A Historic Landmark in the Heart of Athens
Established in 1874, the Hotel Grande Bretagne stands as a symbol of timeless elegance and luxury in the heart of Athens. This year marks the 150th anniversary of this iconic hotel, a landmark that has witnessed and participated in the rich tapestry of Athenian history. From its opulent artwork and precious antiques to its breathtaking views of the Acropolis and Parthenon, the Hotel Grande Bretagne offers a regal experience that has welcomed esteemed personalities and heads of state over the decades.
With 320 rooms and suites that perfectly blend old-world elegance with state-of-the-art facilities, the hotel continues to attract multi-national guests who appreciate meticulous attention to detail. Whether for leisure or business, the hotel ensures that every moment of your stay transcends expectations.
A Warm Welcome
Our journey began with a nonstop flight from JFK to Athens, followed by a 45-minute ride from the airport to the hotel. The Hotel Grande Bretagne’s prime location in the heart of Athens made it easy for us to explore the city. Upon arrival, we were warmly welcomed and swiftly checked in, setting the tone for an extraordinary stay.
After settling into our room with a view of the House of Parliament, we were greeted with a delightful welcome treat: a bottle of Champagne, delicious baklava, and a warm note from the Sales Manager; the kind of VIP treatment our clients look forward to. These thoughtful touches made us feel instantly at home and set the stage for a memorable stay.
Need assistance in arranging transport to and from the hotel? We are happy to help.
Our Room: A Blend of Elegance and Comfort
Our Deluxe Room was a perfect blend of elegance and comfort, featuring a view of the House of Parliament right outside our window. The room included:
- Pillowtop mattress, featherbed, and duvet
- Marble bathroom
- Double vanities
- Desk
- Evening turndown service
- Complimentary bottled water
- Coffee/tea maker
- Minibar
- 24-hour room service
The room is 291 square feet, which is quite standard for a starting room category in Europe. We recommend booking your stay in a Deluxe Suite or higher for the extra space. Our room accommodated a maximum of two guests, with the option to add a rollaway bed or crib if needed.
Advisor Tip: All guests staying in the Butler Floors or Suites enjoy many exceptional privileges in addition to the standard 24-hour Butler Service. Contact us to learn more.
Dining at Hotel Grande Bretagne
One of the highlights of our stay was dining at the hotel’s exquisite venues. We enjoyed happy hour drinks at the GB Roof Garden, which offers stunning views of the city, including the Acropolis and the Olympic Stadium. The combination of the breathtaking scenery and delightful drinks made for an unforgettable experience.
Looking for some R&R in between historical tours? Indulge in excellent poolside service at GB Pool Bar, which offers Mediterranean- inspired bites and refreshing cocktails.
Advisor Tip: Take a wine-tasting class with the hotel’s sommelier, hosted in The Wine Library. This experience offers a unique exploration of Greek wines, guided by a map of each region from which the wines originated
World-Renowned Spa
The award-winning GB Spa elevates well-being to new heights. Guests are invited to embark on a journey of rejuvenation and relaxation, revitalizing their senses with a wide range of spa treatments and health and beauty therapies performed by professional spa experts. Pamper your body with premium spa products and find inner peace at Athens’ premier spa.
Facilities include a 65-square-meter heated indoor pool, fitness studio, amethyst grotto, herbal steam bath, sauna, laconium, ice fountain, foot spa reflexology, hair and nail salon, barber corner, and relaxation room.
Our Hotel Plus team is happy to help you secure and manage your treatment reservations.
Exploring Athens
Athens, Europe’s oldest capital, offers a convergence of mythology, philosophy, and a cosmopolitan lifestyle. During our stay, we took advantage of the hotel’s central location to enjoy tours of the Acropolis and a Culinary Backstreets food tour. The luminous city, filled with historic treasures and Mediterranean charm, provided us with unique moments of culture, history, cuisine, and lifestyle.
Exclusive STARS Amenities
As part of the Marriott International Luxury Hotels STARS program, our clients can enjoy exclusive amenities, including:
- Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
- Personalized welcome amenity
- Complimentary daily buffet breakfast for two at the picturesque GB Roof Garden Restaurant
- $100 USD one-time hotel credit
- Early check-in and late checkout, based on availability
- Complimentary Wi-Fi
We are honored to be recognized as a top producer of Marriott International Luxury Hotels for the 7th consecutive year, sharing this distinction with the world’s top travel advisors. We are also immensely grateful for our Marriott Luxury partners who provide STARS amenities to our clients and take such excellent care of them.
We can extend these complimentary amenities through our Hotel Only service. What’s great about this service is that you can use our Virtuoso booking tool and make the booking yourself! Through this tool, you can browse the hotels we partner with and you can even book your reservation on the site and enjoy all of the same VIP perks as an Ourisman Travel Client. All you have to do is sign on / create a login and identify David Ourisman as your Virtuoso Advisor. If you make a booking, we get an alert, and we will follow up with the hotel as part of our usual VIP hotel booking process to make sure your stay is as enjoyable as possible! This tool works best on a desktop device versus a mobile device.
Are These The Same Perks As What AMEX Offers?
The biggest difference between booking with us vs. AMEX that most people do not realize is that hotels across the board view reservations in tiers, with bookings made through Booking.com, AMEX, Expedia, Costco, AAA, and other online wholesalers at the very bottom, bookings made directly with the hotel lie in the middle, and bookings made with travel advisors at the top in terms of priority, perks, and VIP status at the hotel. Ourisman Travel has almost 20 years in the industry which puts an extra gold star by your name. This lends itself to a better chance of upgrades, more attentive service, an overall elevated experience, and of course support from us before your stay as well as during. Many of our clients choose to book with us over rewards programs like AMEX because the perks and offerings we can extend are similar, however, in booking through a reputable advisor like Ourisman, you are granted the highest possible VIP status of all guests at the hotel
Exclusive Promotions for the hotel’s 150th Anniversary
To celebrate the hotel’s 150th anniversary, Hotel Grande Bretagne offers:
- An extra €50 credit per stay (Valid until 12/30/24)
- One-way airport transfer with a minimum of a 2-night stay (Valid for all Suite categories until 12/31/24)
Contact our team to learn more about rates and availability.
A Timeless Experience
The Hotel Grande Bretagne is an ideal retreat for travelers who appreciate elegant, antique, and timeless style rooms. It is not suited for those who prefer modern or contemporary styles.
Want to explore other hotel options in Greece? We put together a guide on our Preferred Hotels Map of our top recommendations. For a balance of city and R&R, we recommend pairing your stay with a few nights at Amanzoe, a 2.5-hour drive from Athens. To get started on planning your trip, please fill out a Travel Request Form or contact us and we will get back to you within one business day. For a more personalized touch on your trip, you can work with our Hotel Plus team to assist with any reservations, activity scheduling, concierge assistance, and more. Once your stay is booked through us, you will automatically receive exclusive and complimentary perks that you can indulge in throughout your stay. We look forward to turning your trip to Athens into an ultraluxe experience.
