The arrival of the brand-new George, The Lobby Bar shows that classic Athenian hospitality can be, at the same time, international, contemporary, sustainable, and delightful.
The lobby bar has always been the “mirror” of a grand hotel. It reveals whether hospitality is truly alive, whether the space can appeal to the city — not only to its guests — and whether the hotel remains relevant without betraying its classic DNA. In the case of the historic King George, this carries double weight: we are talking about an Athenian landmark, next to the Grande Bretagne, which must constantly balance between tradition and the modern expectations of an international, high-demand clientele. That is why the creation of George, The Lobby Bar is not simply another opening, but a strategic statement about how the hotel chooses to present itself today.
A lobby with British elegance
The space was designed by the internationally acclaimed Goddard Littlefair studio, based in London, known for the way it “reads” historic buildings and brings them into the present. From Villa Copenhagen to Gleneagles in Scotland and the Four Seasons in Istanbul, the firm specializes in this sophisticated kind of renewal that doesn’t shout but shows itself in the details.
At the King George, they took the neoclassical foundation of the lobby and made it warmer and more intimate: cream-colored walls with sculpted moldings, a ceiling with a rose patina casting a soft glow, and an impressive glass chandelier at the center — a tribute to Parisian and London high-hospitality aesthetics. The burgundy velvet seating, shaped like shells opening toward the guest, “embraces” the round tables, creating small, private clusters. Brass elements in the lighting fixtures and the bar’s structure, marble surfaces, and fresh flowers express that luxurious yet understated style that defines the studio’s signature. The bar itself, evenly lit, stands as a statement of symmetry and refinement, with hanging glassware and an open display showcasing premium labels.
George, The Lobby Bar is located right next to the reception but also has an independent entrance so that, apart from hotel residents, it can welcome Athenians meeting in the heart of the city. From morning onwards, it serves single-origin espresso, aromatic blends, and seasonal infusions, while the viennoiserie trolley appears with warm, handmade croissants and sweet or savory creations from the hotel’s bakery.
Breakfast and brunch, curated by Michelin-starred chefs Asterios Koustoudis and Nikos Livadias, offer classic international dishes with traceable local ingredients: honey from the hotel’s “adopted” beehives in Kerkini, goat and sheep butter from Deskati, freshly baked sourdough breads, and handmade jams from Thessaly. The composition “Bread, Butter & Honey” functions as a gastronomic memory of the Greek home within a five-star environment. All of this follows the hotel’s zero food waste policy.
At lunchtime, the space transforms into an elegant spot for business or casual meetings, offering more comfort-style choices: sandwiches with handmade breads, savory tarts, and brioches. As the lighting dims, the scene becomes distinctly more theatrical. The bar shifts into evening mode, and the bartenders take over, with a menu that places special emphasis on premium spirits, following the international fine-drinking trend.
The signature cocktails are served tableside from a mobile cart: guests choose their preferred aromatic bitter, and the mixologists complete the drink in front of them. To complete the experience, the kitchen prepares bold, high-end bites — lobster mac & cheese, beef tartare ?clair, shrimp tempura bao, and fresh oysters on ice — all matching the cosmopolitan atmosphere. French Ecaille cr?me porcelain and staff uniforms designed by the Greek fashion house Zeus + Dione underline the attention to detail.
Art as a continuation of hospitality
As in all hotels of the LAMPSA Hotels Company, art forms an organic part of the experience in the renewed Lobby Bar. The entrance is marked by the emblematic mural “Composition” by Yiannis Moralis (1961), on temporary loan from the Regency Casino Mont Parnes. Next to it, Spyros Vassiliou’s work “The Little Shop on Athinas Street” transports visitors to the atmosphere of old Athens, in perfect harmony with the historical character of the King George.
Inside, a gypsum artwork by Nikos Hadjikyriakos-Ghika is displayed, while the contemporary Greek art scene is represented by Filippos Theodoridis, Tina Karageorgi, Peggy Kliafa, Heliodora Margellou, Sophia Petropoulou, and photographer Zetta Antsakli, creating a dialogue of eras and styles, always with a “Greek signature” that stands confidently on the international stage. The curation is signed by art historian Maria Migadi. The presence of these works aligns seamlessly with the hotel’s overall philosophy, which in recent years has consistently invested in high-level artistic installations.
