Five Star Hotels in Athens

Luxury in Athens via one of her many five star hotels might come at a cost, but undoubtedly it's worth the splurge. These are the cream of the cream of the crop, but we'd like to steer you toward getting your money's worth in quality and service. The hotels at the top of the list provide all of these as well as meeting the all-important requirement of being ideally located.

The first on our list, the Grande Bretagne, was actually the city's first luxury hotel. It was transformed from a royal guesthouse in 1874. People who visited it before the 2004 Olympic Games and were disappointed should make a second go - an 84 million euro restoration and new affiliation with the Starwood hotel chain has breathed new life into the oldest hotel on the block. Its position in Syntagma Square along Vasileos Georgeiou Street is shared by two other five star hotels: the NJV Plaza and the Classical King George -the latter being the most whimsical of the trio. This positioning offers easy access to everything whether on foot, by metro, or the line of hungry taxis and limos waiting for clients. Five star shopping along Voukourestiou Street and Ermou are within immediate reach.

Three hotels on our list are perfect for anyone wanting to feel immersed in the more charming, historic sections of Athens. The Electra Palace is the only five star hotel in Plaka. The rooms have wooden floors and a rooftop garden has a splendid view of the nearby Acropolis. The Divani Palace Acropolis, located between Thissio and Koukaki, actually has pieces of the ancient Themistoclean walls exposed from its interior. The Eridanus neighbors the Keramikos Cemetery and is very close to the animated area of Gazi. It's heady, artistic decor might not be for everyone, but those who are looking for something unique and sophisticated won't be disappointed. The hotel restaurant, Varoulko, is considered one of the best in the city.

For those who are above it all, St. George Lycabettus is the highest hotel of Athens and backs up to Lykavittos Hill. The Astir Palace and Divani Apollon Palace and Spa are far down the Apollo coast and set their guests up with dreamy spas and private beaches. The Intercontinental might not be as luscious, but as the largest luxury hotel in Athens it comes fully equipped and loaded with communal amenities. Its positioning on Syngrou Avenue makes for easy access to the Port of Piraeus.

One hotel that didn't make the cut, more for its positioning in Northern Kifissia than anything lacking in refinement and taste, is the Pentelikon, a hotel that epitomizes the grandeur of the 1930's. It's a fine choice for those on business or people wanting to stay in a quiet suburb within a twenty minute commute of the city.

It should be noted that the five star category in Athens does not met the same level as five star hotels elsewhere in the world. With the exception of the Grande Bretagne, Pentelikon, and the Vouliagmeni resorts such as the Astier Palace and Divani Apollon, one would find their experience more akin to a four star hotel.

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