Darn Good Digs Review - Editors' Choice

Pension Marianna, Nafplio, Greece
Nominated By: novelgazer, Bratislava, Slovakia, April '09

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Price Range: 70-75 Euros (breakfast is 5 €/person) # of Rooms: 14 Kid-Friendly: yes

What makes Pension Marianna so Darn Good? The Zotos brothers, the innkeepers at Pension Marianna, are welcoming in a real way. From the moment you arrive, all your stress just flies out the window, over the orange trees, past the perfectly picturesque town of Nafplio, and out to sea.

Location: Nafplio, a small port town on the Peloponnese peninsula, is just 150 kilometers southwest of Athens. Once an important Venetian stronghold, and later the first capital of modern Greece, the old town impresses visitors with its neoclassical mansions, flower-bedecked Venetian balconies, and trio of impressive fortresses. Nafplio also hosts a collection of worthwhile museums, including the first, and perhaps only one in the world dedicated to kombolois, or worry-beads. Perched right below the Akronafplia fortress walls, Pension Marianna provides spectacular views of Nafplio and the Gulf of Argolidas in the distance.

Rooms: The recently renovated rooms at Pension Marianna are modern and comfortable, and all have views of the town below. We were on a budget, and Pension Marianna by far was the nicest place we stayed in Greece. We kept thinking there had been a mistake – no way could we afford a hotel this good!

Food: With their home-made marmalade, freshly-baked marble pound cake, and oranges picked right from their own trees, the Zotos brothers take the traditional Greek breakfast of bread, yogurt, honey, and hard boiled eggs to the next level. Breakfast is served on the rooftop terrace, and the view alone is reason enough to linger.

Vibe: The Pension is relaxed and romantic.

Things to Keep in Mind: While you can drive to the Pension on the fortress side, keep in mind that getting to and from the Pension from the old town requires climbing many steps. Also, rooms range in size and luxury and payment is cash only.

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