Kinsterna Hotel & Spa

Boutique Hotel

The walled Byzantine town of Monemvasia is a ‘must’ for visitors to the southeastern Peloponnese, spectacularly sited at the foot of a great rock, and a cultural heritage site. Limitations of space resulted in narrow, winding and often steep streets and alleys and staying in the town can be an intriguing but  claustrophobic experience, especially in the height of summer.

Not so, at the magnificent Kinsterna Hotel and Spa. 7 kms from the town, imposingly sited on a lush hillside covered with olive and citrus groves and vineyards and overlooking fine views of the Aegean Sea. Dating back to Byzantine times too, the huge rural mansion of Kinsterna takes its name from the ancient cistern that irrigated the surrounding estates and stands at the centre of the massive fortress-like building.

Today, the austere architecture of this unique property, houses public rooms, guest rooms and suites of great character, furnished with appropriately simple, solid modern furnishings in subtle earth tones, balanced by  sparkling Venetian chandeliers and ornate mirrors, original stone fireplaces and polished sandstone floors. . The authentically medieval guest rooms are equipped with utterly contemporary facilities such as highly comfortable beds, hard-drive with movies, air-conditioning and WiFi. Perhaps one of the most exciting features of the Kinsterna is the swimming pool – fed by a brook that emanates from the great cistern, and follows a channel down the hill to the pool itself – a truly spectacular design.

Dining at the hotel is a rewarding culinary experience, with generous use of the hotel’s own produce – guests are welcome, also, to roam the gardens and help themselves to any of the rich variety of fruit grown there. Moreover, at various times of the year, guests are encouraged to join in with olive and grape gathering and pressing.

Room Description

Double rooms are in various parts of the building and offer queen sized beds and views towards the sea or the surrounding countryside. Some rooms have fireplaces.

Deluxe Double rooms are spacious and have a cosy corner with chair and coffee table. Some rooms also have a private veranda and views towards the sea.

Byzantine Suites are lovely vaulted rooms which remain true to their architectural heritage. The spacious suites have a delightfully furnished lounge area, partitioned from the bedroom in various unique ways, and allowing for relaxation, and in-room dining.

Junior suites have an open plan, spacious, lounge area and marble bathrooms with walk-in showers.

Deluxe Suites are furnished with queen or king sized beds and have a sitting area with fireplace. Some of these suites are on the top floor and have stunning views of the Medieval castle and towards the sea.

Kinsterna Suites are the largest, most spacious in the hotel and have a separate living/dining room with fireplace, and dressing rooms with large wardrobes. Views are of the Medieval castle or towards the sea.

Room facilities:- Air conditioning • Heating • En suite bathroom • Satelite TV • Minibar • Hairdryer • Safe • WiFi internet - portable computer available on request.

Restaurants & Bars

Gourmet dining experiences are part of the ethos of this hotel, start with the enticing a-la-carte champagne breakfast, continue with romantic sundowners or ceremonial high tea at the Belvedere, and finishes with a flourish, and a gourmet meal at the rest

Key information

Total Amount of Rooms
  • 27

Price Includes

Prices on request, please call for a quotation

Guest Book

'I've never had such a relaxing holiday...'

Boutique Hotel

Facilities

Restaurant • Bar • Pool bar • Library • Swimming pool • Spa

Spa & Wellness

The Kinsterna Spa, located in the heart of the old mansion, is a stimulating space bathed in sunlight.  Guests can experience the purifying hammam (steam bath), temperature controlled whirlpool, wet and dry treatment rooms and razul and water paradise cabins, and a full menu of massages and rejuvenating treatments in an intensely relaxing atmosphere.

Climate data for this region.

No climate data available

Explore the surroundings

Destination introduction

Flights to The Peloponnese

We are delighted to provide flights to The Peloponnese (Kalamata or Athens), from Gatwick and other regional airports within the UK at an additional cost. Please ask your consultant for details.

Monemvasia Introduction

It must have been a cataclysmic earthquake that was able to sever the massive rock of Monemvasia from the Peloponnese mainland and leave it stranded a kilometre off shore. Today, the rock is connected to the mainland by a narrow 200 metre causeway and visitors are obliged to enter the medieval city that clings to the foot of the rock on foot or by boat. Rising vertically from its base, the rock soars 300 metres into the air, crowned by a fortress, and is 1.8 kilometres long. At its foot is a small town of haphazard form, its houses, churches and towers and alleyways seemingly stacked one on top of the other and all apparently interconnected. This, together with the single fortified entrance that gives the place its name (‘mone embasis’ means single entrance) helped to protect the inhabitants from the marauders and invaders of the Middle Ages. The town became affluent, largely due to its convenience as a port of call for passing ships and also because of its fine wines – it was the home of the Malmsey wine that was so popular in medieval England.

Monemvasia’s history is populated by all the ‘usual suspects’ of the Mediterranean in the Middle Ages – Crusaders, Franks, Normans, Byzantium, Venice, the Ottomans. By 1971, however, the town was in ruins and the inhabitants numbered less than 50.

The little town has now been revived, with foreigners buying and restoring the old houses and transforming them into beautiful homes. A modern town has grown outside the walls, but the intriguing beauty of the old town remains a magnet to visitors, who throng its paths, steps and alleys especially in July and August, Choose a quieter and cooler time of day, when the cruises have departed, and you will be rewarded with endless subjects for camera and sketchbook.