The best family-friendly hotels in Athens, including kids’ cooking classes and turndown treats

This glamorous resort is ideal for a spoiling family holiday. There are three sandy, shallow bays; two heated swimming pools; and older children can go stand-up paddle-boarding, kayaking or snorkelling. The Kids for All Seasons club welcomes children aged four to 10, daily. Supervised activities range from gardening and treasure hunts to face painting. From tacos and pizzas to ice cream sundaes, kids are well catered for in every restaurant. Children get special toiletries, mini-bathrobes and slippers, and little treats at turndown. Babysitting and anything you could possibly need for babies and toddlers is also available.

Families will certainly appreciate the casual atmosphere at Coco-mat Hotel Nafsika, which is dedicated to mirroring the ideals of its successful eco-conscious parent company, while aiming to offer the best possible sleep on what some guests have called the world’s most comfortable mattresses. The natural look – unvarnished pine furniture; beige, white, and grey cushions on the chairs and sofas in the open plan lounge/dining area; fresh flowers or potted plants on every table; light pouring in from a glass ceiling – invites you to plop down and relax. There’s no ‘reception desk’, just a person standing near a computer. The best option for families is to book the one double room that connects with a triple.

This well-established hotel boasts one of the best urban panoramic views from its rooms. Inside, the Hilton’s towering core is embellished in marble carved artwork by prominent Greek artist Yannis Moralis, with simple linear designs depicting scenes from ancient Greece. A contemporary blend of neutral colours binds the overall style throughout the hotel including glass-topped tables, fabric sofas, marbled bathrooms and coloured glass sculptures that add pops of colour. The friendly, multilingual staff can arrange transfers, dinner reservations and city tours. To cool off, there’s an indoor pool, a 15-metre-long outdoor pool and an outdoor children’s pool. Baby cots are free and available upon request.

This hotel is smack bang in downtown Athens, a couple of blocks from the Greek Parliament on Syntagma Square. The 10-storey building, which previously housed the Ministry of Education, was designed in 1959 by the modernist architect Patroklos Karantinos. The makeover, billed as ‘retro chic’, includes vintage photos of Athens and a nod to mid-century design in the Library bistro, but the vibe is distinctly contemporary. Breakfast, served on the roof terrace, comes with a side of stunning Acropolis views. Executive rooms with sofa beds are best suited to families. There’s a children’s menu in the restaurant (think spaghetti bolognese, mini burgers, chicken or fish and chips). Babysitting is available on request.

St George Lycabettus is one of the top luxury boutique stays in Athens, centrally located in posh Kolonaki, with views of the Acropolis and Lycabettus Hill. The hotel sets itself apart by offering amenities including a cinema, art gallery and yoga sessions. The hotel rooms take on different design themes including the Eco-Chic wing with its ‘green’ rooms that are designed with environmental awareness in mind. The top floor is home to a rooftop pool with a view, a restaurant and pool bar-café. A good choice for families, the hotel offers a Kid’s Corner playroom, Saturday Lunch and Play events and a Sunday Family Brunch every week. Seasonal events such as cooking classes, kids’ theatre also take place.

This luxury boutique hotel sits in the shadow of the Acropolis and the Acropolis Museum, taking full advantage of the view from its rooms. A welcoming and hospitable vibe dominates here especially in the sun-drenched, glass-walled bistro and cosy lobby and lounge area where bowls of fresh fruit sit alongside stacks of books, magazines and games. It’s been run by the same family for decades, and the long-serving and smiley staff are eager to help with any recommendations, car rentals or to book city tours. For families there is a children’s menu in the restaurant and an option for interconnecting rooms. Baby cots are available free of charge.

A boutique hotel that is well suited for families and travellers seeking long stays, offering spacious suites within easy walking distance of the city’s major sights. Regular suites have balconies and bathrooms with waterfall showers, while the larger Executive suites have a separate bedroom and living room. A family of five can fit comfortably in the latter. While all suites have kitchenettes, room service is available from the on-site café, which serves snacks and small meals. The concierge handles any tour requests, as well as any day trips around the region and laundry and babysitting services are available upon request. Other family-friendly touches include baby cots (free of charge) and a childrens’ DVD library.

This hotel’s location in the upscale and central Kolonaki district gives it an authentic neighbourhood experience in the heart of boutique shops and stylish restaurants that the area is known for. There are 22 soundproof, wood-floored rooms decorated with artwork and installations that are designed with the hotel’s ‘periscope’ theme in mind. All room types feature Simmons quality mattresses, electric safe, electric black-out curtains, bathrobes, slippers and O-Live bath products. The Junior suites are the most family-friendly option and children get colouring books, candy and their own child-size bathrobes, while baby cots are free of charge. Refreshments, including soft drinks, pastries and cookies, are served at all hours in the lobby area.

Located off a main road in Athens, this modern city-centre hotel is within convenient walking distance to major sights. There are 99 rooms which all feature balconies but the views differ in each type of room: choose between Standard, Superior, Executive and Family rooms (interconnecting rooms are also available). Each option has a minibar, tea and coffee facilities, slippers, robes and Papoutsanis or O-Live toiletries. Standard bathrooms are tiled and modern with showers or a bathtub with shower. The breakfast buffet serves American-style fare, featuring eggs and various pastries. There’s also a section reserved for Greek products like cheese, yogurt, bread, pittas and jams. High chairs are available as well as a childrens’ menu.

This stylish contemporary chain hotel is located in central Athens, and has a rooftop pool as well as an excellent restaurant and bar which offers unobstructed, striking city views of the Acropolis. Located on busy Alexandras Avenue and across from 277-acre Pedion Areos Park, one of the city’s greenspaces; the hotel’s higher floors offer beautiful views of the city. Friendly, uniformed staff are knowledgeable about the area. They can help with express check out, car rentals, currency exchange, babysitting and tours and day trips out of Athens. A bonus for families is that children up to 12 years old stay for free. Baby cots are also free of charge.