Vasilis Vasileiadis and Giannis Velonias: Rewriting the rules of luxury hospitality
The founders of Bill and John identified the gaps in the hospitality market and invested in a hybrid model that combines the know-how of the hotel experience with the flexibility of short-term rentals.
- 25/07/2025, 13:59
Starting with an apartment in Athens and reaching over 400 luxury properties throughout Greece, Bill and John has evolved into one of the fastest growing hotel and high-end accommodation management companies. Starting in 2017, founders – and cousins – Vasilis Vasileiadis and Giannis Velonias managed to turn a personal venture into a leader in the hospitality space.
The company stands out for its commitment to the quality of personalized service, ensuring top ratings on all platforms. Bill and John is redefining luxury hospitality in Greece, creating experiences that exceed the expectations of both leisure and business travellers. Talking to White Paper, they describe the evolutionary path of their business:
• G.V.: When we started, it was just the two of us, Vasilis and I. And we went to every arrival and departure – even at dawn. The turning point was in 2019, when we were managing 15 accommodations and we began to notice that the owners were finding us on their own, by word of mouth, wishing to collaborate. It was the first time that we began to see a prospect of growth.
• G.V.: We noticed that many apartments did not meet the high quality standards offered by five-star hotels, while there were weaknesses in the way they were displayed and promoted. So, we applied the know-how that we had from our experience in hotels and brought this quality to smaller accommodations, offering services that combine the luxury of large hotel units with the warmth and personal service.
• V.V.: At Bill and John we have managed to combine the standards of the hotel experience with short-term rentals. The main difference is that we treat all customers in the same way.
• G.V.: Our company’s philosophy is summarized in the promise we made when we hired our first employee: that no matter how big the company grows, the quality of service will remain excellent. The team is the key to success, which is why we take care of our people, who in turn take care of our customers. So, when someone thinks about doing business, they should choose something for which they have a real passion and interest.
• V.V.: The Athenian Riviera is now a tourist attraction, as is the center of Athens. Large and serious investments are being realised and we want to be an active part of these developments. The visitor to this specific area is different from the visitor to the center of the city. Usually, they have visited our country in the past, know its history and come to the Riviera to relax and enjoy the sun, the sea and the food.
• V.V.: The new offices in Glyfada ensure even greater immediacy in responding to the needs of our clients. The Athenian Riviera is and will continue to be one of the main destinations we aim to expand to, as it fits perfectly into our broader growth plan in major tourist spots in the country.
Published in “White Paper: The Big Business of the South”, NouPou Media’s special edition spotlighting the current landscape and future prospects of the Athens Riviera.