Greece Hotels: Three City Stays to Compare Before Booking

Choose a hotel in Greece after choosing the city and neighbourhood that suit your route. A memorable Athens address cannot solve an early ferry departure from the wrong port, and a central Heraklion hotel is a different choice from a western Crete beach resort. These three editorial suggestions concentrate on established upscale city hotels in Athens, Thessaloniki and Heraklion. They are a selective starting point, not a national ranking or a claim to cover every budget. The photographs show the actual properties; exterior views do not promise a particular room interior or outlook.

For a first Athens visit with a generous budget, compare Hotel Grande Bretagne at Syntagma. For a northern Greece city break with waterfront time, compare Makedonia Palace in Thessaloniki. For an eastern or central Crete cultural itinerary, compare GDM Megaron in Heraklion. Families should choose by the confirmed room occupancy, connecting arrangement and facilities available on their dates, rather than treating a luxury label as proof that a hotel fits children. Travellers seeking a modest guesthouse, apartment or beach base should use Where to Stay to narrow the location before comparing current accommodation listings.

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Hotel Grande Bretagne, Athens

Central luxury for a culture focused Athens stay. Hotel Grande Bretagne stands on Syntagma Square, a useful location for travellers who want central museums, neighbourhood walks and straightforward access to the city's transport network. Its historic setting and rooftop dining appeal to couples marking an occasion and visitors who value a substantial hotel experience alongside sightseeing. This is an upscale city choice; it does not replace a beach resort or a practical overnight immediately beside a ferry gate.

The official Marriott page lists spa facilities and rooftop dining, but it also flags the indoor spa pool as temporarily closed for renovation at the time of this review. Confirm the current works and usable facilities directly for your dates. Do not book solely for a pool photograph or assume that every room faces the Acropolis. Select the precise room category and view, then compare breakfast, taxes, payment timing and cancellation. Dining reservations and spa treatments can require separate arrangements.

For a family, ask about confirmed occupancy, extra beds and whether adjoining rooms are guaranteed in writing. For reduced mobility, verify the particular room and the approach from transport, rather than relying on a general accessibility icon. A Syntagma base can reduce unnecessary cross city journeys, but an airport or port transfer still needs its own timing plan. Use Airports & Transfers for arrival and Getting Around for travel within the city.

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Makedonia Palace, Thessaloniki

Waterfront comfort for a northern city break. Makedonia Palace sits on Thessaloniki's seafront, making it a useful candidate for visitors who want promenade walks alongside the city's food and cultural life. It suits a trip that gives Thessaloniki several nights, with time for the waterfront and a manageable selection of neighbourhood outings. The location is a different proposition from sleeping immediately beside a station or an airport; include the arrival transfer in your comparison.

The property listing distinguishes city and sea outlooks and identifies connecting room options. A sea view should be selected through the actual bookable category, while a connecting arrangement should be confirmed for your party. Ask about parking availability, access and any charge if you bring a car. A promenade photograph describes the setting, not a guaranteed view from every guest room. Confirm any seasonal pool or other facility that is essential to the stay.

This can be a comfortable base for couples or a family whose preferred room arrangement is available, but the relevant comparison is the total price of that arrangement. Two rooms, breakfast and parking can change the apparent starting rate considerably. Business travellers should check the distance and journey to their specific venue. If you plan an inland extension to Meteora or Zagori, arrange the next transfer independently; a waterfront hotel does not itself establish a workable day trip or connection.

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GDM Megaron, Heraklion

Historic city hotel for a Heraklion and central Crete itinerary. GDM Megaron occupies a historic building near the old harbour in Heraklion. Consider it when your trip emphasises the city, its museums and an independently planned Knossos visit. It can also fit an arrival or departure through Heraklion, provided you verify the correct airport or ferry terminal and transport. It should not be selected as a substitute for a Chania base simply because both cities are on Crete.

The hotel listing describes a rooftop pool and dining facilities. Check their operating season and any access conditions directly before booking; an exterior photograph does not establish the current pool arrangement. Choose the room view and occupancy you need, and compare the terms for breakfast, payment and cancellation. Travellers sensitive to urban activity should ask about the position of the room and sound insulation rather than assuming that a harbour address will always be quiet.

For a cultural stay, leave time for Heraklion itself instead of spending every day driving to the far west of the island. If you intend to hire a car, ask the property about practical parking and luggage drop off before collecting it. A city hotel may work well without a car on museum days, with a rental reserved only for the regional part of the trip. For a beach focused family holiday, compare the daily transfer effort with accommodation nearer the beach before deciding.

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Compare the total stay, not the starting rate

Enter the actual dates, guest ages and room count before comparing rates. A displayed starting price can refer to a different occupancy or a category without the view you want. Review what is included and what is collected separately, including breakfast, parking and applicable accommodation charges. Keep the cancellation deadline and payment schedule with your confirmation. A flexible rate can be useful when a flight, ferry or event remains uncertain, but its extra cost should be compared with the actual conditions rather than the label alone.

An apartment can suit a longer stay through kitchen and laundry access, while a full service hotel can simplify a shorter city break. Ask whether the kitchen is usable for your cooking needs and whether housekeeping is included. A room with a kettle is not the same as self catering accommodation. For a month or more, use Longer Stays & Costs to include groceries, utilities, connectivity and transport in the household budget.

Room choice and common questions

Is a city hotel suitable for a beach holiday? It can work when you deliberately plan separate beach outings, but calculate the daily journey and return. Heraklion, Thessaloniki and Athens have different coastal access, and a central address is not automatically beachfront. Choose a dedicated coastal base when easy swimming is the main purpose of the holiday.

Should you stay near the airport before departure? Consider it for an early flight when the full journey from your existing base is inconvenient. Check the transfer the accommodation actually offers, its hours and cost. An airport name in a listing does not guarantee a free shuttle. Similarly, for a ferry overnight, choose by the particular port and gate rather than a general description of proximity to the sea.

Can a family rely on a request for connecting rooms? A request is not a confirmed allocation. Obtain written confirmation if the arrangement is essential, and verify the children's occupancy and bed policy. The same principle applies to accessible rooms, a particular view or a parking space: book the relevant category and confirm the details that would materially affect your stay.

These suggestions draw on the properties' published information and current booking targets, not personal stays or a paid ranking. Hotel facilities, works and policies can change. Recheck the precise property listing and direct hotel information before paying, especially where a seasonal facility or renovation affects the reason you selected the hotel.

Property information checked for this guide

Hotel Grande Bretagne official information; current booking information for Hotel Grande Bretagne; Makedonia Palace; GDM Megaron.

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Reviewed 11 October 2026. Recheck dated services, access, policies and official rules before travelling.