Special place to stay, Peloponnese?
 

I am putting together a trip to the eastern Peloponnese, 8-9 days (will bookend with nights in Athens), late May. I am pretty set on Nafplio, and I am really captivated by Monemvasia for perhaps a short stay. Both of those places seem to have an abundance of great accommodations, so I'm all set there. I'm looking for one more spot, which I thought would be Kardamyli, but I have so far found the accommodations uninspiring. I'm a sucker for a beautiful accommodation--b&b, hotel, or apartment. It can be self catering or have a great breakfast, but it needs to be small. I figure street parking will be okay at this time of year. Other than that, I just like a great view with some private outdoor space.
I have found some truly exceptional places in Italy through recommendations here, so if anyone has a favorite place I should be looking,I thank you in advance for sharing.
Of course this is all in flux, and I might decide to stay four nights in two places instead of 3-2-3, so I am open to input on that as well. We'll have a car and want to be in a place with good restaurants to walk to at night and drive around to see sites/do hikes during the day. We are typically happy at the sea, but maybe I should be looking in the interior to mix it up? I'm just getting started, so bear with me.

Unfortunately, your special might not be mine, but you might take a look at

• Limeni Village Hotel outside Aeropoli
• Messana near the ruins of Messini (aka Messene)
• En Dimitsani B&B in Dimitsana (though it's probably too far west for you).

Kardamyli is not in Eastern Peloponnese unless you have an unusual Atlas, it's in the far Southwest part. I have a very special place, which i've described so often on this forum I don't want to repeat myself.... ZOE Hotel, in Gialova, which is a tiny line of buildings on a beautiful bay & beach, just about 10 Km north of PYLOS (itself a lovely french-designed village wih a beautiful square). ZOE's website calls it a "resort" ZOE RESORT - Home but don't be fooled, it's actually a wonderful family-owned hotel smack-dab on a breathtaking beach .... with a small grove of palm trees right on the sands, with paths beneath, and lantern-lighted tables for dinner. There's a wee pier that no one docks at, only used for a few cars, where Greek dads & kids park at 5 pm for a watery frolic before dinner. Basket chairs in the shade ... looooong walks along a golden strand, almost entirely undeveloped (Go while it's still that way)... a peninsula with fortress ruins, an amazing circular beach (world heritage, no development allowed), a wildlife refuge & bird sanctuary... aah. Yes, go to Messene on the way, but stay here if you can.

Travelerjan's suggestion is even farther from Monemvasia than Kardamyli. If you want to travel that way there are some marvellous seaside villages in the area (Pilos, Methoni, and Koroni) and also Ancient Messene, a huge archaeological site that doesn't get many visitors. Also check out the small monastery near Ancient Messene.

One place you might look into is somewhere to stay near Elafonisos (not to be confused with the one on Crete), which is said to have some of the best white sand beaches in Greece. It's somewhere I've always wanted to go, and is very near Monemvasia. I'll be the first to admit I don't know much about it other than the stunning photos of the beach, so it may not be what you want.

There are several hotels at Elafonissos, even close to the famous Simos Beach.
Some people stay at Neapolis and reach Elafonissi by car via Pounta - car/passenger ferry.

Thanks everyone. I am doing my typical routine of getting excited and getting ahead of myself, but these tips really do help focus. Will get reading and be back as I refine the trip.

Kardamili has a good selection of accommodations in a budget for everyone:

https://www.kardamili-greece.com/en/...mmodation.html


Here's THE best website for Nafplio and surrounding area if you want to explore the Argolis Peninsula and parts of the east of the Peloponnese:
http://www.visitnafplio.com/index.html

Elafonissi is a small island you'll need to get a ferry to reach. It's known for it's beautiful beaches, but not much else. Some consider it a "spartan" version of Aegina.

https://www.greecetravel.com/pelopon...isos/index.htm

yorkshire,
I'm wondering where you ended up staying in Kardamili. I'm waiting to hear back from Vardia Hotel for my October trip, but I'm looking for a backup if that doesn't work out.

crazyh, I looked at the selection from the link to Kardamili's accommodation, and noticed that Vardia Hotel isn't even listed. I was wondering if the hotel has to pay for inclusion on that site, which makes me a little bit nervous.

I found a fabulous house, totally nixing the need for small (since husband snores, why not have a two bedroom house? lol)
https://athinasstonehouse.business.site/
Highly recommended! It is on a hillside overlooking Kardamyli and the sea. We keep the car parked at night once happy hour commences; it was a pleasant well-lit 20 minute walk to town for dinner. Some of the hiking paths pass right by the road you turn off to access the house.

Thanks, yorkshire! Looks lovely! Are there other people staying there or is it just a single occupancy accommodation?

There is an upstairs apartment, but I'm pretty sure it belongs to the owner, who lives elsewhere (she had a friend let us in who was available if we needed anything)--and it is not described as available on any booking sites. The owner can probably let you know if she rents the house when she is in country.

Thanks, yorkshire,
Since we will be there for a short time, I think I’ll stick to a hotel or a place a little closer in to town. It looks perfect for a longer stay.