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The Hotel Grande Bretagne looks proudly over Athens’ bustling central Syntagma Square, as it has since its inception as a private residence in the late 19th century. The property is rich in history. Since its time as a private residence, it has served as the Greek government’s general headquarters, the British HQ after World War II, and the house of the Greek Prime Minister. Today, the hotel’s traditional style recalls this illustrious past. It drips with old-world elegance, as you’ll see from walking across the grand entrance’s black marble floor, past its stately columns.
The rooms all benefit from spacious layouts, even the most basic options, and their decor adopts the same classical style as the rest of the hotel. Some rooms boast views of the Acropolis.
The service is excellent, and facilities abound throughout the property. The choice of dining caters for everything from haute cuisine to a casual poolside snack. A wine library, curated by the hotel’s resident sommelier, keeps wines from around the world. The rooftop pool is a welcome relief in the hot Athenian summers and offers fantastic views over the city, taking in the Acropolis.
Start planning your tailor-made trip by contacting one of our Greece specialists
The 320 rooms maintain the historical grandeur of the hotel, updated with modern comforts. Traditional drapes and chandeliers, as well as patterned carpets, lend a sense of tradition to the decor. Beds are plush with tufted headboards and down pillows. All the rooms are spacious, and even the most basic options give you space to spread out (which is uncommon for a hotel in central Athens). Your room will include amenities of the highest quality, including luxurious marble bathrooms, coffee and tea-making facilities, and thick, soft robes.
Standing on Syntagma Square in the heart of Athens, the Grande Bretagne benefits from its central location. The main sights of the city are within walking distance, and you have restaurants and shops all around. The Greek Parliament presides in the same square, with the once-royal National Gardens right behind it.
Breakfast in the roof garden is a lavish spread of buffet and à la carte options, which you eat to the backdrop of the Acropolis. Lunch and dinner are served here later in the day. The Winter Garden off the lobby offers a British-style high tea in the afternoons, and the Alexander’s Bar provides evening cocktails. There’s also a bar and grill at the rooftop pool for the summer months — the views from here are amazing.
Although it’s small, the rooftop pool is a welcome relief in the heat of summer. The wine library, overseen by the hotel’s sommelier, serves an encyclopedic range of labels. The hotel’s spa contains an indoor pool, a hair salon, a full menu of treatments and a fitness studio.
For us, the Grande Bretagne has it all. If you’re seeking a prestigious name, excellent service, a convenient location, and a wide range of facilities and amenities, the Grande Bretagne is our standout choice.
Where possible, we like to offer a range of accommodation for each stop of your trip, chosen by our specialists as some of their favorite places to stay. To help you make the right choice, we give each property a rating based on its facilities and service, but we also look for hotels with distinct character or a location that can’t be bettered.
Situated below the Acropolis and behind the Acropolis Museum, Herodian Hotel is a convenient option for exploring Athens. Simple rooms provide a comfortable base, while attentive service and charming public lounges add to the comfort of your stay.
A quirky design hotel that artfully incorporates elements of an older property, the New Hotel sits in the heart of Athens and offers distinctive designer style, original food, a tempting spa and sweeping views of the city.
The elegant, modern NJV Athens Plaza is set in the heart of the action in Athens, directly on Syntagma Square. Spacious, well-appointed interiors make this a comfortable option.
The following activities are designed to give you the most authentic experiences of the area where you’re staying. We work with local guides, who use their knowledge and often a resident’s eye to show you the main sights and more out-of-the-way attractions. Our specialists can also suggest outdoor pursuits and activities, such as cooking classes, that will introduce you to the traditions of the area’s inhabitants.
Ancient Acropolis and the Acropolis Museum
On this half-day privately guided tour, you’ll uncover the history, significance and function of the Athens Acropolis and its crowning glory, the Parthenon. Your time includes a trip to the Acropolis Museum, where the most highly prized sculptures are on display.
Ancient Delphi and Arachova
An expert guide will lead you around the ruins of ancient Delphi on this full-day tour of one of Greece’s most prestigious archaeological sites. The day ends with a trip to Arachova, a mountain town known for its textiles and cheese.
Athens food lover's walking tour
Sample fresh pies, succulent olives, traditional souvlaki and sweet desserts on a guided half-day walking tour of central Athens with a local guide. You’ll get an introduction to Greek cuisine and culinary techniques as you visit the city’s finest markets, delis and bakeries.
Athens street art tour
Discover Athens’ powerful street art on a guided tour that throws light on everything from the Greek economic crisis to the power of art to force social change. This half-day tour takes in Athens’ lesser-known districts and most impressive murals.
Cape Sounion and the Temple of Poseidon
Offering an insight into Greek myths, beliefs and building methods, this privately guided tour of the Temple of Poseidon on Cape Sounion reveals much about ancient society as well as presenting you with panoramic views from its headland setting.
