Hotel Grande Bretagne

Millions of visitors come to the Greek capital every year to immerse themselves in ancient culture and to explore grand architecture, from the Acropolis to the Panathenaic Stadium. With its 19th-century mansions and renovated foundries, the best luxury hotels in Athens are as rich in history as they are in style and splendour.
If Plato and Socrates excite you more than cocktails, this is the hotel for you. Echoing the spirit of the Platonic Academy, guests can participate in Dialogue Soirees – a weekly discussion event with topics including ethics and friendship – and switch off for the daily reading time, in which guests are encouraged to enjoy something from the hotel’s varied book collection. Beyond philosophy, enjoy the Symposium restaurant, with a menu curated by a Michelin-starred Apostolos Trastellis, the Plato Lounge Bar, and a wellness centre with heated pool, sauna and fitness facilities.
A chic design hotel with a gym and a pool, Fresh Hotel offers an opportunity to get to know the ‘real’ Athens, beyond its archaeological sites. With its location near the Omonia metro station, Fresh Hotel is well connected to the city’s most popular attractions, and is close to the Exarcheia neighbourhood – famed for its edgy counterculture and street art. After a day exploring, guests can sample cocktails and Greek treats at the rooftop Air lounge bar.
This is an updated version of an article originally by Tobias Hautekiet.