The „Athénée Palace” hotel will be managed by HG® Hotels & Resorts (IHG®) and is owned by ANA Hotels, a hotel chain with 100% Romanian capital. The hotel has changed its name from Athene Palace Hilton Bucharest to InterContinental Athene Palace Bucharest. The contract will last for 20 years, beginning on January 1, 2023, when the actual adjustments will take effect.
By being the only hotel in Romania run under the „InterContinental ® Hotels & Resorts” brand, the „InterContinental Athénée Palace Bucharest” will set new benchmarks for opulent travel.
Appointing a new partner for the hotel management contract was a long and laborious process. We started this endeavour in 2021, and I specify that several well-known international operators wanted to operate the „Athénée Palace” hotel. After extensive negotiations, carried out for about six months, the management contract was signed with „IHG Hotels & Resorts” following that, from 2023, the „Athénée Palace” hotel will be operated under the „InterContinental” brand. In fact, „IHG Hotels & Resorts” has already been our partner since 1998, based on a management contract and, subsequently, the franchise contract for the „Crowne Plaza Bucharest” hotel, also owned by ANA Hotels in Bucharest.
George Copos, the owner of the „ANA Hotels” hotel group
The management of „ANA Hotels” selected this firm as a partner due to several factors, including the group’s 75 years of experience in the field of luxury international travel and the renown of the „InterContinental” brand on a global scale.
With more than 200 luxury hotels, including iconic structures in the most well-known capitals of the globe, as well as upscale resorts, „InterContinental” is one of the most prestigious luxury hotel chains in the world. The „InterContinental Paris – Le Grand,” „InterContinental London Park Lane,” „InterContinental New York Times Square,” „InterContinental Grand Stanford Hong Kong,” and „InterContinental Los Angeles Downtown” are some of the most well-known hotels in the world that are run under this brand by IHG.
More than 40 million euros have been invested in restoring the „Athénée Palace” to raise its comfort level and bring it in line with other top-tier luxury hotels worldwide.
Natural materials of the highest quality and cutting-edge technology were employed during the remodelling process, with particular attention paid to the building’s and the area’s energy efficiency. The large remodelling project was split into two phases that started in 2020.
The 132 rooms in the „New Wing” were renovated as part of the first rehabilitation phase, which was finished in the summer of 2021. The second phase of the restoration focused on the hotel front and the 151 rooms in the „Historical Wing,” which was erected in 1914. The work on the public areas (hotel reception, lobby, Café Athénée, Club Lounge, conference rooms) will be concluded by the end of the year. The rehabilitation of the rooms and the facade is complete.
One of Bucharest’s historical and architectural landmarks is the „Athénée Palace” hotel, which has a 108-year history and is a crucial component of the „ANA Hotels” hotel chain.
