On our trip to Crete, we spent three nights in Athens and we could not have chosen a better hotel than the Grande Bretagne. More than the luxury, it fascinated me its story, the care put into every detail, the excellent service, comfort, location and stunning views. Athens and the Grande Bretagne worth a longer visit and I can not wait to come back!
Located on the emblematic Syntagma Square, the Grande Bretagne is close to everything, and even if you have not planned anything in advance, the Concierge desk will give you all the necessary support to plan your day or to make any reservation or booking.
The entire building, built in 1842 and converted into a hotel in 1874, is stunningly beautiful, but the impact of the large lobby is unlikely to be forgotten. The only aspect that competes with the fabulous interior of the hotel is the fantastic views you can reach from the top of the building.
To have breakfast, with a blue sky that only Greece has and to have such a sight of the city and its main monuments is a feast for the senses. Dinner at the GB Roof Garden Restaurant & Bar, watching the lighted city and the Acropolis cut against the sky is a truly unforgettable experience. Adding to the panoramic view of Athens, the restaurant offers a refined, delicious and varied cuisine, together with a careful and attentive service. We liked it so much that we had dinner on the Roof Garden in the three nights that we were in Athens.
Alexander’s Bar, voted as the Best Hotel Bar in the world by Forbes magazine, owes his name to the authentic 18th century tapestry, featuring Alexander the Great entering into Gaugamela. The tapestry is a trademark fixture of the hotel, and is the focal point of the fabled Alexander’s Bar, proudly hanged by the beautiful wooden bar. There you can take a seat on one of the comfortable leather stools, and linger over a classic cocktail, taste a refined brandy, or enjoy an exquisite cognac. I really want to come back with more time and enjoy Alexander’s Bar signature mixed drink – the Mandarin Napoleon Select – a surprising blend of Dubonnet Rouge, Grand Marnier, gin and fragrant essential oil of Sicilian tangerines. Sounds good, doesn’t it?
If you love a good cigar you must visit the Alexander’s Cigar Lounge. With it’s sophisticated space located in the inner garden, the Cigar Lounge boost colonial elegance and a warm atmosphere, offering an ideal setting for enjoying fine cigars, wines, liquors, coffee or tea.
In the heart of the Hotel there is another perfect place. The tranquil and elegant Winter Garden were you can have breakfast, a light lunch, high tea or dinner accompanied by live piano music. Next to the lobby , the Winter Garden is a beautiful atrium space, designed to offer guests a relaxing place with the finest service. Between the beautiful stained glass in the ceiling and the intricate marble floor grounds, you can enjoy the abundant natural light from the windows that overlook the atrium garden and look at the palms, while listening the sound of the water and the tinkling of the piano. I surely would like to come back and stay for some tea.
If you want to relax even more or have one (or more) of a collection of marvelous spa treatments and massages, you must visit the GB SPA. And if walking all around Athens was not enough exercise for you, the Grande Bretagne has a top quality fitness studio were you can do some extra workout. Or you can end your day relaxing at the pool, drinking a cocktail.
And if you do not want to leave the Grand Bretagne without taking a souvenir, the hotel Gift Shop is full of beautiful and delicious things. The only difficulty is to choose.
All the photos above via Hotel Grand Bretagne
Hotel Grande Bretagne, a Luxury Collection Hotel
Str. Vasileos Georgia A, 1
Syntagma Square, Athens
105 64, Greece
Phone: +30 210 3330000
No comments:
Post a Comment