Peloponnese Hotels

In the Northern Peloponnese, hotels in Nafplion, Patras, and other large towns and cities tend to be open year-round. In beach resorts, such as Tolo and Porto Heli, many hotels close in late October and reopen in late March or early April. A few resort-type hotels in beach towns cater to an international clientele, and there are business-style hotels in Patras. In Nafplion, many old houses have been converted to pleasant small hotels, and in Patras and Nafplion you are likely to find the region's more luxurious and expensive lodgings. Overall, though, lodging is a good value, and even in high season you can usually manage to find a clean and pleasant room for two, with breakfast, for EUR 50 or even less.

In the Southern Peloponnese, with the exception of a few luxury complexes along the coast, most hotels are standard, with plain rooms. Newer hotels may have more services and a bit more decorative flair—and, fortunately, are more likely to have air-conditioning. Bathrooms usually have showers instead of tubs. Wherever you stay in the warm months, come prepared with mosquito protection since most windows are screenless and the pests are ubiquitous.

Reserve ahead if you plan to travel in the high season (July and August), especially in coastal hotels that cater to groups. It's often cheaper to book larger hotels through a travel agent, and some of these hotels post special offers online. If a hotel is not full, you can usually negotiate a lower-than-official rate, especially in the low season. If the hotels are full, you can always find private rooms, though often without a private bath. Keep in mind that in resort areas, many places close from November through March. Ask the tourist police or a local travel agency for assistance. Most hotels include breakfast in the price, and the offerings range from toast and coffee to lavish buffets.

Those accustomed to traveling in the United States and Europe should not expect to find such amenities as Internet connections everywhere they go, though air-conditioning and televisions are increasingly common, even in inexpensive hotels; unless otherwise noted, expect hotel amenities to include telephones, televisions, and air-conditioning.

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