Electra Palace Athens, Athens

Pros:

• You'll stay near the city center in historic Plaka, within easy walking distance of the Greek Parliament, the Acropolis, and the Ancient Agora.
• The rooftop offers some of the city's best views, complete with a seasonal pool, bar, and a glass-enclosed restaurant.
• Rooms are spacious and bright, with wood floors and marble bathrooms; other options include private terraces, Acropolis views, multi-room suites, and connecting units for families. 
• The basement spa area has an indoor, year-round pool, a small gym, a hammam and sauna, and massage treatments. 

Cons:

• Some balconies are adjoining or lack privacy.
• The central location means some street-facing rooms may be noisy; book an upper-story room for something quieter.
• The outdoor pool is only open seasonally, though the indoor pool is open year-round.

Authenticity

This Athens institution was one of the city's first luxury hotels when it opened in 1973, occupying a stately neoclassical building on a quiet side street in Plaka. It's been through several redesigns and refurbishments over the years (the most recent to modernize most of the rooms in 2025), but it retains its air of elegant, old-world luxury, with a marble lobby helmed by suited butlers ready to help with your bags. The views here are also a big draw—you'll feel like you could reach out and touch the Acropolis from the rooftop terrace.

Location

You'll be perfectly placed at the edge of historic Plaka, just a few blocks (and a 5-minute stroll) southwest of Syntagma Square, the Greek Parliament, and the National Gardens. Ermou, Athens' pedestrian shopping street, is a four-minute walk north, and landmarks like the Acropolis, the Arch of Hadrian, and the Ancient Agora are all within 20 minutes on foot. Transport links are excellent—the Syntagma Metro connects you to the airport in 40 minutes—and there's limited on-site parking for an additional cost.

Rooms & Bathrooms

The 150 air-conditioned rooms range from compact Classic units to a multi-room Presidential Suite with a private plunge pool. Each overlooks either the garden courtyard or the Acropolis, and some include private or shared balconies. Recent renovations have given some rooms a more contemporary feel, with soft gray tones, sleek leather headboards, and creative lighting fixtures, while the older options have a more old-fashioned look, with antique-style furniture and Greek-inspired art. Bathrooms are clad in shiny marble, with rainfall showers and Frederic Malle toiletries.

Amenities

Soak up the Acropolis views from the rooftop's seasonal pool, surrounded by sun loungers and a bar. You'll enjoy the same vistas from the glass-enclosed Electra Roof Garden restaurant, which offers elevated (though somewhat pricey) Mediterranean fine dining (it's also where the included breakfast buffet is served each morning). Downstairs, the more relaxed Zohόs serves meze-style fare spilling out into a courtyard, and there's also a wood-paneled bar for evening cocktails. The basement spa area includes a small gym, indoor pool, sauna, hammam, and treatment rooms for massages and facials. 

Family-Friendliness

Families are welcome at the Electra Palace, though children above the age of three are charged as adults. Connecting and triple rooms are a good option for travelers with little ones, sleeping two adults and two kids comfortably. Cribs can be added to rooms at an additional cost, but there are no extra beds available.