When you have only one night in a city, the right hotel makes all the difference – from convenience and comfort, to recovery from travel fatigue and jet lag. Even when location is everything, it’s nice to have the choice to remain on property while still getting a feel for the area. Choosing a hotel with a rooftop restaurant and dramatic skyline views makes for an unforgettable experience. Soak up the iconic settings of these ideal locations in Athens and Istanbul.
Athens Grand Hotel Bretagne with views of the Acropolis rising
A stay at the five-star Grand Hotel Bretagne (of Marriott’s Luxury Collection) is like becoming a part of history. Originally built as a private mansion in 1842, the hotel has hosted royalty, heads of state, and celebrities since 1874 – providing high end amenities, a moody lobby bar with a 18th century tapestry depicting Alexander the Great, rooms with a sense of place, and a spa with olive oil massages and thermal pool. The building has played many roles in Greek history, as it was used by German forces when Athens was Nazi-occupied in WWII and housed government and military operations during the Greek Civil War. Located in the heart of the city across from Syntagma Square and the Parliament Building, the hotel is in walking distance of museums, shopping areas, and ancient sites.
Stepping into the high-ceilinged lobby of this heritage building feels like being transported to the grandeur of another era, like the hotel’s 8th floor Grand Bretagne Rooftop Garden Restaurant, which is the place to be. Dining includes views of the Acropolis, in all its archeological glory, in the distance. Arrive before sunset to pair dinner courses with golden hour, easing into twilight, and watch in awe as the one of the world’s oldest cities shapeshifts with the light.
A phenomenal rooftop setting deserves a celebratory toast, and the options are extensive – signature cocktails, champagne concoctions, tiki drinks, and Greek-inspired sips like the Tears of Chios (made with vodka, mastiha, agave, lime juice, grapes, and mint leaves). Swing your head at dinner and the panoramic view includes the historic Olympic stadium, Mount Lycabettus, the city skyline, and the Mediterranean Sea on a clear day. It’s easy to be enchanted here – as the ethereal light, shadows and sunglow cascade across 3,000 years of history – with the ancient citadel atop a rocky outcrop rising above the city, illuminating itself on its perch. Cheers to the birthplace of western civilization!
The romantic rooftop restaurant features inspiring creations, by talented Executive Chef Asterios Koustoudis, that embrace the essence of the season. Share burrata with peach confit, a Greek salad, or a raw sashimi trilogy. Move into fresh handmade tagliatelle noodles with calamari bolognese topped with shaved parmesan, grilled fish of the day, or a tender filet with peppercorn or béarnaise sauce. Pair entrees with exquisite Greek wines like a local Cabernet Sauvignon, a crisp Assyrtiko, or Aras Agiorgitiko from Ieropoulos Family Winery. Desserts surprise, like the setting, arriving like intricate art pieces – a tiramisu topped with a chocolate lace crunch cookie hat; and strawberry pavlova, similar to a pastel flower, almost too perfect to eat.
A few steps away are elegant traditionally styled guest rooms, curated with antiques and original artwork that imbue an authentic sense of place. The Grand Suites feature a living room area, courtyard view, and most importantly, quiet for a peaceful slumber. On the rooftop, lounge under the sun, take a dip in the pool, sidle up to the outdoor bar, or watch cinema poolside under the stars in summer with a chilled glass of Veuve Clicquot. A grand breakfast buffet indulges every culinary whim, offering the same stunning rooftop view paired with fresh juices, Bellinis, cold and hot dishes, freshly baked pastries, and made-to-order egg dishes, served with unparalleled service.
Dine in the heart of Europe’s monumental capital and recharge in Athens’ most iconic luxury hotel.
Istanbul’s Crowne Plaza Ortakoy – an evening framed by the Bosphorus
Built in 1995 and renovated in 2023, the modern 134-room 5-star Crowne Plaza Istanbul at Ortakoy houses a stunning rooftop that feels like a scene in a movie, where the genie comes out of the bottle – as dinner views include glittering mosques on the hillsides above the Bosphorus, with sunset hues that splash through the Bosphorus Bridge, the famous connector of Europe and Asia. At night, the bridge becomes illuminated in red with a zig-zag of lights, adding to the location’s ambiance. Watch as the fiery sunset explodes across the sky from the hotel’s rooftop Nite Restaurant, with the moon’s rise over the bridge following, with clouds shapeshifting and drifting across the skyline.
For a memorable night in Istanbul, arrive before sunset to Nite, the hotel’s fine dining restaurant, to savor the dreamy Turkish setting with a well-crafted cocktail. Savor “Nite” delights like ‘Reverans,’ a surprising flavor medley of strawberry, vanilla, and Ketel One vodka topped with Matcha cream or the ‘Off Nite’ with buttery Bulleit bourbon, Nori, and a yuzu lavender lollipop swizzle. The menu includes sushi, bar bites like meat arancini and tempura shrimp, and artfully presented Turkish entrees.
Located just a few short blocks from the Bosphorus coastline, the hotel (part of the IHG Group) is nestled amongst many small streets in one of the oldest neighborhoods in Istanbul’s European side. The windows of Nite Restaurant frame the Bosphorus and its legendary bridge while the restaurant’s glass ceiling makes you feel like you’re one with the sky. Choose from indoor or outdoor seating with mesmerizing views in every direction. The modern interior dazzles with mauve accents, white linen table cloths, and a central bar anchored with diamond chandeliers.
The adjacent all-day & night rooftop restaurant, Visorante, is just as alluring, with magical Bosphorus views paired with Italian flavors and a stellar menu of well thought out cocktails, from classic favorites like espresso martinis, to inventive concoctions such as Mezcal pineapple sage with smoked salt, and the ‘Athena’ with milk-washed Aperol and Skinos Mastiha liquor.
Book a stylishly modern suite downstairs to continue the view of the Bosphorus Bridge and this natural strait. Expect a restful evening with comfy beds and blackout curtains. An impressively decadent Turkish breakfast spread awaits after sunrise on the rooftop – with local specialties such as olives, cheeses, homemade pastries, meats, yogurts, fruit, eggs, and more. Here, the early morning glow illuminates the breakfast scene while tableside juice mocktails are made in fancy glasses with mint sprigs. The whole vibe feels heavenly.
The hotel is a nice respite from the Istanbul city madness, which can feel like NYC on steroids. In the lobby, guests can discover Turkish sweets with a touch of tradition at fancy Şekerci Cafer Erol. Lift any travel fatigue with a Turkish hammam at the hotel’s luxury spa or a workout at their 24-hour fitness facility.
This east-meets-west daycation might just steal your heart.
