3Sixty Hotel & Suites, Nafplio, Greece - Explore & Book
"Nafplio is arguably the prettiest town in the Peloponnese. Perched on a headland near-mythical Mycenae and ancient Epidaurus, washed by the sea on three sides, dominated by two castles, the setting is all you could hope for. Its historic pedestrianised centre is full of pastel-painted mansions, bustling streetside tavernas (a couple of which are actually rather good), and a marble-paved piazza that could be Tuscany - if you replaced the iced coffees and Karelias with cappuccini and gelati. There's a harbour with bobbing fishing boats, an instagrammable island with a prison-castle, and a small pebble beach shaded by pines - which could, at a pinch, be Croatia. (And yes, there's the concrete shell of an old hotel - just to remind you that you are definitely in Greece).
3Sixty, meanwhile, is arguably the prettiest hotel in Nafplio. Set in a handsome 19th-century townhouse painted a trendy grey, it occupies its own mini-block (hence 360°) one lane back from the seafront. The ground floor is an achingly hip cafe-restaurant offering Greek fusion food and late-night DJs. Upstairs are 7 parquet-floored suites, furnished with chandeliers, Italian beds and designer fireplaces. Some have balconies overlooking bougainvillea'd lanes, others top-dollar TVs disguised as mirrors. We've been waiting years for a true boutique hotel in this civilised town; now it's here, you'll need to move fast to get a room.
Highs
We loved the suites' high ceilings, tall windows and elegant airiness: rare in a Greek city hotel
Some suites have sofabeds or sitting rooms if you need extra space
The buzzy café-restaurant serves upscale un-Greek fare: think wagyu steaks, tuna tartare, fine wines and cocktails
You're a block from the seafront, a block from Syntagma Square, and a minute's walk from the one driveable road through town
Nowhere in Greece combines ancient and medieval history, beach- and town life quite like Nafplio
Lows
Unsurprisingly the town does get busy with weekending Athenians and school parties (less so in summer)
Parking in the old town is tricky; be prepared for a short walk to the hotel
Don't expect white-on-blue Greek simplicity: these suites are opulent, bordering on bling
As befits a small town-centre hotel, there are no gardens, pool or guest lounge" - Michael Cullen