Athens is a truly extraordinary city. I love its grit and vibrancy. It reminds me, in a very good way, of Berlin circa 1992. But I need a luxury refuge in the city center, especially after an exhausting day of being immersed in the onslaught of grittiness and cultural (both contemporary and classical) overload. The Grande Bretagne just doesn't cut it any longer. It's more corporate than luxury these days. And while I enjoy and appreciate Athens' boutique hotel scene, I would prefer the cosseting of a Mandarin Oriental.

I'm thus quite dismayed to learn it, too, will be far removed from the core of the city.