Three Boutique Hotels in Mainland Greece
The Greek islands usually hold front-row seats when it comes to holiday destinations in Greece. However many they may be, Greece is not just made of these, albeit, fascinating islands. Our search for the best boutique hotels in mainland Greece takes us to Athens and the Peloponnese, this time. Boutique hotels typically have a small room count, have a strong personality, and provide guests with an entirely unique, hospitality experience. These three stunning boutique hotels are worth singling out as they all promise guests a stay amidst sensationally designed interiors, in an uber-elegant environment that respects the heritage that each represents, all the while providing a holiday in Greece with an entirely different feel and pace to the typical Greek island vacation.
The Foundry Urban Boutique Luxury Hotel in Athens
View of the luxurious space at The Foundry in Athens
Athens city needs no introduction. Anciently beguiling and modernly alluring, it is a destination that should not be overlooked, and well worth spending a few days exploring its contrasts and intricacies. No stranger to high standard hospitality, one of the most recent additions to the list of best boutique hotels in Athens, reveals the exceptional Foundry Hotel Athens an Urban Boutique Luxury Hotel. This hotel has profoundly revived a historical building in Athens’ most vibrant district, that of Psyrri, breathing new life into the old font foundry and printing house of the 1930s. Industrial design is fused with boho stylistics across its brand new, 12 fully equipped, one-of-a-kind apartments, while this hotel provides guests with a truly unique feature, that of a rooftop picnic garden that boasts wonderful Acropolis views. Moments on a balcony or terrace are an integral part of Athenian life, and The Foundry is one hotel that offers its guests a delicious taste of experiencing Athens’ favourite outdoor pastime themselves. The rooftop with vertical gardens is where guests can start their morning with a breakfast picnic basket including some wholesome, local delicacies; where they can take a break from visiting the local sites for lunch or for some local wine or beer tasting for a really special treat; a place to fully unwind in with the perfect nightcap, while observing Athens city’s illuminated skyline, under the stars.
Uber-cool rooftop at The Foundry hotel, Athens
Mystras Grand Palace Resort & Spa in Mystras, Peloponnese
Scenic and enchanting view of the Peloponnese, where you can find Mystras Palace Resort & Spa
Although the term ‘resort’ may throw you off, the Mystras Grand Palace Resort in Mystras of the Peloponnese more closely resembles a boutique hotel. Not for the larger than usual room count for accommodating its guests, but for the services offered, the impeccable design, and the link to the heritage that can be experienced here. Set in a beautiful, verdant valley, just beneath the great Mount Taygetus, Mystras Grand Palace Resort will charm visitors with its Byzantine architectural design, expansive gardens, and surrounding landscape views. Mystras was a place of aristocratic affluence during the Byzantine times, around the 14th and 15th centuries. It is like an open-air museum with its impressive array of historic castles and monasteries; a place of immense cultural significance with many intriguing landmarks to visit. It has a Medieval allure about it that is complemented by a refreshing sense of being part of the Greek outdoors. Nearby is the infamous city of Sparta, brimming with ancient artifacts, so while in Mystras, guests can discover two very distinct eras of Greek history. What’s more is that there are a plethora of facilities offered by Mystras Grand Palace Resort, including many choices for food and beverage, that will ensure your time spent here can be as relaxing or as active as desired, while most importantly, absolutely authentic to the roots of the region.
Glorious lunch view with the mountain range in full view at Mystras Palace Resort
The natural landscapes surrounding the pool at Mystras Palace Resort
Petra & Fos Boutique Hotel & Spa Hotel in Mani, Peloponnese
Rooftop pool view looking out onto the sea at Petra & Fos Boutique Hotel
Further south into the Peloponnese, you will find Mani, a destination like no other. Mani is made of two sections, Inner Mani which is characterised by an overwhelming, tranquil wilderness, and Outer Mani, which is more verdant and mostly coastal. Visiting Inner Mani will be an experience you will not soon forget, simply because you will have never experienced anything like it before. If it is a retreat you seek, look no further than staying at Petra & Fos Boutique Hotel & Spa in Inner Mani’s Itilo area. Perched on a towering hillside, this boutique hotel blends into its surroundings expertly, primarily made of stone. The name of the hotels means ‘stone & light’ in Greek, and so its design has taken the natural elements of the landscape and amplifies their power. The way the sunlight bounces off the ecru stones creates a sublime canvas of incredible panoramic views, overlooking the glistening Gulf of Itilo. The comfortable rooms are built in the traditional Maniot way, making them a cool and quiet refuge for a most restful sleep while the local cuisine that has received a delicate, contemporary twist will definitely excite guests. Here you can delve into deeper levels of repose, while the stillness of the place soothes the soul and releases feelings of a newfound sense of awe.
Want to know more about Greece? Go Greek island hopping from Athens and discover picturesque Hydra, Spetses, and Poros or lesser-known gems like Serifos, Sifnos, and Milos. Explore ancient temples and fortresses in Aegina, Agistri, and Methana or soak up the sun on the stunning beaches of Mykonos and Santorini.
This article has been produced in collaboration with Helen-Marie Joyce.
