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Skyline of Athenth with Acropolis hill

The 10 Best Hotels In Athens

Skyline of Athenth with Moanstiraki square and Acropolis hill, Athens Greece getty
Dobrina Zhekova
Contributor
Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own.
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Dobrina Zhekova, Contributor

Forbes Vetted

Athens is a city of contrasts, where modernity and history meet in a vibrant urban landscape. Evidence of the Greek capital’s glorious past can be found everywhere, from the ancient ruins of the Agora—where thinkers like Aristotle and Sophocles once gathered—to the instantly recognizable silhouette of the Parthenon sitting atop the Acropolis. But this city is also firmly rooted in the present, with Michelin-starred restaurants, flourishing art and design offerings and an exciting hospitality scene. The best hotels in Athens, all of which are both peaceful and sophisticated, expertly reflect this duality.

For travelers seeking an opulent stay, heritage hotels like Hotel Grande Bretagne and King George transport guests to a bygone era, while modern boutique stays like the incredibly chic The Dolli and the gastronomy-focused Xenodocheio Milos add to the city's modern energy. And just a short drive from downtown Athens, properties like the Four Seasons Astir Palace and One&Only Aesthesis offer a different kind of experience, where tranquility, resort amenities and postcard-perfect sea views abound. No matter what you’re seeking, you’ll find it at any of our selections for the best hotels in Athens in 2024.

Best High-End Hotel In Athens: Hotel Grande Bretagne, A Luxury Collection Hotel

Hotel Grande Bretagne

Who Will Love It: Guests with a penchant for opulence and Old World luxury
All-Star Amenities: Full-service spa with an indoor pool and steam room; rooftop pool and restaurant; multiple bars and lounges; a wine cellar; 24-hour butler and room service; Frette bed linens; marble bathrooms with rain showers and bathtubs
What Not To Miss: Guests can enjoy unobstructed views of the Acropolis from the hotel's rooftop, as well as watch the hourly guard changing from their balconies
Location: Syntagma Square

In 2024, Athens's Grand Dame celebrates 150 years of continuous service, an impressive feat for any hotel, let alone one in a bustling city like Athens, where new properties pop up every few months. Built as the private home for a wealthy Greek in 1842, just 12 years after the city was liberated from the Ottomans, this spectacular Victorian property has hosted numerous world dignitaries and A-listers.

Occupying prime real estate on Syntagma Square opposite the Parliament, guests can kick back with a drink by the rooftop pool, the city's most spectacular views unfolding before their eyes. The 320 guest rooms and suites are filled with Old World opulence—think high ceilings with crown moldings, antique decor items and art pieces, en-suite marble bathrooms, plush textiles and crystal chandeliers. The hotel's food and beverage program is just as legendary. Led by Michelin-awarded chef Asterios Koustoudis, the fine dining GB Roof Garden Restaurant & Bar is an ode to local flavors (the restaurant will reopen in April after undergoing renovations), while its elegant Winter Garden sets the stage for the best afternoon tea experience in Athens.

Best Boutique Hotel In Athens: Xenodocheio Milos

Xenodocheio Milos

Who Will Love It: Fine dining enthusiasts and fans of acclaimed chef Costas Spiliadis's Milos restaurants
All-Star Amenities: A spa suite offering treatments with Elemis products; 24-hour in-room dining; a gym; concierge services; pillow menu; smart TVs
What Not To Miss: Dinner at the hotel's signature restaurant
Location: Downtown Athens

With nine restaurants spanning all four corners of the world, acclaimed chef Costas Spiliadis built the Milos brand outside of Greece, so when he opened his first Hellenic location in 2022, excitement was definitely in the air. To make things more interesting, Spiliadis brought Milos to Athens and launched it in his first hotel, Xenodocheio Milos. The 43-key property, housed in two elegant 19th-century neoclassical buildings steps away from Athens's Pláka historic neighborhood and the hip Kolonaki area, Xenodocheio Milos is a serene oasis, inspired by the Greek concept of “philoxenia,” welcoming strangers and showing them hospitality.

Cycladic motifs and subtle nods to the country's nautical heritage have been incorporated throughout the property—from the elegant pops of blue in the lobby to the curved headboards in the guest rooms, referencing inflated wing sails. Of course, the hottest ticket in the building is a table at the bright and airy Estiatorio Milos. The Mediterranean menu is heavy on seafood, but the star of the show is the ingredients, always fresh and local, cooked simply and without many bells and whistles to highlight their natural taste.

Best Value Hotel In Athens: The Foundry Urban Suites

The Foundry Urban Suites

Who Will Love It: Travelers seeking residential-style comfort in the heart of Athens
All-Star Amenities: Pillow menu; in-room spa treatments; daily breakfast; rooftop garden; private balconies; fully stocked kitchens
What Not To Miss: Sunset drinks on the lush rooftop garden with views of the Parthenon
Location: Psyrri

Experiencing a destination like a local is an elusive notion, but staying at The Foundry Urban Suites will certainly take you one step closer to enjoying the city at your own pace and with all the comforts of a home—a very chic home, that is. Tucked on a quiet street in Athens's historic Psyrri neighborhood, the property offers 12 spacious residences in a former 1930s printing house. While no two suites are alike, the underpinning aesthetic of the spaces is industrial chic with mid-century modern motifs. With high ceilings, hardwood floors and iron frame windows, guests can experience luxury loft living in downtown Athens.

The property's best feature might be its rooftop terrace, designed to emulate a lush picnic garden, where guests can enjoy a lazy afternoon perusing the stunning views of the Parthenon. While the hotel doesn't have a full-service restaurant, the rooftop serves as its de facto bar area, where guests can order from a menu of homemade sourdough pizzas, cocktails, local brews and wine from independent Greek winemakers.

Best Hotel For Romance In Athens: Gatsby Athens

Gatsby Athens

Who Will Love It: Couples who appreciate unique hospitality experiences
All-Star Amenities: Smart TVs; 24-hour room service; two bars and a restaurant; a spa suite; a gym with a private trainer; Ortigia bath products; a rooftop terrace
What Not To Miss: Sundowners at the rooftop terrace
Location: Downtown

Gatsby Athens rewards guests with a distinctly Greek hospitality experience and is located just a short walk from Syntagma Square. The 33-key property is a feast for the senses from the moment you step inside—lush flowers and greenery hanging from the ceilings, their opulence in stark contrast with the clean lines of the chic furnishings. Even if you're not here to party, upgrade to the Gatsby Party Suite, which, with a private outdoor jacuzzi and theater projector, is the ultimate setup for a romantic couples getaway. The hotel's beautiful rooftop is reserved for guests only and is home to a bar (the ground floor houses a restaurant and a bar, too) anchored by a fireplace and surrounded by classic Athenian views of the Acropolis.

Best Hotel For Families In Athens: St. George Lycabettus Lifestyle Hotel

St. George Lycabettus Lifestyle Hotel

Who Will Love It: Families and multigenerational groups of travelers looking for extra hotel amenities and on-site entertainment
All-Star Amenities: A screening room; kids' play area; rooftop pool; kids programming; restaurant and two bars; some rooms with private balconies
What Not To Miss: A pool day at the rooftop enjoying the panoramic vistas
Location: Kolonaki

Luxury and family-friendly amenities are not easy to nail down at city hotels, which often don't have the square footage of vacation resorts, but St. George Lycabettus expertly blends the comforts of a high-end stay with amenities geared towards its youngest guests. After all, how many hotels can say they have a designated screening room for movie nights? Each guest room and suite has floor-to-ceiling windows, with many looking out to Lycabettus Hill and offering plenty of space for relaxing and playing.

Head to the sixth-floor rooftop for a refreshing dip in the pool and some of the most breathtaking views of Athens. The poolside restaurant has an extensive menu of Greek and international classics as well as a kid's menu and smoothies. The hotel goes above and beyond to keep kids entertained, with supervised activities in the kids' playroom or a movie in the screening room. The in-house art gallery is also worth checking out—especially if you travel with young children—since creative workshops are often held there.

Best Hotel For Design Lovers In Athens: AthensWas Design Hotels

AthensWas Design Hotels

Who Will Love It: Guests who like sleek, modern decor
All-Star Amenities: Nespresso coffee machines; private balconies; pillow menu; work stations; marble bathrooms; concierge; in-room spa and beauty treatments; babysitting services
What Not To Miss: Dinner with a wine pairing at Sense, the hotel's fine dining rooftop restaurant
Location: Pláka

Sitting on Athens's most famous pedestrian drag, ​​Dionyssiou Aeropagitou, less than five minutes from the Acropolis Museum, AthesWas’ prime location is one of this hotel's main draws. Lead by the concept of "classic modernism," the property features just 21 rooms where clean lines and natural materials reign supreme. The contemporary look is juxtaposed with images of sculptures from Greece's National Archaeological Museum, a subtle reference to the hotel's historical surroundings. The property's signature restaurant, Sense, and its chef, Alexandros Charalambopoulos, approach classic Greek cuisine with a modern mindset, and the result is a fine dining culinary journey through the country's gastronomic culture set against the most spectacular views of the Acropolis.

Best Hotel For Spa And Wellness In Athens: Four Seasons Astir Palace

Four Seasons Astir Palace

Who Will Love It: Well-heeled travelers seeking tranquility and the world-class amenities the Four Seasons is known for
All-Star Amenities: Helipad; spa; three private beaches; multiple sports facilities; kids club; multiple bars and restaurants, including the Michelin-starred Pelagos and Nobu's Matsuhisa Athens
What Not To Miss: Make sure you book one of the resort's many cultural and culinary experiences, such as olive oil tasting, wine tasting, or a pottery class to explore different aspects of Greek culture
Location: Vouliagmeni

Sitting among dozens of acres of fragrant pine trees and blooming wildflowers just 30 minutes from downtown Athens, the Four Seasons Astir Palace is the ultimate wellness oasis. The property, which dates back to the late 1950s, when the region became a vacation hot spot with the world's elite, reopened in 2019 after a complete renovation led by New York City-based design studio Meyer Davis. Comprising two buildings, Arion and Nafsika, guests can choose from elegant rooms and suites, some with private pools and breathtaking sea views. And if privacy is at the top of your wishlist, then book one of the 61 bungalows with expansive patios and pools. Travelers staying at the bungalows also have access to their own private beach, one of three on the property. With five tennis courts, jogging trails, a basketball court, a golf club, several swimming pools and water sports, everyone can find a heart-pumping activity to keep active. If working out on vacation is not your cup of tea, indulge in some rest and relaxation in the resort's sprawling spa, featuring ancient Greek wellness rituals and water therapies.

Hotel With The Best Rooftop In Athens: The Dolli

The Dolli

Who Will Love It: Bon vivants and art connoisseurs
All-Star Amenities: Library; salon; rooftop restaurant; rooftop pool; rooms with balconies; smart TVs; Guerlain bath products; in-room spa treatments
What Not To Miss: While the rooftop restaurant is the crown jewel of the hotel, enjoy afternoon tea in the elegant lounge, admiring the museum-worthy art collection and sampling sweet treats
Location: Pláka

Rooftops with Acropolis views may be de rigeur in Athens, but only The Dolli offers a surreal glimpse of the famous landmark floating above the hotel's pool. Or at least that's what you might be led to believe when you first lay your eyes on the breathtaking view opening before your eyes from the property's highest point (trust us, it's the stuff of Instagram dreams). Optical illusion aside, every space in this extraordinary property, reminiscent of France's most elegant maisons, belongs in the pages of a design magazine. From the lavish art-filled salon with pieces by Picasso and ceramics by Jean Cocteau to the exquisite hand-made furnishings in the guest rooms and pied-à-terre-style apartments, The Dolli dazzles with impeccable style and a sophisticated sense of joie de vivre. Guest rooms are cozy but have plenty of character, and the luxury Acropolis Junior Suite stuns with its marble bathroom featuring a massive bathtub and windows that overlook Athens's most famous landmark.

Hotel With The Best View Of The Acropolis In Athens: King George, A Luxury Collection Hotel

King George, A Luxury Collection Hotel

Who Will Love It: Families and travelers who favor Old World elegance
All-Star Amenities: Rooftop restaurant and cocktail bar; collection of artwork by famous Greek artists in the lobby; Frette linens; some rooms with private patios and balconies
What Not To Miss: Sunset dinner at the Michelin-starred Tudor Hall restaurant
Location: Syntagma Square

Living up to its regal name, King George is an exquisite property that has interiors fit for royals—think marble flooring, antique furnishings, Greek columns, Murano chandeliers and an art collection that belongs in a museum. In fact, many dignitaries and celebrities have chosen to stay here through the years and revel in the hotel's signature sense of opulence and famous Acropolis views.

However, you're likely to find yourself taking in the vistas from its rooftop, an elegant dining space that fully captures the sophisticated atmosphere of the hotel. In the evening, the chic Michelin-starred Tudor Hall restaurant serves Greek and international cuisine—set against the stunning background of the city's whimsical skyline—and patrons can indulge in one of the most extensive wine lists in the city. For a truly outstanding stay, book the top-floor two-bedroom penthouse suite with a private pool and terrace.

Hotel With The Best Amenities In Athens: One&Only Aesthesis

One&Only Aesthesis

Who Will Love It: Luxury travelers and global jet setters with an affinity for glamor and exquisite, amenity-packed resorts
All-Star Amenities: Three pools; private beach; Guerlain spa; a kids club; tennis courts with personal trainers; private pools in residences; private terraces; some rooms have outdoor showers and tubs
What Not To Miss: Dinner at Ora, Michelin-starred chef Etore Botrini's Mediterranean eatery
Location: Glyfada

Less than 20 minutes from the Acropolis lies the One&Only Aesthesis, offering guests fairytale-like serenity complete with lavender fields, lush forests and glistening coastal views. Opened in October 2023, the luxe resort is set in a protected forest reserve, transforming it into a tranquil utopia just outside the hustle and bustle of the Greek capital. Here, mid-century modern glamour meets timeless luxury, all dreamed up by South African interior designer Inge Moore. Private pools, fragrant gardens, outdoor showers and fireplaces create an upscale setting for the ultimate Athenian experience. The property teamed up with renowned chefs Ettore Botrini and Paco Morales to craft a food program influenced by Greek and Andalucian culinary traditions. Cocktail hour is best enjoyed in Thimisi, a chic waterfront bar with spectacular sunset views invoking the glamorous past of Glyfada.

About Dobrina Zhekova, Your Athens Guide

I am a travel journalist with over a decade of editorial experience in print and digital media in Europe and the U.S, including bylines in Travel + Leisure, ELLE, Harper's Bazaar, Sunset, Departures, RobbReport, InStyle, Vogue and many more. I am an expert on all things luxury travel, art, architecture and design—from the newest 5-star resort in Bora Bora to the latest immersive exhibition in Paris. I originally hail from Bulgaria and have extensive experience traveling throughout the region, especially to Greece.

Dobrina Zhekova
Dobrina Zhekova