Scattered throughout Greece, historical buildings restored in exemplary fashion promise accommodation experiences made unique by historical, architectural value of buildings, enhanced with modern amenities. Our guest house and hotel selections presented here are all situated at extremely lovely locations that are ideal for nature-loving or urban exploration, their culinary offerings topping off your experience.
Sakalis mansion
An impressive 18th century stone mansion at the village Pinakates in the Pelion mountain region, eastern mainland Greece, this unit, featuring trademark local architecture, is a two-storey building. Like all Pelion mansions, it was built using local stones and wooden struts supporting the top floor, along with a slate roof made of Pelion stones. This mansion with austere lines was transformed into a wonderful guest house occupying various levels with interior stairs and verandas. The guest house’s outdoor swimming pool, offering an incredible view of the Pagasetic Gulf, the Sporades archipelago and Trikeri is a major bonus. Flowers and greenery surround the guest house. Its art-decorated wooden ceilings, as well as the stone and wood elements inside the rooms, all create a warm, intimate setting that is enhanced by antique furniture, hand-woven rugs and lace curtains. These old-school features co-exist with modern technology, resulting in a perfect dose of luxury. Alongside the old mansion, a newer two-storey building of traditional architectural style houses the establishment’s reception and breakfast area, with a fireplace. Traditional breakfast is served. It features local food products and handmade delicacies, including pies and homemade bread.
Pelion, Pinakates, +30 2423086560, www.sakalihotel.gr
Orologopoulos mansion
This two-storey, 19th century heritage listed mansion, belonging to the Orologopoulos family and situated next to Doltso square at Kastoria’s old commercial district, has been transformed into a small luxury boutique hotel. The setting is quite theatrical. The window frames and edges of walls are coloured a distinctive reddish-orange colour, while typical Macedonian architectural elements feature, including numerous windows and courtyard. The spot’s interior has a charming loft, as well as nine spacious rooms (Deluxe and a Junior suite) with wood and stone fittings. Their ceilings are ornate and abundant natural light floods in through big windows. The rooms are each decorated differently but they all share an off-white colour and minimal-style furniture, except for the suite, featuring vintage, dark-coloured furniture as well as bright, colourful touches.
Kastoria, Dolto square, 1 Piheon, +30 24670-21604, www.orologopoulos.gr
Arhontiko Tis Pepos
A small, romantic guest house at the centre of Nafpaktos, Arhontiko Tis Pepos is housed at a three-storey neoclassical building from 1850. Tastefully renovated, the building has seven rooms that occupy the first and second floors. One of these has a balcony offering a sea view. All rooms are named after daughters, grandchildren and great-grandchildren of Lady Despina Pantelopoulou, or Pepo, as she was affectionately called by her father. The rooms, each coloured differently, are small and intimate with brand-name, antique-style furniture. White-coloured embroideries are dominant, curtains are flowered and bathrooms are marbled. The ground level hosts the reception area, a small sitting space, as well as a breakfast room.
Nafpaktos, 11 Ilarhou Tzavella, +30 2634038185, www.arxontiko-pepos.gr
Imaret
A delightful historical Ottoman monument at Kavala’s old town, Panagia, Imaret was transformed into a luxury hotel and is a member of the Relais & Chateaux hotel brand. It was built between 1817 and 1821 and acquired its current shape in the mid-19th century. It was revamped, impeccably, in 2001, by Anna Misirian, a Kavala-based entrepreneur. Guests enjoy luxury and also feel like they are taking part in the celebrated place’s history.
The rooms are vaulted, all differently, and feature courtyard patios, while some of the rooms have their own verandas, offering a view of the city port. The rooms are fitted with wooden floors, the bathtubs are round, bathroom sinks are either copper or marble, and the light fixtures are chandelier-like. The décor here is altered depending on the season. In winter, hand-woven rugs and velvet bedding sets feature. The building’s common rooms are luxury settings with deep sofas, linen tablecloths and impressive light fittings. The offering includes a luxury hamam with Anatolian references, as well as a luxury spa. Breakfast is an extra. Guests under the age of 12 are not permitted.
Kavala, Ano Poli (Panagia), 30-32 Th. Poulidou, +30 2510620151, www.imaret.com
Souliotis mansion
The heritage listed Souliotis mansion, at the village Metaxohori in Larissa’s Agia area, has been transformed into an exceptional guest house, situated amid plane trees and creeks. A three-storey mansion with lots of windows, the building is an imposing presence, formidably constructed with thick walls. It is located on the edge of Mount Kissavos at an altitude of 200 metres, offering a superb view of the Dotio plain. All rooms have wooden beam ceilings, wooden floors, vintage dark-coloured furniture, modern light-coloured bedding sets, and sporadic explosions of colour. Amenities are offered at all rooms. An overall feeling of warmth and comfort prevails. Rich, traditional breakfast is served, featuring handmade delicacies and local goods.
Larissa, Metaxohori, Agia, +30 2494022040, +30 2494022008, www.souliotismansion.com
Casa Delfino Hotel & Spa
This hotel is housed at a superb 17th century building of Venetian architecture in Hania’s old harbour area. This elegant building was bought by Giovanni Delfino, a ship owner from Genova who made his fortune transporting merchandise all over the Mediterranean. At some point, his vessel sank off the Gramvousa islets, close to Crete, but Delfino managed to salvage his cargo, a shipload of cured cod. He found refuge at a Capuchin monastery and decided to live in Crete, running his business affairs from Hania, his new home base. It was at this point in time that he decided to buy the large Venetian mansion, which has remained in the family for over six generations. Grand marble stairs lead to the first floor, whose rooms are fully equipped with all modern amenities. Most rooms are big and look out to a pebbled courtyard, while some rooms have a view of the harbour. The elegant bathrooms are fitted with marble. Many offer jacuzzis. The beds and cupboards are big and the verandas feature wooden armchairs. Traditional breakfast with handmade culinary delights and local Cretan food products is served at the courtyard. The spot also features an atmospheric roof garden with a view of the old harbour and the sunset, plus a marble spa.
Hania, Old Harbour, 9 Theofanous, +30 2821087400, www.casadelfino.com
Kyrimai
An impressive hotel, Kyrimai is located just prior to the southernmost edge of the Mani peninsula, opposite Gerolimenas rock, or Cavo Grosso (Great Cape). The hotel is housed at a superbly restored 19th century building, offering all modern comforts. The hotel once served as an old shop, storage space and main tower – a symbol of power – for Theodoros Kyrimis, a merchant and mayor of Mesi Mani around 1800. The hotel is by the beach and is spread over various levels connected by a complex of steps and arches. The rooms, including four suites, all have different layouts and décor. They all feature wooden floors and wood beam ceilings, gentle wall colours, luxury furniture and pleasant upholstery. The hotel restaurant serves high-standard cuisine, advancing local Mani gastronomy. This principle is also applied to the hotel’s breakfast offering.
Gerolimenas, Mani, +30 2733054288, +30 2733059330, www.kyrimai.gr
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