Grande Bretagne

Greece
Europe

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. Even before the $100-million renovation that downsized the room numbers and upgraded the public spaces in preparation for the 2004 Olympics, 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 renovations reduced the number of 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 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 extensive menu of Mediterranean cuisine isn't bad, either.

 

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