Tourism rise in Athens sees new hotels mushrooming

The recovery of Athens tourism is leading to the establishment of new hotels in the capital through the reopening of old units along with completely fresh arrivals.

Reportedly, a new hotel is expected to open in Piraeus on 16-18 Aristeidou str. on a property owned by MEKTIMA SA. The company has begun acquiring the necessary permits for the reconstruction of a former warehouses and shops building and in order to create a 4-star hotel with a 100-room capacity. The two buildings were constructed in 1965 and initially housed the activities of the "Metaxa" spirits production company.

400-room hotel on sale

Additional reports indicate that Eurobank agreed, after several months negotiations, with a foreign interest Greek company to proceed with the sale of its unfinished hotel building and large surrounding area.The hotel building has a capacity of 400 rooms, is situated within a 65 acres area and will be reconstructed to provide luxurious accommodation. 

According to other sources, another building complex on Nikis and Nicodemus streets near Syntagma square is expected to be converted into an accommodation facility.

Competition in Kolonaki

Meanwhile, Athens Archdiocese gave a few days postponement for the submission of tenders in repetitive competition for long-term rental of a hotel property (former Athens Lycabettus) on Valaoritou 6 str in Kolonaki. The relevant competition will take place on December 1 at the offices of the Holy Archdiocese.

The tourist development of property that formerly housed the Canadian embassy in Kolonaki is examined by its new owner, MK Mykonos Hotel Company SA, a subsidiary of the Turkish Dogus Holding group.

The property was acquired by the Turkish company for the sum of 4 million euros. The Turkish group has also participated in business partnerships that operate Greek marinas as well as in the pending competition for the sale of Vouliagmeni Astir Palace.

The Coco-Mat Hotels and Resorts Worldwide group is also set to open a new hotel at Kolonaki, central Athens, in early September. The total budget of the 39-room unit is 10 million euros.

Luxury flats and suites

Inn Athens with a capacity of 22 rooms constitutes a new arrival in downtown Athens tourist market, located on the corner of George Souris and Filellinon streets.

In Piraeus, Harbor Apartments luxury flats began operating on Karaoli and Dimitriou Street.

Scale Suites building complex on Ellinikon suburb Eptanisou street is fully operational, after retrofitting an apartments building into tourist luxury accommodation suites.

From Omonias to Kastri suburb

Furthemore, sources have told Kathimerini newspaper that the former Fashion House Hotel on Omonia Square will soon reopen under a new leasing company. The four-star unit with 117 rooms has been leased for 40 years by the Mage Hotels and Resorts group, controlled by a Greek-American entrepreneur. The group’s aim is to get a license and start operating the hotel in the fall.

The same group is also close to a long-term lease on another hotel, with 170 rooms close to Omonia. Both hotels had shut down in early 2011 with the departure of the company managing them.

Another group, Domotel, will open the Domotel Kastri hotel in the northern Athens suburb of Kastri, at end-July, while the Electra group is planning to open a new unit at the old Education Ministry building on Mitropoleos Street in the city center in time for summer 2016.

Ifantis Group investment

The Ifantis Group is planning a new private property investment for the center of Athens. According to information obtained by Kathimerini, the investment is to be implemented in a listed building where the historic Pindaros hotel once operated on Sophocleous Street.

The project is an initiative of the parent company of Fresh Hotel Athens, Athens Holidays SA, which is controlled by the Ifantis Group. The four-star Fresh Hotel, the group’s first hotel venture in central Athens, is situated next to the Pindaros hotel on Sophocleous Street. It opened in 2004 with a capacity of 133 rooms after a complete refurbishment of the building. 

The company has launched proceedings to secure investment from the Ministry of Culture’s fund for the restoration of such properties. Approval for the architectural design of the project is being sought from the Ministry of Culture. The project aims for the restoration and enhancement of the listed building, with the addition of loft and three additional stories for its use as a four-star hotel.

Source: www.kathimerini.gr