Rooms

The stylish, comfortable rooms are a highlight of a stay at Kinsterna and it is hard to find fault in the tasteful restoration. The original building has been painstakingly recreated with traditional construction methods and local materials. Exposed stone walls make the rooms a cool sanctuary in summer while the furniture is luxuriously comfortable. You're sent a pillow menu prior to your stay, and we slept so well it came as no surprise to discover the beds are award-winning Coco-Mats.

Marble bathrooms are decked out with rain showers - some of the Kinsterna Suites and Residences also have tubs. All have bathrobes and slippers, heated towel rails, Korres toiletries and scales.

For the most part, rooms have a view; some of the sea, castle and mountain, others of the surrounding gardens, olive and orange groves. A handful come without views, and a couple don't have a lot of natural light, so check on booking if this bothers you. All have flat screen TVs with a movie and music library, plus air con and WiFi.

Classic Rooms are cosy but not cramped, while some of the Deluxe Rooms come with an authentic fireplace or private veranda, as do some of the larger rooms. Byzantine Suites have vaulted ceilings and Junior Suites have a lounge area. Deluxe Suites have a separate sitting area. Top of the pile are the Kinsterna Suites - ideal for honeymooners or small families, with masses of space.

Since our visit, 20 Residences have been added to the mix. These sumptuous offerings are more spacious, with magnificent views of the Aegean and private terraces with sunloungers. The Master Residence is ideal for two couples or a family, with two bedrooms and a private dining room.

Features include:

• Bathrobes
• Hairdryer
• In-room treatments available
• Minibar
• Mosquito net
• Safe box
• WiFi

Eating

The centrepiece of the hotel is the cistern, and cantilevered over it are platforms where dinner is served, overlooking the rock of Monemvasia. It's a stunning setting, especially by candelight - perfect for romance.

Eating locally is the ethos and flavours are Mediterranean: extra virgin olive oil, citrus fruits and vegetables are all grown and produced on-site, using traditional methods. For our dinner, a delicious velouté of broccoli was from the hotel garden, served with foam of local cream cheese and homemade bread sticks. Other tempting options included just-caught lobster, crispy local 'tsaiti' pie with wild mountain greens and fennel or local veal fillet with mushroom ragout and a red Kinsterna wine sauce. Staff can recommend nearby eateries if and when the in-house menu gets tiring.

The hotel’s private vineyard produces wines to match your meal and tastings can be arranged by request. In winter, meals are served in the fireplace-warmed restaurant, or in your own room.

Rates include an excellent a la carte breakfast. There's freshly squeezed orange juice from the trees that shade you by the pool, along with pastries, crepes, fruit from the orchard and local treats like orange-scented rice pudding.

For lunches, the Pool Bar serves big sandwiches, healthy salads, and signature burgers along with detoxifying fruit juices or retoxifying cocktails.

Features include:

• Bar
• Light meals
• Organic produce
• Restaurant
• Room service

Activities

• Relax under the orange trees by the pool then amble over to the hotel spa with its hammam, hydrotherapy circuit, indoor and outdoor treatment rooms and outdoor Jacuzzi looking out over the Aegean. The authentic Ottoman scrubs are a treat
  
• Visit the medieval citadel of Monemvasia, which, with its car-free narrow streets, still exhibits signs of its Byzantine, Ottoman and Veneitan heritage
  
• A day excursion to Elafonisos island and Simos beach is a must; with turquoise, clear waters it rivals the famous islands, but without the crowds. Sarakiniko beach is also stunning
  
• Or head to smaller, beautiful beaches - Gefiras, Pori, Ampelakia, Xifia and Kastellas; reception can advise
  
• Go hiking along the Byzantine trails of Koulentia village
  
• Take a speedboat to the small village of Gerakas, celebrated for its seafood. We dined like kings on battered shrimp patties, roasted herby feta on pitta, calamari and red mullet at Diamantis
  
• Migrating birds use Gerakas as a stop-off on their way to Africa, so bring your binoculars
  
• Marvel at the underground caves of Kastania, with their stunning formations of limestone stalactites
  

Activities on site or nearby include:

• Birdwatching
• Boat trips
• Cycling
• Fishing
• Hiking
• Historical sites
• Horse riding
• Sailing
• Swimming
• Traditional cultures
• Wine tasting

Kids

Well-behaved children are welcome and there is lots on offer on property for families including the kids pool, adventure playground and bikes to borrow. Parents are expected to respect other guests and monitor any children, especially by the pool and the restaurant.

Family friendly accommodation:

All rooms except Double Rooms can fit a baby cot for an infant aged 0-2 and/or a rollaway bed for a child aged 3-11. Two Deluxe Residences can be offered with an additional interconnecting double bedroom, while Kinsterna Family Suites and Master Suites come with sofabeds and additional rollaway beds if required.

Cots Available, Extra Beds Available

Distances:

• Airport: 2.5 hrs (Kalamata); 4 hrs (Athens)

For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection

Location

Kinsterna Hotel is set 7km outside Monemvasia, in the region of Lakonia on the southeastern tip of the Peloponnese. The drive from Athens is about 4 hours, mostly along interstate highways but surprisingly picturesque.

By Air:
Most people fly to Athens (300km, 4 hours) then drive from here. Or, in season, try Kalamata (160km, 2.5 hours) - nearer, but a smaller choice of flights.

From the Airport
The hotel can arrange transfers, but this will leave you reliant on taxis during your stay, so we'd recommend hiring a car.

By Sea:
There are occasional ferries from Piraeus / Athens to Monemvasia (6-8 hours), which makes for a very scenic way to arrive if you're not in a hurry and can time it right. But do check timetables first!

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