Timeless Elegance and History: The Grande Bretagne Hotel's Journey Through Athens' Past and Present

Nestled in the bustling heart of Athens, overlooking the majestic Syntagma Square and the timeless Acropolis, stands the Hotel Grande Bretagne – a name synonymous with luxury, opulence, and a storied past. With its intricate history interwoven with the very fabric of modern Greece, the Grande Bretagne is more than a hotel; it is a landmark of cultural heritage and elegance.

Origins: A Palace Transformed into a Hotel

The story of the Grande Bretagne begins in 1842, when it was constructed as a palatial residence for Antonis Dimitriou, a wealthy Greek businessman. The building's neoclassical architecture, reflecting the grandeur of the era, soon captured the attention of Greek royalty. In 1874, the property was transformed into a hotel by Efstathios Lampsas, who named it "Grande Bretagne," reflecting the era's trend of European sophistication.

A Witness to History: World Wars and Political Tumult

Throughout its existence, the Grande Bretagne has been a silent witness to key historical events. During World War II, it served as the headquarters for Nazi forces, and subsequently for British forces, a testament to its strategic importance. Its walls have seen the ebb and flow of political tides, hosting meetings that shaped modern Greece.

The Celebrity and Royal Roster

The hotel's guest list reads like a who's who of the 20th and 21st centuries. It has welcomed an array of guests ranging from royalty to celebrities, politicians to artists. Names like Winston Churchill, Elizabeth Taylor, Sophia Loren, Sean Connery, and even Maria Callas have graced its halls. Each of these guests has left an indelible mark on the hotel's legacy, contributing to its allure and mystique.

Architectural Evolution: Blending Tradition with Modernity

The Grande Bretagne has undergone several renovations to maintain its status as a bastion of luxury. The most significant refurbishment came in the early 21st century, ensuring that the hotel blended its historical elegance with contemporary amenities. Today, guests can experience the charm of its original architecture alongside modern comforts.

The Grande Bretagne in Greek Society

Beyond being a hotel, the Grande Bretagne has been a social hub for Athens' elite. Its rooftop terrace offers one of the most stunning views of the Acropolis, making it a coveted spot for social gatherings. The hotel's bars and restaurants have hosted countless high-profile events, becoming an integral part of Athens' social scene.

Economic and Cultural Impact

The Grande Bretagne's influence extends beyond tourism; it is a symbol of economic resilience and cultural significance. The hotel has weathered economic downturns, including the recent Greek financial crisis, emerging as a beacon of enduring grace and prosperity.

A Glimpse into the Rooms and Suites

The hotel's rooms and suites are a blend of classic and contemporary design, each telling a story of luxury. From opulent suites named after famous guests to rooms that offer breathtaking views of historical landmarks, staying at the Grande Bretagne is an experience in itself.

The Legacy and Future

As the Grande Bretagne moves forward, it continues to adapt to the changing times while preserving its historical essence. It stands not only as a premier luxury hotel but also as a custodian of history, embodying the spirit of Athens and Greece.

In conclusion, the Hotel Grande Bretagne is more than just a place to stay; it is a journey through time. Its corridors echo with stories of royalty, celebrities, and pivotal moments in history. As it stands proudly in the heart of Athens, the Grande Bretagne remains a symbol of enduring elegance, resilience, and the ever-evolving story of Greece.

United is better than divided

2020 has undoubtable been a year of divisions amongst other things… We don’t seem to be able to agree on much. Brexit or not, Trump or not, vaccine or not, mask or not.. Travel or not?

I am a true believer of unison and team work. As a travel agent now, I feel it is my responsibility to be extremely knowledgeable about travel regulations and safety, as well as to ensure our clients feel confident to travel. Of course, when the governments themselves cannot guarantee safety, who am I to promise that?

Well I am not; but I am making a promise to make sure I will keep you updated as far as Greece is concerned with what you need and it is required for you to travel here.

I can only really do that with you, so I created a very simple poll on Instagram to hear your opinion : Would you book your summer holiday now? ( 19 January 2021) . Whilst the UK is hitting a record on deaths from Coronavirus, is this really an ethical question to ask now, one might wonder?

The truth is, there is huge division of opinions on that too… 50% - 50% to be precise.

It seems a lot of people don’t feel confident to book right now, but others really want to have something to look forward to. How is our industry making sure we contribute in increasing that confidence? Here are some simple notes from us:

• The majority of hotels, villas, transfers and tours booked now, will allow you to cancel from 15 days before arrival.

• Most airlines still allow flexible fares for this year, which means you can change your flights with no charge.

• We forecast lost of clients to book last minute due to the current situation, which means if you do the same, you are probably going to get limited availability and higher prices.

• Science is telling us that having a holiday booked and to look forward to, really helps with depression and bad mood. 

DPH World is here to guide you every step of the way and deal with any changes, as well as keep you constantly updated with travel regulations to make sure you arrive safely at the destination without losing any money. I also want to tell potential clients, that planning, cancelling, rebooking is not an ideal situation to be in, but we are here to take that weight off you so you have to worry less about travel plans and only worry about what to pack for this summer. Our services are free, so it won’t cost you to have peace of mind.

Let’s stay connected and united to ensure everyone travels safely and has a memorable and enjoyable holiday as we all deserve this year.

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Greetings from Greece,

Dani

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Enjoy!

Sample Itineraries

After a very challenging first half of 2020, it’s time to plan an exciting and memorable holiday in Greece! Below you can find some of our sample itineraries, and we can work with you to create tailor made experiences and tours to ensure it fits you perfectly!

Sailing Greece

8 days with a Tour butler in Crete

Live your Myth in Athens

Luxury Travel Trends in Greece

Tour butler

One of the reasons we travel, is to explore. When travelling, we cannot always predict our appetite and mood and it happens that we book services in advance that we don't necessarily want to engage with when the day comes. DPH World now offers an adjustable and professional service, in order to provide complete flexibility and freedom to the travellers.  We create multi-day bespoke itineraries that can be customised according to their wishes, mood and physical ability on the day they meet our 'tour butler'. A tour butler is a local and professional expert, trained to take the clients wherever they wish within their preferred destination,  and organise activities as well as make arrangements based on what they desire to do in the next couple of days. They will meet on arrival and start a conversation with them (usually over a delicious local feast), in order to advise and direct them appropriately, taking on board their requirements. As ideal as it sounds, our tour butlers know the destinations so well, they can adjust the program for the travellers to have the ultimate travel experience, combining completely tailor-made arrangements as well as an element of surprise. We are offering this service as a way to bring together the explorer and the locals and to ensure they take away with them a truly authentic travel memory.  DPH World will make any bookings required in advance, such as flights, accommodation, restaurants etc, in order to offer them a planned but yet again spontaneous adventure in to the unknown with a trusted and expert guide.  This service is highly recommended for families that want to do something different and explore several layers of the destination, as well as individuals that simply like to experience a destination in its full capacity. By the end of the journey, the tour butler will be your best friend. Check with us today, destinations that offer this service. 

Villa is the new Hotel

A lot of our clients choose to book hotels because of the services provided. Villas is a very common accommodation method in Greece and you might have more benefits by booking one instead of a hotel. Firstly, you have a greater choice in terms of location, room configuration and accessibility. The exclusivity of course, is another major benefit; there are lots of remote villas available, so it is very possible to have a completely quiet and private holiday. No neighbours or disruptions or any unnecessary hassle. That also means, you have the freedom to create a home from home if you with; from hiring a chef to make you breakfast anytime in the morning, to a DJ for a party in the evening, most of the city services in the popular destinations of Greece are available and can create a memorable stay for you as you dreamed it. Most of the villas now include complimentary concierge services and daily maid service. They also have their own transfer services so you will never have to worry about getting somewhere. Last but not least, sometimes, villas work out to be more cost-effective specially if you have a larger group. You can then use that extra budget to hire additional services and experience a truly exclusive, private and tailor made stay.  

Yachts and Sailing

Truly, there is not better way to experience Greece than going on a sailing / yacht tour. You are always by the water and the true sense of freedom when you are on the boat, resonates in the itinerary you choose to have, as there is complete flexibility on what to do, where to go, where to stop etc. No booking, reservations or commitments. The salty breeze and the deep blue of the sea, will stay with you forever. If you are not into sailing, and you prefer to keep your feet on the ground... you can always add an element of that experience to your holiday, without committing to a full sailing / yacht trip. Almost in any destination in Greece which is by the water, we have experienced suppliers offering private day boat and catamaran tours. Make a fun day out of it by hiring a private boat to explore the untouched side of the island, swim in remote beaches, go snorkelling,  look the sunset in the eyes, have amazing BBQ's on the boat with the catch of the day fished by your captain. Complete privacy and exclusivity here as well, but you get to interact a lot with seagulls, fish, amazing landsapes and endless sunsets! 
Out captains are experienced and will make a memorable trip for you according to how you feel like on the day and the weather conditions. 

Culinary Walks

It's definitely one of the things we need to do on a daily basis and that is eating.  How about you make it the most interesting activity of your holiday?  Understand what you're eating and how it has been sourced. Be part of the process and get involved as much as you're willing. At the end of the tour, enjoy a farm to table meal. Greece has a huge culinary culture and we suggest not to miss out on the opportunity to undertand it and experience it first hand. Educate your palette and elevate your taste buds to a different level of flavours. These tours can be created tailor-made to your requirements. We have clients that spend every day of their holiday exploring a different destination with the guide or just add it in one day of their holidays. These tours are definitely recommended and are absolutely great for selfies! 

Did you know?

Travelling and Mental Health

'Travelling with a partner or in a group may add content to your relationship and potential to generate conversations as experiences shared while travelling. In particular, if you see something new while travelling you can then, later on or at that time, start to discuss it, which may lead to various topics of conversation. It also builds closeness, sharing new experiences with a partner, typically increases emotional closeness within the relationship. Furthermore, travelling with a partner has the potential to generate fond memories which can be revisited, bringing about a sense of nostalgia within the friendship or partnership. Mental health is often left to the wayside when it comes to overall wellness. We tend to focus on quick fixes when it comes to happiness and health, but booking that next holiday may have lasting benefit.'

The Revival of Athens Riviera

With the new Four Seasons opening a couple of weeks ago, in the most popular and expensive area of Athens as well as may other developments in the last couple of years, Athens is a prime holiday destination in its own right and aspires to be summer home again for the jet set biliioanaires and relive its 60’s glory.

A few kilometres outside Athens, the urban landscape gives way to a unique seaside resort. This gorgeous stretch of coastline with its green-blue water, organised beaches and rocky coves is teeming with five-star resorts, spas, esplanades, marinas, windsurfing and sailing. Combined with the ideal climate, the Athens Riviera makes you feel as if you’re on an endless summer holiday.

Your excursion to the southern suburbs begins from Faliro and reaches Sounion. Along the way, you’ll encounter seaside neighbourhoods and destinations full of temptations for you to stop and check out: Alimos, Glyfada, Voula, Vouliagmeni, Varkiza, Lagonissi, Saronida, Anavyssos are all perfect for swimming or a stroll, with shopping, dining and more. 

In this corner of Athens you’ll find organised, emerald water beaches, and rocky coves perfect for a swim. There is certainly no shortage of inviting sand or Blue Flag awards on stretches of coast like Eden Beach at Mavro Lithari, the beaches at Anavyssos, Varkiza, Asteras Vouliagmenis, Kochilia in Lagonissi and many more. Five-star resorts with spas, esplanades, palm trees, sea sports, sailing and even golf at the modern Glyfada Golf Club await you. Traditional tavernas and gourmet restaurants serve freshly caught fish. The beat goes on at numerous beach bars and exclusive nightclubs where you will dance until dawn, barefoot on the sand. Here the sun shines bright and the laughter rings out loud all year round.

If you are a sailing enthusiast, the Athens Riviera has many marinas from which you can set sail for beaches and villages in the Peloponnese (Loutra Oraias Elenis, Korfo, Epidaurus), Sounion – cruising by Athens’ cosmopolitan beaches – as well as the islands near Athens, in the Saronic Gulf. Fully-organised marinas in the area can be found in Flisvos, at Faliro-SEF, in Alimos, Glyfada and Vouliagmeni. An overnight excursion to the nearby Temple of Poseidon in Sounion, especially when there is a full moon, is a majestic experience.

On the tip  of this unique coastline, you’ll find Cape Sounion, where you’ll admire the Temple of Poseidon – one of the most significant monuments of Ancient Greece, and one of the most important attractions in Athens. The energy of the landscape is indescribable, and has inspired myths and legends. This is where Aegeus, king of Athens, jumped to his death, mistakenly thinking that he’d lost Theseus, his only son, to the Minotaur in the labyrinth. Every evening the sun’s rays play hide and seek between the marble columns, then dance down to add a sparkle to the sea below. 

And finally, when night falls, you’ll enjoy the coast’s nightlife: in Alimos, Glyfada, Vouliagmeni and Varkiza the beach bars are filled with people enjoying their cocktails, dancing until dawn and making summer memories. Welcome to the Athens Riviera, where summer never ends.

The new Four Seasons Astir Palace

The history of Astir Palace dates back to half a century ago, in the early 1960s, when Greece emerged as an international tourist destination, and a new, robust middle class and upper middle class with cosmopolitan features were looking for a means -and a location- to express themselves. The Astir Palace legend is naturally associated with the VIPS that have visited it: legendary names of the international jet set, politicians, kings, princes, manufacturers and business people, actors, the children of important families and show biz stars composed a unique cosmopolitan puzzle

At times, many presidents and country leaders have chosen Astir Palace for their meetings, conferences or formal dinners since the hotel is a top security destination. NATO conferences, the renowned “Vouliagmeni agreement”, the Balkan Convention, the meetings of the Bilderberg Club members, the European Summit Meetings and other top political meetings and international fora are only some of the historic events of the modern “political history” of the hotel.

King Saud of Saudi Arabia would hand out gold watches instead of tips and reserve the entire floor of the Nafsika Hotel for himself and his harem, once also ordering a truckload of flowers to be brought in to decorate his private suite.

Russian ballet star Rudolf Nureyev could be seen boogying into the wee hours at the 9 Muses discotheque, while Tony Curtis was turned away at the door of the Club House one night and only allowed entry to the restaurant after putting on a tie.

The older staff members still remember Aristotelis Onassis, the Greek tycoon– whether with his children, Christine and Alexandros or Jackie, dining in the sounds of Hungarian violins– but also Brigitte Bardot, who had created chaos in the hotel and to several youngsters of cosmopolitan Athens, who had gathered to see her, when she appeared on the beach in a tiny pink bikini…

These are but some of the stories of some of the famous personalities to have graced the Astir Palace resort in the southern Athenian suburb of Vouliagmeni. There is simply not enough space to list them all: Richard Nixon, Mikhail Gorbachev, Francois Mitterrand, Helmut Schmidt, Nelson Mandela, Jimmy Carter, Ari Onassis, Jackie Kennedy, Paloma Picasso, Princess Soraya of Iran, John Wayne, Telly Savalas, Sean Connery, Anthony Quinn, Ronaldinho, Lady Gaga and, most recently, Barack Obama. Businessmen, politicians, famous personalities of the arts and letters, athletes, Hollywood stars and starlets all enjoyed a sojourn at the “Athens Riviera” because Astir Palace was the place to be, a landmark and symbol of Greek hospitality: a private 30-hectare peninsula just a short drive from the city center, an oasis of pine trees and blooming flowerbeds, crystal bathing waters and gorgeous views, with services to cater to the most discerning visitor.

Heralding in a new era in a storied history and an exciting new chapter for a global brand, Four Seasons Astir Palace Hotel Athens is now open.  Inspired by the historic glamour of the original Astir Palace Hotel, the fully updated 300-room hotel nestled amid 74 acres (30 hectares) of lush seaside landscape on the shores of the Athenian Riviera is also the first Four Seasons in Greece.

“It’s a landmark day in so many ways as we welcome our first guests to the new Four Seasons Astir Palace Hotel Athens,” enthuses General Manager Sam Ioannidis, a 27-year Four Seasons veteran who leads a team of 700 handpicked and highly trained staff.  “So many of our people are locals or native-born Greeks returning to their homeland from around the world, or people who have deep roots in this culture and finally have the opportunity to live and work here.  This heritage makes us even more excited to share it all with our guests – whether it’s your first time in Greece or you’ve been here many times before, we promise that we’ll give you an experience that only Four Seasons can deliver.”

Located on a peninsula just 30 minutes from the city centre and a half hour from Athens International Airport, Four Seasons Astir Palace Hotel is the ideal choice for travellers who want to experience the best of ancient and modern Greece, weekenders from Athens or the region, families looking for a holiday that can be both fun-filled with educational and couples who are beginning or renewing their lives together in one of the world’s most romantic destinations.

Best of Both Worlds: A Plethora of Seaside Fun Just Minutes from the City Centre

Three private beaches strung together by a thousand foot (300 metre) boardwalk, three pools (free-form family pool, sleek infinity pool and indoor lap pool), five tennis courts, myriad watersports from windsurfing to sea kayaking plus a sunset sail every evening, an onsite basketball court and a golf club just steps away, extensive trails for jogging and walking, a fully-supervised complimentary Kids for All Seasons program housed in its own facility, boat access and even a helipad … in the words of Hotel Manager Panagiotis Sopiadis, “need we say more?”

“If you’ve ever had to make the tough decision between staying in Athens or going to an island resort, Four Seasons Astir Palace has it covered in one seaside destination.

Your Greek Home Away from Home

Housed in two distinct buildings and a collection of private bungalows, accommodations options at Four Seasons Astir Palace Hotel range from light-filled rooms and suites to ultra-exclusive garden cottages.

At Arion with its modernist architecture and retro-chic design, guests will find a laid back vibe expressed in breezy rooms and suites. Four of the Hotel’s restaurants and lounges are also here, along with the Spa and indoor pool. At Nafsika, azure sea views dominate every room and suite – including some with private pool.  The social hub Avra Lounge and Terrace is here along with two other restaurants, the fitness centre and several luxury boutiques. For guests seeking more space and privacy, and perhaps a little nostalgia, Four Seasons offers The Bungalows originally built in the early 1960s, and now reborn with a fresh look and up-to-date amenities for today’s travellers.

Sources:

https://press.fourseasons.com/athens/hotel-news/2019/now-open/

http://www.ekathimerini.com/216896/article/ekathimerini/life/astir-palace-the-end-of-an-era

http://www.greece-is.com/astir-palace-cosmopolitan-legend/

https://money-tourism.gr/en/the-myth-of-the-athenian-riviera-at-astir-palace-vouliagmeni-and-the-new-era/