1 Vasileos Georgiou A' str., Syntagma Square, Athens, Greece | (888) 710-7049
Across from Parliament and within walking distance of the Acropolis
Chic, elegant rooms have flat-screen TVs and marble bathrooms
Some rooms have views of the Acropolis, patios, or living rooms
Indoor and outdoor pool and 24-hour fitness center
Spa, hair salon, sauna, and steam rooms
Rooftop restaurant, two lounges, two bars, and pool bar and grill
Posh gift store with a bar that serves drinks and sweets
15 meeting rooms and a 24-hour business center
Butler service and room service
Breakfast buffet (for a fee)
Free Wi-Fi in public spaces
Fee for in-room Wi-Fi; slow connection in public
areas
Location is prone to protests
No in-room coffee- and tea-making facilities or minibars
Complaints regarding waits at check-in
The 320-room Hotel Grand Bretagne, A Luxury Collection Hotel is a luxury property centrally located right across the street from 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. As an alternative, travelers could check rates at Electra Palace Hotel Athens, which has a rooftop pool and rooms with minibars.
Scene
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.
Location
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 to the Agora. Athens International Airport is about a 35-minute drive away.
Rooms
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, the 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.
Features
Two pools, spa, gym, multiple dining options, cigar lounge, meeting rooms, and a business center
The amenities at Hotel Grande Bertagne 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 GB 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 of which are ballrooms) that cover 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.