18 Best Hotels in The Peloponnese, Greece

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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.

On the other side of the bay, above Selinitsa beach, lounges one of the more established stays of the area. White cabanas line the pebble beach out front, punctuating the pretty lawn that dribbles down to the coast. Beyond, cabins scatter grassy grounds speckled with olive trees. Plush residences come with their own private decking, Jacuzzis, and private mini pools; others just with sea views out over the bay. Interiors mix plain white and bold colors with painted wooden beams, never letting you forget you're by the coast, which is exactly why you come here. 

There is a strand of hotel that has embraced the "aren't we having fun" vibe, and Moxy fits squarely in that bracket. But beyond the relentless branding—Polaroid prints of young somethings indulging themselves decorate lifts and walls alike—this is easily one of the city's most accomplished stays. It's also really good value for what you get: great pool, small gym, views out over the twinkling waters of the marina, and all within easy walking distance of the bus or ferry terminals. It's the perfect stopover. 

If first impressions are everything, spare a moment for the glamorous Nafplia Palace, which is reached either by car or via a bizarrely dark, graffitied tunnel leading to a trio of battered elevators. The latter whisk you up from the Old Town to another world entirely, where extensive grounds, spacious villas, and luxurious suites sit perched high above Nafplion on the ruins of the Frankish fortification atop Acronafplia. Rooms in the old hotel wing, in what was a state-run stay in the 1970s, are yet to be reopened; the real lure are the bungalows and villas, equipped with sumptuous bathrooms, sliding glass walls, and chic modern furnishings; some even have private pools and huge pine-scented terraces.   Even if you're not staying here, it's worth the rickety elevator ride to visit the bar, which sits on a pine-scented terrace high above the town and is a prime spot for a sunset cocktail.

These bright, handsome stone cottages, owned by the couple behind Lela's Taverna, lie scattered across hillside gardens. Their insides are furnished in handmade, bleached-wood pieces and attractive muted fabrics. Each unit also has a large terrace overlooking the sea and kitchens are well equipped. The hospitality of Giorgos and Maria is as warm and embracing as everything else about this lovely spot. Stays are a three-day minimum.

Nestled amid one of the most likable streets in the old town, this estimable pension has charm to spare. High-ceilinged rooms make the most of its 19th-century neoclassical townhouse setting, with some accommodating up to four people—a rarity in the city's pensions. Owner Ute also has a choice of apartments elsewhere in town, so there's a good choice for larger families. Sun-speckled balconies overlook one of the city's better areas for a quiet night out, and in the morning some of the best breakfasts in town (homemade and imaginative) are served in the bistro downstairs. 

The 200-year-old property seems to be on top of the world, tucked away at the very summit of the Old Town, just below the Acronafplia. From here its breezy balconies and gardens gaze out to the sea. It's been in the Zoltas family for over 40 years, and one of the brothers is always on hand to extend familial hospitality that extends to fresh-squeezed juice from the family orchards and homemade cakes and jams. Aside from being convenient to the sights (and the beach is short walk away), this homey perch is full of shady nooks and crannies that are tailor-made for relaxation, while the terrace has fantastic views at breakfast. Grab a stay in one of the lower stone-floored rooms for something a bit special.

Kalamata isn't blessed with an abundance of reliable city hotels, especially within the town center—the resorts that span to the east tend to be more modern and up to date, yet the Pharae Palace comfortably bucks the trend, taking pride of place on the promenade, surrounded by eateries and evening strollers. Its Loft bar and restaurant has fantastic views come sunset and a fine reputation for its cooking. Rooms have been recently renovated, and what it lacks in a pool it more than makes up for in having the sea on its doorstep.

From the shady, well-manicured side garden to the attractive traditional furnishings in the spotless rooms, every part of this hotel is welcoming. Balconies have views over the town and sea, and each room has an individual heating and cooling unit (important when the mosquitoes are out in force). The breakfast spread is lavish, with fresh orange juice, local yogurt with honey, and freshly baked breads, all held in the vine-covered garden.