Grand Bretagne Hotel ,Athens Greece

suite Grand Bretagne Athens, honeymoon greece

High society

In addition to its social lustre, the hotel also served as the backdrop for some of Greece's significant historical events. Premier Eleftherios Venizelos and Prince Constantine debated here on the eve of World War I. In August 1913, the Treaty of Bucharest, which expanded Greece's borders after the Balkan wars, was signed.

With the coming of the second world war guests gave way to the government, ruling from the hotel before the arrival of the Third Reich. Eventually the German troops made the hotel their headquarters, staying for some three years. Hitler stopped by briefly in 1941.

After the war, the British Expeditionary Force became the Grande Bretagne's new occupier. Winston Churchill delayed his stay after threats that the hotel would be blown up.

Historic venue

Constantinos Karamanlis, having returned from his exile in France, formed the new government from his hotel suite after the fall of the military junta in 1974.

But political leaders are not the only ones to have enjoyed the old-world luxury of the Grande Bretagne. Royalty, artists, Hollywood celebrities _ including Elizabeth Taylor, Laurence Olivier and Mary Pickford, who wanted an extra room for her shoes _ and simple tourists also have walked through the marble lobby to their antique-detailed rooms.

The current renovation project _ expected to be completed by early 2003 _ is not the first intervention into the original Dimitriou mansion.

Modernisation in stages

The luxurious Grande Bretagne initially had only two bathrooms to accommodate 80 beds and water came in containers transported by horse-drawn carriages. Gradually, running water, heating and elevators made their way into the hotel.


High society In addition to its social lustre, the hotel also served as the backdrop for some of Greece's significant historical events. Premier Eleftherios Venizelos and Prince Constantine debated here on the eve of World War I. In August 1913, the Treaty of Bucharest, which expanded Greece's borders after the Balkan wars, was signed. With the coming of the second world war guests gave way to the government, ruling from the hotel before the arrival of the Third Reich. Eventually the German troops made the hotel their headquarters, staying for some three years. Hitler stopped by briefly in 1941. After the war, the British Expeditionary Force became the Grande Bretagne's new occupier. Winston Churchill delayed his stay after threats that the hotel would be blown up. Historic venue Constantinos Karamanlis, having returned from his exile in France, formed the new government from his hotel suite after the fall of the military junta in 1974. But political leaders are not the only ones to have enjoyed the old-world luxury of the Grande Bretagne. Royalty, artists, Hollywood celebrities _ including Elizabeth Taylor, Laurence Olivier and Mary Pickford, who wanted an extra room for her shoes _ and simple tourists also have walked through the marble lobby to their antique-detailed rooms. The current renovation project _ expected to be completed by early 2003 _ is not the first intervention into the original Dimitriou mansion. Modernisation in stages The luxurious Grande Bretagne initially had only two bathrooms to accommodate 80 beds and water came in containers transported by horse-drawn carriages. Gradually, running water, heating and elevators made their way into the hotel. With the reopening of the Hotel on the 1st of March 2003 a Legend is reborn after a USD 70 million restoration program. The hotel, with the best location in Athens right on Constitution square, takes its rightful place among Europe's greatest hotels. Athens, noted for its history, art and culture, welcomes the Olympic era and the opening of the Grande Bretagne.
Slated changes include a new 414-square-meter ballroom, health club, spa and indoor pool. The changes will mandate a reduction in the 364 rooms and 23 suites to 328 total rooms. They will include 74 suites and two presidential suites.The Hotel will opne as part of the Luxry Collection of Sheraton Hotels. Roof with a view The hotel also will take advantage of its roof, creating an outdoor pool, roof garden and restaurant with a view of the Acropolis. Dubbed the "Royal Box of Athens," the Grande Bretagne was built across the former palace _ today's parliament _ to house the family and business of a Greek returning to his motherland after the end of Ottoman era. In 1842, Anthony Dimitriou commissioned Danish architect Theophile Hansen to build a three-storey, 30-room villa on the corner of Panepistimiou and Vassileos Georgiou avenues. From mansion to luxury hotel After Dimitriou, the mansion served as the French School of Archaeology before eventually landing in the hands of Stathis Lampsas, a palace kitchen assistant who went to Paris to study culinary arts. Lampsas turned the mansion into a 60-room luxury hotel after his return to Greece, and named it in honour of its British clientele. The "Great Britain" earned a French name in honour of Lampsas' French wife. With a grand reception in 1872 to mark the new hotel's opening, the Grande Bretagne began to take its place in Greek life. Dinner dances in its mirrored salons and stained-glass ceiling halls entered the nights of high-class society. The city's fabled landmark for over 130 years, the Grande Bretagne is recognised as the "Royal Box" of Athens. Occupying the most prestigious city block of the centre, the Grande Bretagne stands across Constitution Square, the House of Parliament and the National Gardens. Within a short walking distance from Kolonaki and its exclusive shopping areas, Acropolis and the old quarter of Plaka, theatres, museums and business district, the Grande Bretagne is the choice location of the Metropolis.
Location : Athens International Airport ''ELEFTHERIOS VENIZELOS'', 21 miles (one and a half-hour drive to hotel) , Piraeus Pier & Port 9 miles , Larissa Railway Station 3 miles Metro Station: The new metro line, with the major station of Syntagma (Constitution) right at the threshold of the property. With signs directing to the hotel - there is no way to miss your exit to Grande Bretagne. This museum-like station features some of the findings that were revealed during the excavations!