Hotel Grande Bretagne, Athens, Greece
The Experience > Athens’ answer to The Ritz, this historic “grand” hotel was built in 1842 as a private residence and converted into a hotel three decades later. Since then, even before the 18-month, $100-million renovation that downsized the room numbers and upgraded the public spaces in preparation for the 2004 Athens Olympic Games, the Grande Bretagne emerged as abode-of-choice for visiting monarchs, politicians and pop stars. Its location is one reason: right in Syntagma Square, across from the Greek Parliament, and close to just about everything, including the Acropolis, the National Historical Museum and the Old Town.
The Rooms > The Olympic renovations reduced the hotel’s rooms from 360 to a more intimate yet spacious 321. Lower-floor rooms face the charming-yet-chaotic cacophony of Constitution Square. But upper-floor rooms are where you want to be, looking straight out on to the Acropolis. All come decorated with dark-wood parquet floors, heavy drapes, gilt-edged wooden furniture and creamy marble baths, while those on the sixth floor lead to airy terraces, many large enough to host an al fresco supper.
The Service > The Grande Bretagne approaches service like the market leader it knows it is. Formal and precise, the hotel is overseen by a small army of staffers, from the uniformed sentries at the door to the troops of maids, bellhops, waiters and delivery boys inside. It’s Old Europe-style service for a decidedly Old Europe class of clientele.
The Highlights > Solidifying its status as Athens’ true grande dame, the Grande Bretagne’s ancient-meets-modern touches span the entire hotel, from its massive 13th-century lobby tapestry to its new outdoor rooftop pool with views straight to the Acropolis. The pool and its adjacent rooftop restaurant and bar are prime people-watching Athens real estate, as is the hotel’s GB Spa, one of the few true luxury oases in a city still catching up on the spa trend. Even if you are staying elsewhere, a drink at the lobby-level GB Corner is worth the stop for a true taste of the swankiest see-and-be-seen scene in all of Athens, if not Greece itself.
The Details > 321 rooms.
The Address > Grande Bretagne, Syntagma [Constitution] Square, Athens, Greece. Tel +30 210 3330000. http://www.grandebretagne.gr
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