Perivoli means ‘orchard’, and this terracotta-coloured hotel sits right among the orange and lemon groves, high on a hill above the handsome and historic town of Nafplio, with the Argolid Gulf sparkling behind. It’s the perfect setting for a taste of Greek history – besides neoclassical Nafplio, you’ve got ancient Mycenae, Epidavros, Nemea and Tiryns all within easy reach – combined with lazy days on the beach, exploring the region’s rolling Tuscan-like hills, or just chilling on the hotel’s sunny south-facing pool deck. Whether as a self-contained minibreak - it’s only an hour from Athens – or as a stopover en route to the southern Peloponnese, we can’t recommend it enough.
As for the hotel itself, it comes with an airy lobby bar with table football and comfy sofas, a superb virtual breakfast buffet (to cut back on food waste) boasting homegrown or local ingredients, great eco credentials and super-friendly staff. Its 12 bedrooms – spacious, comfortable, perhaps not the height of chic – are spread over two levels, with a choice of direct garden access or better views. There’s also a separate two-bedroom apartment, perfect for families wanting extra independence for a few days. A really great find.
Highs
- The big, sunny pool deck is a wonderful place to laze and graze, or to refresh after sweaty sightseeing
- Kids will love it here: not just the pool, but also the generous staff and most rooms can fit an extra bed
- It’s family-run, and it shows: owner Vangelis and his staff greet returning guests like old friends
- We loved having a secluded hilltop bolthole to escape to, after the (relative) crowds of Nafplio and Mycenae
- Great value, too
Lows
- It’s perched at the top of some steep narrow lanes, well signed but fiddly
- They no longer serve lunch and dinner, but there's an all-day snack menu, and no shortage of eateries in nearby Nafplio
- We found the corridors rather echoey
- The bedrooms and bathrooms are on the functional side
Best time to go
April-May or September-October are perfect if you can travel then: nicely warm, with cheap flights to Athens, and near-empty beaches and sites. In spring there are wonderful wild flowers, in autumn the sea is much warmer - take your pick. July-August is busier of course, but nothing like the islands; and up here in your hilltop hideaway you couldn't feel further from the crowds.
Our top tips
When in Nafplio, make time to walk around the headland on the paved path - ideally at sunset - for some very Greek (and instagrammable) sea views. You can swim off the rocks or small pebbly beach on the south side, too.
Our guests' ratings...
Based on 6 independent reviews from i-escape guests
Our room and balcony were simple and well serviced, with pool towels available too. The pool was well-kept and clean. The air conditioning worked efficiently and quietly, so we slept well! We ate a few nights in the hotel, the weekday choice was limited to two fixed menus, which didn't always suit, so we did go out to eat on several nights. Although the hotel wasn't far from the village, we always took the car because the road down wasn't lit and there were too many barking dogs that you wouldn't want to meet on the way! The staff were helpful and friendly and worked hard. The breakfasts were wonderful, not just the choices, but the quality of the food, The jams were also home made and delicious! It was a great stay and we really enjoyed it.
Good place. We enjoyed our stay.
Beautiful situation with fantastic views to the sea. Friendly, attentive staff, relaxing ambiance and excellent breakfast. Highly recommended.
Lovely setting nestled in the orange and olive groves high up on a hill. Breakfast was excellent and dinner delicious. However, there are only two options for dinner and no a la carte menu. We enjoyed our short stay and would recommend the hotel to all who want to be close to many important sites, but not in the hustle and bustle of a larger tourist hotel.
We thoroughly enjoyed our stay at the Perivoli Country Hotel and Retreat! The service is friendly and professional, with staff ensuring that guests' wishes and needs are met immediately and discreetly. The rooms are spacious and well designed. The other facilities, like the pool area, dining room and lounge are welcoming and relaxing. The food is very good, and we particularly enjoyed the Greek dining experience.
We stopped here en route from the south Peloponnese to Athens, and had a great (but too short) stay. I would love to come back for longer. The pool terrace is a stunning spot to relax, with views over the citrus and olive groves to the sea in the distance. It's a short drive into Nafplio, and a similar distance the other way to the ancient theatre of Epidavros, which is a must see. We had dinner at the hotel, which was delicious and not at all expensive. Their new covid-safe breakfast arrangements were also good, a choice of 3 menus - trad Greek, energy/health, and 'Perivoli' (loved the Greek yoghurt with syrupy fruits). Staff were friendly and respectful and knowledgeable, and all of them wore masks at all times. Rooms are very comfy, spacious, don't expect lots of extras (they have temporarily removed some amenities like tea & coffee). All rooms have a lovely balcony or terrace. Good value too. I would definitely return.
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