If you aspire to the best, the most prestigious place to stay in Athens is – and always has been – the Grande Bretagne, right on Syntagma Sq. Built in 1862 to accommodate visiting heads of state, it was renovated some years ago, but still retains enough old-world grandeur.
There is a divine spa, and the Acropolis-view rooftop restaurant and bar are worth a visit, even if you aren’t a guest.