King George, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Athens

We arrived on a Saturday morning post cruise and we were dreading not being able to get into a room before afternoon. I apologize for not knowing the name of the man at the front desk but we were greeted with a smile and he felt sure we’d get a room soon. We went to the lobby bar, waiting area which is plush and welcoming. After a short wait we were called back to the front desk. The man we had encountered handed me the key cards with the room number 212. My face dropped. I always ask for a high floor. He assured me this was a suite. I had NUA’s attached to my reservation for months. While on the cruise I kept checking upgraded rooms and only the basics were left which is what I’d reserved. My NUA’s never went through and were put back into my account. As I entered the room, it seemed spacious enough but there was a couch coffee table and a beautiful desk and no bed (?). Then I looked to the right and saw another spacious room with a bed and a dressing room!!! I was so excited that we’d got such a beautiful room. Believe me, when you come off a cruise ship with a tiny room and see this as your hotel room, I was just so thrilled that I forgot to tip my bellhop. Of course I went back down the elevator to thank the front desk for our beautiful room with tip in hand for our bellhop who had showed us the many features in the room. I was quite happy with my hotel selection and the bed was heavenly. I got the best sleep I’d had in more than a week. I will return. On top of this being a luxurious property, it’s also in an outstanding location. Metro just steps away that will take you to the airport. We got a private car because my husband knee was hurting. May I add that breakfast is delicious. You can order off the menu AND choose items from the buffet if you are a Bonvoy Platinum member or above. Our lovely and efficient breakfast server, Anna, was the icing on the cake. She treated us like we were family and I hope restaurant management recognizes the way she interacts with guests making them feel like they are her favorite people. She surely goes above and beyond to make the King George breakfast guests appreciated.

Some context: my wife and I booked a trip-of-a-lifetime style 2 week excursion through Greece, with stays at luxury properties in the Cyclades and Athens, using mainly points and miles accumulated over nearly a decade. Our hotels were mostly fantastic and we felt like we got what we paid for- until we got to Athens and our 3-night stay at the King George. That said, this is less a review of the hotel than is advice: there are VASTLY better values in Athens for your money. I'm sure there are many factors that go into a stay at a hotel like this one, and this is only based on our recent experience. First, some positives: The location is fantastic, and I would imagine that the view would be impressive, should you pay enough to have one. The hotel is stately, elegant, and historic. It has the feel of being expensive, solid, and extremely well built, like a high-end German car or a fine Swiss watch. The doormen are truly wonderful, helpful, and attentive. There was a phone next to the toilet, which would have been extremely impressive in 1962. Now to the less-than-stellar: The room, which the staff seemed subtly reluctant to give us because we paid with points, was small to the point of being cramped. 1/3 of the already-small room was taken up with a large desk with an uncomfortable chair, and a large shelf-like protrusion, which I assume housed HVAC ductwork of some sort. No room that retails for $1000+ a night, anywhere in the world, should feel this small and uncomfortable. There is no pool, spa, sauna, or even a lobby common area at the King George. However, as a guest, you are allowed to use these facilities at the much grander Gran Bretagne hotel directly next door. You’ll enjoy traipsing outside with your swimsuit, making your way through the GB’s more spacious and luxurious lobby, and slinking downstairs to the spa area while the GB guests sniff at the rabble from next door who only spent a $1,000 a night on their rooms. Our room’s view, if it can be called that, was of an odd interior space with metal posts and what appeared to be bare light bulbs. Even with the drapes open, it was impossible to tell if it was day or night outside. We purchased some truly outstanding street food in downtown Athens and brought it back to the hotel. However, since there wasn’t room (or chairs!) for two people to sit and eat comfortably in our tiny room, my wife and I opted to sit at a small corner table in what is ostensibly the King George’s lobby. Within 2 minutes, we were informed by the staff that this table was reserved for bar guests. Keep in mind, we were paying the equivalent of $1100 a night in Amex points to stay here. About paying with points: my wife and I both noticed on more than one occasion that there seem to be two classes of guests at the King George: those who pay in cash and pony up $2k+ for a nicer room, and “guests” like us who are in smaller rooms and/or used points and are placed into luxurious broom closets. No breakfast or meals of any kind were included with our stay, which also seemed to be related to our paying with points, as every other guest I saw while checking in was told that breakfast was included. This was the only hotel (out of 4) of our 2-week trip to not include breakfast, and it was also the most expensive. There was no way to turn the bathroom lights on or off while you’re actually in the bathroom. The only light switch for the bathroom is next to the front door, or situated on either side of the bed. The floors of the bathroom are very nice marble, which turn into an ice skating rink with the barest hint of moisture. Helpfully, it was impossible to take a shower in the oddly-situated tub/shower combo without completely drenching the floor. TL;DR - for the price we paid for our TINY interior-view room- and yes, using points is still paying, despite what the front desk staff seemed to think- we could have booked a suite with a private balcony and an Acropolis view at one of the nicer boutique hotels in an even better location in the city. Learn from our experience. Even if money means nothing to you or someone else is paying, there are vastly better values in Athens.

Fantastic luxury hotel in excellent location. The restaurant had a gorgeous patio view of the acropolis (day and lit up at night). Rooms were clean, comfortable and large. Easy walk to coffee, restaurants and shopping. Would not stay anywhere else if I return to Athens!

We had an outstanding 6 night stay here in mid-September. The location is excellent, and our “city view” suite had a great view of Syntagma Square and the Parliament, including the hourly changing of the guard. The hotel was elegant and old world style, and our suite had a nice layout. Breakfast at the rooftop restaurant was a delight, with a terrace with a great view of the Acropolis and the city, and a wide selection of options, including very good scrambled eggs and a variety of Greek breakfast specialties. The service here was remarkable - truly above and beyond, with bellmen and front desk personnel all greeting and welcoming us back every time we returned from an outing. Seriously - every single time, we were warmly welcomed back by multiple staff members. The concierge was also extremely helpful in recommending restaurants and a tour. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay, and I would love to return.

Nice view of the Acropolis and Parliament. Hotel was clean and the short walking distance to many very good restaurants. I would definitely recommend it if you’re looking to stay in Athens city center.