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Best Hotels in Athens with Private Pools

Updated: June 19, 2026
Greece › Athens › Hotels with Private Pools & Plunge Pools
By Santorini Dave

Best Athens Hotels with Private Pools & Plunge Pools: My Advice

Private pools are rare in central Athens. This is not Santorini, Mykonos, or Crete, where lots of luxury suites have small plunge pools. In Athens, most private pools are attached to one or two top suites, penthouses, or apartment-style stays. The Athens Riviera has far more true private-pool options, especially at the big luxury resorts.

  • Book the exact room category. Do not just book the hotel. Look for wording such as “Private Pool,” “Plunge Pool,” “Outdoor Hot Tub,” “Terrace Jacuzzi,” or “Private Outdoor Pool.” Standard rooms almost never have these features.
  • Private pool usually means small plunge pool. In central Athens, most private pools are for cooling off, not swimming. Many are closer to a plunge pool or terrace dipping pool than a full swimming pool.
  • Outdoor hot tubs count, indoor spa tubs do not. I include terrace hot tubs, courtyard jacuzzis, and outdoor plunge pools. I do not include rooms where the “hot tub” is just a jetted bathtub inside the bathroom.
  • Ask whether it is heated. Some private pools and plunge pools on the Greek Islands are unheated and best from late spring through early fall. This is rare in Athens but if you’re visiting outside of June to September it’s still probably worth confirming that a pool is actually heated.
  • Privacy varies a lot. Some pools are genuinely private. Others are on terraces partly visible from neighboring buildings, rooftop bars, or higher rooms. If privacy matters, email the hotel before booking.
  • For sightseeing, stay central. For the best private pools, look at the Riviera. Plaka, Syntagma, Monastiraki, Makriyanni, and Psiri are best for short Athens sightseeing stays. Vouliagmeni, Glyfada, Lagonissi, and Sounio are better for beaches, resort pools, and larger private-pool suites.

My Favorite Athens Private Pool Hotels

Best Central Athens Hotels with Private Pools

These are the best true hotel options in central Athens. Most have only one or two private-pool, plunge-pool, or outdoor-hot-tub suites, so availability is limited and the exact room category matters.

  • Grande Bretagne (Syntagma): Athens’ grand classic and the most prestigious hotel in the city. The private-pool option is the top Penthouse Suite category, not a typical room, so this is a special-occasion splurge rather than a normal private-pool hotel. Book it for old-world luxury, service, Syntagma convenience, and one of the city’s great trophy suites.
  • Electra Palace Hotel (Plaka): One of the best central choices because it combines Plaka location, full-service hotel facilities, rooftop Acropolis views, and a Presidential Suite with private outdoor pool. This is the most practical private-pool splurge if you want to be deep in the historic center. Standard rooms do not have private pools, so book the exact suite.
  • Perianth Hotel (Psiri/Agia Irini Square): Stylish boutique hotel on one of the best nightlife-and-restaurant edges of central Athens. The top penthouse categories can include a private pool or Jacuzzi and terrace views. This is a better fit for couples than families: central, design-focused, lively, and close to Monastiraki without feeling like a big hotel.
  • Divani Palace Acropolis (Makriyanni): A large, established hotel near the Acropolis Museum with private-pool options in select upper categories. The advantage is location: easy access to the Acropolis, Acropolis Museum, and pedestrian promenade. The style is more traditional business-luxury than boutique, but it works well if you want services, space, and a sightseeing-friendly base.
  • The Newel Kolonaki (Kolonaki): A polished boutique-style option in a quiet upscale neighborhood, with private-pool suite categories such as the Penthouse Private Pool Suite. This is a good choice if you want a calmer Athens base, cafes, museums, and Kolonaki atmosphere. The tradeoff is that it is less convenient than Plaka or Monastiraki for quick walks back from the Acropolis.
  • Bellén Athens (central Athens): A stylish newer hotel with an Acropolis Suite with Private Plunge Pool. This is a good option if you want a more design-forward stay and a small private plunge pool rather than a large hotel pool. As with all these hotels, check the room photos and category carefully, because most rooms do not have the pool.
  • Athens Dom Hotel (Monastiraki/Psiri edge): A small central hotel with a Suite with Private Pool category. The location is excellent for restaurants, nightlife, Monastiraki metro, and short stays before or after the islands. The setting is livelier and more urban than Plaka, so it is better for couples and friends than light sleepers.
  • Bespoke House Athens (Metaxourgeio): A small, good-value option with a Junior Suite with Private Pool. The hotel can work if the private-pool room is the priority and you are comfortable with a less polished neighborhood. It is close to the metro, but the area is not as pretty or first-time-friendly as Plaka, Syntagma, or Koukaki.
  • Athens 1890 Hotel & Spa (Monastiraki/Syntagma edge): Boutique hotel with outdoor hot tub room categories, including an attic-style room with balcony hot tub. Include this on your shortlist if you want a central location and a terrace soak rather than a true pool. Confirm that the room has an outdoor hot tub, not just spa-bath amenities.
  • Gatsby Athens (Syntagma/Ermou edge): Stylish boutique hotel in one of the most convenient parts of central Athens. The Party Suite has a private terrace with outdoor whirlpool. This is not a swimming pool, but it belongs here because it is a private outdoor water feature rather than an indoor spa bath. Best for couples who want a fun, design-forward hotel close to Syntagma, Ermou, Plaka, and Monastiraki.
  • Adia Aluma Athens, Curio Collection by Hilton (Omonia): Newer Hilton-affiliated hotel with private-pool or plunge-pool suite categories. The hotel itself is stronger than the surrounding area, which is not my favorite for first-time visitors. Good if you want a modern hotel and a private-pool category at better value than Plaka or Syntagma luxury hotels; less ideal if you want a charming neighborhood.
  • Anthology of Athens, The Leading Hotels of the World (Koukaki/Makriyanni): Polished luxury hotel near the Acropolis Museum and Temple of Olympian Zeus. The relevant category is the Zeus Presidential Suite, with balcony, temple view, and outdoor jetted tub. This is not a plunge pool, but it qualifies as a private outdoor hot tub and is worth considering if you want a high-end suite near the Acropolis.
  • President Hotel Athens (Ampelokipoi): Large, practical hotel north of the historic center. The regular rooftop pool is shared, but the Presidential Suite has been described as having a private pool. Confirm the exact suite and private-pool setup before booking. This is not the main reason most travelers choose the President, but it can work if you want a big hotel, wide city views, and better value outside the tourist core.
  • The Gem Society Hotel (Historic Center/Omonia edge): Small boutique hotel in central Athens. The relevant category is a room with a private terrace and outdoor whirlpool, so this belongs in the outdoor-hot-tub category rather than the true private-pool group. Confirm the current room category directly before booking, as this is the kind of feature that can change or appear differently across booking sites.

Best Central Athens Apartment-Style Stays with Private Pools or Outdoor Hot Tubs

These are not all traditional hotels, but they are useful for travelers who want private outdoor water features in the historic center. They are especially good for couples, longer stays, families needing space, or travelers who prefer apartment-style privacy over hotel services.

  • ACRON Suites & Apartments (Acropolis/Koukaki area): One of the strongest apartment-style options for this page, with private pool and hot tub suite categories. Some units have Acropolis views, and the location is very good for the Acropolis, Filopappou Hill, and Koukaki restaurants. Book it for space, views, and the private plunge-pool feel, not full hotel service.
  • A.P. Acropolis View Apartments (Psiri/Monastiraki): A well-located apartment-style property with private hot tub pool categories and Acropolis views from some terraces. This is a good choice if you want a private outdoor soak, breakfast/apartment comfort, and easy walks to Monastiraki, Psiri, and Plaka. Expect more of a small residence feel than a conventional hotel.
  • Thea Acropolis Suites & Apartments (Acropolis/Makriyanni area): A good apartment-style choice with outdoor hot tub categories and Acropolis-view terrace options. Best for travelers who want space, a private terrace, and easy sightseeing access. Check carefully whether your specific unit has the hot tub and whether the view is from the terrace or room.
  • The Newel Acropolis (Acropolis/Makriyanni area): Modern suite-style property near the Acropolis with private hot tub balcony categories. It is a useful option if you want a contemporary stay near the Acropolis Museum and do not need a full-service hotel. Best for couples who want location and a private outdoor soak.
  • La Divina (Monastiraki/Psiri): Apartment-style boutique stay with terrace hot tub options in one of the most convenient nightlife-and-restaurant areas of central Athens. Good for couples who want more space and neighborhood energy. Less ideal for travelers who want quiet or full hotel services.
  • SV Acropolis Residence (Makriyanni/Acropolis): A spacious residence-style stay near the Acropolis with a private outdoor hot tub in the courtyard. This is a strong family or longer-stay option if you want space and a great sightseeing location, but it is a residence rather than a hotel.
  • Acropolis View Plunge Pool Loft (central Athens): A private apartment-style stay with Acropolis view and plunge pool/jacuzzi setup. This is not a hotel in the classic sense, but it belongs on the list for travelers whose first priority is a private plunge pool and view.
  • Hidden Eden Residences (Plaka): Private-pool residences in Plaka. Good if you want the atmosphere and location of the old city with more privacy and space than a hotel room. Book carefully, as individual units and pool setups vary.
  • Nikki’s Skylight Suite (Syntagma/Plaka edge): Apartment-style option with a private swimming pool and balcony. Useful if you want a central apartment rather than a hotel, but it is better treated as a one-off suite stay than a standard hotel recommendation.
  • Monastik Living in Athina (Monastiraki/Psiri): Modern suite-style property with private hot tub categories. A good fit for couples who want central nightlife access and a private outdoor soak. Check the exact room carefully, as not every unit has a hot tub.

Best Athens Riviera Hotels with Private Pools

If you want a real private-pool hotel experience, the Athens Riviera is better than central Athens. The tradeoff is sightseeing: you are 30 to 60 minutes from the Acropolis, depending on the hotel, traffic, and exact location. Stay on the Riviera for pools, beaches, luxury, and a resort feel. Stay in central Athens for museums, ancient sites, walking, and short stays.

  • Four Seasons Astir Palace Hotel (Vouliagmeni): The best luxury resort near Athens and the strongest private-pool choice on the Riviera. Some bungalows and suites have private pools, and the resort also has beaches, multiple restaurants, family facilities, and a true holiday feel. This is the best option if you want Athens sightseeing plus a Greek island-style resort stay.
  • One&Only Aesthesis (Glyfada): Ultra-luxury Riviera resort with private-pool suites and villas, including seafront categories. The setting is glamorous, beachy, and more resort-like than central Athens. Best for couples and families who want the newest high-end Riviera stay and do not mind being away from the historic center.
  • 91 Athens Riviera, The Resort (Voula/Athens Riviera): A newer Riviera resort with cabana-style accommodation and private plunge-pool categories. It is less classic-luxury than Four Seasons or One&Only, but it is a useful addition if you want a resort feel, beach-club energy, and private outdoor space.
  • Grand Resort Lagonissi (Lagonissi): A long-established luxury resort on a private peninsula, with many suite and villa categories that include private pools. It is farther from central Athens than Vouliagmeni and Glyfada, so it works best as a resort stay rather than a sightseeing base. Excellent if you want space, sea views, and private-pool options.
  • Azur Hotel (Vouliagmeni): Smaller and more affordable than the big Riviera resorts, with select private-pool suite categories. The location is good for Vouliagmeni restaurants, beaches, and Lake Vouliagmeni. Good if you want Riviera atmosphere without Four Seasons prices, but confirm the exact suite and pool setup before booking.
  • Dolce by Wyndham Athens Attica Riviera (Vravrona/near airport): A practical resort-style option near the airport, with bungalow suite categories that include private pools. This is not the best base for central Athens sightseeing, but it can work well for a first or last night, airport logistics, or a low-effort resort stay.
  • Cape Sounio, A Grecotel Resort to Live (Sounio): Beautiful resort setting near the Temple of Poseidon, with private-pool suite and villa categories. It is too far from central Athens for daily sightseeing, but excellent for a romantic coastal stay, temple views, beaches, and a quieter end to a Greece trip.
  • Somewhere Vouliagmeni (Vouliagmeni): Small upscale hotel in one of the best Riviera neighborhoods. The standout category is the rooftop penthouse-style suite with private outdoor jacuzzi. Choose it for Vouliagmeni restaurants, beach access, and a quieter boutique feel rather than a large resort setup.

How to Choose

Shared Pools, Villas, and Other Unusual Cases

  • Hotels with only a shared rooftop pool: Great hotels like The Dolli, Electra Metropolis, The Stanley, and St. George Lycabettus have rooftop or shared pools, but they do not belong here unless they also have a specific private-pool or private-hot-tub room category.
  • Rooms with indoor hot-tub bathtubs: These are not included. A jetted tub inside the bathroom is useful, but it is not the same as a private plunge pool or outdoor terrace hot tub.
  • The Margi: A great Vouliagmeni hotel, but the private-pool option is generally the separate Margi Villa rather than a standard hotel room category. I would mention it only on a villa or Athens Riviera page.
  • Conrad Athens / The Ilisian: Worth watching as the property develops, but I would not feature a private-pool suite until the category is clearly bookable and current.

Athens Private Pool Hotels FAQ

Which hotel in central Athens has the best private pool?

Electra Palace Hotel is the most practical central choice if you want a private outdoor pool suite, a full-service hotel, and a great Plaka location. Grande Bretagne is more luxurious, but its private-pool option is a top-tier penthouse suite.

Are private pools common in Athens hotels?

No. Private pools are rare in central Athens. They are usually found in one or two penthouse suites, presidential suites, or apartment-style properties. They are much more common on the Athens Riviera.

Which Athens neighborhood is best for a private pool hotel?

For sightseeing, choose Plaka, Makriyanni, Monastiraki, Psiri, or Syntagma. For bigger private pools and a resort feel, choose Vouliagmeni, Glyfada, Lagonissi, or Sounio on the Athens Riviera.

Are private pools in Athens heated?

Some are heated, many are not, and policies can change by season. Always ask the hotel directly if pool temperature matters, especially for April, May, October, or November stays.

What is the difference between a private pool and a plunge pool?

A private pool is usually larger, though in central Athens even “private pools” can be small. A plunge pool is mainly for cooling off or soaking, not swimming. In Athens, many private pools are really plunge pools.

Should I book central Athens or the Athens Riviera?

Stay in central Athens if you have only 1 to 3 nights and want the Acropolis, museums, restaurants, and walking convenience. Stay on the Athens Riviera if you want beaches, pools, resort facilities, and a more relaxed holiday feel.

Which Athens Riviera hotels have the best private pools?

Four Seasons Astir Palace, One&Only Aesthesis, and Grand Resort Lagonissi are the strongest luxury choices. Azur Hotel is a smaller and often better-value Vouliagmeni option.

Can families book private-pool hotels in Athens?

Yes, but central Athens private-pool suites are often designed for couples. Families should look closely at occupancy limits, terrace safety, pool depth, and whether the suite has separate sleeping areas. For families who want space and pools, the Athens Riviera is easier.

About Santorini Dave

Santorini Dave in Athens, Greece Santorini Dave was started in 2011 when I posted a short guide to visiting Santorini with kids. Now, my site publishes regularly updated guides to Santorini, Naxos, Paros, Mykonos, Crete, Athens, and all of Greece.

Questions? Email me at dave@santorinidave.com.