My family is heading to Greece in late August and will spend a few days in Athens. The luxury hotel options seem slim. Are the two top properties the Grand Bretagne and the King George? Between the two is one the obvious better option?
We want a pool, good location, good rooms and service. Generally we would prefer a smaller hotel but it seems in Athens the more boutique properties don't have pools. As for how many days, is three nights too much? We like cities, some historical sites and browsing/shopping stores. Yet, I imagine it will be very hot in Athens that time of year, thus the need for the pool. We will be visiting Athens after time in the islands. Thanks.
I stayed at the Grand Bretagne last year, and the hotel was wonderful. The service was great. We had been upgraded to a suite and the suite came with a private butler/concierge on one of the floors. We checked in privately here and they arranged for a walking tour of the Acropolis. The hotel felt much smaller and intimate because of this service. Also, We really enjoyed the restaurant and bar at the top of the hotel.
We did not however use the pool because it was too cold. My recollections is that the pool is not huge but may be perfectly adequate for your purposes.
If a pool is that important to your stay, I suggest you try and find out the differences between the pool areas at both hotels.
We've not stayed at the King George, but our experience at the Grand Bretagne was wonderful! Probably the most opulent bathroom I've ever seen! Service was excellent and the location is an easy walk to the Plaka.
Thank you for that feedback, and thank you Kagehitokiri for those links. I had searched the forum but hadn't found anything like those quips. Of course, those leave me a bit more confused.
It seems prices between the GB and the King George are about equal. Both were apparently renovated relatively recently, but from photos it seems like the GB is a bit more luxurious? I don't think I realized the GB receives so many "group tours," which isn't very appealing. Of note, Starwood Luxury Collection has a good offer, discounting room rates by how many nights you stay. Yet, those are all non refundable rates. Not something we are interested in. I would have thought August in Athens, or most any European capital, is low season but I don't think that is true for Athens.
On the how long to stay there question - between the Acropolis, a few museums and other sites, doesn't that make it a worthwhile place? Thanks
I would have thought August in Athens, or most any European capital, is low season but I don't think that is true for Athens.
It is the lowest of the low. It feels quite eerie at times- especially the centre (Omonia/Syntagma and thereabouts) during the night. However, there are plenty of (predominantly Japanese and American) tourists to keep the major hotels from having to price their rooms at next to nothing.
Quote:
Originally Posted by flyr16
On the how long to stay there question - between the Acropolis, a few museums and other sites, doesn't that make it a worthwhile place?
It is worthwhile, but be warned that the nightlife and good restaurant scene are rather far from the centre (in the summer, all the action moves towards Glyfada/Vouliagmeni by the sea).
__________________
Signature temporarily removed- apparently somebody hasn't seen me trying to speak Chinese.
Yes, the King George has a pool, though I can't seem to tell how large it is. The photos are very unrevealing. Thus, I imagine it is on the small side, particularly since it seems to be on the roof.
LHW does have some promotions for the KG but all are either "sold out" or "unavailable" for the dates I want in late August. Frankly, I think the "sold out" is unlikely this far out. The unavailable may be right, in that perhaps they need not offer the promotion for Athens?
Moderator: Flying Blue (Air France & KLM), France and TravelBuzz!
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Paris, France, AF F+ Rouge pour toujours, Flying Blue whatever, LH nobody, HHonors Diamond, SPG Plat, formerly proud SCC Executive, now IC Royal Ambassador, hungry BA Gold in CE
Posts: 7,371
Quote:
Originally Posted by SaltySnack
We did not however use the pool because it was too cold. My recollections is that the pool is not huge but may be perfectly adequate for your purposes.
The outdoor, rooftop swimming pool is rather small and full of people in the summer time. The indoor swimming pool is larger, warm and set in very pleasant and relaxing surroundings, with a sauna and hammam.
The recently re-opened bungalows with private swimming pools at the Arion, within the Astir Palace complex, could be an alternative. On the other hand, the Arion is quite far from the city centre.
The King George has a tiny indoor plunge pool - part of its spa offering - very attractive but very small. However, compared to the GB, this is a vastly superior hotel, so it is worth staying there instead of GB., which is very big and convention-like. However, GB does have an outdoor pool, but the area around it feels like a fast-food joint with the smell of french fries and onions. Nasty.
Vuitton, thank you for the info on the outdoor pool at the King George, and the scene at the pool at the GB. I will email the King George to confirm that they have only an indoor pool.
Interestingly, the KG website says "pools" and if you scroll through the photos on their site, clicking "overview" and then going through the pictures, there is one of what looks like an outdoor pool, even if small. Yet, it also says that this is the Royal Penthouse Suite. Maybe just that suite, on the roof in the middle of Athens, has the pool? I assumed the photo meant the pool was there for all guests.
Moderator: Flying Blue (Air France & KLM), France and TravelBuzz!
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Paris, France, AF F+ Rouge pour toujours, Flying Blue whatever, LH nobody, HHonors Diamond, SPG Plat, formerly proud SCC Executive, now IC Royal Ambassador, hungry BA Gold in CE
Posts: 7,371
Quote:
Originally Posted by flyr16
Vuitton, thank you for the info on the outdoor pool at the King George, and the scene at the pool at the GB. I will email the King George to confirm that they have only an indoor pool.
Interestingly, the KG website says "pools" and if you scroll through the photos on their site, clicking "overview" and then going through the pictures, there is one of what looks like an outdoor pool, even if small. Yet, it also says that this is the Royal Penthouse Suite. Maybe just that suite, on the roof in the middle of Athens, has the pool? I assumed the photo meant the pool was there for all guests.
