You enter through a stone archway, and find a world of peace and refinement, combining old-fashioned charm with modern comforts. The vaulted wine store serves as reception, and terraces on various levels give access to the 22 rooms, all furnished with antiques. Out front, you can sunbathe on or swim from the jetty; there's also a sparkling turquoise pool. Kyrimai makes a great base for exploring the region's medieval tower houses, Byzantine churches, rugged mountains and spectacular coast. It stays open all year, and must be lovely in winter, too, with log fires blazing as waves crash against the outer walls, and spray from the sea reaches the upper-floor windows.
Highs
- Right on the water's edge in a sheltered bay, with sublime views over the open sea
- Total peace
- An excellent restaurant with a waterside terrace: creative Mediterranean cuisine and fine wines
- Highly personalised service from welcoming staff
- Romantic rooms with a historic atmosphere but mod cons
Lows
- Remote (though that's half the appeal). It's literally at the end of the Mani peninsular so it's a long drive to get here
- Some might find Gerolimenas too sleepy; just a couple of shops and cafes, backed by rocky mountains
- No proper beaches within walking distance; just jetties to swim off
- You'll need a car to get here and around
Best time to go
Our top tips
- Boutique Hotel
- 22 rooms
- Restaurant and bar open daily
- Over 12s only
- Open all year
- Outdoor Pool
- Spa Treatments
- Beach Nearby
- Pet Friendly
- Disabled Access
- Car essential
- Parking
- Restaurants Nearby
- WiFi
- Air Conditioning
- Guest Lounge
- Terrace
- Garden
- Gym
Rooms
There are 22 rooms and suites. Each is unique, but most have exposed stonework, charming wooden-beamed ceilings, and either wooden or terracotta-tile floors. Furnishing combines antiques with modern sofas and armchairs in earthy shades of cream and beige.
We stayed in a lovely Two level Superior room. Downstairs, the narrow but light and airy double-height sitting room had a sofa, corner fireplace, and French doors opening onto a sea-view balcony. The tiled bathroom had fluffy white RKF towels and a horde of Apivita toiletries. Wooden stairs led up to a cosy mezzanine, with its comfy double bed tucked under a sloping beamed ceiling. We also loved the spacious Loft Suite. Directly under the eaves, it had a sloped wooden ceiling, colourful Persian rugs and a private stone balcony with glorious open sea views.
Features include:
- Bathrobes
- Hairdryer
- Minibar
- Safe box
- WiFi
Eating
Kyrimai prides itself on its cuisine - creative Mediterranean fare, beautifully presented, and seasonal. You can eat on the waterside terrace, demarcated by ship's ropes instead of railings, or in the candlelit dining room with its thick stone walls and a roaring log fire in winter.
Our dinner was excellent. We started with sauteed scallops, black polenta, chorizo and samphire, followed by delicious linguine with shrimps. For dessert, apple pie was spiced up with black pepper ice cream, then we rounded things off with pungent ladotiri cheese from Zakynthos.
Breakfast was platters of local specialities brought to our sunny waterside table: fruit salad, bite-size savoury filo pies, local cheeses, olives, then homemade cakes. A good strong espresso coffee, blue sky and a blissful sea view, and everything made perfect sense.
Features include:
- Bar
- Breakfast
- Restaurant
- Restaurants nearby
- Room service
Activities
- Bask by the pool and swim in the sea
- Visit Cape Tenaro (aka Cape Matapan), mainland Europe's southernmost point, and hike 45 minutes to the lighthouse, passing the atmospheric ruins of the Temple of Poseidon on your way
- Swim in the sea at Porto Kagio, a deep horse-shoe bay of emerald blue water with a fine pebble beach, close to Cape Tenaro
- And stop off at Vathia, too; a small village made up of the region's infamous medieval tower houses
- Drive to the villages of Stavri (5km) and Agia Kiriaki (6km), then walk across the stunning windswept Tigani peninsular to explore the ruins of a Frankish fortress
- Hike in the mountains - marked trails lead to isolated villages and remote Byzantine churches
Activities on site or nearby include:
- Boat trips
- Hiking
- Historical sites
- Horse riding
- Mountain biking
- Museums / galleries
- Sailing
- Snorkelling
- Swimming
Kids
No kids under 12. Older children are welcome but it's a restful, romantic and sophisticated hotel so is better suited to couples than families.
Best for:
Teens (over 12)
Family friendly accommodation:
Premiers have 2 single sofabeds for extra guests; the Tower Room has an additional room on the top floor with a single sofabed; the Loft Suite has a single sofabed; the Two Level Suite has two single sofabeds.
Extra Beds Available, Family Rooms
Kids Activities on site:
Swimming
For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection
Location
Set in the seaside village of Gerolimenas, in the Deep Mani, southern Peloponnese region of Greece. It's about 4 hours' drive from Athens, and 2.5 hours from Kalamata.
By Air:
Fly into Kalamata (105km) or Athens (305km). Click on the links below for a list of airlines.
From the Airport
You'll need a car to get here and explore the region. See our car rental recommendations. You can park for free at the hotel.
Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.com
More on getting to Greece and getting around
Airports:
- Kalamata 105.0 km KLX
- Athens 305.0 km ATH
Other:
- Beach 0.1 km
- Shops 0.5 km
- Restaurant 3.0 km
Our guests' ratings...
Based on 5 independent reviews from i-escape guests