The President of the Organising Committee for the Olympic Games ATHENS 2004 Mrs. Gianna Angelopoulos-Daskalaki signed the agreement on behalf of ATHOC and Mr. Peter Van der Vliet Vice-President of HILTON INTERNATIONAL for the Mediterranean and General Manager of Hilton Athens was the Hilton Athens representative. The Chairman of Ionian Hotel Enterprises and ALPHA BANK Group Mr. Yannis S. Costopoulos attended the ceremony, on behalf of the hotel�s owning company. 
 

The President of ATHENS 2004 Mrs. Gianna Angelopoulos-Daskalaki stated �The results of the renovation are outstanding not only in an aesthetic but also in an operational level. The many years experience and know-how of the management and the personnel of Hilton Athens in hospitality issues provide a guarantee that all of you will meet the challenge of the Olympic Games and of the IOC accommodation.� And she continued, �The new Hilton constitutes a tangible example of the legacy that the Games will leave to the city as well as to the level of hospitality. I would like to

The President of the Organising Committee for the Olympic Games ATHENS 2004, Mrs. Gianna Angelopoulos-Daskalaki signs the agreement with Mr. Peter Van der Vliet, Vice-President of HILTON INTERNATIONAL for the Mediterranean looking on.

Mr. Peter Van der Vliet thanked Mrs. Angelopoulos-Daskalaki and expressed the commitment of both the management and the employees, to provide first class hospitality services to all the members of the IOC and to all hotel guests. He completed his short speech stressing, �Our commitment to provide pioneering products and services of the highest standards, constitutes an ongoing tradition for Hilton Athens and the Hilton chain in general. We are particularly pleased that demanding and prestigious organizations such as ATHOC and the IOC have chosen our hotel for their headquarters. This constitutes a great challenge for all of us and we are determined to exceed ourselves�. 

Finally, the Chairman of Ionian Hotel Enterprises and ALPHA BANK Group Mr. Yannis S. Costopoulos expressed his contentment that an important part of the Athenian history returned dynamically, representing quality and innovation. �The Hilton Athens�, he stated, �constitutes one of Athens landmarks and we are especially happy that following the complete renovation and upgrading of both the interior and the exterior, the hotel has once again acquired the position that it always held in our hearts�. Mr. Costopoulos stressed that �since its original opening in 1963 the Hilton Athens marked the beginning of a new era in Greece�s hotel and travel industry. 

Today, the hotels reopening together with the signing with the IOC constitute a historical moment for all of us�.  On February 11 th , the Hilton Athens reopened its doors, after the completion of a significant investment program for the renovation and upgrading of its facilities. From May onwards the hotel enters its second phase of opening with the introduction of 138 additional fully refurbished guest rooms, bringing the total number for now to 443 rooms, the Aethrion Café Lounge & Bar which is expected to become THE meeting place in Athens for light lunch / dinner or just an espresso on the run and a bar with live music. Additionally, the well-known Hesperides Function Room, the Galaxy Bar Terrace and the Galaxy BBQ with panoramic view of the Acropolis will reopen.

Thomas Wingham
Senior Manager - Brand Communications
Hilton Hotels Corporation