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Best Hotel Bets
Andromeda Hotel (Athens; tel. 210/643-7302): The city's first serious boutique hotel, located on a wonderfully quiet side street, the classy Andromeda offers charm, comfort, and a reassuringly helpful staff.
Grande Bretagne (Athens; tel. 210/333-0000): Back for a return engagement and better than ever, Athens's premiere hotel still overlooks the best view in town if you have the right room: Syntagma Square, the Houses of Parliament and, in case you wondered, the Acropolis.
Malvasia (Monemvassia, Peloponnese; tel. 27320/61-113): The Malvasia brought the concept of the boutique hotel to the Peloponnese. Each room in the Malvasia is different, with some of the best overlooking the sea; all are tastefully furnished with hand-loomed rugs and antiques. A visit here gives you the illusion of staying in the home of wealthy Greek friends who have enormously good taste -- and who just happen to be away and have left the staff behind to tend to your needs.
Atlantis Hotel (Iraklion, Crete; tel. 2810/229-103): There are many more luxurious hotels in Greece, but few can beat the Atlantis's urban attractions: a central location, modern facilities, and views over a busy harbor. You can swim in the pool, work out in the fitness center, send e-mail via your laptop, and then within minutes enjoy a fine meal or visit a museum.
Doma (Chania, Crete; tel. 28210/51-772): A former neoclassical mansion east of downtown, the Doma has been converted into a comfortable and charming hotel, furnished with the proprietor's family heirlooms. Although it's not for those seeking the most luxurious amenities, its atmosphere appeals to many.
Astra Apartments (Santorini, Cyclades; tel. 22860/23-641): This small hotel with handsomely appointed apartments looks like a miniature whitewashed village -- and has spectacular views over Santorini's famous caldera. The sunsets here are not to be believed, the staff is incredibly helpful, and the village of Imerovigli itself offers an escape from the tourist madness that overwhelms the island each summer. This is a spot to get married at -- or celebrate any special occasion.
Anemomilos Apartments (Folegandros, Cyclades; tel. 22860/41-309) and Castro Hotel (Folegandros, Cyclades; tel. 22860/41-230): The small island of Folegandros has two of the nicest hotels in the Cyclades, both with terrific cliff-top locations. The Anemomilos has all the creature comforts, traditional decor, and a good location (it's just out of town), with a pool and sea views that seem to stretch forever. The Castro, built into the walls of the 12th-century Venetian castle that encircles the village, has lots of character and the necessary modern comforts.
S. Nikolis Hotel (Rhodes, Dodecanese; tel. 22410/34-561) This small hotel in the Old Town of Rhodes combines such modern amenities as Internet access and Jacuzzis with the experience of living in a renovated centuries-old Venetian mansion. The decor and furnishings maintain the sense that you are indeed in a special place and the proprietors' warm hospitality enhances this feeling.
Hotel Nireus (Simi, Dodecanese; tel. 22410/72-400): Perfect island, perfect location, unpretentious, and tasteful. The views from the sea-facing rooms, framed by the fluid swirls of the wrought-iron balcony, define the spell of this little gem of an island. You'll never regret one more night on Simi, and here's the place to spend it.
White Rocks Hotel & Bungalows (Kefalonia, Ionian Islands; tel. 26710/28-332): For those who appreciate understated elegance, a shady retreat from all that sunshine, a private beach, and quiet but attentive service, this hotel, a couple of miles outside Argostoli, can be paradise.
Mediterranean Palace Hotel (Thessaloniki; tel. 2310/552-554). This hotel has it all: location (overlooking the harbor, in the trendy Ladadika district) and luxury. The lobby is, as you might expect, seriously glitzy -- but the really pleasant surprise is the comfort and elegance of the guest rooms. The service is usually excellent. The two restaurants are good enough to tempt you to dine here at least 1 night rather than explore the hot spots of Ladadika.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without
notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before
planning your trip.
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