Prytaneío — Hotel in Municipality of Sparta

I have stayed a couple of times at the Pritanio and both times very satisfied with the amenities as well as the location. ||The location on a quiet road provides a sweeping view of the village below and the mountain peaks facing it. The guesthouse is built on several levels and adjacent buildings, so that the rooms are spaced apart, with a connecting central area comprising the reception, main lounge, taverna terrace and breakfast room serving as hub. ||Natural materials are the focus of the interior with predominately wood and stone complemented by cane basketry and loom-weave rugs. The rooms are functional and spacious, and most offer a view of the village below. Names of rooms follow an academic theme, with chalkboard signs and old tomes decorating the passageways. ||The only drawback to the guesthouse is that it is not handicapped accessible. For elderly persons that cannot manage too many stairs, best to ask for the Physics room which can be entered from its own terrace instead of via the main entrance of the building that requires additional staircases to be traversed. Several rooms include a bunk level useful for families with children. ||The lounge is spacious yet cozy, featuring a bar area, fireplace nook, and a terrace for outdoor seating. In the evening it is perfect for a dessert or drink, to enjoy the crisp mountain air. Though be advised that the temperature even in mid-summer is typically "Alpine" in keeping with the altitude and surroundings, so a warm jacket and long pants are definitely required. ||One level below, there is another terrace for a more traditional 'taverna' style meal, shade provided by a lush vine awning that must have been cultivated and tended with much care to grow this natural protection from the sun. ||The breakfast area doesn't offer a view, but it is a bright and cozy dining area with a glass panel separating it from the kitchen. In addition to the breakfast buffet, there are daily specials ranging from ovenbaked cheese or wild herb flaky crust pies to lukumades (deep fried doughballs with honey syrup). Service is professional and friendly, you will be well taken care of. ||The meals - breakfast or a la carte lunch and dinner - emphasize locally sourced ingredients. Honey, olive oil, olives, cheeses, fruit preserves, handmade made pasta, and a native sage that is made into an invigorating "mountain tea." ||The tap water is sourced from a local spring (which you can visit) and its crisp freshness is delightful, thus there is no need for refrigerated bottled water. Sadly though the value of the village's spring water is lost on most visitors, and the proprietor was at the time of my second visit making arrangements to install mini-fridges in the rooms per guests' requests. ||Most guests come by car, as there is no public transport to the village. One option is to hire a taxi from Sparta, or contact the Pritanio management for transfer options.. ||||The village of Tsintzina, as it is known locally (Polydroso being the official name on maps and road signs) is built amphiteatrically along the curving slope of the mountain so there is no central square and no shops. During the summertime there is one cafe, and one taverna. A second taverna is expected to open next season. ||The guesthouse in fact is favored by younger locals or Spartans that come for the mountain vista view from the Pritanio's terrace. ||There are several churches in the village, one of which is a Byzantine-era treasure, and the marked trails lead to a former monastery built on the rock surface, a couple more churches, and the aforementioned natural spring. Several more trails lead away from Tsintzina to Ag. Anargyroi monastery (still in use) and...

We recently stayed at Prytaneio Hotel in the village of Polidroso, Peloponessus, and had a wonderful experience. The hotel has a rich history, as it used to be a school for nearby villages. Today, it operates as a hotel in the same, but beautifully renovated, historical building. Situated above the village, it offers incredible views of both the village and the surrounding mountain sides. We visited in August, and the temperature was perfect, thanks to the cool mountain breeze.

One thing to note is that you'll need a vehicle to explore the nearby villages and attractions, as drives can range from 20 minutes to 2 hours. However, the scenic mountain roads, filled with beautiful flora and lively fauna, make the journey enjoyable.

The hotel staff was exceptionally friendly, helpful, and always smiling. They were quick to respond to our requests and maintained their professionalism throughout our stay. Although housekeeping is available, we didn't request it during our visit.

Prytaneio is very quiet, providing a perfect environment for relaxation. Our room was spacious, featuring a queen-sized bed, a modern bathroom, and a steep staircase leading to two additional beds. The decor was cozy, and the beds were comfortable, each with two pillows. The room also had a mini-fridge, a TV, and a balcony with a small round table and three chairs—perfect for enjoying the stunning views.

However, this is where I rate the hotel a 4.5 instead of a full 5. While our beds and bathroom were clean, we noticed a few spots, such as the bottoms of windows, under the beds, and especially the wall lamps, that could have used more attention. Overall, the room was clean, but there's room for improvement.

The hotel facilities were good. The breakfast offered a variety of fresh and tasty foods and drinks. The free Wi-Fi had a good signal, though it slowed down a bit when all the guests were online.

We booked our stay five months in advance and got excellent pricing. For the amenities, views, and room quality, Prytaneio is truly value for money.

In summary, I give Prytaneio Hotel a solid 4.5/5. The views are beautiful, the building is charming, the breakfast was delicious, and our room was excellent, aside from a few minor cleanliness issues. I would definitely recommend Prytaneio; it's surely the best in the area.

Note to foreigners travelling to the south of Peloponnesus; This is a great place for a one-night stay during...

Magic, pure magic!! This gorgeous location has the perfect amount of rustic (stone work, wood beams, surrounded closely by forest) and amenities (nice hot water, pretty comfy beds, delicious breakfast, fully stocked bar with plenty of seating for late night fun). Romantic, secluded, and peaceful, my boyfriend and I enjoyed everything about our stay here.

One thing to note: Google Maps really struggles with the area. If it tries to route you through a southern road through the village below, do NOT follow this. We barely fit through the village and had to navigate some streets where we had 2" clearance on either side of our vehicle with mirrors pulled in. Google doesn't seem to understand the difference in road sizes in the mountains, so choose the northern route which will keep you to an...