Athens: the cradle of Western civilization, birthplace of democracy, and epicenter of science, philosophy and arts. In a city whose stories and legends continue to be shared and passed down throughout millennia, today tourists scramble Athens’ ancient streets ticking off bucket list sights and haunting down the city’s modern-day relics (AKA gyros).
A vibrant city so rich in history and culture, it finally feels as though Athens’ hospitality scene is beginning to catch up. What was once considered a gateway to the Greek Islands or the stop off before boarding a cruise, Athens is now buzzing with luxurious outposts for travelers to enjoy everything this ancient city has to offer.
Whether nestled in historic neighborhoods or perched along the sparkling Aegean Sea, Athens’ luxury hotel scene reflects the city’s dynamic spirit, making it a premier destination for those wishing to indulge in both its storied past and vibrant present.
From trendy boutiques that could pass for art galleries, sprawling and luxurious coastline resorts or Neoclassical giants serving breakfast alongside Acropolis views, every pick in Elite Traveler’s best hotels in Athens is legendary in its own right.
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The Dolli
Originally a shipping magnate’s mansion and later a renowned fabric emporium, The Dolli is a 1925 Plaka landmark reimagined as a luxurious hotel by Grecotel. Attention to detail has been paid to showcase the hotel’s history, from the preserved ornate façade that features rounded corners and lofty windows, to the interiors that boast eclectic decor of giant crystals, bouclé sofas, and art by Cocteau, Picasso and Calder.
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Guestrooms range from bijou doubles to expansive suites, all with soaring ceilings and marble bathrooms. The roof terrace, with its infinity pool, offers stunning views of the Parthenon, while the rooftop restaurant serves those jaw-dropping views alongside a flawless, multi-course breakfast. The hotel’s location provides easy access to Athens’ ruins, bars, flea markets and museums.
Top suite: Acropolis Pied-a-Terre
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Four Seasons Astir Palace Hotel Athens
Leaving the city center for the southern suburbs, the luxurious Four Seasons Astir Palace Athens offers an escape to the stunning Athens Riviera, otherwise known as “The Hamptons of Greece”. Spanning 75 acres, it’s fair to say guests are truly spoilt for choice, as this opulent resort features 303 rooms, including 200 standard rooms, 42 suites and 61 secluded bungalows.
If the hotel’s eight restaurants were not enough to spoil you for choice – including the Michelin-starred Pelagos – alongside its summer menus for 2024, Four Seasons Astir Palace Hotel Athens is offering guests a chance to follow directly in chef Luca’s footsteps with its new experience, ‘Pelagos On Tour, The Cyclades Edition’.
Traveling by helicopter (this is the Four Seasons after all!) guests will travel between the islands of Sifnos to Naxos, spending the day tasting the unique foods and experiencing the wonderful cultures of the Greek islands firsthand.
Top suite to book: Arion Riviera Suite
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Hotel Grande Bretagne
Perhaps it’s the 150 years of luxurious hospitality and esteemed service or its prime location overlooking Syntagma Square, whatever the reason may be, Hotel Grande Bretagne has remained the premier choice for an exquisite Athenian experience since its opening in 1874. Timeless in design and luxurious in nature, its 320 meticulously designed rooms and suites blend classical opulence with modern comforts, where its grand, marble-floored halls could rival the Acropolis for the highest number of columns.
The hotel’s rooftop restaurant, GB Roof Garden, is renowned for its gourmet Mediterranean cuisine and breathtaking panoramas of the city, while the Winter Garden City Lounge is perfect for afternoon tea or cocktails in a sophisticated setting. Guests can unwind at the GB Spa, which offers an array of rejuvenating treatments, a thermal suite, and an indoor pool.
Top suite to book: Royal Suite
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One&Only Aesthesis
Channeling the Athens Riveria’s mid-century cool, One&Only Aesthesis transports guests into the heydays of this iconic 60s hangout spot. Found on the iconic peninsula of Asteria Beach, the highly anticipated One&Only Aesthesis has been designed with meticulous artistry, where its bungalows and villas – each with its own pool may we add – are crafted from local stone and pale timber.
Guests enjoy vibrant dining experiences at Ora, a Greco-Italian all-day restaurant, and El Bar, where chef Paco Morales reinvents Andalusian tapas. The beach bar, Manco, offers daytime drinks and sunset DJ sets. The Guerlain spa – Greece’s first – provides indulgent facials and wellness rituals, epitomizing the resort’s focus on deep relaxation and inner glow.
The shallow bay is ideal for paddleboarding and excursions to nearby islands like Aegina and Kea – or better yet, take the short 45-minute speedboat to One&Only’s newest addition, Kéa Island.
Top suite to book: Villa Nostos
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Mona
The sister hotel to the popular Shila, Mona is quickly growing an artsy reputation for the romantic yet industrial aesthetic it brings to Psirri, Athens’ vibey downtown district. The hotel’s cool is the perfect Aegean antidote to those hot Greek summers. Housed in a converted textile factory, its 20 open-plan bedrooms feature antique daybeds, muslin drapes and velvet cubes on terrazzo floors – all of which are purchasable making for the ultimate vacation souvenir for the interiors lover waiting at home.
Exposed concrete and upcycled materials add a touch of rough luxe, complemented by hand-crafted ceramics and sensual photographs. The glass-walled living room serves breakfast and a take-out menu, while the open-plan kitchen hosts supper clubs with international chefs. The roof terrace offers a gritty urban panorama and occasional live DJ sets, providing a trendy, immersive experience for guests.
Best Suite: Mona’s Suite
The Modernist
Once home to the Canadian embassy, The Modernist has been transformed into a super-sleek hotel complete with a minimalist aesthetic. Here everything is streamlined and simplified: rooms come in sizes S to XL and are decorated monochromatically with a Japanese-inspired attention to form and function. Amenities are curated by local artists and tastemakers to include custom-blended teas, ceramics and playlists.
The ground-floor café serves simple breakfasts and wholesome bowls, while the rooftop deck offers stunning city views and cocktails like the bergamot gimlet. Professional staff provide prompt, unobtrusive service, making The Modernist a stylish and efficient choice for modern travelers.
Top suite: XL with Acropolis view and Jacuzzi
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xenodocheio Milos
Perhaps better known for its fine dining, those behind London’s Michelin-starred Estiatorio Milos expanded into the world of hotels with the opening of xenodocheio Milos, its first property in the heart of Athens. Rooted back in his home country, the esteemed gastronomic legacy that has taken chef Costas Spiliadis around the world is stripped back to its simplistic brilliance here, where Mediterranean dishes at the hotel’s signature restaurant, estiatorio Milos, are cooked with precision and minimal interference.
Of course, while it may be the cooking that has brought travelers to this landmark establishment, found just opposite Old Parliament House, it’s not why they stay. Instead, the hotel’s luxurious design, featuring white marble, pale wood and soft leather, and sleek bedrooms and suites, make this one of the best hotels in Athens.
While facilities are limited to a small wellness suite, of course, it’s the hotel’s culinary offerings that shine – a private lunch on Milos at Sea, onboard chef Spiliadis’ yacht, remains the ultimate treat.
Top suite to book: Milos Signature Suite
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