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Athens
Welcome to Athens, the ancient cradle of Western civilization. A city where millennia of history meet a vibrant, modern culture, Athens is a captivating destination. From the iconic Acropolis to the charming streets of Plaka, this guide to the best luxury hotels in Athens will help you find the perfect blend of classical elegance and contemporary design.
Welcome to Athens: The Ancient Cradle of Civilization
Welcome to Athens, the ancient cradle of Western civilization and the vibrant, modern capital of Greece. A city where millennia of history meet a lively and contemporary culture, Athens is a captivating destination that leaves a lasting impression on all who visit. From the iconic, sun-drenched marble of the Acropolis to the charming, labyrinthine streets of the Plaka district, the city is a living museum. This comprehensive guide to the best luxury hotels in Athens will help you find the perfect blend of classical elegance, seaside glamour, and contemporary design for your Greek odyssey.
1. Hotel Grande Bretagne, a Luxury Collection Hotel
The Place: The most historic and opulent hotel in Athens, located on Syntagma Square opposite the Parliament. The Grande Bretagne is a true city landmark, offering a timeless experience of classic European grandeur. Since 1874, it has been hosting royalty and dignitaries, providing a level of opulence and service that is simply unmatched in the city.
My Top Pick: The GB Roof Garden Restaurant & Bar, which offers the most spectacular, picture-postcard views of the Acropolis, especially when it is illuminated at night.
1. Hotel Grande Bretagne, a Luxury Collection Hotel: A Timeless Athenian Landmark
The Place: The most historic, opulent, and celebrated hotel in Athens, the Hotel Grande Bretagne is a true city landmark, perfectly located on the prestigious Syntagma Square, directly opposite the Hellenic Parliament. Since 1874, this magnificent hotel has been hosting royalty, heads of state, and discerning travelers, offering a timeless experience of classic European grandeur. Its opulent interiors, from the grand lobby to the lavish suites, and its legendary, impeccable service are simply unmatched in the city, making it the ultimate historic address.
My Top Pick: The GB Roof Garden Restaurant & Bar is an absolute institution. It offers the most spectacular, breathtaking, and picture-postcard perfect views of the Acropolis, which are especially magical when the ancient monument is beautifully illuminated at night.
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2. Four Seasons Astir Palace Hotel Athens
The Place: A glamorous and iconic seaside resort located on a pine-clad peninsula in the exclusive Athens Riviera. The Four Seasons Astir Palace offers a true resort escape just a short drive from the city center. It features three private beaches, multiple swimming pools, and a stunning, contemporary design that perfectly complements its beautiful natural setting.
My Top Pick: Enjoying a sundowner cocktail at the chic Avra Bar, which is perched above the water and offers stunning, panoramic sunset views over the Aegean Sea.
2. Four Seasons Astir Palace Hotel Athens: A Glamorous Riviera Resort
The Place: A glamorous and iconic seaside resort, the Four Seasons Astir Palace is located on a stunning, pine-clad private peninsula in the exclusive Athens Riviera. This legendary property, once a favorite of celebrities like Brigitte Bardot and Frank Sinatra, has been completely reborn as a Four Seasons. It offers a true resort escape just a short and scenic drive from the historic city center, featuring three private beaches, multiple swimming pools, and a chic, contemporary design that perfectly complements its beautiful natural setting.
My Top Pick: Enjoying a sundowner cocktail at the incredibly chic Avra Bar is an essential Riviera experience. Perched above the water, it offers stunning, panoramic sunset views over the tranquil Aegean Sea in a sophisticated and vibrant atmosphere.
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3. King George, a Luxury Collection Hotel
The Place: The elegant and more intimate sibling hotel to the adjacent Grande Bretagne, located on Syntagma Square. The King George offers a sophisticated, residential-style experience with a chic, neoclassical design. It provides a sense of discreet luxury and personalized service, with beautifully appointed rooms and suites that feel like a private Athenian apartment.
My Top Pick: The Tudor Hall Restaurant on the seventh floor, with its beautiful decor and panoramic views of the Acropolis, is a truly romantic dining destination.
3. King George, a Luxury Collection Hotel: An Elegant Residential Retreat
The Place: The elegant, intimate, and sophisticated sibling hotel to the adjacent Grande Bretagne, the King George is also perfectly located on the historic Syntagma Square. This beautiful hotel offers a more discreet, residential-style experience, with a chic and light-filled neoclassical design. It provides a palpable sense of understated luxury and highly personalized service, with beautifully appointed rooms and suites that feel like a private and very elegant Athenian apartment in the heart of the city.
My Top Pick: The Tudor Hall Restaurant, located on the hotel’s seventh floor, is a truly romantic and unforgettable fine dining destination. Its beautiful, neo-classical decor and its large outdoor terrace offer stunning, panoramic views of the Acropolis.
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4. The Dolli at Acropolis
The Place: A stunning and impeccably designed new boutique hotel housed in a magnificent 1925 neoclassical mansion, just a stone’s throw from the Acropolis. The Dolli masterfully blends historic architectural details with a chic, contemporary, and minimalist design. It offers a unique and intimate luxury experience with some of the most spectacular views in the city.
My Top Pick: The incredible rooftop infinity pool and restaurant, which offer breathtaking, jaw-dropping, and completely unobstructed views of the Parthenon and the entire Acropolis hill.
4. The Dolli at Acropolis: A Neoclassical Gem with Unrivaled Views
The Place: A stunning and impeccably designed new boutique hotel, The Dolli is housed in a magnificent 1925 neoclassical mansion, located just a stone’s throw from the Acropolis in the historic Plaka district. The hotel masterfully blends its beautifully preserved historic architectural details with a chic, contemporary, and minimalist interior design by the esteemed Greek firm K-Studio. It offers a unique and intimate luxury experience with what are arguably the most spectacular hotel views in the city.
My Top Pick: The incredible rooftop infinity pool and restaurant is the hotel’s crown jewel. It offers breathtaking, jaw-dropping, and completely unobstructed direct views of the Parthenon and the entire Acropolis hill, creating a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience.
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5. Xenodocheio Milos
The Place: A unique ‘gastronomy hotel’ that is the first luxury boutique hotel from the world-renowned Greek seafood restaurant, Estiatorio Milos. Located in the heart of downtown Athens, the hotel offers a sophisticated and elegant experience with a focus on high-end cuisine and refined, minimalist design. It provides a unique and delicious destination for all food lovers.
My Top Pick: The experience of dining at the spectacular Estiatorio Milos restaurant, which is the vibrant and culinary heart of the entire hotel, is simply unforgettable.
5. Xenodocheio Milos: A Unique Gastronomic Destination
The Place: A truly unique ‘gastronomy hotel,’ Xenodocheio Milos is the very first luxury boutique hotel from the world-renowned Greek seafood restaurant, Estiatorio Milos. Perfectly located in the heart of downtown Athens, in a beautifully restored historic building, the hotel offers a sophisticated and elegant experience with a clear focus on high-end cuisine and refined, minimalist design. It provides a unique and delicious destination for food lovers who appreciate the finest Greek ingredients and hospitality.
My Top Pick: The experience of dining at the spectacular, high-ceilinged Estiatorio Milos restaurant, which serves as the vibrant and culinary heart of the entire hotel, is simply unforgettable and the primary reason to stay at this incredible property.
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6. Hotel Lozenge
The Place: A chic and contemporary boutique hotel with a unique geometric facade, located in the upscale and fashionable Kolonaki district. The Hotel Lozenge is perfectly situated for exploring the city’s high-end boutiques, art galleries, and sophisticated cafes. It offers a stylish and modern base with a focus on personalized service and a vibrant, central location.
My Top Pick: The hotel’s prime location in the heart of Kolonaki, which allows you to immerse yourself in the daily life of Athens’ most chic neighborhood.
6. Hotel Lozenge: A Contemporary Kolonaki Hub
The Place: A chic and contemporary boutique hotel with a unique geometric facade, the Hotel Lozenge is located in the heart of the upscale and fashionable Kolonaki district. The hotel is perfectly situated for exploring the city’s high-end designer boutiques, its many art galleries, and its sophisticated cafes and restaurants. It offers a stylish and modern base with a strong focus on warm, personalized service and a vibrant, central, and prestigious city location.
My Top Pick: The hotel’s prime location in the absolute heart of Kolonaki is its greatest asset. It allows you to step out of the door and immediately immerse yourself in the daily life of Athens’ most chic and sophisticated neighborhood.
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7. One&Only Aesthesis
The Place: A glamorous new resort located on the Athens Riviera, capturing the nostalgic glamour of a bygone era with its mid-century modern design. The One&Only Aesthesis is set within a protected forest reserve and offers a serene beachfront escape. It provides a highly exclusive and stylish resort experience with private pools, a beach club, and a Guerlain spa.
My Top Pick: The stunning swimming pools and the vibrant, stylish beach club provide the perfect setting for a day of glamorous relaxation by the sea.
7. One&Only Aesthesis: A Return to Riviera Glamour
The Place: A glamorous and highly anticipated new resort located on the Athens Riviera in Glyfada, the One&Only Aesthesis captures the nostalgic glamour of a bygone era with its stunning, mid-century modern design. The resort is set within a 21-hectare protected forest reserve and offers a serene and incredibly stylish beachfront escape. It provides a highly exclusive resort experience with private pools, a vibrant beach club, and a destination Guerlain spa.
My Top Pick: The stunning, retro-inspired swimming pools and the vibrant, stylish beach club are the heart of the resort. They provide the perfect setting for a day of glamorous, sun-drenched relaxation by the beautiful Aegean Sea in an incredibly chic environment.
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8. Grand Hyatt Athens
The Place: A modern and sophisticated hotel located on Syngrou Avenue, between the city center and the Athens Riviera. The Grand Hyatt is known for its spacious, contemporary rooms and its spectacular rooftop pool and restaurant. It offers a comfortable and luxurious base for both business and leisure travelers, with easy access to all parts of the city.
My Top Pick: The stunning rooftop pool and the Galaxy Restaurant & Bar, which offer breathtaking, panoramic 360-degree views of the Acropolis and the entire city skyline.
8. Grand Hyatt Athens: Modern Luxury with Panoramic Rooftop Views
The Place: A modern and sophisticated hotel conveniently located on the grand Syngrou Avenue, positioned perfectly between the historic city center and the beautiful Athens Riviera. The Grand Hyatt is known for its spacious, contemporary rooms and, most notably, its spectacular rooftop pool, restaurant, and bar. It offers a comfortable and luxurious base for both business and leisure travelers, with easy access to all parts of the city and its surroundings.
My Top Pick: The stunning rooftop pool and the adjacent Galaxy Restaurant & Bar are a true highlight. They offer breathtaking, panoramic 360-degree views that sweep across the city, encompassing the magnificent Acropolis and the entire city skyline.
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9. New Hotel
The Place: A vibrant and eclectic design hotel located near Syntagma Square, and a member of Design Hotels. The New Hotel is the creation of the award-winning Brazilian designers, the Campana Brothers, and features a unique, art-forward design that incorporates recycled materials from the hotel’s former building. It offers a quirky, creative, and unforgettable experience.
My Top Pick: The Art Lounge on the 7th floor, which offers a stunning rooftop library and incredible, direct views of the Acropolis and the city below.
9. New Hotel: A Living Work of Art
The Place: A vibrant and eclectic design hotel located near Syntagma Square, and a proud member of Design Hotels. The New Hotel is the unique creation of the award-winning Brazilian designers, the Campana Brothers. It features a truly unique, art-forward design that ingeniously incorporates recycled and beautifully repurposed materials from the hotel’s former 1950s building. It offers a quirky, creative, and unforgettable hospitality experience for lovers of contemporary art and design.
My Top Pick: The Art Lounge on the 7th floor is a fantastic space. It offers a stunning rooftop library filled with art books and provides incredible, direct, and up-close views of the Acropolis and the city below from its terrace.
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10. Divani Palace Acropolis
The Place: A unique and historic hotel located in a prime position, just a short walk from the Acropolis and the Acropolis Museum. The Divani Palace Acropolis offers a unique feature: it has incorporated a section of the ancient Themistoclean Wall, the original city wall of ancient Athens, directly into its basement, visible through glass floors.
My Top Pick: The hotel’s secret rooftop pool and the Senses rooftop restaurant, which offer spectacular and direct, up-close views of the magnificent Acropolis and Parthenon.
10. Divani Palace Acropolis: History at Your Feet
The Place: A unique and historic hotel that enjoys a prime position, just a short and pleasant walk from the Acropolis and the world-class Acropolis Museum. The Divani Palace Acropolis offers a truly unique feature that connects it to the city’s ancient past: it has incorporated a genuine section of the ancient Themistoclean Wall, the original 5th-century BC city wall of Athens, directly into its basement, which is visible through glass floors.
My Top Pick: The hotel’s wonderful (and somewhat secret) rooftop pool and the adjacent Senses rooftop restaurant are a true hidden gem. They offer spectacular and direct, up-close views of the magnificent Acropolis and the Parthenon, especially at sunset.
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Bonus: St. George Lycabettus Lifestyle Hotel
Perched on the slopes of Lycabettus Hill in the chic Kolonaki district, this hotel offers some of the most breathtaking panoramic views of Athens, from the Acropolis all the way to the Saronic Gulf. The hotel is known for its rooftop pool and restaurant, which provide a stunning setting for enjoying the city’s beauty from above.
Bonus: St. George Lycabettus Lifestyle Hotel: The Ultimate City View
The Place: Perched high on the pine-clad slopes of Lycabettus Hill, in the chic and sophisticated Kolonaki district, this long-standing lifestyle hotel offers some of the most breathtaking and expansive panoramic views in all of Athens. The vistas from its upper floors and rooftop stretch from the iconic Acropolis all the way to the Saronic Gulf and the islands beyond. The hotel is known for its popular rooftop pool and restaurant, which provide a stunning setting for enjoying the city’s beauty from above.
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Expert’s Opinion: One to Choose?
Here’s our recommendation to help you choose the perfect luxury hotel in Athens for your trip:
- For classic, iconic grandeur: Hotel Grande Bretagne is the undisputed historic heart of Athenian luxury.
- For a glamorous seaside resort escape: Four Seasons Astir Palace or the new One&Only Aesthesis on the Athens Riviera are perfect.
- For breathtaking, direct Acropolis views: The new boutique The Dolli at Acropolis offers unparalleled, up-close vistas from its rooftop pool.
- For foodies and a unique culinary stay: Xenodocheio Milos is the ideal choice for those who want a gastronomy-focused experience.
Expert’s Opinion: One to Choose?
Here’s our recommendation to help you choose the perfect luxury hotel in Athens for your trip:
- For classic, iconic grandeur: The Hotel Grande Bretagne is the undisputed historic heart of Athenian luxury, offering a timeless and opulent experience right on Syntagma Square.
- For a glamorous seaside resort escape: The Four Seasons Astir Palace or the new and incredibly stylish One&Only Aesthesis on the Athens Riviera are perfect choices for a beach-focused holiday.
- For breathtaking, direct Acropolis views: The new boutique The Dolli at Acropolis offers unparalleled, up-close vistas from its magnificent rooftop pool, making it a truly unique experience.
- For foodies and a unique culinary stay: Xenodocheio Milos is the ideal choice for those who want a gastronomy-focused experience, built around a world-renowned Greek restaurant.
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Travel Guides: Athens, Greece
A stay at a luxury hotel is the perfect start to your Athenian adventure. To make the most of your trip, here is a travel guide that complements the article on luxury hotels in Athens.
1. Best Time to Visit Athens
- Spring (April-June): This is the best time to visit Athens. The weather is pleasantly warm and sunny, perfect for sightseeing before the intense summer heat arrives, and the city is adorned with blooming flowers.
- Autumn (September-October): This is also an ideal time to visit, as the summer crowds have dispersed, the sea is still warm enough for swimming, and the temperatures are comfortable for exploring the ancient sites.
- Summer (July-August): This season can be very hot, making midday sightseeing challenging. However, it’s a great time for enjoying the beautiful Athens Riviera and for island hopping in the Aegean.
- Winter (November-February): The weather is cooler and can be rainy, but the city is quiet and its ancient sites are wonderfully crowd-free, offering a more tranquil and local experience.
1. When to Go?
- Spring (April-June): The best time to visit, with pleasant, sunny weather perfect for sightseeing before the summer heat arrives.
- Autumn (September-October): Also an ideal time, with comfortable temperatures and fewer crowds than the summer peak season.
- Summer (July-August): Can be very hot, but it’s great for enjoying the Athens Riviera and island hopping.
- Winter (November-February): Cooler and sometimes rainy, but the city is quiet and its ancient sites are crowd-free.
2. Getting Around Athens
- Walking: The historic center of Athens, which includes Plaka, Monastiraki, Psiri, and the area around the Acropolis, is a large pedestrianized zone and is very walkable. Comfortable shoes are a must.
- Metro: The Athens Metro is modern, clean, efficient, and very easy to navigate. It connects the airport to the city center and all major hubs, making it the best way to cover longer distances.
- Taxis and Ride-Sharing: Taxis and ride-sharing apps like FREE NOW and Uber are readily available and convenient for reaching destinations further afield or for traveling late at night.
2. Getting Around Athens
- Walking: The historic center of Athens, including Plaka, Monastiraki, and the area around the Acropolis, is very walkable.
- Metro: The Athens Metro is modern, clean, and efficient, connecting the airport and major city hubs.
- Taxis: Taxis and ride-sharing apps are readily available and convenient for reaching destinations further afield.
3. Must-See Sights
- The Acropolis: The iconic symbol of the city and the pinnacle of classical architecture. It is home to the Parthenon, the Erechtheion, and the Propylaea. Go early in the morning to avoid crowds and heat.
- Acropolis Museum: A world-class modern museum located at the foot of the Acropolis. It houses the priceless treasures from the Acropolis in a stunning, light-filled space.
- Plaka and Anafiotika: The charming, historic neighborhoods at the base of the Acropolis. Get lost in their winding, labyrinthine streets and discover picturesque, island-like houses.
- Ancient Agora: The heart of ancient Athens, which served as a marketplace, a civic center, and the cradle of democracy. The well-preserved Temple of Hephaestus is a highlight.
3. Must-See Sights
- The Acropolis: The iconic symbol of the city, home to the Parthenon, the Erechtheion, and the Propylaea.
- Acropolis Museum: A world-class modern museum located at the foot of the Acropolis, housing its priceless treasures.
- Plaka and Anafiotika: The charming, historic neighborhoods at the base of the Acropolis, with winding streets and picturesque houses.
- Ancient Agora: The heart of ancient Athens, which served as a marketplace and civic center.
4. Unique Experiences
- Watch the Sunset from Lycabettus Hill: Take the funicular railway to the top of Athens’ highest hill for breathtaking, 360-degree panoramic views of the entire city, the port of Piraeus, and the Saronic Gulf.
- See the Changing of the Guard: Witness the unique and highly ceremonial march of the Evzones (the presidential guards in their traditional uniforms) in front of the Hellenic Parliament on Syntagma Square, especially the grand ceremony on Sundays at 11 am.
- Explore the Athens Riviera: Discover the beautiful coastline and beaches just a short tram or taxi ride from the city center. Areas like Glyfada and Vouliagmeni offer a glamorous, seaside atmosphere.
- Visit an Open-Air Cinema: In the summer months, watch a movie under the stars at one of Athens’ charming open-air cinemas (‘therina sinema’), some of which offer views of the illuminated Acropolis.
4. Unique Experiences
- Watch the Sunset from Lycabettus Hill: Take the funicular to the top of Athens’ highest hill for breathtaking panoramic views of the entire city.
- See the Changing of the Guard: Witness the unique ceremonial march of the Evzones (presidential guards) in front of the Parliament on Syntagma Square.
- Explore the Athens Riviera: Discover the beautiful coastline and beaches just a short tram or taxi ride from the city center.
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