From Athens With Love and Flair: The Hotel Grande Bretagne Fêtes 150 Years
In 2024, the landmark hotel celebrates its 150th anniversary with panache, inviting guests to a series of Always Grand experiences...read on
The year was 1989…the Berlin Wall crumbled, Taylor Swift existed but had yet to scorch the earth with her searing mediocrity, and my alma mater, Boston University, celebrated its sesquicentennial — 150 years of “learning, virtue and piety” and as many of students getting drunk on knowledge and other vices.
150 years is a lot in the life of a major university, and it’s even more in the life of a major league luxury hotel. That, simply put, is what the Hotel Grande Bretagne is — a sanctuary in the chaotic heart of Athens.
This week the Hotel Grande Bretagne put on a remarkable immersive audio-visual journey through its 150 years of history in its royal ballroom. Attendees, who included diplomats, business leaders, and your humble chief Greek Columnist, were treated to a vivid multimedia spectacle that highlighted the rich history of this hotel, which is intertwined with the history of contemporary Athens.
The hors d'oeuvres were simply splendid, and reminded the Column of our taste experience of Europe’s best baked potato. Here are a few photos of the journey, followed by the official press release about the 150th anniversary.
Since its inception in 1874, Hotel Grande Bretagne, a Luxury Collection Hotel, has been a proud ambassador of Greek hospitality, writing its own history of timeless elegance alongside the evolution of the city of Athens. As one of the few hotels worldwide with 150 years of uninterrupted service, it has earned a venerable position in city society, while its reputation as the genial host to heads of state, royalty and world-renowned figures remains a constant.
A year full of Always Grand Experiences
In 2024, the hotel celebrates its 150th anniversary in the most dazzling way, inviting guests to a series of Always Grand experiences, combining haute aesthetics and luxury with authentic Greek hospitality.
Standing in a prime location in the heart of Athens, the hotel reminds the traveler of its central role in shaping the past, present, and future of Athenian urban lifestyle, in addition to its contribution to the development of professional hospitality in Greece.
Α go-to destination among those who seek timeless elegance, in 2024 the hotel gives its guests the opportunity to explore its special relationship with the worlds of Art and Design. In collaboration with top-tier brands which are synonymous with haute aesthetics, the hotel creates exceptional collectible items, inspired by its special imprint on memory and time.
Grand Experiences
On the hotel’s 150th anniversary, a series of events highlight its timeless and undisputed role as a beacon of hospitality which illuminates Athenian nights and days. Grande Bretagne’s team of knowledgeable associates guides guests through a series of special moments, transforming them into cherished habits and unique memories.
Grand Taste
Taking guests on a nostalgic dining journey to Greece and beyond, the hotel's inspirational gastronomic offering lies at the centre of the celebrations for the hotel’s 150 anniversary. Advocating a philosophy that showcases sustainable, locally sourced ingredients, while respecting seasonality and employing high-level modern and traditional cooking techniques, twice Michelin-awarded Executive Chef Asterios Koustoudis, creates captivating culinary experiences for the hotel's guests, revealing anniversary dishes and revived recipes from the past.
Meanwhile, the hotel’s bartenders join the celebrations, crafting signature cocktails at Alexander's Bar and Bar8. As for the cosmopolitan Winter Garden, it welcomes us into the warm embrace of the Grande Dame of Athens, with its aristocratic hall, comfortable armchairs, and the most delightful treats.
In 2024, the myth of the legendary hotel unfolds. In a celebratory atmosphere, Hotel Grande Bretagne will share Always Grand experiences with its guests, through a special program which will be enhanced with bespoke activations during the year.
Enter www.grandebretagne.gr and follow the @hotelgrandebretagne account on Instagram or the hotel's Facebook page to discover all these exciting moments.