Just returned from a quick one night stay at the Grande Bretagne, paying a corporate rate and being upgraded due to Plat status with my arrival around 1pm. First of all, I was a bit surprised by the greeting (or lack thereof) for a "Luxury" property. There was no doorman on duty at any time-- that I saw, nor did anyone approach me as I was arrving to ask if I needed help with my bag etc (I didn't as it was a small rolling bag, and I arrived via the Metro). But in my experience, there is usually someone at the main door to direct you-- or at least ask if you needed assistance. Once in the lobby, it was a bit crowded, with lots of people sitting around on the couches, walking etc. I found the reception desk and was told (not surprisingly) that my room wasn't ready, but that yes, I was upgraded to an Acropolis view room. I was told I could leave my bag with the desk, and she did tell me about the various restaurants I could wait in. I asked if there was a room I could change in, and she told me the ladies room was downstairs. I then went looking for a telephone and was told by 3 different people, that there were no public phones-- but that if I wanted to make a call it would have to be from my room or I could buy a phone card and find a pay phone outside. (Is this true of all hotels in Athens??). I went up to the main dining room for lunch and to wait, and found it closed-- with a sign saying it was closed for lunch on this day, but would reopen later in the afternoon. I then returned to the desk around 2 and found my room to be ready. I was just handed the room key and a card telling me what I can use my Starpoints for, as well as an amenity card, where I chose the wine and asked for it to be sent up as soon as possible. --no one offered to escort me and as the lobby was now pretty empty, I didn't thnk it was because they were all busy. So, I went to retrieve my bag, and the consierge just waved me to where it was sitting. I took it and found my way up to my room (305). It was ok, not 'grande, nor large, nor in any way fantastically appointed-- with 'wonderful antiques' (as the brochures say). It did have a nice view of the Acropolis and a small terrace overlooking the main square. There was a note saying 2 bottles of water were in the minibar for my use. I changed and went out into the hot -35C Athens afternoon for my exploration of the Acropolis I returned around 6pm to wash up and found no wine, so I called down and they said it would be up shortly. I then went back up to the restaurant on 8, with a view of the Acropolis, and found a couple of others waiting at the door-- with the same closed sign, a waiter came out and said it would be open 'in a while' -- but was still closed ? Went to the pool bar, and had a glass of wine and some snacks there--- back to my room-- still no amentiy, called again, again told it will be right there. Back up to 8th fl restaurant, and finally it was opening. Yes the view from there is wonderful and upon returning at 8pm to my room a bottle of red wine was awaiting me.
The next day at 9:30am when checking out, no one asked if I'd need assistance, or if they could get a taxi for me (2 things, I don't need, but have found are usually asked... especially in hotels of this caliber), and again, at this time, I was the only person in the lobby-- and still saw no doorman.
Would I use this property again in Athens??-- Yes, as it is a Starwood, and is very convienently located, but would I say it is a true luxury property or worthy of being considered one of the top hotels in the world ?? --Sadly No.