Great Britain: The story of the hotel that writes 150 years of history

The celebration of the 150-year history of Great Britain coincides with the full return to normalcy of perhaps the most historic hotel in Athens, after overcoming a significant hurdle, the management of the pandemic.

This year, the revenues of Great Britain are expected to approach 65 million euros, an increase of 10 million compared to 2022, when the wounds of the pandemic and restrictive measures had already begun to heal. The revenue increase mainly comes from a 10% rise in room prices and more. In 2022, the revenue per available room reached 303.6 euros, the occupancy rate was 65.6% (and is expected to remain at similar levels in 2023), while the average room price last year was 462.5 euros. Even more optimistic are the forecasts for 2024, as LAMPSA estimates that the total turnover (of the five hotels it manages) will increase by 5%.

However, this is the page that is now being written for Great Britain and certainly not the one that describes the most impressive stories associated with the hotel. As recently stated by the CEO of LAMPSA, Tasos Chomenidis, during the Christmas lunch at the emblematic Tudor Hall, which has become an institution, “the imprint of history, history itself, significant moments of which took place at Great Britain, kept this large square at Syntagma over time and today it is the city's top hotel destination.” To highlight its rich history, a series of significant events will be organized within 2024 to showcase its identity.

The history of the hotel that hosted personalities such as Churchill, Onassis, members of the Kennedy family, Maria Callas, Elizabeth Taylor, Jacques Chirac, and continues to be chosen by significant visitors to the country (Christine Lagarde stayed during the ECB Board of Directors meeting, even giving kudos to the management for the employees), began in 1842.

Back then, Theophilus Hansen designed the Dimitriou Mansion diagonally opposite the Palace. Until 1873, the building was used as the residence of the first owners who mainly lived in Trieste, as a hospitality space for the needs of the Palace, and as a shelter for the French Archaeological School. When it was vacated, the entrepreneur Savvas Kentros saw the opportunity to create a hotel, and in 1878 met Efstathios LAMPSA.

In the early 20th century, LAMPSA collaborated with journalist Theodoros Petrakopoulos, who had strong political connections. He founded a joint-stock company in 1919, with the contribution of Ioannis Drosopoulos, the manager of the National Bank, and the businessman Epameinondas Charilaou, and encouraged by Eleftherios Venizelos. The company included the six largest banks, with the National Bank holding the largest share.

During World War II, the hotel was requisitioned, and on October 28, 1940, the General Headquarters' announcement of Greece's entry into the war was issued from there. After liberation, Great Britain became the headquarters of the first free Greek government under Georgios Papandreou. The bloody incidents of December also unfolded in front of the hotel.

In 1991, the shares of the descendants of the Doxiadis, LAMPSA, and Petrakopoulos families were sold to the CIGA group. In 2000, Hyatt Regency A.E. (a company of interests of Hyatt International and the Laskaridis family) gained control of the board of directors, aiming to restore the hotel's former grandeur. The new owners initiated a renovation program costing 85 million euros, aiming to restore Great Britain's former superiority as a prominent five-star luxury enterprise. In 2004, after the completion of the first profitable year of operation, Hyatt Regency sold its stake to the Laskaridis family, one of its main shareholders. By participating in the capital increase, the Laskaridis family gained control of the company. Notably, today LAMPSA includes Vasilis Theocharakis with 10.2% and JP Morgan with 5.6%.

Today, it offers butler services, 24-hour concierge, cigar lounge, a cellar for tastings, and a seasonal bar next to the pool overlooking Lycabettus Hill. Part of its history is the famous Alexander’s Bar, with its rare 18th-century tapestry, and the GB Corner, a personal creation of the then vice-president of the company, Apostolos Doxiadis.