| Archontiko Leontari | |
|---|---|
|
Leontari 22021 Arkadia |
find it on the map |
This historical stone mansion in the village of Leontari has been lucky. Built in 1869 by a local professor, it had been standing empty and was close to collapse when in 2005 it was bought by Katerina Parpairi and Stefanos Anastasopoulos, an architect/civil engineer couple. They poured in all their skills and an equal dose of passion to subject the house to a sweeping restoration and convert it into a small boutique hotel. Bedrooms, nine in total, are done in warm colour schemes and decorated with precision. Furniture is a careful mix of antiques and Italian handmade pieces; wooden floors gleam; bathrooms are not big but well equipped and modern. Generally, the feel is warm, inviting and clean. Most rooms have a fireplace, but instead of wood they’re stacked with candles. My favourite is number three, a double opening up to a courtyard veranda, but all rooms are lovely. There’s one that is accessed directly from the hotel’s courtyard – convenient if you don’t want to have to climb up the steep stairs to the other rooms, but it’s a bit dim inside. During the winter months the fireplace blazes in the vaulted breakfast/sitting room, but as soon as the weather gets warmer the sheltered courtyard is the place to hang out. Archontiko Leontari is a cosy place to escape to from Athens (an easy drive of less than two hours) any time of the year, and an excellent base for excursions to the many places of interest in the wider area if you stay a bit longer.
What makes it special to me:
The cosy and immaculately clean bedrooms and the attentive staff. Katerina and Stefanos spend many of their weekends and holidays at the hotel; they are good company.
But what you should keep in mind:
The area was affected by the wildfires of 2007 and some of the nearby forests burnt down. Fortunately, fresh greenery is sprouting up all around.
| Owner | Katerina Parpairi and Stefanos Anastasopoulos |
| Address | Leontari |
| 22021 Arkadia | |
| Opening period: | All year |
| Children: | Welcome |
| Dogs: | Not allowed |
| Credit cards: | AMERICAN EXPRESS, VISA, MASTERCARD |
| Accommodation | 3 doubles 4 rooms for up to 3 persons 2 suites for up to 4 persons | ||||||||||
| Prices: |
| ||||||||||
| Reservation policy: | A deposit of 10% of the total price of the stay is required at the time of booking. The hotel may ask for an additional deposit by bank transfer. The outstanding balance is to be paid directly to the hotel upon checkout. | ||||||||||
| Cancellation policy: | The 10% deposit paid online at the time of booking is non-refundable. The hotel will charge a further fee of 40% of the total price of the stay if a cancellation is made less than 16 days prior to the arrival date, or in the case of a no-show. In the case of an early departure the hotel will charge the full price of the say. Jacoline's Small Hotels in Greece reserves the right to debit your credit card on behalf of the hotel in accordance with the above cancellation policies.  | ||||||||||
| Room facilities | En-suite bathroom (shower)
Telephone
Television Mini-bar Air conditioning Hairdryer Safe All rooms are non-smoking |
| Other facilities | Breakfast/sitting room with a fireplace (non-smoking) Bar (non-smoking) Courtyard terrace |
|
The hotel has no restaurant (there’s a very good, traditional place to eat at just two minutes’ walk), but breakfast is served in the courtyard or in the vaulted sitting room, or, if you feel lazy, you can ask to have it brought up to your room. Basic breakfast is included in the room rate; you can order extras from a small menu. |
|
The hotel is in the old market street of Leontari, 200 meters from the central square. The village is quiet in general, and you will not hear more than the occasional car passing. |
 find it on the map
|
|
Arhontiko Leontari is very easy to reach and find. You should leave the motorway between Tripoli and Kalamata when you see signs for Megalopoli and Leontari, and follow the signs for Leontari. You will reach the village after about 5 km. Take the first right after the main square, and you will see the guesthouse on your left after 150 m. |
|
Leontari is a small village in the Peloponnese, roughly halfway between Tripoli and Kalamata. It has a rich history; its Byzantine churches are a testimony to its glory days in the Byzantine era. The 14th century church of Holy Apostles on the village square is among the largest byzantine churches in Greece. Nowadays, most buildings in the village are relatively modern, a mixture of different architectural styles, budgets and tastes. Leontari not the kind of place that awes you from the moment you arrive, but it has a charm that slowly unveils itself as you stroll through the streets, have a drink on the village square, and walk by the ruined remains of the castle of Leontari. If you stay for a few days, Leontari is also a good departure point for day excursions. Take the (secondary) road towards Sparta, a beautiful drive through hills and mountains. It’s about an hour to get to the Byzantine fortress-state of Mystras, one of Greece’s most worthwhile historic sites. Leave early so you have a full day to visit the monasteries and beautifully frescoed chapels and churches (many of which have been restored) and the remains of the fortress on top of the mountain. For a day on the beach, head east towards the village of Kalo Nero (translated as ‘good water’) where the coast is lined with beautiful sandy beaches. And keep another day to explore the mountains of Arcadia. There are several immensely pretty, historical villages to explore; you can visit the cliff-hanging centuries-old monasteries in the Lousios Gorge (some are easily accessible, to get to others it’s better to go with a qualified guide) and you can arrange to go river trekking and rafting. |
Did you stay here?I'd love to hear how you liked it