Getting a place on Conde Nast Traveler’s ‘Gold List’ of their favorite hotels in the world is an honor for any hotel. These are hotels that go beyond top-quality services – offering something unique and magical that makes even those accustomed to 5-star luxury sit up and take notice.

This year, the travel editors of the magazine voted hotels from 54 countries onto list – and one of them is in Greece.

The historic Hotel Grande Bretagne in Syntagma Square has long been a city landmark – and is no stranger to awards. But being the only Greek hotel on CNT’s Gold List even as its competition grows stiffer says a lot about its ability to stay consistently at the top of the pack.

Run today by Marriott International, and owned by Lampsa Hellenic Hotels S.A, the Grande Bretagne embodies a sense of timeless elegance – serving, for example, the best high tea in the city.

That, along with their many decades of experience hosting the elite, and their exceptional attention to detail and quality, are the reasons that business magnates, Hollywood stars and heads of state alike choose this hotel when they visit Athens.

CNT makes special mention of the Grande Bretagne Roof Garden, both for its food and for its location, writing:

“Decorated in Art Deco style, GB Corner serves Greek specialties like roasted white grouper with artichoke; its rooftop garden bar offers views of the Acropolis – it’s one of the most beautiful places in the world to have dinner.”