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.
OUR OPINION:
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.
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Start planning your tailor-made trip by contacting one of our Greece specialists
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Photos of Hotel Grande Bretagne
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![Hotel Grande Bretagne, Athens]()
Hotel Grande Bretagne, Athens -
![Hotel Grande Bretagne, Athens]()
Hotel Grande Bretagne, Athens -
![Hotel Grande Bretagne, Athens]()
Hotel Grande Bretagne, Athens -
![Hotel Grande Bretagne, Athens]()
Hotel Grande Bretagne, Athens -
![Hotel Grande Bretagne, Athens]()
Hotel Grande Bretagne, Athens -
![Hotel Grande Bretagne, Athens]()
Hotel Grande Bretagne, Athens
Rooms
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.
Location
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.
Food and drink
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.
Facilities and activities
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.
Tour ideas in Athens
Our itineraries are there to spark ideas for how you could include a stay at Hotel Grande Bretagne as part of your trip. Treat them simply as suggestions, because every aspect of the trip we create for you will be yours to define.
Alternative places to stay nearby
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.
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![Herodion Hotel, Athens]()
Herodion Hotel
Athens -
![New Hotel, Athens]()
New Hotel
Athens -
![NJV Athens Plaza, Athens]()
NJV Athens Plaza
Athens
Experiences while staying here
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.
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Ancient Athens and the Acropolis Museum ![The Acropolis, Athens]()
Ancient Athens and the Acropolis Museum
Ancient Athens 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.
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Ancient Delphi and Arachova ![Ancient theatre, Delphi]()
Ancient Delphi and Arachova
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.
View details -
Athens food lover's walking tour ![Greek olives, Greece]()
Athens food lover's walking tour
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.
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Athens and nearby places
- The Peloponnese 18 miles away
- Cape Sounion 26 miles away
- Hydra 48 miles away
- Nafplio 59 miles away
- Arachova 72 miles away
- Delphi 76 miles away
- The Greek Islands 76 miles away
- Galaxidi 79 miles away
- Milos 94 miles away
- Mykonos 95 miles away