I stayed at the Grand Bretagne years ago, long before the refurbishment.

I walked through the lobby in July, 2007, and the place really is spectacular! (On my way to Attica Department Store, sweetie darling.)

A cheap hotel not too far from Syntagma Square is the Attalos. I have never stayed here, but my friend did, and I met her in the lobby of the hotel. It seemed OK and is close to the Plaka.

I have also stayed at the Royal Olympic, which is very near the hill up to the Acropolis, years ago with mummy and her family. The Royal Olympic has a swimming pool which is always a treat as Athens is so dreadfully hot in July, but you won't need it in October. (Athens is rainy in October, isn't it?)

I have also stayed at the Intercontinental. The rooms here are HUGE! HUGE! The bathrooms are ENORMOUS! The hotel does need an updating, however.

There is a free shuttle every hour from the Intercontinental to Syntagma Square. The shuttle won't run if there is a riot in Syntagma Square, though, because the hotel is afraid that the rioteers will set fire to the shuttle as it is a symbol of the "corporate world." I was once in a riot in Syntagma Square and everyone was nice to me so I don't believe any of that nonsense.

But, no bother, you could just flag down a taxi by the McDonald's to get back to the Intercontinental. (The hotel also has an INDOOR POOL!)

My favourite neighbourhood in Athens is Kolonaki. This is a great place to sit at a cafe in your Dior sunglasses and people watch.

Don't forget to visit the ilias lalaounis jewellery museum if you really like gold jewellery like I do.

Tschuss,
Pepper

We're staying at AVA HOTEL and SUITES this June. It's about a 10-15 minute walk form Syntagma Square, and only a few minutes away from the new Acropolis Museum.

Also look at ATHENS GATE, another hotel that's very close to both Syntagma and the Acropolis Museum.

And don't miss the restaurant at The Grande Bretagne, although at those prices you might want to just get appetizers and drinks! It has a stunning view of the Acropolis.

We used to stay at The Grande Bretagne quite often, and the public spaces are gorgeous, but I'm no longer interested in being stuffed into a tiny box of a room with an interior courtyard view for over $600/night!

Lastly, IF you and your friends don't need or care to be in the middle of Athens, and would like to wrap up your trip in a beautiful spot, check out the Westin Athens on the 'Athens Riveria' in Vouliagmeni. The hotel does offer frequent shuttle service to and from Athens, although in traffic it can take up to an hour or a little more. It's a great place to get over jet lag or just unwind before the long plane trip home. We used points to stay there two years ago.

Syntagme Square is the heart of Athens, there are plenty of hotels there.
Amalia Hotel is only a few meters away, with a great view over the National Garden, i could recommend also Electra Hotel, located directly on Ermou Street, or it's sister 5 star Hotel, Electra Palace hotel, some 200 meters away from Syntagma.
Finally there is also the brand new renovated hotel: New Hotel, located on Philellinon Street, 200 meters away from the GB Hotel....

Someone mentioned the Athens Gate, which is an excellent choice, but located more near to the New Acropolis Museum.

Lower priced but good hotels are the Athens Cypria and the Plaka hotel, both located near the pedestrianized Ermou street and in walking distance from Syntagma Square.

Westin hotel Athens that was suggested is in the similar price range as the GB Hotel

To add to Clausar's list of nearby hotels there's also the Astor, Amazon, Hermes, Pan, Arethusa & Athos, all of which I've stayed in & all within 5 mins of Syntagma. Also on the square is the Plaza, just yards from the GB, but considerably cheaper!
Among all these are a variety of budgets, so if you state your per night range in euros we can suggest the best to suit.

I've stayed at Hotel Cypria a few times, and am very happy with it. They have three different categories of rooms, ranging from standard to luxury: http://www.athenscypria.com/article.php?id=17

Great to hear about all these other hotels. Regarding Westin Athens... I would never pay full price for it, but we were able to use points two years ago. And at that "price", I was quite happy with it!

We stayed at the Cypria two years ago. Very pleasant. But we are very easy to please.

Thanks for all the great feedback, my new friends. First, I am good with 200Euro per night if it is truly worth it. Given that, no one has mentioned the King George Palace, which I believe is in the same block as the GB. I must stay within a 5 minute walk of the GB.

The King George is right next door to the Grand Bretagne. I really don't know anything about it except that Liz Taylor liked it.

The Elektra Palace is also on Syntagma Square, over by the McDonald's. Yes, there is a McDonald's on Syntagma Square.

I have only been in the lobby of the Elektra Palace. It seems like a very busy hotel.

200 euros a night isn't a lot for a hotel in a big city like Athens.

One thing to remember, though, is that if there is any sort of demonstration/riot in Athens it most likely happen in Syntagma Square as that is where the Parliament is located.

I have never had any bad experience with a demonstration, most are peaceful, but just be aware of the situation.

Tschuss,
Pepper

Dear Pepper
The Electra Palace is a 5 star hotel, located at N. Nikodimou Street and 5 min away from Syntagma Square.
The Electra Hotel is a 4 star hotel, located directly on pedestrianized Ermou Street, and a very very busy hotel with an excellent location for people who come to Athens for shopping.

jtmiller95
I didn't mention the Kind George Palace for a good reason, even though it is an excellent hotel, next door to GB.
Their regular rate for mid October, which is considered high season in Athens, is around 300 Euro.
However they have on offer a non refundable rate without breakfast that sounds tempting at 200 Euro....
Just keep in mind that in Greece non refundable rates are NOT legal, since according to law you can cancel every reservation up to 21 days prior arrival WITHOUT any cancellation charges.

Thanks, Clausar, for your prompt response.

Oops, Pepper V.S. thanks also to you.

jtmiller95
Pepper has been to the lobby of the Electra ( 4 stars)and NOT of the Electra Palace ( 5 stars) hotel...
The Electra Palace is an excellent alternative that meets your 5 min walking distance requirement....

Yes, I have been to the hotel that is at the corner of Ermou St/Syntagma Square--whatever ELEKTRA that is.

Tschuss,
Pepper

On Ermou Street and near the corner of Ermou and Nikis Street that is....dear pepper

Tschüß

clausar

The public spaces at The King George are worthy of Liz, may she R.I.P. But when we visited my husband's client at The King George, we were shocked to find that his room was smaller than what we were in at The Grand Bretagne, for almost the same price. Again, no view for over $600/night!

The final twist to the story: I e-mailed The King George to book our room, but they questioned where I received the rate I cited. It came from their own site:

http://www.classicalhotels.com/en/offers/kinggeorge/?utm_source=website&utm_medium=popup_banner&utm_campaign=KG_159_offer_popup_banner03_2012

Fortunately, Grand Bretagne has graciously allowed us to book rooms at an acceptable price. Thanks to all. As long as the demonstations in the Square don't get out of hand, we will have a very memorable Hellenic experience.

We stayed at the Athens Gate and the O&B 2 yrs ago. They're both very nice but not close to Syntagma. Last year, we tried a new boutique hotel, the Athens Diamond. It was really 5 minutes away and on the same street as one of our favourite restaurants, Tzitzikas kai Mermigas.

jtmiller95
The special offer that you saw on the website does not apply to every reservation that is being made before 30/4, even if the text gives you this impression.

The hotel is selling the non refundable rate that i mentioned in my earlier post, without breakfast for 200 Euro.. ( to be precise 199...)

IN any case i would never pay a non refundable rate, no matter how good this rate would be.... in all the years that i am traveling in Europe for both business and leisure i only did it once..
Glad you managed to get a good price from GB, which is one of the top Athenian hotels.

Weadles
You are absolutely right....
Liz probably had the presidential suite, so i am not surprised that she liked the hotel..
It is really annoying to pay 600 US for a tiny room.... but all these hotels have also rooms on the backside, or less privileged rooms, so be sure that the lowest rate always apply to these rooms.... unless the hotel is empty and can provide an upgrade. ( happens in Athens often during July and August, which is low season)

Make sure you go to the Grande Bretagne's rooftop restaurant. The view of the Acropolis is spectacular. I took photos at breakfast in the full light and then in the evening over cocktails at dusk and then later at dinner in full dark.

I would ask to see your rooms at The Grande Bretagne before you settle in. Between us, my husband and I have stayed there many times, and our feeling is that they definitely try to book the less appealing rooms first. If you don't like what you see, ask if there's anything else available.

Also- don't miss a visit to the pool area on top of the hotel. There's a small bar/restaurant there, and they make the most wonderful smoothies and mixed drinks with fresh fruits! Plus, there's a really nice view of Athens.