Hyatt Hotels has entered into a franchise agreement with both Henderson Park and Hines for the first Grand Hyatt hotel in Greece, Grand Hyatt Athens.

The opening is expected in quarter three of 2018.

The hotel will be managed by Kokari and will deliver bold and vibrant luxury for guests in this iconic destination.

“We are thrilled to announce plans for the first Hyatt property in Athens with Henderson Park, Hines and Kokari,” said Takuya Aoyama, vice president, development for Eastern Europe, Russia & CIS at Hyatt.

“We have long sought to bring the Grand Hyatt brand’s celebratory luxury to the Greek capital.

“This deal represents a significant milestone in south-east Europe, an important growth market for Hyatt with recent Hyatt development announcements in Turkey and Bulgaria.”

The 310-room hotel will be centrally located on Syngrou Avenue in Athens’ Koukaki district, close to golf courses, restaurants and within walking distance of Filopappos Hill.

Grand Hyatt Athens will be uniquely designed to reflect its Greek culture with dramatic architecture and innovative design.

First-class accommodations will welcome guests along with a spectacular rooftop bar and restaurant, an outdoor swimming pool and a stunning view of the Acropolis.

“Our investment into Grand Hyatt Athens was driven by its potential as a luxury asset with a historic heritage,” said Nick Weber, founding partner of Henderson Park.

“Grand Hyatt is one of the world’s leading premium brands and working with Hyatt on this hotel is an endorsement of our ambitious strategy and a strong addition to Henderson Park’s portfolio of iconic European hotels.

“We hope this marks the first stage of building a rewarding, long-term relationship with Hyatt.”

The Greek capital is one of Europe’s most popular tourist destinations with over 4.5 million visitors a year.

With its premium offerings and central location, Grand Hyatt Athens will appeal to business and leisure travellers who seek exceptional settings.

The hotel is currently undergoing a major renovation and will mark the second Hyatt hotel in Greece – joining its sister property Hyatt Regency Thessaloniki.