Rooms

The 12 bedrooms are all spacious, comfy and well kitted out. We think the end-of-corridor Superior room is worth nabbing for its double aspect balconies, with loungers for secluded sunbathing. There's also a wheelchair-adapted triple with huge shower room. Otherwise, the rest are near identical. You get king or twin beds (with room for a foldout third), plenty of desk and wardrobe space, pale green or dusty pink walls (enlivened by Vangelis’ sister's vibrant artworks), and generally a tub with overhead shower in the bathroom. Toiletries, bottled water and a tea-coffee tray are supplied.

You can request ground floor, whose patios have direct access to the gardens and pool; or upper floor, whose balconies offer long views over olive- and citrus-covered hills to the sea. We'd pick the latter.

We also liked the two-bedroom apartment, tucked away in the corner of the citrus groves; you can pick fresh oranges from your window. It comes with a spacious sitting room (including a sofabed), a tiny kitchenette, two bedrooms (one twin, one double), sliding windows to private patios, and simple neutral styling.

Features include:

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

Eating

The impressive breakfast buffet includes some unusual items, such as traditional trahanas (light pearl barley and tomato soup), cubes of delicious spinach or cheese pie, or hearty baked omelette with pulled pork when we stayed. We also loved their home-baked citrus cake and the strained Greek yoghurt with dollops of their preserved quince and almonds. Take it all out poolside, with fresh OJ from their orchards, and there's no better start to the day.

For lunch - and possibly dinner - you'll be out and about in Nafplio (no end of streetside restaurants) or one of the ancient sites (the hotel can supply a picnic). But if not, or if you just don't fancy navigating the country lanes, the hotel's own restaurant whips up a very respectable array of tasty Greek dishes at fair prices. Think grilled mountain cheese, tomato fritters or stuffed vine leaves to start; then succulent pork stew, thyme-dusted lamb chops or falafel burgers (for our vegetarian son), all served with proper chunky chips and Greek salad. Yum.

Features include:

• Bar
• Breakfast
• Restaurant

Activities

• Visit the stunning open-air theatre of ancient Epidavros (Epidaurus), with its amazing acoustic and enchanting pine-shaded setting; there are ruined temples and healing buildings too
  
• Or hilltop Mycenae - even older and more steeped in gruesome myth - with its cavernous beehive tombs and legendary Lion Gate
  
• Cool off with a swim at sheltered Karathonas beach, or long and sandy Iria; there are plenty of secluded coves nearby too
  
• Don't forget to visit the handsome town of Nafplio (Nauplion), modern Greece's first capital in the 19thC, with its elegant Italianate piazza, shop-tastic pedestrian lanes and endless fish restaurants vying for your custom
  
• There's also the daunting castle of Palamidi, reached via a vertiginous stepped path (or a hairpin road if you prefer), where Greek folk hero Kolokotronis was imprisoned
  
• If you can stay beyond 3-4 days, ask about the lovely hike to Avgou ('Egg') monastery, local rock climbs, sea-kayaking or off-road cycle tours: all are easily arranged

Activities on site or nearby include:

• Cycling

Kids

Hotel Perivoli is well set up for families, with a triple / quadruple room and a two-bedroom apartment, and a lovely big pool. Staff couldn't be more welcoming, offering special dishes at dinner, films for a quiet evening in, and liberal hair-ruffling at every passing.

Best for:

Babies (0-1 years), Children (4-12 years)

Family friendly accommodation:

All rooms can take a simple fold-out bed for one child (preferably not a fully grown teenager). The two-bedroom apartment can sleep 4-5 with a double bedroom, a twin, plus a sofabed in the living room if needed.

Distances:

• Shops: 15 min / 8km (Nafplio)
• Hospital: 15 min / 8km (Nafplio)
• Beach: 20 min / 12km (Karathonas / Tolo)

For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection

Location

Perivoli Country Hotel & Retreat is located above the small village of Pirgiotika (or Pyrgiotika), 8km inland from the harbour town of Nafplio, in the Peloponnese.

By Air
Athens airport (170km, 2 hours' drive) has the widest range of flights. Kalamata (150km, 1 hour 50 mins) is a little closer, but has fewer flights (mostly seasonal charters).

From the Airport
It's an easy drive from either airport, most of it on motorway. You will need a car as the hotel is 1km from the nearest village, Pirgiotika. See our car rental suggestions.

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