Royal Olympic Hotel

What our travelers say

The Royal Olympic Hotel earns its reputation on two fronts: location and breakfast. Sitting steps from the Temple of Zeus and with direct sightlines to the Acropolis, it puts groups at the geographic and emotional heart of Athens before the day's itinerary even begins. Tour directors consistently point to this as a genuine operational advantage — the city's landmark sites are walkable, and the sense of place is immediate. The seventh-floor rooftop dining room is where the location really announces itself: group leaders describe breakfast there as a highlight of the trip itself, with panoramic views of the Acropolis and Temple of Zeus framing the morning meal. The spread is generous and accommodates early departure schedules, which matters enormously when a group needs to move before the city wakes up. Late-night check-ins have gone smoothly, and staff come up repeatedly in evaluations as consistently helpful and welcoming — a detail that counts when a tired group of students rolls in after a long travel day. Practical touches like laundry service have proven useful for groups managing longer itineraries with carry-on luggage. A few things are worth setting expectations around. Rooms are described as somewhat dated, with limited electrical outlets — worth flagging for groups traveling with multiple devices. Temperature control has come up as an occasional issue, with some guests finding rooms warmer than comfortable, so groups traveling in warmer months should be prepared. Beds in standard rooms are separate but closely arranged. One group experienced a minor mix-up with pre-ordered breakfast boxes for an early departure, though this appears to have been an isolated coordination issue rather than a pattern. The Royal Olympic is a strong fit for larger school groups and student tours where location efficiency and communal dining experiences carry real weight. It handles groups with ease — the property regularly hosts congresses and large parties — and the rooftop setting gives even a routine breakfast a sense of occasion that resonates with first-time visitors to Greece. Groups looking for a central Athens base with genuine character and staff who understand the rhythms of group travel will find this a reliable and memorable choice.