Originally Posted by
EuropeanPete
I also stayed one night at the Grande Bretagne on the way into Athens. The hotel actually looks a bit less tired than it did on my last visit in 2019 and customer service was a lot better, but I used to partly visit because of the good Bonvoy recognition (I've stayed in suites on about 15 visits) and this time despite apparently having all rooms available I was unsurprised to get the one category upgrade linked to my STARS booking and nothing except for 1,000 points for being Titanium.
I also continued my 8 for 8 Marriott stays in a row with some kind of issues: I originally booked at the King George, but they apparently already knew the hotel was closed as I immediately got an email moving me to the GB. It's a plus in a way because the GB has higher rates but they tried to restrict my $100 STARS credit to spa use when the King George allows it for F&B. It took a second and more energetic push to correct it.
The hotel still has little competition in central Athens and is incredibly well located, but I will keep my eyes open for alternatives for the future.
The King George is closed?
The GB used to be our hotel of choice when in Athens ( usually every other year until covid). But a few stays back I got tired of not knowing what room type I would end up with ( I was a lowly Starwood Gold) and where it was located in the hotel. Over the years some really nice ( I wouldn't call them " luxury" ) small boutique hotels opened up in Athens where when I booked I got the exact room I was booking, and often with a spectacular Acropolis view from our room terrace. Ava, AthensWas to name a couple.