Kardamyli Pool Suites

Kardamyli, Peloponnese, Greece
Book from GBP 127

Three chic self-catering suites for 2-6, sharing a spectacular pool perched above the blue bay of Messinia

Three chic self-catering suites for 2-6, sharing a spectacular pool perched above the blue bay of Messinia

This, to bend a phrase, is the view that launched a thousand ships. In Greek legend, Helen of Troy – the most beautiful woman in the world, over whom the Trojan Wars were fought – was born on a rocky islet just near here.

Quite honestly, I don't know why she left. This is one of the most spectacular stretches of coastline in Greece, with clear blue seas, silvery olive groves, secluded pebbly coves tucked into deep inlets, and the huge peaks of Mt. Taygetos soaring up behind. To your left are the sandy beaches of Stoupa, to your right the picturesque fishing village of Kardamyli where Patrick Leigh Fermor – a famously well-travelled Grecophile – chose to live.

What a spot, then, for this trio of chic one- and two-bedroom suites, newly built in 2020. All face out past the eye-catching pool – which is shared between them – to the sea. Interiors are tasteful in a muted, minimal way, with wicker and wood furnishings, deeply comfortable queensize beds, open-plan living areas, and handy little kitchen corners for simple meals at home. You're perched above the bay of Delfinia, whose secluded beach and charming little kantina is 5 mins' walk away. Nearby are low-key beach bars, kayaks and SUPs to hire, ancient mulepaths to explore, fish tavernas to sample.

Highs

  • Perfect for a family – or, better still, 2-3 families travelling together and taking the whole place
  • Having a pool is a rare and welcome bonus here: not many licences are granted
  • Being west-facing, there are sunsets to die for
  • All 3 suites have a double sofabed if needed
  • Outside school holidays, the 1-bedroom suites would make a gorgeous couple's hideaway (just don't let her sail off to Troy)

Lows

  • The pool is shared, and poolside terraces separated only by fencing; so if you are a quiet couple with noisy families either side, it can be frustrating (we suggest couples stay outside school hols)
  • Kitchen equipment is limited, and there are no ovens (only a 2-ring hob)
  • Stoupa and Kardamyli are 3-4km away: you'll want a car
  • For a family holiday, the 1-bed suites will feel snug – especially if using the living room as a kids' bedroom
  • All the beds are doubles (no twins)

Best time to go

Late April - May and September - mid October are ideal: warm but rarely hot, with empty beaches and cheaper deals. In spring there are wonderful wild flowers, in autumn the sea is much warmer - take your pick. Flights to Kalamata can be harder to find in April and October, but Athens is always an option. In July - August things gets hotter (often mid 30s C) and busier, but never cheek-by-towel busy. Kardamyli sometimes hosts a low-key jazz festival in May and a literary festival in October.

Our top tips

We think this place would be ideal for 3 couples (possibly with a child or children) travelling together - sharing the pool and terrace, but each with their own living-dining areas for when you want a bit more privacy. A table can be set up outside for everyone to dine together, if required.

Great for...

Beach
Cheap & Chic
Family
Great Outdoors
Romantic
  • Self-catering suites
  • 3 suites for 2-6
  • Self-catering; restaurants 4km
  • All ages welcome
  • Closed: Dec-mid Feb
  • Outdoor Pool
  • Spa Treatments
  • Beach Nearby
  • Pet Friendly
  • Disabled Access
  • Car recommended
  • Parking
  • Restaurants Nearby
  • WiFi
  • Air Conditioning
  • Guest Lounge
  • Terrace
  • Garden
  • Gym
  • Daily Maid Service
  • Towels & Bedlinen
  • Daily cleaning
Room:

Rooms

There are two 1-bedroom suites, labelled Deluxe and Superior, though there's not much to choose between them. Both have an open-plan living-dining-kitchen area, with a table for 2-3 and a low sofa (that converts to a double bed); and, upstairs, a double bedroom with queensize bed and sea views. The Deluxe gets a private patio for secluded sunbathing, and two shower bathrooms (one up, one down). The Superior has direct pool access, but only one shower room (downstairs) and a mezzanine-style bedroom (so light and sound travels flows up from the living area).

The 2-bedroom suite, dubbed VIP though probably more popular with families, is the pick of the bunch. As well as two double bedrooms (both with sea-view balconies), it boasts a larger living area and poolside terrace (again with direct pool access), plus two shower rooms.

All of them share the same tasteful, neutral décor - cream walls with patches of golden stone, white cushioned sofas, dove-grey kitchen units, stylish wooden furniture, and a minimum of clutter. There's air-con, wafting curtains, good lighting and a wall-mounted TV (no satellite or film library). Shower rooms come with Korres toiletries, plenty of towels and a hairdryer.

Features include:

  • Hairdryer
  • Minibar
  • Mosquito net
  • Safe box
  • WiFi

Eating

The small open-plan kitchens are handy for breakfast and light lunches, but they don't have ovens - so cooked meals have to be kept fairly simple. In all three, there's a fridge, sink, 2-ring electric hob, kettle, Nespresso machine, pans and basic supplies, including a starter hamper for your first breakfast. You can dine indoors (a bit of a squeeze for four in the 1-bedroom suites; otherwise fine), or more likely outdoors under the pergola on your poolside terrace.

The villages of Kardamyli and Stoupa (both 3-4km away) have supermarkets and grocery stores, as well as plentiful restaurants, cafés and bars. Seafront Lela's in Kardamyli is an institution, but we also love tucked-away Kiki's, while in Stoupa we ate well at beachside Almiriki. Nearest of all is the simple kantina on Delfinia beach (5 mins' walk), which serves delicious homemade snacks and simple dishes during the day, courtesy of friendly owners Voula and Nikos.

Features include:

  • Hob or stove
  • Kids' meals
  • Kitchenette
  • Toaster
  • Welcome hamper
Eating:
Activity:

Activities

  • Wander down to pebble-sand Delfinia beach (5 mins' walk) for your morning swim or snorkel; bring a parasol if staying longer
  • 5 mins the other way is the pirate-like cove of Foneas, with wonderfully clear turquoise waters
  • There are sandy beaches at Stoupa (4km): our family loves Kalogria for its sandcastling, volleyball and loungers
  • Stroll around the pretty lanes, artsy boutiques and fishing harbour of Kardamyli, which retains a lovely low-key vibe
  • Heading inland, explore the ancient stone villages of Pyrgos, Saidona and Kastania, cradled in the folds of the mountain
  • Old cobbled footpaths still link many of them; the circuit from Pantazi beach up to Platsa and Pygi villages offers great coastal views
  • Hire kayaks or SUPs from Stoupa or Kardamyli to explore sea-caves, islets and inaccessible coves
  • Drive south to insta-perfect Limeni for fish lunch with a sea turtle; and beyond to fortified Areopolis and the sea caves of Diros

Activities on site or nearby include:

  • Boat trips
  • Hiking
  • Snorkelling
  • Swimming

Kids

These suites are a great option for a family wanting a secluded escape with on-site pool and lovely beaches in reach, but who don't need the extra space and facilities of a villa. We think it would work best of all for 3 families travelling together, so that you can share the lovely pool but retreat to your own suite when you want. Bear in mind that the grounds (and staircases) are not toddler-friendly, and that there are no shops or proper restaurants in walking distance.

Best for:

Babies (0-1 years), Children (4-12 years), Teens (over 12)

Family friendly accommodation:

We think the 1-bedroom suites work well for a family of 3 (or 4 at a pinch), using the living room sofabed for your child. The 2-bedroom suite is perfect for a larger family, though note that both bedrooms are doubles (no twin beds), so you may prefer to use a living room sofabed here as well.

Baby equipment:

  • Cots

    Remember  baby and child equipment may be limited or need pre-booking

    Children's meals:

    Local tavernas are invariably child-friendly, and most will offer half portions - and free WiFi.

    Kids Activities nearby:

    • Sandy beaches
    • SUP and kayaking
    • Beach volleyball (Kalogria)
    • Snorkelling (bring your own equipment)
    • Sea caves

    Families Should Know:

    Not really suitable for toddlers, due to unprotected drops around the pool and grounds; and, in the Deluxe Suite, the staircase has no real protection on the side.

  • Distances:

    • Airport: 1 hour / 50km (Kalamata)
    • Supermarket: 3km (Stoupa)
    • Health Centre: 6km (Ayios Nikolaos)
    Kid Friendly:

    Location

    The suites are between the villages of Kardamyli and Stoupa, in the Messinia region of Greece's southern Peloponnese. It's 3.5 hours' drive from Athens or 1 hour from Kalamata.

    By Air:
    Kalamata airport is the closest (51km / 1 hour). Or for a wider choice of flights, try Athens (307km / 3.5 hours, mostly on motorway).

    You will almost certainly want a hire car in order to reach shops and restaurants (3-4km) and to explore the area.

    Detailed directions will be sent when you book through i-escape.

    Airports:

    • Kalamata 51.0 km KLX
    • Athens 307.0 km ATH

    Other:

    • Beach 0.4 km
    • Shops 4.0 km
    • Restaurant 4.0 km

    Our guests' ratings...

    Based on 11 independent reviews from i-escape guests

    10/10
    Room
    8/10
    Food
    10/10
    Service
    10/10
    Value
    9/10
    Overall

    The view from the suites is exceptional as was the care the owners took to welcome us and help. Beautiful accommodation. It’s a special area. The beaches are amazing and so is the quality of the swimming in nearby beaches. Suggest trying the cantina in the next door bay “dolphin bay”.

    10/10, , November 2024

    Our stay at Kardamyli Pool Suites was exceptional. Our suite was very comfortable and the location and position.overlooking the sea and local beach, Delfinia Bay, was beautiful. Amazing sunsets from the poolside. It is a very tranquil place to stay. Labros was an extremely kind and helpful host.
    We were travelling without a car and as the property is midway between Kardamyli and Stoupa we hired e-bikes from 2407 who are based in both towns. This gave us the freedom to explore the local area and I would highly recommend this as an option. I can't recommend the accommodation and the area highly enough.

    10/10, , September 2024

    Amazing view over Delfinia bay and it was lovely to take it all in whilst relaxing by the pool. We had the two bedroom house and the upstairs balconies over the pool gave an even better view. Although the pool was shared, it worked with everyone using the pool at different times. The owner was very welcoming and gave us top tips for all the best places to go. You can walk to either Delfinia beach or Foneas beach ( 5 mins either direction) although this is partly along the road so you will need to be careful. Both have beach bars in high season. But the best beach for us was Kalamitsi where we drove to have an early morning swim and had the palace to ourselves even in high season. Highly recommend this property.

    10/10, , August 2024

    We loved everything about our stay at Kardamyli Pool Suites. We were in the one-bed 'Superior' apartment, which was technically the smallest of the three, but having sneaked a peek at the other two, we think we chose wisely. It feels very spacious and airy, as it has a double height ceiling in the living area, and a HUGE and exceptionally comfortable double bed on the mezzanine. The furnishings and fittings are top quality and very tasteful, the terrace furniture has been updated to very high quality table, chairs and sunbeds. The pool was just wonderful, and the views are as stunning as they look in the photos.
    We found it was an easy 10 minute stroll to Delfinia beach, which we had to ourselves early and late in the day. Probably equal distance to drive to Kardamyli or Stoupa, so lots of options for eating and shopping, and not much further to get to Agios Nikolas, with further restaurants. The owner was lovely, the right combination of helpful but not intrusive, and the standard of cleaning was excellent. All in all, a perfect stay in a perfect place. We hope to be back.

    10/10, , June 2024

    We had a lovely time, it was so tranquil and relaxing at the accommodation. The owner was very welcoming and helpful. The property was clean and beautiful and the view was fantastic. We are looking forward to returning.

    10/10, , May 2024

    I would rate the property highly for rooms and value and for service. I can’t give a rating for food as it was self catering, but we did get some great recommendations for restaurants. The location in particular was spectacular.

    9/10, , October 2023
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