When you ask for this kind of luxury that comes with precious privacy, zen vibes and immaculate aesthetics.
When history meets luxury, a hotel can be irresistibly alluring. This is the case with Kinsterna Hotel and Spa in Monemvasia, Peloponnese. I had heard so much about its style from friends, I had read and seen lots of photos, it was like I knew it. However when I arrived there with my husband and my daughter, I was very much impressed.
To start with, Kinsterna Hotel has one big asset, being next to one of the most impressive places of Greece. It is located in the south eastern corner of Greece, a few miles away from Monemvasia, the famous medieval castle city, built on a huge rock, an area with rich history and strong local identity.
The hotel itself happens to be a unique place too. What else can you say about a secluded, atmospheric, immaculately renovated Byzantine mansion of the 13th century surrounded by vineyards and olive groves? I was lucky enough to have a tour there by Mr.Sgardelis, the owner and the man who envisioned this Mediterranean paradise and managed to bring it to life in 2010 by renovating painstakingly the main building and reviving, at the same time. traditional agricultural habits to make the resort self-sustainable and green.
The tour by Mr.Sgardelis was a journey to time and a lesson of history at the same time. There were original walls maintained and kept in the new construction, canon holes that had become windows, dark catacomb cells that were cleverly used in the decoration of rooms, arcades that were incorporated in a series of theme rooms called the “Byzantine”, stories and legends about the old mansion’s inhabitants, photos of the various phases of the renovation and even one of the last owner, an elegant lady that lived there until the middle of the last century. There also were lots of interesting decoration touches and works of art to add a modern feel. And of course, there was the old cistern that gave the name to the hotel, the trademark of the place that sits in the middle of the central yard and feeds the beautiful infinity pool with fresh spring water. A pool to remember with an unusual shape, a breathtaking view and exotic banana trees all around.
This hotel has surely a way to transfer your body and soul in a parallel world. We were there in mid august, the busiest 4 days of the Greek summer when the hotel was fully booked and yet we enjoyed relaxation, serenity and immaculate beauty.
Lots of details prove the quality of the hospitality Kinsterna aspires to offer: a pillow menu is sent by email prior to your visit, the breakfast is full of local delicacies and home made stuff, restaurant dishes are made by products that come from the estate’s farms, custom cocktails are made at the terrace by the Kinsterna mixologist who comes to interview you about your favourite flavours, there is a variety of agricultural activities like wine making you can take part, a yacht for private cruises and the list goes on.
What I enjoyed most at Kinsterna Hotel:
- My sun tanning sessions on the private double sun loungers by the pool
- My candle relaxation massage at the spa #purebliss
- Staring at the moon, sipping my custom made ginger daiquiri, in the evening at the terrace.
- Posing for numerous instagram posts in front of the cistern full of nuphars
- Sleeping in a heavenly bed by Cocomat
- Gazing at the Aegean sea from my private balcony
- Coming back to Athens fully recharged
Kinsterna is now in my list with the most exclusive hotels in Greece.
* What to wear on a summer vacation in Kinsterna
Νο name luxury is the key factor. Go for monochrome bikinis by Laura Urbinati and cotton cover-ups, combine folk pieces with minimal leather accessories or pick some items from the coolest greek brands now
Τhere is more to find about Kinsterna Hotel, so go ahead, click on the gallery below and follow my steps to a very special place:
See here the website of Kinsterna Hotel