ekscrunchy

We wanted to try the GB for but it is booked according to its web site snd that of Starwood. (Even at about $500-plus US per night!!) SO, I have narrowed the field down to these two. The Electra Palace is quite a bit more expensive, but I would llike to hear from travelers who have stayed in both places. I am especially interested in location and convenience to good dinner options and to general exploring of the city for the two days we have to spend there en route to Santorini in late September.

Patrick

We loved the Electra Palace and were surprised to hear it soon therafter closed for a year or two for a total renovation. Our room was wonderful already. Loved the location, and views from the rooftop terrace were spectacular.

ekscrunchy

Thanks!!! Just so you know, I am quoted 280 E for a superior double (Acropolis view) Shall I save a few euro and take the standard double w/o view..and see the view from the roof? Somehow I was willing to splurge on the GB for the experience but the EP (and all the others I considered) sounds pricey for Athens, of all places. But from what you say, I am leaning toward that option. You sound like you know some things, by the way.

Patrick

That's a tough call. When getting a hotel by the sea, I always feel it's worth paying for a room with a balcony and view. But frankly, I rarely stand at my window in most hotel rooms and look out at the view, so rarely spend a lot for a view room, unless it also includes a balcony for sitting and enjoying it. Assuming the weather is nice, I'd much rather be sitting on the roof being brought a drink and enjoying the lit Acropolis, than sitting in my room anyway.

By the way, we went into the GB planning to have a drink, and somehow the whole hotel turned us off. I guess we felt we could have been in any big old hotel in any US city. We were glad we didn't stay there -- also liked our Platka location better.

beanweb24

We stayed at the Electra Palace in May for one night, and I believe we paid about the same as your quote. It was a very large room and very luxuriously decorated. The only comment I have is in regards to the balcony with a view...we booked a room with a balcony/view only to find that it wasn't exactly what we had envisioned. Our room was on one of the lower floors, and we could only see the Acropolis if we stood clear to one side of the balcony and leaned over the edge. If you do opt to stay at Electra Palace, be sure to request a view room on a higher floor! One other tip -- you cannot control the light on the balcony, so don't spend 30 minutes trying to do so like I did. We had to go to bed early and the light was bothersome/bright. It automatically shuts off around 11:00 I believe.

Judy

We stayed at the Electra Palace in May, enroute to Santorini as well.
I would not pay for the Acropolis view again. We were on a lower floor and had to stretch to appreciate the view and were traveling with friends who were on a higher floor and had a better view. We all sat on their balcony one night, but for all of us, the best memory we have of the Acropolis view was from the Grande Bretagne rooftop restaurant.
I'd save the EP extra view charge and use that money to have dinner at the GB rooftop restaurant!

tripgirl

We stayed in at the Electra Palace in May. Great hotel. Have not stayed at the other.

The hotel lit up at night is so warm and welcoming.

The bathroom in the room was lovely.

We had a high floor balcony room with a great view of the Acropolis. I could see where a lower floor would be dissapointing.

The breakfast at the Electra Palace is very good and the lobby with the two what I refer to as "cleopatra" lounges are a trip!

I think you'll be happy here and its very very well located.

Have a great trip!!!

newyorker

I stayed at the Elektra Palace a couple weeks ago. We had two adjoining rooms on the 6th Floor. The view of the Acropolis from our deck was magnificent. If you are watching your money you probably don't want to do it, but I figured I was passing through once and wanted to splurge. The rooms were ok, nothing to rave about. The breakfast was good, not great. The rooftop has great views but there are only a couple tables up there. You can buy a bottle of wine in a shop and go up there and enjoy. That would be a good alternative to paying the bucks for a high floor balcony. The restaurants around there are the overpriced Plaka ones. The salads are good. You don't go to Greece for the food. The service at the hotel is ok. Kind of what you would expect from a 3 star, not a five star. If you are taking a taxi there from the airport of port be sure to distinguish the elektra palace from the nearby sister hotel the elektra hotel. Overall we had no complaints, but I wouldn't rush back.

Patrick

When we were there -- 2000, they had a small bar with service up on the roof. Guess they stopped that? Too bad.
We found some great small restaurants that were quite inexpensive, and a couple of really excellent more expensive ones, all within walking distance. We happened to LOVE the food in Greece.

ekscrunchy

Thanks, all. I have been reading about the food (books and articles by Diane Kochilas "Glorious Food of Greece," etc,), by the way, and it sounds wonderful. I think that one can almost always find good food in any country with a bit of reserach beforehand. It looks like the EP is the place.

tripgirl

ekschuncy,

Ignore the post of that you don't go to Greece for the food; I am a chef and let me tell you the food is divine in Greece.

If you are off to the islands, especially Santorini, don't miss the small tomatoes and eggplants; they are divine.

the food in Greece tends to be homey and simple, but its fabulous. There are more upscale places to dine and some innovative chefs, but overall the food is traditional and super delicious!

have a great time!!!

newyorker

Patrick, they no longer have a bar up there but they allow you to bring up your own drinks. And Tripgirl, I don't think the food is bad in Greece. It's just that you go to places like France, Italy or Thailand for the food. Countries like India, Turkey or Argentina are almost as good. In Greece I found that they use way too much oil and the meats are not great, although the vegetables are usually great. Overall the local wine and beer is, at best, average. It's better than countries like Egypt, Peru or Burma but it really is not much to write home about. You go to Greece for the history, ruins and beaches. The nightlife is also great in some places.

tripgirl

I go EVERYWHERE for food!!!

!!!!

( good thing I run several miles a day too!!!)

ekscrunchy

Tripgirl: Me, too, except I don't run!!! Seriously, I cannot remember being in a country in the last 25 years where I did not find great things to eat. Last time was when I was on a budget in England in the 70s..although even there we ate lots of good Indian food. People all over the world like to eat well and if you look around you can find the best use of local ingredients almost anywhere. While I may have liked the food marginally less in Burma then, say, in Spain, it is all a great adventure and, most of the time, a delicious one!! I think this needs a new thread...

halsa

Stayed at Electra Palance this last May. Was fabulous. Breakfast was great and staff was very warm and friendly. View from our room was of the Acropolis. Would stay there again!