hour
• Mercato restaurant (vegan panzanella is extraordinary)
• Service can-do attitude (off-menu matcha, proactive pasta correction)
• Balcony view over the bay with yachts
• Immaculate condition throughout the property
• Adults-only pool, quiet and beautifully maintained
• Unique beach seat covers (no more sliding towels)
• Location (beachside resort feeling, close to Athens and the airport)
• iPad amenity request system (everything available on request)

Needs Improvement

• Room size and furniture (too compact for the price, with too much furniture squeezed into the available space)
• Wi-Fi speed below expectations for heavy uploaders
• No global plugs built in (one adapter provided)
• Hand towels positioned at only one sink
• Room service quality does not match the main restaurant
• Staff do not proactively greet guests when passing in the grounds
• No beach bags provided
• Slippers on the smaller side

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