Perched high in the dramatic Peloponnese mountain range, Pritanio Guesthouse is a marvellous countryside retreat set among miles of vibrant evergreen trees. Overlooking the sleepy village of Polydroso, the secluded guesthouse offers a back-to-nature experience with the chance to fall asleep gazing at the stars and wake up listening to the sounds of the forest. Spend your days hiking in the mountains and your evenings enjoying sundowners on the terrace of the beautiful alpine-themed bar, watching on as the surrounding landscape is illuminated in a soft early evening golden glow.
Location:
Sitting on the outskirts of the tiny village of Polydroso, Pritanio Guesthouse is located 230km from Athens with the drive taking around 2.5 hours. The coastal town of Nafplio is 87km away while Sparta is 32km. The majority of the drive from Athens takes place on large motorways and highways with the final 25km from Sellasia covering scenic country and mountain roads. The roads can be very windy at times but they’re large enough for two cars to pass by one another, and the guesthouse features a small car park with plenty of space for all guests.
Design and character:
In keeping with the traditional stone houses that make up the towns and villages throughout the Peloponnese region, Pritanio Guesthouse has a beautiful sand-coloured stone facade with olive green shutters and a terracotta tiled roof. The stonework carries through to the interiors with exposed stone and brick walls interspersed with eco-friendly plaster and cement while polished wood ceilings, rustic wood furnishings and large open fireplaces complete the charming design.
The in-room fireplaces and alpine-inspired design, along with a large number of board games found in the bar, mean the guesthouse is perfectly suited to a cosy winter escape while the surrounding hiking trails and large balconies ensure it’s also ideal for a summer holiday – on a clear night be sure to look up and witness a remarkably dazzling Milky Way.
Rooms:
Featuring eleven bedrooms, Pritanio Guesthouse has twin, double, quadruple and family variations with most rooms boasting their own fireplace, large walk-in rain showers and a private balcony or terrace overlooking the surrounding pine-covered mountains.
Sitting at the front of the building, the Mathematics Double Room, Anthropology Double Room, Geography Triple Room and History Quadruple Room offer some of the best views with the latter two rooms featuring large double beds enveloped by three windows that perfectly frame the surrounding forest and village.
Food and drink:
The show-stopping feature of Pritanio Guesthouse is undoubtedly its large on-site bar. Reminiscent of an alpine lodge in a high-end ski resort, the bar continues the design ethos of the rest of the guesthouse with exposed stone walls and wood furnishings while tree branch lighting, comfy sofas and a central stone fireplace make up the rest of the interiors. Large arched doorways look out over the mountains and the outdoor terrace features several small tables and two cushioned benches boasting panoramic views. The friendly bar staff offer table service so all you need to do is relax while they bring you an ice-cold beer and a bowl of spiced peanuts.
Sitting below the bar is the on-site restaurant where a buffet breakfast of eggs, pastries, fruit and cereal along with a lunch and dinner menu are served. The bar also offers a short food menu with Greek salad, homemade pies and local sausages among the options. Do bear in mind that for several weeks during summer 2019 the guesthouse did not have a chef, and as a result, only the bar menu was available, so it might be worth contacting them before your stay if you’re concerned about this happening again as there aren’t many other restaurants located nearby.
Cost:
For such fantastic accommodation, Pritanio Guesthouse is surprisingly affordable with rooms starting at around €70 per night. The food and drink prices are also reasonable with a large beer costing €2.70 and a half bottle of local wine priced at €3.
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