Alistos Hotel

“Small but perfectly-formed Peloponnese hotel fusing tradition with comfort and exceptional service”

We booked a fortnight at Alistos independently after much internet research on the location and the facilities, but nothing prepared us for the sheer tranquility, beauty and welcome we found at the hotel. Despite an urge to keep this place secret for ourselves(!), we must say that this is a real fa… Mais

We booked a fortnight at Alistos independently after much internet research on the location and the facilities, but nothing prepared us for the sheer tranquility, beauty and welcome we found at the hotel. Despite an urge to keep this place secret for ourselves(!), we must say that this is a real family-run boutique retreat - a truly exceptional find. The hotel is gorgeously set into the landscape and very much in balance with the natural surroundings and the historic architecture of the region. Set within the lush landscape, few buildings and little church of Rahi village, it is testament to the quality of the design of the 2017-built hotel that it sits so seamlessly in its setting. Decor is impeccable and high-quality, with a pared-back luxury vibe (helped by the textural indoor bar and 'Kita by Antigone': the tempting in-house boutique!) Breakfasts were the best we have eaten in Greece - and we have eaten a lot across Greece! - with an emphasis on local, quality ingredients and a wonderful selection of tempting choices. The rooms are extremely comfortable, cool and well-equipped; ours had the most stunning view over the mountains and olive groves (although it seems every room has a similarly beautiful outlook) and an insanely comfortable Hypnos bed that made getting up each morning very difficult, despite the pull of the breakfasts and the beautiful scenery outside! Pierre was the perfect host and gave us weary travellers the friendliest welcome. Along with Lola (diminutive, four-legged Head of Security!) we felt like guests of friends... our quirky queries about local wildlife and history were all met with genuine enthusiasm and warmth. Τhe attention to detail at the hotel was second-to-none; discovering my husband's love of fresh orange juice, it was delivered to our breakfast table in a glass with a decorative flourish every morning, whilst my preference for tea was noted and waiting for us at our favourite table each day. There was no sense of being hurried as at some other hotels and the evening dinners were similarly lovely, watching the sky turn from pink to lilac to blue to black, with a glass of something in hand. Simple, high-quality ingredients shone through at every meal. The chlorine-free pool with views across the blanketed hills of olive groves was a magnet each day (and a safe and even depth throughout) and, much as we loved evenings in Gytheio, we found ourselves tugged back to the hotel as the sun was setting for our evening drink on the beautifully-landscaped garden terrace. We left with a genuine sense of regret as Pierre and Lola waved us off. This was not our first visit to the lovely Peloponnese, but it was our first stay near Gytheio and central Mani. The hotel is extremely well-situated, although up a winding lane which might be a surprise to anyone unfamiliar with Greece at first, the reward upon reaching the hotel at the top is well worth it! We enjoyed our stay so much that by day three we had already decided to return to Alistos next year to experience it in the spring. Stay for as long as you can manage.

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