Rooftop restaurant & spa in historic luxury hotel with Acropolis views
1 Vasileos Georgiou A, Syntagma Square Str, Athina 105 64, Greece Get directions
"In Athens, Hotel Grande Bretagne now sources figs from a family farm in nearby Evia, reflecting a move toward closer, local suppliers." - Christine Muhlke Christine Muhlke Christine Muhlke is a former editor at both The New York Times and Bon Appétit. She is the co-author of "Wine Simple," also written by Le Bernardin's Aldo Sohm, and Phaidon's "Signature Dishes That Matter." Christine is the founder of culinary consultancy Bureau X and the creator of the Xtine newsletter. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines
"The hotel's executive chef is rethinking pantry and breakfast sourcing, specifically reconsidering how to source Greek pistachios and walnuts for morning service—an example of reevaluating staple categories to favor local provenance and strengthen links to regional producers." - Ashley Day
"Celebrating its 150th anniversary in 2024, the GB (as locals fondly call it) is almost as much of an Athenian landmark as the Parthenon. The 5th-century-BC monument itself floats like a mirage just beyond the hotel’s lofty rooftop bar and restaurant, which overlooks the Parliament piazza where statuesque Evzones, members of the Presidential Guard, strut their stuff. If the location feels “only in Athens,” the interiors have all the glitzy trappings of a grand European hotel: gleaming marble inlay floors, flamboyant flower arrangements, giant gilded mirrors. Liveried doormen usher you through the revolving doors into what feels like a parallel universe, where the hubbub of downtown Athens gives way to the tinkling piano in the stained-glass-ceilinged winter garden, where afternoon tea is served by slinky waitresses who glide between the fluted columns. The lesser-known draw is not the fine dining or even the secret seventh-floor swimming pool but the subterranean spa. A profoundly therapeutic massage and plumping 111 Skin facial with one of the brilliantly intuitive therapists will leave you feeling at least 150 years younger. From $525. —Rachel Howard" - CNT Editors
"To continue the evening, what could be better than a drink on the rooftop of the Hotel Grande Bretagne, a luxury hotel with a flamboyant decor and a distinctly British look? Opened in 1874, this legendary establishment has been frequented by personalities such as Winston Churchill and Aristotle Onassis. Its opulent guestrooms, done out with antique furniture and draped in plush fabrics and heavy curtains, offer total comfort. From the hotel's rooftop terrace, the view takes in a whole swathe of the Greek capital, from the Panathenaic Stadium to the Acropolis." - The MICHELIN Guide
"The Hotel Grande Bretagne offers unparalleled views of the Acropolis and luxurious amenities, including a marble lobby and gold leaf finishings. It has a rich history dating back to 1874 and is a reader favorite. Rates start at $721 per night." - Travel + Leisure Editors
