Hotel Grande Bretagne Review: A Smart Pick for Clients Seeking Classic Athens, Refined Service, and Access to Everything
Advisors love Hotel Grande Bretagne for its old-world luxury, rooftop dining with Acropolis views, and reliable high-touch service—here’s how to book it best.
Photos: Courtesy of Hotel Grande Bretagne
Few hotels capture Athens’ old-world romance as completely as the Hotel Grande Bretagne, a landmark that has anchored Syntagma Square since 1874. In a city where contemporary design hotels have dominated the conversation as of late, the Grande Bretagne stands apart: gilded salons, marble staircases, antique portraits, and a neoclassical façade that hints at its storied past. But for high-end travelers, the charm lies equally in the seamless arrival experience and its unbeatable access to the city’s historical core.
Stepping inside on a hot July afternoon, we were escorted to a private check-in salon and handed a cold glass of Champagne—an immediate sign that service here bends toward ceremony. That sense of heritage runs through the entire property. While some travelers may find the ornate interiors more formal than modern Greek resorts, others will appreciate a style of hospitality that feels transported from another era. And unlike the island resorts westbound travelers may be arriving from, this is a hotel that places them directly inside the “Athens of postcards”: the Parliament building outside the door, Plaka and the National Garden a short walk away, and the Acropolis visible from all the right angles.
Suites offer the most comfortable expression of the hotel’s aesthetic, with classically dressed living spaces, dark-marble bathrooms, and thoughtful layouts that create privacy, particularly appealing for couples with different schedules or families needing separation. The rooftop restaurant remains one of the most coveted tables in the city, and its terrace is a golden-hour essential. Knowledgeable service, elegant plates, and a serious Greek wine program make it an experience advisors can confidently pre-book to elevate a stay.
After 150 years, the Grande Bretagne still commands a unique place in the city’s luxury landscape. Here’s what advisors should know when booking it.
Why Travel Advisors Book It
- A heritage landmark in the best location for first-timers, culture lovers, and clients wanting to walk to Athens’ major sites.
- Suites deliver strong value thanks to generous living space, quiet separation, and classic residential layouts.
- Private check-in, polished service, and an excellent concierge team streamline VIP arrivals and bespoke touring.
- The GB Roof Garden is one of the city’s most bookable “wow” moments—particularly at sunset with Acropolis views.
- A full spa, indoor and outdoor pools, and a quiet garden lounge soften the city-center setting.
Rooms & Suites
Accommodations span classic guest rooms to some of the city’s most historic suites, all styled in the hotel’s signature palette of marble, gilt accents, and antique furnishings. Entry-level rooms work well for short stays, though many advisors steer clients toward the Grand Suites, which offer genuine apartment-style comfort: a separate living room, a defined entry hall, and generous bathrooms clad in dark marble with excellent water pressure and high-end amenities.
For clients who value privacy—early risers, remote workers, or couples with divergent itineraries—the closed-door living space is a highlight. Several room types feature balconies or terraces overlooking Syntagma Square or the Parliament; Acropolis-view rooms and suites are the most requested and should be reserved well in advance.
The hotel’s top suites, including the butler-serviced categories, deliver the most elevated experience and tend to sell out far ahead of peak season. Advisors should note which suites have connecting options for families, and that upper categories offer the highest likelihood of early check-in or late checkout during summer.
Food & Drink
The GB Roof Garden Restaurant is the crown jewel, pairing panoramic Acropolis views with Mediterranean cooking that feels polished yet relaxed. Dinner on the terrace is one of Athens’ most memorable meals for upscale travelers, and the back corner tables overlooking the Acropolis at sunset are the ones to secure. The kitchen leans into seasonal produce and seafood—think burrata with peach confit, grilled turbot, orecchiette with mussels, and sweet green bean salads with local cheese—paired with a deep list of Greek wines, including labels that often surprise American travelers with their complexity and scarcity.
Advisors can pre-arrange pairings or special-occasion dinners, and the restaurant handles dietary preferences with ease. Downstairs, Alexander’s Bar runs a nightly Negroni program with creative variations built from premium vermouths and spirits, while the Atrium of Alexander’s Lounge offers a quieter, garden-like setting for cocktails, light snacks, and afternoon breaks.
Breakfast can be included through preferred programs and is worth bundling, especially for longer stays where rooftop mornings become a highlight.
Experiences & Amenities
Despite its city-center footprint, the Grande Bretagne offers strong on-property lifestyle appeal. Two pools—a sun-drenched outdoor pool and a dramatic indoor counterpart—give clients a cooling escape during Athenian summers. The concierge team curates a mix of city experiences, from a 90-minute walking tour of hidden gems to more extensive private excursions to Sounion, Delphi, and the Argolis region. These are customizable and efficiently arranged, making them ideal add-ons for clients who want deeper cultural engagement without logistical friction.
The Atrium lounge serves as a calm retreat between activities, while the historic setting and central location make the hotel a natural base for travelers planning multi-day touring.
Wellness & The Spa
The GB Spa is one of the most comprehensive urban wellness offerings in Athens. Guests can book everything from classic massages to Ayurvedic treatments, couples’ rituals, facials, and bodywork using locally inspired oils such as honey or fig. Separate men’s and women’s lounges, a steam room, and hydro-therapeutic features create a full circuit-style experience.
Advisors can pre-book signature treatments—particularly the GB Collection Massage, a perennial favorite—and arrange private sessions or couples’ itineraries. The spa’s long opening hours (9 a.m.–9 p.m. daily) make it convenient for travelers balancing sightseeing with wellness. An indoor pool, fitness center, and beauty services round out the offering, making the property a good fit for clients who want strong wellness infrastructure without leaving the city.
Family & Multi-Gen Appeal
While not overtly family-branded, the Grande Bretagne works well for well-traveled families who prefer a classic city hotel with ample space. Suites with separate living areas enable parents and children to spread out, and several categories connect to form multi-room configurations ideal for longer stays. The concierge team excels at crafting kid-friendly cultural days—including tailored walking tours, museum visits, and island-hopping excursions to Hydra, Poros, and Aegina.
The outdoor pool offers a welcome break for younger travelers during summer, and in-room dining provides flexible mealtime options. For multi-gen groups pairing Athens with island stays, the hotel serves as a polished start or finish, with enough structure and comfort to keep all ages comfortable.
Sustainability & Accessibility
As a historic landmark property, the Grande Bretagne’s sustainability efforts focus on thoughtful maintenance, energy-efficient upgrades, and local sourcing within its culinary and spa programs. The hotel supports Greek artisans through its retail offerings and incorporates regional ingredients into menus, treatments, and partnerships. Advisors should position it as a heritage-rich property that preserves cultural legacy rather than a purpose-built eco-resort.
Accessibility is strong for a building of its age. Elevators serve all guest floors, public areas are step-free or ramped, and multiple room categories include accessible layouts. Key amenities—restaurants, bars, spa, indoor pool—are easily reached, making this a viable choice for clients with mobility considerations.
Location & Access
The Grande Bretagne is arguably the most strategically placed luxury hotel in Athens. It sits directly on Syntagma Square, giving guests immediate access to the Parliament, the National Garden, the upscale boutiques of Voukourestiou Street, and a short walk to Plaka, Monastiraki, and key cultural sites. The neighborhood is lively but secure, with constant foot traffic and easy dining options nearby.
Driving time from Athens International Airport averages 30–40 minutes, depending on traffic. The hotel can arrange private transfers, though taxis and public transit are also convenient. For clients embarking on island-hopping itineraries, Piraeus Port is reachable in under 25 minutes by car, making the location particularly advantageous for pre- and post-cruise stays.
How to Book Smart
The Grande Bretagne participates in major preferred partner programs, including Virtuoso and Marriott STARS benefits, allowing advisors to secure perks such as daily breakfast, $100-level credits, upgrades at booking or check-in (subject to availability), and flexible check-out windows. Suites often unlock the best value, especially for clients who would benefit from private check-in, extra space, or stronger upgrade odds.
High season runs from May through October, with June and July seeing peak demand for Acropolis-view rooms and terrace dining. Advisors should book these categories well ahead, especially for short stays. Shoulder-season dates offer better rates and more upgrade flexibility. For culinary travelers or special occasions, pre-reserving the GB Roof Garden terrace is essential.
