MENELAION — Hotel in Municipality of Sparta

We spent New Year's Eve at the Menelaion. The hotel was attractive and rooms comfortable, but the staff was less than helpful. ||||On NYE in Sparta apparently almost all restaurants are reserved and booked well in advance. When we asked the concierge where we might be able to get dinner, she advised that it was impossible. Could we eat at the hotel? No, all booked. Could you recommend or call some restaurants? Nope. Thanks for making zero effort to help. ||||This was so different from the friendly and welcoming experiences we had been having in Leonidio that it took us by surprise. Wandering around by ourselves for 10 minutes we found a very enjoyable pizza place with some delicious dishes, which I think was called Godfather Pizza. We were the only people there. The pasta and kebab dishes were terrific as was their wine list. The restaurant was a 2 minute walk from the hotel. Hard to fathom that the concierge was unaware of its existence. ||||In any case, the hotel was comfortable and clean and if you know Sparta or are there for business and need no help from the staff, this is the place to stay. I understand that Sparta was known for its laconic speech in ancient history, but was surprised to find that trend in full bloom in the hospitality...

Hotel Menelaion is right in the middle of Sparta's center, which is terrific, but not so good if you arrive by car : they have no dedicated parking, so you may have to haul your luggage from around the corner. It looks the part from the outside and that good feel continues into the lobby and front desk. Past the front desk there is a generous pool with some seating for drinks around.||We were given room 101, but when we got there it had a terrible smell, which made us turn around and ask for another room. They gave us room 113 ; an older style room with 2 single beds pushed together, leaving enough space to walk around. The room had a small sofa, which we used to open up our suitcases and a desk. Wifi was extremely weak in the room, but reasonably good in the foyer. Our bathroom had a bath, but no separate shower ; it really could do with a make-over.||Breakfast was downstairs in a light airy room adjacent to the reception ; it was the usual buffet style. The quality was average, but I did like the fact that they offered freshly squeezed OJ. I don't think they made eggs "on order".||Overall, the Menelaion is a good hotel, but considering their nightly charge, they should do...

Hotel Menelaion is right in the middle of Sparta's center, which is terrific, but not so good if you arrive by car : they have no dedicated parking, so you may have to haul your luggage from around the corner. It looks the part from the outside and that good feel continues into the lobby and front desk. Past the front desk there is a generous pool with some seating for drinks around.||We were given room 101, but when we got there it had a terrible smell, which made us turn around and ask for another room. They gave us room 113 ; an older style room with 2 single beds pushed together, leaving enough space to walk around. The room had a small sofa, which we used to open up our suitcases and a desk. Wifi was extremely weak in the room, but reasonably good in the foyer. Our bathroom had a bath, but no separate shower ; it really could do with a make-over.||Breakfast was downstairs in a light airy room adjacent to the reception ; it was the usual buffet style. The quality was average, but I did like the fact that they offered freshly squeezed OJ. I don't think they made eggs "on order".||Overall, the Menelaion is a good hotel, but considering their nightly charge, they should do...