The King George, a Luxury Collection Hotel, is situated between the Parliament and the fashionable Voukourestiou Street, within walking distance[end] from the Acropolis, the Old City of Plaka and other notable sights in Athens. The hotel welcomed its first guests in 1936 but has just recently re-opened after a major renovation project that has brought the hotel back to its original grandeur and elegance. What better place to spend a day, or several days, in Athens?

Athens is one of the greatest cities in the world, and any visit to this historic and amazing city deserves a stay at a memorable hotel. We recently disembarked a 7-night cruise in Piraeus (the port for Athens) and planned to spend a night in Athens before returning to the USA. Normally, we would plan two or three days after disembarking a cruise, but we had visited and toured Athens before embarking this particular cruise a week earlier. As luck would have it, our last day in Athens was our 19th anniversary, so we wanted something special to celebrate the day.

Upon arrival early on a Saturday, we were greeted at the Reception desk in the elegant and tastefully furnished lobby of the King George. The stunning marble floors with inlaid patterns gave us a hint of the luxury that awaited. We had planned to simply drop off our luggage and walk around Plaka until check-in time. However, we were informed that our Grand Suite on the 4th floor was ready and waiting for us! We were immediately escorted to our suite and as soon as we entered, we knew we were in for a special stay. The two-room suite with separate living room and bedroom was huge and richly appointed.

The elegant antique furnishings and beautiful wood floors were complemented by the latest in technology with large flat-screen high-definition televisions. The living room was large enough to entertain up to eight people comfortably and even had a fireplace! Glass doors opened onto a small balcony and the view was amazing. We had Parliament on one side and a view of the Acropolis on the other which was especially impressive at night. The chandelier in the sitting area was absolutely beautiful! It was crystal and adorned with pink crystal roses. Matching wall sconce fixtures were attached to a mirrored wall on either side of the fireplace. A mini-bar with refrigerator is stocked and two complimentary bottles of water are replenished twice each day. The bedroom has a large and extremely comfortable bed with amazing pillows and quality linens. No expense has been spared to make this the ultimate luxury experience. There are large closets in the bedroom and in the entry hall with lights that automatically illuminate when you open the doors. The large marble bathroom has a full-size bathtub and separate shower with rain-shower head. Top quality Moulton Brown amenities are provided. The King George has thought of everything.

To celebrate our 19th anniversary, we chose to dine at the hotel's 7th floor restaurant, Tudor Hall. Tudor Hall has a unique neo-classical decor and unrivaled views of the Acropolis. The menu features Modern Greek cuisine, an incredible wine list with a large selection of wines by-the-glass and signature cocktails.

We arrived at Tudor Hall at 7:00pm, early by European standards, and had no trouble getting en excellent table with an unobstructed view of the Acropolis. We started the meal with a bowl of chilled cucumber soup that was refreshing and delicious. My lamb main course was tender and perfectly grilled. Rickee's risotto with asparagus was perfectly cooked and delicious. And, the olive bread with a special reserve Greek olive oil for dipping was a meal in itself. We toasted to 19 wonderful years with a glass of wine as we gazed out upon the Acropolis as the sun was setting on Athens. It was a magical evening that we will never forget.

After a restful night's sleep in the incredibly comfortable bed, we started the day with an excellent breakfast, again at Tudor Hall restaurant. An extensive buffet offers a wide selection of items and the outdoor patio seating is the perfect way to begin the day. As you might expect from a Luxury Collection Hotel, the service throughout the property is as good as it gets. Every employee goes out of his or her way to make guests feel special and welcome.

The King George Hotel is the perfect place to begin or end your cruise vacation. The hotel is centrally located and within walking distance of Athens' most popular attractions. There is also a spa and fitness center available for guests. There are only two things you need to remember when visiting Athens: Plan on spending at least three days to explore this city, and, book a room or suite at The King George!

For more information on The King George Hotel in Athens, click here.

Originally posted on: 2/9/2014

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King George Hotel Athens

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