We stayed at the Hotel Grande Bretagne in May of 2023 during our trip to Greece. To be honest I was about to skimp and spend 15k Hyatt points for the Grand Hyatt Athens. But as the ancient philosophers used to say “Better a happy wife than a large stash of award points”. While the Hyatt would have been perfectly fine, it’s more of a business hotel in a business area. And this whole year we are celebrating our 25th wedding anniversary so I better do it right! After staying at the Hotel Grande Bretagne it was definitely the correct choice.
- Why the Hotel Grande Bretagne
- How I booked the Hotel Grande Bretagne
- Hotel Grande Bretagne Location
- Hotel Grande Bretagne Service
- Hotel Grande Bretagne Restaurants
- Hotel Grande Bretagne Pool
- Hotel Grande Bretagne Spa and Gym
- Final Thoughts
Why the Hotel Grande Bretagne
If there is one hotel in Athens that tops the list of aspirational properties it is this hotel. From the many bellmen waiting out front when you pull up, to the slippers placed neatly beside the bed each night for turndown service, and the elegant marble and stone that make up the building – you know it is special. The list of people to stay here includes Winston Churchill, Princess Diana, John F. Kennedy, Nelson Mandela, and on and on.
The hotel’s central location, historical significance, and reputation for luxury have made it a preferred choice for dignitaries, celebrities, and travelers seeking a lavish experience in Athens. The hotel has a storied history that dates back to 1874 when it was originally built as a palace for a royal family.
The interior is characterized by luxurious decor, elegant furnishings, and ornate details that create an atmosphere of grandeur and sophistication. The rooms are designed to provide modern amenities while retaining a sense of classic charm.
Basically, I knew my wife would absolutely love it.
How I booked the Hotel Grande Bretagne
The Hotel Grande Bretagne is a Marriott hotel. For the three nights that we were going to be in Athens, the Marriott website showed it would cost 230,000 points. The cost per night for a standard room will fluctuate depending on peak and off-peak nights. That is a lot of points to spend here but after my stay, it felt totally justified. The cash price per night is usually $800 – 1100, not something we would have been willing to spend. But if you have the points, I would encourage you to spend them on this aspirational hotel.
Luckily when I was looking to book the Hotel Grand Bretagne, Chase was having a 50% transfer bonus when transferring to Marriott. I only needed to transfer 154,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points to get the 230,000 Marriott points I needed for this booking. This made the point spend a little easier to swallow.
Marriott points are easy to come by, with both Chase and Amex offering co-branded cards. You can also transfer to Marriott from both Chase Ultimate Rewards and Amex Membership Rewards programs.
Hotel Grande Bretagne Location
For us the location of this hotel was perfect. It is right on Syntagma Square. The Greek Parliament building is across the street. The National Garden is a block away. Many shops and restaurants are all around. And a bus stop for the Hop-On Hop-Off bus tours is right there at the square. It was about a 30-minute taxi ride from the Athens airport. Side note – Download the FreeNow app and book a taxi rather than waiting in what was a super long taxi line. This made me look like a hero when we walked past all the other shmucks standing in line with their bags just waiting.
One evening we rode the bus around until we reached Monastiraki Square. We got off and had dinner at the Hard Rock Cafe. Then had the most wonderful stroll back to the hotel through the Pandrossou Street Market and many other really cool streets. Eventually we made our way back to Syntagma Square and the Hotel Grande Bretagne.
Hotel Grande Bretagne Service
At most Luxery Collection hotels, you expect the service to be great. The Hotel Grande Bretagne did not disapoint. There are always several bellmen waiting on the front steps helping guest in and out with their bags. The check in desk had multiple language speaking staff ready to check people in promptly.
It is almost impossible to schlep your own bags up to your room as they will insist on making sure you and your items are escorted to your door. We were given a brief presentation of the room and the amenities before we were left to admire the oppulance of this place. When we would return each evening, turn down service had placed boxed water and chocolates on the nightstands and slippers were placed on a small towel on each side of the bed. Just like my wife does at home. 😀
Hotel Grande Bretagne Restuarants
The hotel boasts several dining options that cater to different tastes. This includes the “GB Roof Garden Restaurant” which offers panoramic views of the city and serves gourmet Mediterranean cuisine. The “Winter Garden” provides a more casual dining experience, while the “Alexander’s Bar” is known for its cocktails and elegant ambiance.
We ate breakfast once up on the roof. Just being Marriott Gold level we did not qualify for free breakfast. We made a reservation for our last night to have dinner at the Roof Garden restaurant. It was delicious. We both went with the steak and potatoes. It was just really neat to dine while looking out over the city and being able to see the Acropolis so close.
Hotel Grande Bretagne Pool
We spent a few hours up at the rooftop pool one day. Since we were there near the end of May the weather was not yet hot and the pool area was definitely not crowded. Once again the view was amazing and the service was on point. We shared a club sandwich and fries from the pool bar which was very good.
Hotel Grande Bretagne Spa and Gym
My wife wanted a pedicure, so she called the spa on the room phone and made an appointment for the next morning. I am not going to lie, spas in fancy hotels tend to be very pricey so I was relieved when she said it was the best pedicure ever and her bill was under $50. The spa area is in the basement and has a decent gym area along with a really neat pool for people using the spa. I believe they offer everything from massage to haircut/styling to facials and nails. I was looking at a turtle pond in the National Gardens while she was in there so I can’t give much more information.
Final Thoughts
Would I go stay at the Hotel Grande Bretagne again? If I can spare the points, absolutely. The place was awesome. The location was perfect. I can’t imagine anything better. Looking at next month for three nights the rates are slightly higher than what we paid. Looks like 90k – 93k points per night.
Our final bill at the Hotel Grande Bretagne ended up being 384.50 euros. This included 50 euros at the Spa, 195 euros for dinner on the rooftop, 84 euros for breakfast, and 43 euros for lunch at the pool along with all taxes. Everything else was “All On Points”. Not bad when the all-cash rate would have been about 3200 euros or $3400 USD.
Have you ever been to the Hotel Grande Bretagne? Let me know in the comments!