Rest on custom-made silk ottomans in the lobby; drink tea from gold-leafed porcelain in the atrium; call your personal butler 24 hours a day from your room—the landmark Grande Bretagne, built in 1842, stands head and shoulders above other luxury hotels in Athens. The guest list includes more than a century's worth of royals, rock stars, and heads of state. A massive renovation, completed in 2003, recaptured the original grandeur, restoring 19th-century oil paintings, antiques, and hand-carved details as they were a century earlier.
Reviewed by FuDeva from Charlotte, NC on 4/1/08
Stayed here in March '07 and truly enjoyed it. The rooms are appropriately appointed for a luxury hotel, the spa was FABULOUS and the views from the rooftop restaurant are phenomenal. This is clearly the best hotel in Athens
I agree with other posts that mention the smokiness of the lounge though.
Reviewed by mjpbaf from Washington, D.C. on 10/21/07
We enjoyed our two stays at the Grande Bretagne very much (at the start and end of our Greek trip, after a visit to Santorini). The décor of this hotel is European elegance – old world to a tee, but it didn’t seem stuffy. Actually, it was surprisingly comfortable.
Our first room was a large deluxe on the third floor with a view of the Acropolis. We enjoyed eating breakfast on the balcony with the wonderful view and looking out at the Acropolis before going to sleep at night. The room had elegant, traditional furnishings and a beautiful crystal chandelier. The bathroom had two sinks, a separate shower and a large area in between that made it feel like a second full room all to itself.
The rooftop bar is not to be missed if you’re going to be in Athens, even if you don’t stay at the hotel. The view of the Acropolis is incredible – particularly at night – and the drinks and food are top-notch. We also enjoyed the service in both the bar and restaurant: like the rest of the hotel it was consistently good.
During our stay, we also tried the Winter Garden bar/restaurant and Alexander’s Bar adjacent to it and enjoyed both, although the smoking in both was heavier than we would have liked. We noticed that smokers were everywhere in Greece, even more so than in other European cities.
Reviewed by joshetzel from Pittsburgh, PA on 5/5/07
This is the best hotel that I have ever stayed in. Luxury and service at it's finest. Perfect location, incredible food, great rooms. A must stay in Athens.
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