Hotel Grande Bretagne
Luxurious, historic hotel that attracts tourists and business travelers.
Hotel Grand Bretagne is a historic jewel among Athens’ hotels, dating back to 1874. The grand white structure is made up of arches along the bottom, while windows are fronted by wrought-iron balconies.
The lobby is grand and has a feel of pure opulence, with glossy checkered floors, crown molded ceilings, and a number of seating areas filled with plush Victorian chairs and couches. Hallways themselves are a work of art, with yellow walls with white trim, floral printed yellow and gray carpet, and drawings in gilded frames.
The rooftop restaurant is more modern than the rest of the hotel, with simple wooden tables covered in white linens and wooden chairs. It has a relaxed atmosphere and offers beautiful views of the Acropolis.
The chic cigar lounge has a bit of a safari feel, with walls made of wooden shutters, stylish rattan furniture with leather cushions, handsome wooden floors, and a central fireplace. Framed maps and oil paintings hang on the walls, and there’s also a charming outdoor area with small round tables and chairs flanked by greenery, including olive trees in large planters.
Well-heeled tourists (families and couples) and business travelers congregate in many of the hotel’s dining areas as well as the stunning pool and spa.
Within walking distance of major attractions, though also a prime spot for protests.
The location of this property is wonderful for tourists looking to explore Athens’ most popular attractions on foot. Syntagma Square and the Parliament are right across the street, making for lovely views of the changing of the guard, but they are also often a hotbed for protests.
There are multiple dining options on surrounding streets, and the closest metro is only a two-minute walk away, as is a tram and bus stop.
The Temple of Olympian Zeus and the Arch of Hadrian are about a 10-minute walk from here. It’s a 20-minute walk to the Acropolis, the Parthenon, and the Agora, Athens International Airport is about a 35-minute drive away.
Classic rooms with flat-screen TVs and marble bathrooms but no minibars or coffee/tea facilities. Guest rooms here feature elegant, classic decor with patterned carpeting, walls painted in creams with white trim, and golden yellow light from multiple lamps.
Linens are white, Victorian furniture is velour, and upholstered headboards feature chic patterns. Heavy drapes and chandeliers give the rooms a posh vibe.
All rooms have flat-screen TVs (an older model), air-conditioning, and iPod docks. Coffee- and tea-making facilities and minibars are not offered, however, plus Wi-Fi incurs a fee. Some rooms have separate living rooms, patios with views of the Acropolis or Parliament, and even butler service.
The bathrooms are made up of different colored marble — black, white, and tan — and have separate showers and tubs. Hairdryers and Acqua di Parma toiletries are provided.
Two pools, spa, gym, multiple dining options, cigar lounge, meeting rooms, and a business center.
The amenities at Hotel Grande Bretagne are full-scale luxurious. There are two pools – an indoor and an outdoor one, with the outdoor pool being serviced by a bar and grill. The pools are complemented by a spa that offers beauty treatments, a hair salon, saunas, and massages. There’s also a 24-hour fitness center with cardio and weight machines.
The hotel provides several dining options. The rooftop restaurant, GB Roof Garden, serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner and offers lovely views of the Acropolis. The Grande Bretagne Roof Bar serves snacks and drinks, while the indoor Winter Garden City Lounge offers three meals a day, plus tea. Alexander’s Bar only serves cocktails and drinks, while the Cigar Lounge has indoor and outdoor seating, Cuban cigars, and a selection of drinks.
Room service is offered 24/7, and breakfast is not included in all rates. There’s also an old-fashioned gift store that sells charming gifts and has a bar with a selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks and desserts.
Business travelers are well catered to here, with 15 meeting rooms (some ballrooms) covering over 11,800 square feet. The business center is open 24/7, and Wi-Fi is free in public areas, though it can be quite slow. There’s no on-site parking, though the hotel works with nearby parking garages.
The 320-room Hotel Grand Bretagne is a luxury property located right across the Parliament and within walking distance of many top sights like the Acropolis.
There are a number of dining options on-site, including a chic cigar lounge and a rooftop restaurant with lovely Acropolis views, as well as two pools, a spa, and a fitness center. Elegant rooms feature chic, classic decor, marble bathrooms, and modern amenities like flat-screen TVs — but they lack coffee- and tea-making facilities and minibars.
I recommend these travel resources for Greece that I personally use:
🏨 Hotels: I have found that Expedia and Booking.com consistently have the best deals on hotels and resorts in Greece. If you prefer to stay at a vacation rental, check VRBO that is usually cheaper than AirBnB’s added fees!
✈️ Flights: To find the best flight deals to Greece, I always use Kayak. Remember to subscribe to their price alerts for the travel dates you want. Another great alternative for flight deals is Expedia.
🚗 Rental Cars: I always use and highly recommend Discover Cars because it allows me to compare several car rental companies and view ratings on various factors such as overall value, pick-up procedure, agent efficiency, car condition, and total time taken.
🚙 Airport Transportation: For the fastest and easiest way to travel, I suggest arranging a private transfer from the airport and beetween destinations with Welcome Pickups. Honestly, no better way to travel from the airport to your hotel or resort.
🤿 Tours & Activities: For tours and activities in Greece, I highly recommend using either Viator or GetYourGuide. These websites offer a full refund if you cancel your booking 24 hours before the start of the tour, and they also provide excellent customer service in case of any issues.
🚨 Travel Insurance: I always suggest purchasing travel insurance as a precaution before traveling, especially after a recent accident in a taxi in Greece. For short trips, I recommend Travel Insurance Master, whereas for digital nomads, Safety Wing is a better option.
📷 Best Camera for your trip: I always carry with me a GoPro, It’s light, compact, takes great video and pictures, and most importantly, it’s waterproof! You just can’t go wrong with one. If you are interested in higher quality video and photography, I always carry with me on my trips and highly recommend the Sony A7IV which I think is the best travel DSLR Camera out there.
☀️ Biodegradable Sunscreen: Remember to include a good sunscreen to protect yourself from the summer sun. I always use and suggest Sun Bum Sunscreen, which is vegan, reef-friendly, and cruelty-free.
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