Hotels are generally predictable, especially if it’s a chain that you’re familiar with–Hilton, Marriott, Holiday Inn, Sheraton, etc. But the hotels you’re familiar with are not always available wherever you want to travel in the world. Sometimes you just have to pick the option that seems right with the information you have, and hope for the best! That was the case for us on our recent trip to Kalamata. It’s a small town in the south of Greece, on the Peloponnese Peninsula, and there are not a lot of hotel options to choose from. We felt, however, that we hit the absolute jackpot when we arrived at the Grand Hotel Kalamata! Here is everything you need to know so that you can book the best hotel in town, too.

The Hotel

We honestly had no idea what to expect. We’d seen the photos online and read reviews, of course, but I’ve learned to take all of that with a grain of salt. Once we arrived, though, we knew we were in the right place! This hotel is classy, the staff are friendly, and it’s in a beautiful, fully refurbished neoclassical building to boot. We were also greeted with our choice of welcome beverage. I chose banana juice because, well, how often are you offered a banana juice upon arrival to anywhere?

Keep reading: Mistakes People Make when Planning a Trip to Greece (and how to avoid them!)

The Location

Not only is the hotel absolutely gorgeous, the location is the best in town. Situated right on the Gulf of Messinia, you’ll have both mountain views and sea views. Every restaurant along the shoreline has outdoor seating by the sea, including the hotel’s restaurant. You can see all of Kalamata within about a two kilometer stretch, from the water to Kalamata Castle and the Old Town surrounding it. If you choose a sea view room, the photos below are a sneak peek of the breath-taking views you’ll have.

More here: Day Trip from Kalamata to Ancient Olympia

The Room

The room was surprisingly spacious for a European hotel room, and that’s even with a king-size bed inside. We loved our amazing balcony (and view!). In fact, I think that was my favorite part. There was plenty of storage, too, which is also unusual in many European hotels (and really hotels anywhere in general). We had plenty of closet space for the both of us, plus a couple of seating areas within our room. And the bed was actually really comfortable as well–another hit or miss, but with Grand Hotel Kalamata was a hit!

Read on: The Pros and Cons of Staying in a Hotel

The Bathroom

The bathroom can be amazing or disastrous in a hotel, but this one was truly stunning. I actually loved the marbled walls, the black sink and counter, the brushed gold fixtures, and the walk in shower! I also appreciate counter space always, but especially when traveling with my husband, so we can keep our things organized as we like without crowding out the other.

Also helpful: Your Ultimate Guide to Solid Toiletries for Travel

The Breakfast

Good news: Breakfast is included for all guests! And this is no buffet situation, folks. You get to order directly from a menu, and everything you want is made-to-order. The menu was diverse, but not overwhelming, and the portion sizes were generous. You certainly have no excuse to leave hungry! Below is a sampling of what we ordered during our stay.

More here: The Best Places to Eat in Kalamata, Greece

The Gym

The Grand Hotel Kalamata has a gym downstairs inside the hotel, and for a basement gym, it’s actually quite nice. The lights are bright, which almost makes up for having no windows, and it’s well-organized. There was plenty of equipment to choose from, both weight-based and cardio, and yet there was also space to move. Nothing was cramped, which is very often the case in hotel gyms. We enjoyed using this gym each morning.

Read next: The Best Fitness Apps for Travelers Who Love to Stay Active

Want more? Get all the Kalamata and Greek info you need on my dedicated Greece Page!

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