Hotel
Hotel Grande Bretagne
The grande dame of Athens hotels, on Syntagma Square since 1874, with 320 rooms, a celebrated roof garden facing the Acropolis and a spa.
An elegant 115-room mansion hotel on Syntagma Square, home to the Michelin-starred Tudor Hall restaurant and a rooftop suite with its own pool.
Good to know
The King George stands next to the Hotel Grande Bretagne on Syntagma Square, and the two are part of the same Luxury Collection family in Athens. It occupies a luxurious mansion on the corner of the square, and with 115 rooms it feels more intimate than its larger neighbour, which is a large part of its appeal. The Michelin Guide, which includes it in its selection of hotels, sums up the atmosphere as contemporary classic and calm.
Rooms are decorated in a classic style, with marble bathrooms, and the higher floors look out over the square and the city. The hotel's most famous accommodation is its rooftop suite, which has a private pool and panoramic views across Athens, which makes it a favourite for special occasions. Connecting rooms are available for families, and childcare can be arranged on request.
Dining is a highlight. On the seventh floor, Tudor Hall serves modern Greek cuisine in a more formal setting with a terrace overlooking the city, and it holds a Michelin star. For something more casual, the hotel's bar-lounge serves light dishes and drinks throughout the day.
The hotel suits couples, business travellers and anyone who wants five-star service in a smaller, quieter setting. Facilities include a sauna, a business centre, 24-hour reception, concierge and room service, bicycles for guests, luggage storage and an EV charging point. Parking is available, though the nearby private car park must be booked and may cost extra. The hotel is non-smoking and does not accept pets. According to the Michelin Guide, check-in is from 15:00 and check-out by 11:00.
Syntagma metro station is just outside, with direct trains to and from the airport on Line 3, so arrival is straightforward. The Parliament, the National Garden, the shops of Ermou Street and the lanes of Plaka are all within a few minutes on foot, and the Acropolis Museum is about 20 minutes away. Shuttle service can be arranged through the hotel. Free wifi is available in the rooms, and air conditioning keeps them comfortable through the hot summer months. Luggage can be stored before check-in or after check-out if your flight times do not match the hotel's hours, and credit cards are accepted.
At 3 Vasileos Georgiou A' Street on Syntagma Square, next to the Hotel Grande Bretagne.
115 rooms.
The hotel's seventh-floor restaurant, serving modern Greek cuisine, with a terrace and a Michelin star.
The rooftop suite has a private pool; the hotel also has a sauna.
Check-in from 15:00 and check-out by 11:00, according to the Michelin Guide.
Yes, in a nearby private car park that must be booked and may cost extra.
Connecting rooms are available and childcare can be arranged on request.
Attraction
The rocky citadel above Athens crowned by the Parthenon, Erechtheion, Propylaea and Temple of Athena Nike, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987.
Tour operator
An Athens-based experience company running small-group city, food, mythology, street art and nightlife tours, plus day trips across Greece.
Thing to do
The Evzones of the Presidential Guard change watch every hour in front of Parliament, with a full ceremonial parade and band on Sundays at 11:00.
Restaurant
Two-Michelin-star restaurant on the fifth floor of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center, serving a single creative tasting menu built on its own garden produce.