150 years of Great Britain: Always majestic

Can the history of modern Greece be told through a building?

Twenty-one years after the Greek Revolution and more specifically in 1842, at the urging of King Otto, Antonis Dimitriou, a wealthy Greek from the diaspora who had purchased a large area of land in Vasiliki Plateia, known today as Syntagma Square, in collaboration with the architect Theophilos Hansen, built an impressive neoclassical building for those years, unsurpassed in luxury and the second in size after the royal palaces. He and his family would stay there for a few years, as they lived mainly in Trieste. In 1852, the king began to use it as a place of hospitality for the official guests of the palaces due to the lack of hotels in Athens, until his expulsion from the throne. The building became the home of the French Archaeological School until 1874 when Savvas Kentros purchased the Dimitriou Mansion to expand his hotel business. Four years later, he met the young Efstathios Lampsa, who had returned from Paris with knowledge not only of haute cuisine but also of innovative ideas.

The two of them partnered and since then the Hotel Grande Bretagne (now a member of the Luxury Collection) has been the flagship of Greek hospitality, writing, alongside the development of Athens, its own history of timeless elegance. As one of the few hotels worldwide with 150 years of uninterrupted operation, it has earned the title of a landmark for Athenian society and its reputation as a favorite host for heads of state, kings and important personalities, remains unchanged over time.

This year, the iconic hotel of Athens celebrates an important historical milestone in a glamorous way and invites its guests to enjoy unforgettable experiences of high aesthetics, luxury and authentic Greek hospitality in a year full of Always Grand Experiences.

Grand History

With interactive activities, tours, exhibitions and other activities that embrace every chapter from its founding to the present, the hotel anthologizes its most important moments and takes us on a journey through the modern history of Greece. From its location in the heart of Athens, it reminds us of its central role in shaping the past, present and future of urban lifestyle, as well as the concept of professional hospitality in the country.

Grand Art & Design

A favorite destination for those seeking elegance, the hotel offers its guests the opportunity to explore its special relationship with the world of Art and Design in 2024. In collaboration with leading names identified with high aesthetics, it creates wonderful collectibles, inspired by its unique imprint on memory and time.

Grand Experiences

On the occasion of the anniversary, a series of events highlight the hotel's timeless position as a leading symbol of hospitality that illuminates the Athenian nights and days. Its experienced team of associates guides guests to the most enjoyable moments that turn into favorite habits and special memories.

Grand Taste

Full of unique flavors and aromas that take us on a nostalgic journey through Greece and around the world, the hotel’s inspired culinary proposal takes center stage in the 150th anniversary celebrations. With a philosophy that focuses on sustainability, selecting the best Greek products, respecting seasonality and combining high-level modern and traditional culinary techniques, Executive Chef Asterios Koustoudis, awarded two Michelin stars, creates immersive culinary experiences for guests of the hotel’s restaurants, through anniversary dishes and the revival of beloved recipes. At the same time, the hotel's talented bartenders are celebrating the anniversary by creating popular signature cocktails at Alexander's Bar and Bar 8. As for the cosmopolitan Winter Garden, it is always ready to welcome you into the warm embrace of the Grand Lady of Athens, with its aristocratic lounge, comfortable armchairs and the most delectable dishes.

“A Journey Through Time: The Immersive Experience”

The exhibition, which began on February 11 and ended on February 18, inaugurated in the most impressive way the Always Grand celebrations for the 150th anniversary of uninterrupted operation of the Hotel Grande Bretagne. More than 3,500 visitors experienced a fascinating journey through time through an interactive experience, gaining the best impressions.

Utilizing the projection mapping technique on multiple surfaces, the exhibition transformed the legendary Grand Ballroom of Great Britain into a colorful, multidimensional and impressive setting, combining images, sounds and narratives to take the visitor on a journey through the history of Great Britain.

Starting in 1874, the year the Hotel was founded, and through rare documents and distinctive period headlines, the exhibition "A Journey through Time" highlighted step by step the impressive course of Great Britain, alongside important moments in the country's historical development.

From the Hotel's leading role in the revival of the Olympic Games in 1896, its dynamic contribution to the development of the hospitality industry in the country, its pivotal relationship with the events of World War II, the formation of the Government of National Unity on the 5th floor in 1974, the famous dances and many other landmark moments in the political and social life of Greece, the exhibition recounted all that makes the Great Britain the flagship of Greek hospitality, but also a symbol of the country's urban life.