Review of St George Lycabettus Boutique Hotel, by Ann Banks

Serene and tranquil are not the first words that come to mind when you think of modern-day Athens. More like "unstoppably dynamic verging on hectic," as one old hand described it.

After a day of taking in museums and traversing ancient ruins, the St. George Lycabettus Hotel is the perfect haven. The boutique hotel is happily situated at a slight remove from the hubbub, nestled amid the soothing urban greenery of Lycabettus Hill, in Athens' posh Kolonaki neighbourhood.

The facilities

Its signature restaurant, Le Grand Balcon, as well as some of its rooms, have incredible views of the Acropolis, especially breathtaking at night, when the Parthenon is bathed in golden light. At street level is Frame, another, more casual restaurant and bar that has become a magnet for the city's young and gorgeous.

The design of the rooms and public spaces is comfortable and modern without being cold, and the hotel abounds in thoughtful touches. There is a cosy bar just off the lobby with a couple of computers so you don't have to go to the business centre to check your email. And a small browsing library is stocked with serious and entertaining books about Greece and Athens. Of course there is a top-notch spa and even a rooftop swimming pool. But the real star here is the personal service.

So many luxury hotels have lackluster concierge operations that dispense one-size-fits-all advice and fail to volunteer important information. This doesn't happen at the St. George Lycabettus. The staff make sure you feel taken care of. And when you go to the front desk with a question or a problem, you can be sure that serious attention will be paid.