Classical King George Palace

Description:

• Right next door to the strikingly beautiful Hotel Grande Bretagne, the King George II is one of Athens's great historical hotels, opulent and classy, which fell into hard times and disrepair in the ?80s and was forced to close its doors for almost 15 years. Fast-forward to 2004 and after an intense, extremely expensive 3-year renovation, it opened its doors once again just in time for the Olympics. Although it looks extremely opulent, the hotel has only 102 rooms, which can also make it feel like a personalized boutique hotel rather than an Athenian landmark (like next door). The renovation has left the hotel better than it was even in its heyday (as is also the case with its more famous neighbor). Everything is immaculate from the antiques to the modern gym/health club. The rooms are individually designed with handmade furniture, silk and satin upholstery, and spacious, gray marbled bathrooms with sunken tubs and glass-encased showers. The Tudor Bar on the rooftop has excellent views of the city and its landmarks while the power Greek-dining Tudor restaurant is sublime. The infamous 9th-floor penthouse suite whose occupiers have included Aristotle Onassis, Maria Callas, Grace Kelly and Prince Rainier, Marilyn Monroe, and Frank Sinatra among others is said to be spectacular, and at $10,000 a night it should be!

• © Frommer's 2013

Awards:

Frommer's

•  Very Highly Recommended 2010