Multi-million makeovers

A meticulous modernisation endeavour is currently underway at the five-star deluxe Athenaeum Inter-Continental , whose 543 rooms and suites are due to be fully renovated by mid-2001. Its two new executive floors comprising 61 rooms and 18 suites offer private meeting rooms and the services of specially trained staff, while a well-equipped business centre caters to the corporate traveller. The hotel's ballroom, accommodating to 2,200 people, is in the throes of a GDR 950-million complete refurbishment headed by French designer Pierre Yves Rochon. To feature the latest audio-visual facilities, professional sound systems and state-of-the-art lighting, the ballroom is set to reopen by mid-September 2000.

The nearby Chandris Hotel , not only changed its name to  Metropolitan  but, spent a total of GDR five billion on its thorough renovation programme, which was finalised in June 2000. All of the five-star unit's 361 rooms, function and conference areas, restaurants and bars were given a facelift. A business centre was created, as was a gym with all the latest equipment. The Metropolitan's Aegean Sea Grand Ballroom caters to 450 guests while the (literally) high point of the hotel is its rooftop restaurant which boasts stunning views of the capital. Staff participated in training programmes to boost their specialised skills.

The Greek-based Grecotel group has been particularly active and recently added the Omonia Grand Hotel to its stable of accommodations. Situated in Athens' business heart of Omonia Square, which is also undergoing a renewal, the 115-room corporate-minded hotel was restored at a cost of GDR 1.4 billion. Its sister hotel, the NJVAthens Plazaat the Syntagma Square commercial district, has also been updated entirely.

The 157-room St George Lycabettus Hotel, perched on the side of Lykavittos Hill in the popular shopping and business district of Kolonaki, has been updated with attention to detail. The five-star, ISO 9002-certified hotel's prime features are its individually-designed rooms and rooftop restaurant, which looks out onto the Acropolis and the Saronic isles and has been described by international magazines as having "the most beautiful view in Europe". Despite its smaller size, the establishment's three conference rooms, catering to 300 in total, are geared towards corporate events.

Focused on banqueting and conferences, the five-star, 471-room Divani Caravel's multi-purpose areas can accommodate up to 2,000 convention participants or guests. The unit has seen continuous renovations, the latest in 1999. Anticipating demand for accommodation in southern Athens, which will host Olympic installations and training facilities, the hotel chain has also fully refurbished its property in Kavouri. The five-star, seafront Divani Apollon Palacehotel has 286 rooms and four multi-purpose areas, which can cater to up to 1,500 people.

In the adjoining resort area of Vouliagmeni, the Astir Vouliagmenis hotel is preparing to launch an investment programme, to be funded through the raising of GDR 10 billion in share capital on the bourse. The group's plans include construction of a GDR 2.5-billion convention centre, catering to 2,000, plus 75 beach bungalows. Some GDR 2.4-billion will be allocated for the renovation of existing buildings. The Astir will most likely host the International Olympic Committees members in 2004.

The Athens Hilton's renovation, to be completed gradually by mid-2003 so as not to disturb the units smooth funcion, will encompass full upgrading of its 453 rooms, function and conference areas, bars and restaurants as well as the renovation of its trademark facade. The venues make-over, estimated to surpass a total of GDR 20 billion, is the first-ever complete renovation since 1963, when the hotel opened its gates.

Other recently refurbished units include the deluxe 192-room Holiday Inn Athens, the Athens Ledra Marriott, the Novotel Athens and the Airotel group's five-star Alexandros near the US embassy. Extensive renovations are planned for the stately Grande Bretagne hotel, a member of the Starwood group in Syntagma Square.