The Jacoline Vinke, author of the book «Great Small Hotels in Greece», selected eight special hostels and we offer them wholeheartedly for winter trips to Greece.
Upbeat, funky, eclectic and luxurious, a combination that would normally only expect in Athens or on islands like Mykonos. But you can also find in the mountains of Himachal Pradesh. Semeli Mountain Resort was created on the initiative of some locals who thought to do something different, and made with love. Made from natural stone and wood, the building fits into the landscape. Internally, however, is madness: Philip Starck furniture and Guy Laro-che mixed with antique and ethnic pieces, tables and chairs at least six different styles available in the dining room, elaborate mirrors hanging from the stone walls, modern chandeliers suspended from wooden beams. The result is almost shocking, but it works!
The rooms are more low-key (with some unusual touches) and extremely comfortable. Thoughtful details, apparent perfection, excellent services offered generally. There is a small family hotel, nor you have the sense of large and impersonal. There is a restaurant for lunch and dinner, with creative Mediterranean and local cuisine - the menu includes an excellent and unexpected combination dishes. Breakfast is equally delicious, with bread baked in an authentic wood oven, good coffee and freshly squeezed orange juice. Anything else you can order it from the list of breakfast (no extra charge). When one of the owners asked me if there is something that could be improved, the only thing I thought was that he asked me how I cooked my eggs. Be a tough review!
Prices: From 90 euros per night for a double room, including breakfast.
PLEIADES
Pelion Ski Centre
I have stayed in many hotels, but this was by far the most memorable arrival. After we drove to Pelion a Friday night, the beginning of time, in a gray winter landscape, reaching the mountain village of Hania, we welcomed the snow nearly two meters. (Fortunately, the roads were cleared.) We were told to leave the car in the parking lot of the ski resort, where we would expect a tracked vehicle.
What fun! It was a rough race on the slopes, but I enjoyed as children. The Pleiades is actually the only hotel in Greece located KU-riolektika on the ski slopes. It was built some years ago by a young couple.
The idea was to offer customers a combination of ski -or pezoporias-, services inside and outside the hotel, attractive rooms, many spaces for relaxation and excellent traditional food. Progressing slowly and still not find the hotel full, but we we were absolutely satisfied. Our room was elegant, spacious and comfortable (nevertheless, perhaps missing some personal touches). The meals were rich and quite delicious. We enjoyed the quietness in the spaces reserved for hotel guests, as well as the lively atmosphere of the cafeteria, which, during the ski season gets double movement from the crowds of skiers. During the winter months is a fantastic hotel for those who are serious about skiing, and the remainder, if you want to enjoy nature, tranquility and spectacular views, this is the place.
Prices: 70-120 euros per night for a double room without breakfast.
MANSION Sakalis
Pinakates Pelion
A decade ago, the only thing offered accommodations in the mountain villages of Pelion was the pure traditional style. Things have changed a lot since then: now one has unlimited choices of hotels and hostels that satisfy (almost) every taste and budget. If you're looking for a perfect combination of tradition, warmth, elegance and great comfort, look elegantly restored mansion Sakalis 18th century, in Pinakates. The mansion has eight different style rooms (all non smoking), all furnished with carefully selected old and handmade pieces and wonderfully comfortable beds. We stayed in a room without a particular view, but it was terribly pleasant. The two top-floor rooms have amazing views.
There is also a smaller "small house", with breakfast room and living room, both very attractive, and a steam room, a Jacuzzi with a view and, in summer, an outdoor pool with a terrace overlooking the mountains and the sea. The owners of the mansion Sakalis live and work near Athens, but spend all their free time in Pelion. The mansion is their passion, and reflected in every detail. Daily care is in the hands of Mrs Praxithea, filling the house with a smile and smells freshly baked cakes. The breakfast is really exquisite, with traditional pie, cake, very good donuts, yogurt, dried fruit, cereals, fresh orange juice and other ... For lunch and dinner you can walk in the village taverns -the one is right side by, offering simple food.
Prices: 150-220 euros per night for a double room, including breakfast.
ΞΕΝΩΝ ESTATE
Κοκκινάρια, Σπέτσες
A party is not heard so much as a winter destination, but that is indeed wonderful to visit it throughout the year, as access is easy and does not fall in absolute and deep hibernation when no longer leave the last tourists of the summer.
Let others get cars and crawlers and pull in the mountains and you depart for the island of Spetses, where you can enjoy the mild climate, walks or bike rides and enjoy amazing food throughout the duration of time. There is a lovely place to stay, the hostel Estate, where you will enjoy tranquility, privacy, comfort and luxury.
The young owners, Elina and Alex chose a large extent on the hill above the town, where they built two villas. The style is modern country chic, many amenities, the attention to detail remarkable. The houses have a clean and airy feel, but to show cold or impersonal. I was impressed by all the thoughtful amenities including excellent toiletries, many candles available, fully equipped kitchen to prepare gourmet dinners, the fridge was filled with exquisite products. The bigger house, Astraea, has four rooms and can sleep up to eight people. There and Althea, with three rooms (up to six people). Finally, the Limbo apartment can accommodate a couple and a child. I spent only a short weekend in hostels Estate, but well I could have stayed much longer.
Rates: From 230 euros per night.
SPIRIT OF THE KNIGHTS
Alexandridou 14 Old Town Rhodes
Asking a "green" hotel in the medieval city of Rhodes, which offers quiet, understated luxury, history and authenticity, as well as a small oasis in the outdoor area (where in summer you can sunbathe and relax in the jacuzzi) may sound excessive, but I found it. The Spirit of the Knights belongs to Felicity Marshall, a British artist mosaics, and one of 17 children (natural, adoptive and foster - all big anymore).
They bought the building of the crusaders of the 14th century in 2004, when he was about to collapse, and undertook the mission to rescue. H Felicity oversaw every detail of the restoration and then undertook to decorate with style by choosing the appropriate local and oriental furniture, objects and works of art. He created six beautiful rooms and suites, all different of course, very comfortable beds and excellent bathrooms. Some children followed the Felicity Rhodes and together operate the hotel in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. The family decided to keep it open all the time and highly recommend it for a short winter break (as it was for me). The walk to the Old City on a cold winter day is wonderful experience. The city shows totally different without the hordes of summer tourists.
Prices: 105-380 euro for a double / suite with breakfast.
An oblong tower that will have all your own, like the roof (if you are toned enough to climb several steps). A house like a cave, with arches, where you will sleep comfortably. An ancient, megalithic house, estimated to be about 1,000 years old. A recently built but in traditional style, sunny home with large terraces. In Pappoudiko you can choose what suits you. In addition to style and luxury, each one of the seven houses apartments that make up this small hotel has something unique to offer.
It is an old family property just outside the tiny capital of Mani, Areopolis, which was renovated by Anna-Maria and Michael Kalapothaki with excellent attention to detail and perfection. The original architecture, the white color and exquisite antique furniture create a stylish and elegant combination. Extra beds, modern and generously equipped bathrooms and thoughtful touches everywhere give a sense of discreet luxury. An example: not only found a basket filled with all the goodies in the large room of the house where we stayed, and another basket in the beds of room for children, with slippers on their numbers and swimwear especially for children - something I had not seen before. Other temptations at breakfast: all year, customers can start their day with a real (and probably fattening!) Feast in the yard. It is difficult to decide what is worth more here. It is generally unlikely.
Rates: From 150 euros per night, including breakfast.
For years I went to the Meteora area and wondered why in a place so famous for its spectacular cliffs and historic monasteries there was not a cute little place to stay. There are many hotels in Kalambaka and around, but, as far as I've seen, none has charm trace. Finally, a wonderful small guesthouse opened in Kastraki, a village just below the Meteora. It is an old stone house of 1845, which at times housed the local barber shop, grocery store, tailor shop and butcher. Voula (born and raised in the village) and Chris did a great job renovating the building and turn it into a sweet hostel.
Shaped the interior with attractive, traditional style with lots of wood, warm colors and old-style furniture. The house has a pleasant dining room on the lower level (with direct access to the garden) and five rooms on two upper floors. Some of them give the impression that they are small, but this is also because they have the traditional low ceilings. Christos and Voula are great hosts, will greet you with drinks and homemade pastries and offer you amazing breakfast. You will taste the freshest eggs (and after you go to say "thank you" to the chickens roam near the house), delicious homemade pies, cakes and pastries and other goodies. Here you will feel at home.
Prices: 80-120 euros per night for a double, including breakfast.
TOWER PETROPOULAKI
Rahi Gythion
Growers, politicians, revolutionaries and resisters once lived in this tower, which carries centuries of history and magnificent stands atop a hill overlooking olive groves, forests, mountains and sea. Located near Gytheio, in a village that was almost completely destroyed and then abandoned during the Second World War.
A few years ago, Dimitris Petropoulakis, grandson of one of the last inhabitants of the village, returned to renovate the tower and smaller houses next to it. Turned them into a small hotel, the operation of which undertook together with his wife Yota and her mother.
They created a cozy, elegant interiors and very comfortable bedrooms, ten in all - some very spacious, others smaller but with warmth. The family is engaged in farming and animal husbandry -have animals and also produce their own fruits, vegetables and olive oil, so the meals you will eat here mostly made with homemade organic produce is fresh and healthy. The only downside might be that there is no normal living (planning to create one in the near future), so when it is cold outside, the large communal table in the dining room is the only place where customers can gather - but ultimately favors wonderfully relaxed and casual atmosphere. Our dinner (made with homemade organic produce) served by the 11 year-old daughter Eugenia. The friendly dogs and cats in our family held company over lunch. If you stay for a few days, you can learn how to make soap from olive oil, to prepare traditional sweets and bake bread in an authentic wood oven.
Prices: 80-100 euros per night for a double room, including breakfast
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