Divani Caravel Hotel

Set back on a leafy main road, the Divani Caravel has a

classical design and a grand entrance with gold revolving doors tended by doormen. The property looks imposing and stately from the outside, with its many floors and windows. Inside, the lobby feels as vast as an airport lounge, with huge pillars and shining marble floors, a gigantic chandelier, and oodles of light-colored wood. High ceilings and multiple stairways make the space feel even larger. The majestic size, though, detracts from the cozy ambience that some travelers might prefer. The sweeping staircase in the lobby makes a big statement, as do the eccentric, bright red statues of reclining people and amusingly large golden pears. The color scheme is mostly magnolia and light wood, which gives the property a blandly calming vibe. Divani Caravel draws families, couples, and, with its 16 meeting rooms, business travelers.

Located within a 15-minute walk of the Kolonaki district, the hotel puts guests close to art galleries, restaurants, and shopping. Kolonaki is a real Greek hot spot -- there’s no shortage of events taking place there. The ruins of the Acropolis are less then a 10-minute walk away, along with the National Archaeological Museum, which houses a treasure trove of preserved Greek antiquities, and the Acropolis Museum. The gorgeously quaint neighborhood of Plaka -- with its clusters of historical streets, restaurants, and shops -- is closed to automobiles and is within a 20-minute metro ride. Syntagma Square, the transport hub for Athens and the location of the Old Royal Palace, is about a 20-minute walk from the Divani Caravel.

With 471 rooms and 44 suites, the room style alone here rivals spaces found at the InterContinental Athenaeum Athens. The elegant rooms are spacious and modern, with stylish furnishings. There’s laminate flooring throughout with textured rugs and comfortable sofas. The spaces are decorated in a soothing color palette across the many room options: Executive, Family, and Superior Rooms, and Superior, Deluxe, and Executive Suites. The beds are plush, and all rooms have air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, 24-hour room service, minibars, marble baths with soaking tubs, and Olivia toiletries. Some rooms have views of the Acropolis. The Presidential Suite has cowhide rugs and even its own sauna. Others have massaging showers and two bathrooms.

At Divani Caravel, amenities are numerous. Five intimate dining and bar areas blend Athens' ambience with tasty dishes, reflecting a medley of Greece's rich ingredients. From the American buffet breakfast fare at the Amalia Restaurant to the a la carte menu at the Constantinople Cafe, there’s a good range of elegant dining choices. Cocktails and bar snacks are on offer at the Divani Caravel’s Rooftop pool. The Amalia, for breakfast, has good, strong coffee and rich yogurt. The JuJu Bar Restaurant is on hand for late-night dinners. The outdoor heated pool has gorgeous views of the Acropolis and Lycabettus Hill -- and is big enough for serious swimmers to get a workout. The Peak Health Club and Spa has Technogym cardiovascular equipment and a range of free weights. The spa offers more than 30 different therapies.