Words by Jordan Forgie
Four Seasons Astir Palace Athens unfurls across a pine-clad peninsula on the Athens Riviera just south of Greece’s capital city. Its 75 acres of wooded grounds slope gently down to three private beaches and the glimmering Saronic Gulf beyond. Shaded paths wind between whitewashed buildings, sea-view terraces and quiet coves, the only soundtrack a soft birdsong and the gentle lap of the water… it’s hard to believe the centre of Athens is only half an hour away.
Families have everything they need within the grounds of this luxury hotel. Two pools sit side by side on a boardwalk above the sea and the supervised kids’ club runs a packed daily schedule to keep young kids entertained. Older children and teenagers can work their way through the tennis courts, paddleboards and kayaks, while parents slip off for a swim, a spa treatment or a sunset sail of their own.
Family Traveller went to try out the property for ourselves, so let’s dig into what makes it family-friendly.
Four Seasons Astir Palace Athens
Family-friendliness at a glance
- Kids’ club – 8am-6pm, ages four to 12 (under-fours welcome with a parent), complimentary
- Family pools – Two seaside pools linked by a boardwalk, one infinity and one built for families
- Babysitting – Available with advance notice, evenings and daytime
- Family rooms – Connecting rooms and suites across Arion and Nafsika, plus private-pool Bungalows
- Stand-out perk – No charge for children 18 and under sharing a parent’s room
Four Seasons Astir Palace Athens location and first impressions
Four Seasons Astir Palace Athens sits on its own private peninsula in Vouliagmeni, a chic seaside suburb around 20km south of central Athens on the stretch of coastline known as the Athens Riviera. Once you leave the motorway, the coast road hugs the shoreline towards Vouliagmeni and apartment blocks give way to turquoise bays, bobbing sailing boats and whitewashed hillside villas.
Once through the gates of Four Seasons Astir Palace Athens, we felt the change instantly. Low-rise buildings sit tucked below the treetops, each one angled towards the water and every meandering path eventually leads down to a beach or a pool. There’s a golf buggy on hand for when small legs give up but part of the fun, we found, is exploring on foot and stumbling across a hidden cove or a new view of the sea around every bend.
Nafsika Sea-View Room at Four Seasons Astir Palace Athens
Accommodation at Four Seasons Astir Palace Athens
Four Seasons Astir Palace has more than 300 rooms, suites and bungalows. Our Nafsika Sea-View Room looked straight over the main pool to the sea, with a shaded balcony to escape the afternoon sun – precisely where we retreated to avoid the blazing sunshine.
Inside, it’s all calm, earthy tones and natural textures, with wooden furniture, woven lamps and linen throws. The floor-to-ceiling windows do most of the work, framing the sea like a painting.
For a bit more space, the Bungalow Suites sleep two adults and two children and several have envy-inducing private plunge pools. And if you need even more room, the Arion Panoramic Sea-View Suite has two king bedrooms and sleeps up to four adults and two children.
– READ MORE: Where to find beaches in Greece worth planning your family holidays –
Tennis at Four Seasons Astir Palace Athens
What is the kids’ club like at Four Seasons Astir Palace?
The kids’ club runs daily from 8am to 6pm for ages four to 12 and is included in the rate, with younger children welcome alongside a parent. Much of the programme ties in with the nearby Archelon Sea Turtle Rescue Centre, so expect scavenger hunts and turtle-themed crafts.
The Crafted in Greece programme has added Greek mythology sessions to the lineup and staff told us that learning to write your name in the Greek alphabet is one of the club’s biggest hits with kids. The one gap is a teen lounge, so older kids drift toward the tennis courts and watersports instead.
Four Seasons Astir Palace Athens
Family activities and day trips on the Athens Riviera
The concierge can book kayaking, paddleboarding and swimming lessons, plus a family-friendly private Acropolis tour with guides who lean into gods and monsters rather than dates and dynasties. Pottery workshops, waterfront Greek dancing and olive oil tastings suit families with older children and teens.
We took the hotel’s speedboat to the historic island of Aegina for a wander and left with a newfound love of pistachio spread (the island is famous for its pistachios). Next came a quiet cove and an opulent picnic, with sandwiches wrapped in newspaper-style parcels and stuffed peppers (gemista) served from bright Le Creuset pots. Our one regret was skipping a dip in the sea. We visited just before summer, when the water was still a little too chilly for our liking.
– READ MORE: 7 ancient sites in Rhodes that bring history to life for families –
Four Seasons Astir Palace Athens
Pools and beaches at Four Seasons Astir Palace
The infinity pool tends to draw the grown-ups, while its shallower neighbour is the better bet for families; however, there is a lifeguard on duty at both. The three beaches, Nafsika, Zolotas and Arion, are calm and shallow close to shore and there’s enough shade to keep an eye on everyone from your sun lounger.
And when the mid-afternoon meltdown strikes, there’s a free gelato stand at the hotel’s Kyma pool bar!
Family dining at Four Seasons Astir Palace Athens
Family-friendly dining at Four Seasons Astir Palace
There are eight restaurants and bars on-site but Taverna 37 on the water’s edge was our standout. Its sharing plates mean everyone can pick at what they like and there’s a no-fuss kids’ menu of grilled chicken, calamari and plain pasta too. It’s also home to Chef Alexandros Koskinas’ Market-to-Table experience, during which you shop at a local market with the culinary team and cook what you buy – a fun one with older children.
Our highlight, though, was the cold caviar pasta at Michelin-starred Pelagos, led by Chef Luca Piscazzi. Cold pasta sounded wrong to us too, until the first forkful. Save it for a babysitter night, then finish with a nightcap at Avra.
Make It Happen
How to get there
Four Seasons Astir Palace Athens sits on its own peninsula in Vouliagmeni, on the Athens Riviera. It’s around a 30-minute drive from Athens International Airport. Private transfers can be arranged from the airport and Piraeus port, with car seats available on request. Guests arriving by yacht can moor at Astir Marina next door.
How much does it cost?
One-night stays at Four Seasons Astir Palace Athens start from around £450 in low season. Children 18 and under stay free when sharing a parent’s room.
Book
Visit Four Seasons Astir Palace Athens’ website here.
Four Seasons Astir Palace FAQs
Is Four Seasons Astir Palace suitable for toddlers?
Yes. The resort offers shallow family pools, calm beaches and a Kids Club that welcomes under-4s alongside a parent.
Does Four Seasons Astir Palace have a kids’ club?
Yes. Kids For All Seasons runs 8am–6pm for ages 4–12, free of charge, with younger children admitted alongside a parent.
Can children stay free at Four Seasons Astir Palace?
Children 18 and under stay free when sharing a parent’s room, space permitting.
Is there babysitting at Four Seasons Astir Palace?
Yes, with advance notice, so parents can book a spa treatment or a dinner at Pelagos without the kids in tow.
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