48 Best Hotels in The Peloponnese, Greece

The fortified, seaside stronghold of the Mavromichali clan, noted for their role in the fight for Greek independence, is now an enchanting inn with character-filled rooms and suites set within the walls of a centuries-old tower building. Around this are clustered sun-drenched terraces that drop down to the turquoise waters of Limeni harbor, which lies just north of Areopolis. Stone walls, wooden floors, vaulted ceilings, and other original architectural touches are complemented by supremely comfortable beds and stylish furnishings. The on-site restaurant (as featured in the film The Trip to Greece) is open only to hotel guests and presents a gourmet Mediterranean menu highlighting products from the Mani. Several present-day Mavromichalis descendants are usually on hand to provide a warm welcome.

A 19th-century neoclassical mansion on a quiet square has been delightfully transformed into a petite family-run B&B with extremely comfortable guest rooms and alluring public spaces. Each room has a small balcony from which to enjoy the comings and goings below and the sight of the Palamidi above. The top-floor room with the large terrace is one of the nicest accommodations in town.

This attractive stay makes excellent use of this early-19th-century building's neoclassical mansion setting—all columns and arches. Rooms feature polished wooden floors, dizzyingly high ceilings, a few decorative objects, and a smattering of high-end necessities—who doesn't need a Smeg fridge to cool their minibar? The suite even includes its own private outdoor area. Breakfast and dinner take place in the beautiful garden courtyard, making for a surprisingly green retreat from the urban chug of Patras and a dream spot for an evening cocktail. It even hosts the odd movie night. 

Kitta was once home to the most powerful clan in the Mani, and relics of its past scatter the horizon. This 17th-century tower-house makes ingenious use of its space. Immaculate stone duplexes and flats are whittled into the interior, and an original cistern has been converted into a cunning plunge pool. Spectacular views from the upper floor reveal a sea of bushy olive trees punctured only by lonely towers. History is everywhere, and the oldest parts of the building date from the 10th century. During the Second World War it was transformed into a German officer's barracks; following that the militant left-wing Greek People's Liberation Army took over. It was abandoned until 2011, whereupon the current owners took over, taking five long years to complete the conversion. It was worth the wait. Today it's gastronomic reputation takes center stage, with a wine cellar claimed to be among the finest in Greece. Rustic meals and a sumptuous breakfast served in the garden terrace complete a unique stay.

Even if it were just about the setting, which gazes over the twinkling waters of Kalamitsi Bay, a tiny suburb just five minutes' walk south of town, this would still be the best stay in Kardamyli. The view from the pool or breakfast terrace is one you'll certainly want to savor. In fact, everything about this plush, stylish escape screams class, from the cooling stone-grey decor to the general air of contentment and quiet that pervades the air—and all for a reasonable price. 

This handsomely restored old house, just off the waterfront in the center of town, feels like a well-appointed private home, and the extremely comfortable guest rooms are graciously appointed and have sparkling bathrooms; all have views of the bay or a palm-filled square. The top-floor suite is especially spacious, with sloping ceilings and two balconies. A light breakfast with homemade cakes is served in a pleasant bar-café that opens onto a narrow lane of the Old Town; drinks are served here throughout the evening.

Surrounded by orange groves, this hilltop retreat is just a few minutes outside Nafplion but provides a resortlike getaway, with handsome, contemporary-style rooms and large terraces overlooking a shimmering pool and, in the near distance, the Gulf of Argolis. Large lounges invite guests to linger, snacks and drinks are available throughout the day, and a home-cooked evening meal is on offer for an extra charge. The country setting and pool provide a cooling refuge after summertime visits to all the surrounding sites, while in-room fireplaces and homey public spaces make this an appealing choice in winter, too.

There's something of a business hotel vibe at this unexpectedly slick stay in Kalavryta, but that's no detraction from what is an accomplished stay—efficient, friendly staff and good facilities, including a seasonal spa (November through April) with its own steam room, makes this spot a safe bet. There's even a small outdoor pool open in the summer months (May through September), which is a rarity in the cooler mountain areas.

A countryside Ottoman estate has been brought back to life as one of Greece's most distinctive hotels, where courtyards, terraces, domes, vaulted ceilings, arches, stone work, fireplaces, and other architectural elements are put to dazzling effect. An outdoor dining room overhangs a centuries-old cistern and a pair of swimming pools that wind through the garden. The suites and rooms overlook acres of orange groves, vineyards (private tastings are available), and, some 32 km (20 miles) of walking trails. A well-equipped spa enhances the general air of pampering, and special mention goes to the excellent restaurants, Mourie and Sterna, which serve some of the best high-end dining in the area. Away from the property, the hotel has its own private stretch of beach, 1.5  km (1 mile) away, in Livardia for the use of guests, as well as a boutique shop in Gefira worth checking out.

The Kyrimis family have lovingly restored a welcoming assemblage of 19th-century stone warehouses into a beautiful retreat, with comfortable guest rooms furnished with antiques and a tasteful mix of traditional and contemporary pieces; many have balconies and sleeping lofts. The outdoor dining room, pool, and terraces are so close to the sea that you'll think you're on a yacht. The chef prepares a sophisticated and satisfying menu, including a lavish breakfast buffet, and serves it outdoors for much of the year.

Arguably the plushest of the many stays that fringe the hills above Olympia, the Asty also has a restaurant in town (Ambrosia) that's worth a visit. But you come here for the peace, and to get away from the tourist crowds. The area is whisper-quiet and the views sweep across hillsides and plains that tumble into the distance. Rooms scatter the fringes of the site, with split-level suites removed from the large outdoor pool area and BBQ restaurant. 

A jolt of modernity illuminates this late-19th-century neoclassical town house, bang in the center of the old town. There's little about 3Sixty that is understated. From full-length dark mirrors that transform into TV screens to wood-burning fireplaces, Jacuzzis, and a golden elevator, what modern accoutrements they could squeeze within the tight restraints of the city planning laws are never less than whimsically over the top. Breakfasts in the restaurant next door are invariably superb, as are the dinners. The 3Sixty Grill might be achingly on-trend, but it has a fine menu to back it up, with 150-day-aged rib-eye and anthotyros cheese-stuffed ravioli a delight. Plus, it has comfortably the best wine list in the town.

Sea views fill every window in the airy, stylish, and contemporary guest rooms here, all of which open to teakwood decks—though the Old Town is just a few steps away, you may feel as if you're in the middle of the sea on a ship, and a pretty swanky one at that. Mattresses are remote-controlled to conform to the shape of your body, curtains open at the push of a button, bathrooms are equipped with jetted tubs, some showers double as steam rooms, and a maid comes twice daily. Guests may use the pool at the sister hotel, the Nafplia Palace. The in-house Circle restaurant is a refined, dress-for-dinner kind of place.

Amymone and Adiandi guesthouses (owned by the same family) have long been popular stays among the boutique-heavy B&Bs of Othonos Street. Set in centuries-old buildings, their oak wood floors, stylish mural headboards, and all-round design offer a welcome dose of style as opposed to their fustier rivals in the city. The newer Amymone Suites has similar design elements running through its veins, except the rooms are larger. It's still good value, however, and its fine breakfasts are held nearby in the excellent Wild Duck restaurant and bar, on the quayside.

One of the region's most popular eateries also provides attractive and character-filled guest rooms, all with balconies overlooking the countryside. These very comfortable accommodations, along with a relaxing swimming pool, allow guests to enjoy a country retreat while visiting the ruins, just 3 km (2 miles) away. Family rooms come with a Jacuzzi and can host up to four, making this a great bet for families traveling in the region. Its restaurant is particularly feted, and the poolside terrace is a lovely place to spend an afternoon or evening, though locals don't typically start arriving until 10 pm or so for dishes that include delicious grilled lamb and farm-fresh vegetables. 

A great deal of charm prevails in these simple but tastefully decorated rooms—the building used to be a Russian Embassy during Nafplion's brief stint as a capital. Turkish carpets, dark woods, and the odd sloping, beamed ceiling set a dignified tone, with the large family rooms particularly impressive. The location at the top of the Old Town, up the street from the church of Agiou Spiridona, means that many rooms have views of the hilltop fortress but this also necessitates plenty of steps to climb. Great value for the views.

This neoclassical mansion in the heart of town bursts with style—thanks to stone and hardwood floors, antiques, and old kilims—and the large, high-ceilinged guest rooms have been brought efficiently up to date with good lighting and well-equipped bathrooms. The lobby lounges and dining room are delights and make for welcome retreats from the busy city center.

Like many stays in Monemvasia, Byzantino spreads itself liberally across a half-dozen stone buildings in the Old Town. All are different and full of character, typically embellished with stone- and tile work and other distinctive decorations; some are multilevel. Less expensive rooms do not have terraces or sea views, but still retain the charm that pervades this old city. Bathrooms in most units are fitted into medieval recesses and are quite small. Breakfast at the hotel's café, near the main square, costs extra.

This vast complex incorporates two adjoining resorts, the Westin and the slightly more upscale Romanos. Both sprawl along a swath of coast in the southwestern Peloponnese, providing sparkling rooms—some with their own pools—and a long list of amenities, including more bars and restaurants than most guests will have time to sample and two impressive golf courses, making this a popular escape. For all the worldly polish, the resorts also do justice to the surrounding environment, with beautiful eco-conscious landscaping and extensive outdoors programs that encourage guests to explore the natural wonders of the region.

As discreet a stay as you can imagine—the busy road setting isn't all that pretty, but inside is the most relentlessly stylish stay in the city. An internal courtyard is wrapped by a series of flats that have been divided up into huge rooms. Suites come with a lounge, fold-out bed, and two balconies. Only a couple of rooms have sea views, but the city view is compensation enough with building-length murals decorating the skyline. Staff are well-drilled and always keen to help. 

Like most other stays in Kalavryta, trade here picks up in the winter as Greeks descend on the town and it's wise to book ahead—this hotel is open year-round, however, as is its spa, which is a nice treat given a lot of the facilities in town shut down in the summer. Rooms are cozy affairs with fluffy rugs that speak to the colder months and balconies for summer. 

At this pleasant seaside resort near the city center, large, stylishly furnished rooms overlook a lush garden, both indoor and outdoor swimming pools, and private beach. Welcoming public spaces surround a stone hearth, and a causal ouzeri and taverna-like restaurant serve a wide selection of seafood and Greek standards on a large poolside terrace.

This extremely elegant retreat, tucked into the sprawling multihotel Olympia Riviera Resort on the coast beneath the ancient city, pampers guests with handsome and comfortable suites in a luxurious Mediterranean-style villa and in lavish bungalows tucked into lush seaside gardens. The resort amentities here include a choice of fine dining, a private beach, and the services of one of the largest spas in Europe as well as superbly attentive service that puts a high polish on Greek hospitality.

The hotels that cluster the slopes above Olympia have the best views in town, sweeping out over the hillsides. Neat, recently renovated rooms with balconies mostly cluster around the internal olive-shaded garden that wraps a large pool. In summertime, the outdoor taverna (May through September) is a good choice for an alfresco meal on a warm night, though the Greek fare in the handsome, year-round indoor restaurant is excellent. An on-site shop even sells the hotel's own olive oil. 

Suzanna and Theo Spiliopoulou set the gold standard for small hotels, providing comfortable rooms that have wooden floors, small terraces, and splashes of artwork by the owner's painter mother. Among the various delights here, Suzanna, an accomplished chef, teaches cooking lessons and serves up a Peloponnesian feast (booking required), a treat not to be missed. A welcoming breakfast room is warmed by a large fireplace in cooler months, and the hospitality extends to dispensing information about Ancient Olympia and other locations in the Peloponnese.

A simple but well-managed stay in the very center of the town with rooms that are right on the main street and come with small kitchenettes (there's a little supermarket next door for supplies)—a few have fireplaces, making this a cozy spot to hole up in the winter months.

Accommodations in this old monastery (kellia means "cells") are fairly simple, but they are extremely appealing and face an airy square above the sea. Many are two floors, with sleeping lofts above a sitting room; most have sea views and pleasant terraces; and some have fireplaces.

It might seem counterintuitive to swap a stay in the old city for the less attractive new town on its fringes, but the newly opened Liberty has an ace up its sleeve---it has the best views in the city from its rooftop (the only one in Nafplion), where over breakfast you'll gaze out over to the ancient ramparts of the Palamidi, Acronafplia, or down to the coast as you fill your belly. Aside from that, it's a thoroughly modern stay with lifts, disabled access to all floors, street parking and balconies in every room. Plus, it's only a short walk to the old town.

The refined amenities here (the best place to stay if you need to spend a night in Tripoli) include a tasteful mix of traditional and contemporary furnishings, silk fabrics in the guest rooms, and large marble bathrooms. Ask for a room in the front of the hotel and enjoy a balcony overlooking Areos Square. The hotel's café on the square is one of a handful of people-watching spots that fills up quickly.