Athens has some of the cheapest hotels in Europe, but also some of the most chic. Designer hotels and Michelin restaurants, that's the new Athens since the Olympics.

The best of Athens, whether it's hotels or top restaurants, is now as good as most European capital cities. That wasn't always the case, but in the build-up to the 2004 Olympic Games Greece's capital made full use of tax incentives and government grants to renovate many city centre hotels. New boutique-style hotels opened too and others were given a cooler, more contemporary look. Now there's a great choice of central hotels, and here are some of the top choices.

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Baby Grand

Athinas 65

Lovely name for the kind of stylish hotel now opening in the centre of Athens, and the name of its restaurant, Meat Me, is also the kind of playful touch that you get in other European cities but not, until recently, in Athens. Each room is individually styled in a quirky but fun way, including comic-book style and, by contrast, Greek Byzantine decor.

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Fresh

Sophokleous 26

The perfect name for the type of top hotels now opening in Athens, Fresh is near the buzzy Psyrri nightlife district. Its rooms are fresh too, with a mix of primary and pastel colors that hit you in the eye. It has 133 rooms and suites so is far from boutique, and also provides gym, sauna, restaurant and two bars, including the 9th floor Air Lounge Pool Bar, by the swimming pool with the essential Athens Acropolis views.

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Hotel Grande Bretagne

Syntagma Square

The best-known hotel in Athens, right in the centre and a hotel in the grand, classical tradition. It was once home to the first king of modern Greece, before he moved into what is now the Parliament building on another side of Syntagma Square. It was recently renovated to bring it into the 21st century, but without losing that old-world feel. Dine at the rooftop restaurant and you feel on top of the world – certainly on top of Athens.

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Hotel Pentelikon

Deligianni 55, Kifissia

Out in northern Athens in Kifissia, the Pentelikon can boast the Michelin-starred Vardis restaurant as well as 101 rooms and suites, and the hotel's own botanic gardens. There are bars, gym and a health center too. Boutique hotel meets spa resort.

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Periscope

Haritos 22

Funky and fun hotel in the fashionable and expensive Kolonaki district, near Lykabettos Hill. Great views of the Acropolis from here, especially from Periscope's Penthouse Suite with its rooftop jacuzzi. Good views too from the hotel's own periscope, which is the kind of thing you might find in the antique shops of the Kolonaki neighborhood.

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Semiramis

Charilaou Trikoupi 48, Kifissia

One of the first of the stylish new Athens hotel, out in the well-heeled northern suburb of Kifissia. Great place to stay and a good address, if you don't need to be sightseeing in the city centre every day. The Semiramis has 52 designer rooms, a heated outdoor swimming pool and a health and beauty center.

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Alternatively: Cheap Hotels in Athens.

There are more Athens boutique hotels described in the Wallpaper City Guide to Athens.

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