Best hotels in Athens

Hotel Grande Bretagne, Athens

Hotel Grande Bretagne is a total legend right on Syntagma Square. Built in 1842 as a mega-mansion for a wealthy businessman, it’s basically a living museum that has hosted everyone from Winston Churchill to Elizabeth Taylor. The stunning Neoclassical design was pulled together by Danish architect Theophil Hansen, the same genius behind the Academy of Athens. It’s got that old-world European glamour that makes you feel like royalty the second you step inside.

“The grande dame of hotels in Athens sits opposite the Parliament on Syntagma Square and has been a beacon of luxury and sophistication in the city for many years. There are many draws to this 1842-vintage building that used to be a private mansion.”

The New Hotel, Athens

You’ve got to check out NEW Hotel. It’s a total trip for design lovers, cooked up by the famous Brazilian design duo, the Campana brothers. They teamed up with local architecture students to turn an old, run-down 1950s property (the former Olympic Palace Hotel) into a living piece of modern art.

“The arty and bold New Hotel, designed by Fernando and Humberto Campana, two brothers, is situated near Syntagma and has 79 beautifully designed rooms. The hotel also has an excellent restaurant and the seventh-floor rooftop New Art Lounge and is decorated with contemporary art collected by its Greek-Cypriot owner, Dakis Joannou.”

Featured in New York Times’ 36 Hours in Athens.

One&Only Aesthesis, Athens

One&Only Aesthesis feels like a time capsule to the glam ’60s era of the Athenian Riviera, but with all the modern indulgences you’d expect from a luxury resort. Nestled in Glyfada on a 21-hectare forest and beachfront reserve, this place blends nostalgic mid-century architecture with natural charm. Think marble, woven leather, and muted tones, all echoing the golden age of Greek coastal sophistication.

“In the ’60s, before this was Greece’s first One&Only, it was a resort called Asteria Beach Club. While the One&Only’s 51-acre footprint is far more luxurious than its predecessor’s, the goal is to show guests a good time, just a 30-minute drive from the center of Athens.”

AthensWas Boutique Hotel, Athens

If you want to stay exactly where the pulse of ancient Greece beats, AthensWas Boutique Hotel is pretty much unbeatable. Situated right on Dionysiou Areopagitou—the legendary pedestrian promenade walked by Socrates and Plato—this five-star spot sits directly in the foothills of the Acropolis. Its quirky name is a playful nod to the continuum of time, bridging the "Athens that was" with the vibrant city it is today.

“The 21-room AthensWas, with its clean-lined Classic Modernist interiors, is steps away from the Acropolis Museum.”

Featured in New York Times’ 36 Hours in Athens.

Hotel Electra Metropolis, Athens

Electra Metropolis is located right in the heart of the city, but the real magic is what’s hidden inside. During its massive renovation, workers uncovered a remarkably preserved section of the ancient Themistoclean wall and a tiny, 16th-century Byzantine chapel called Agia Dynamis right at its base. Instead of building over them, the hotel integrated them into the design.

“This 216-room hotel has sweeping views of the Parthenon, an outdoor pool, and is centrally located near Syntagma Square. There are three restaurants, a rooftop bar, a sauna and a Turkish bath in the Electra Metropolis.”

Monument Hotel, Athens

The Monument Hotel in Athens is such a gem. Hidden in plain sight, it’s a beautifully restored building designed by Ernst Ziller that feels like stepping into a piece of history, but with all the modern comforts you actually want. The architecture is seriously impressive, with high ceilings and elegant, Scandinavian-inspired furniture that somehow makes the space feel both grand and cozy. It’s intimate, stylish, and absolutely perfect for someone who wants something deeper than your average hotel-chain stay.

“A 19th-century mansion that has been faithfully restored without slipping into historical pastiche, Monument combines the intimacy of a guesthouse with the luxury of space and privacy. All nine guest rooms are huge, with soaring stucco ceilings and vast windows that overlook a typical Athenian scene.”

Four Seasons Astir Palace Hotel, Athens

Tucked away on the glamorous Athens Riviera, the Four Seasons Astir Palace Hotel is a legendary pine-clad peninsula retreat that has defined Greek luxury since the 1960s. Originally launched as a playground for the international jet set, it famously hosted icons like Brigitte Bardot, Aristotle Onassis, and Jackie Kennedy, who came to escape the paparazzi.

“At the heart of the Athens Riviera action is Vouliagmeni, an arc of honey-colored sand sheltered by a pine-fringed peninsula. Behind the original modernist façades, there are lashings of pale marble, extravagant floral displays, and intriguing contemporary art.”

Featured in CN Traveler’s 2020 Gold List.

Ava Hotel and Suites, Athens

Tucked away on a quiet side street in Plaka, the Ava Hotel and Suites puts you right in the "Neighborhood of the Gods." It sits literally at the foot of the Acropolis, meaning you can step out your front door and find yourself staring at the monumental Arch of Hadrian or the ancient Temple of Olympian Zeus.

“The small and elegant Ava Hotel, has only 15 rooms, all suites, but it’s in the historic neighborhood of Plaka and offers views of the Acropolis and the Temple of Olympian Zeus.”

Featured in New York Times’ 36 Hours in Athens.

Hostel City Circus, Athens

City Circus Athens isn't your average cookie-cutter hostel; it’s a whimsical, bohemian paradise nestled in the hip, artsy Psirri neighborhood. The hostel is housed in a gorgeous four-story, late 19th-century neoclassical mansion that sat entirely abandoned from 1970 until the founders rescued it in 2011. Officially declared a historical monument, the building stands as a beautiful example of turn-of-the-century Greek architecture.

“It’s not the cheapest hostel going, but with its jaunty style and helpful staff, City Circus does lift the spirit more than most ultra budget lodgings.”

Hotel Electra Palace, Athens

The Electra Palace in the historic Plaka neighborhood is a classic. Opened in 1973 as one of the city's first true luxury hotels, it was actually designed by the celebrated Greek architect Patroklos Karantinos, a major figure in the country's modernist architectural movement.

“Nestled on an unassuming little street in the heart of Plaka, Athens’ quaintest and most historic neighborhoods, the neoclassical-style hotel building is grandiose in a charmingly old-fashioned way.”

Featured as Fodor’s Choice in Athens.

Aparthotel Live in Athens

Live in Athens completely flips the script on boring, cookie-cutter hotel stays. Instead of a sterile lobby, this aparthotel group transforms historic, once-abandoned buildings right in the heart of the vibrant Psiri neighborhood into ultra-stylish short-stay apartments. What makes it so cool is how they honor local history. Founded by a group of local friends who wanted to showcase the "real" city, they specifically breathe new life into older Athenian structures.

“For an apartment stay with concierge services, check into Live in Athens, a selection of 11 colourful flats in various sizes, all within a stroll of the main attractions.”

Hera Hotel, Athens

If you are looking for a cozy, character-rich basecamp right at the foot of the Acropolis, Hera Hotel is a fantastic choice. Built in 1981, this family-run boutique hotel completely avoids the sterile feel of corporate chains. Instead, it places you directly into the historic heartbeat of the city, just a two-minute stroll from the world-renowned Acropolis Museum and the charming, cobblestone pathways of the Plaka district.

“Behind its elegant neoclassical facade, this boutique hotel was totally rebuilt. But the formal interior design stays true to exterior style, with lots of brass and dark wood.”

Fresh Hotel, Athens

Located right in the vibrant heart of the city near the central market, Fresh Hotel is famous for crashing vibrant, "cartoonish" colors—think electric pinks, safety oranges, and lime greens—right into a sleek, minimalist canvas.

“In the middle of the Psyrri night life scene, Fresh Hotel offers 133 bright rooms with whimsical splashes of highlighter tones. Look out for works by local artists hanging above Philippe Starck- and Zaha Hadid-designed furniture.”

Featured in New York Times’ 36 Hours in Athens.