Villa Vager
Villa Vager
Aesthetics: 10/10
Beautifully restored, but still feels like a home. Nine suites in all.
Comfort: 8/10
Super comfortable beds, heated floors. A couple of points have to be knocked off for sound-proofing - because of the building’s historical nature, some sound leaks through if the other guests are a bit noisy. Nothing some earplugs can’t fix (never travel without ‘em!)
Food: 9/10
Possibly the best breakfast spread we encountered in Greece - fresh, homemade, and tons of variety. We also ate dinner in and were wowed by the quality of the food and wine offered.
Bar: N/A
No separate bar on site, although drinks were available in the shared living room.
Spa: N/A
In-room massages are available if arranged in advance.
Service: 10/10
Delightfully personal - whether it was preparing us dinner due to our arriving on August 15th, one of the biggest Greek holidays, or helping obtain medicine from the local pharmacy, owners Nikolaos and Marina could not have been more helpful.
Price Point:
$$
Worth Going Out Of Your Way For:
Like basically everything we encountered in Greece, Villa Vager exemplies “worth going out of your way for.” The location, about two hours from Athens, is perfect year-round: skiing, hiking, wine-tasting, and ATV-ing are just a taste of the activities available.
What a sunset, huh?
Is it raining? I didn’t even notice. I was too busy playing board games in the charming living room.
I legit don’t even want to tell you about Villa Vager - it’s only got nine suites and it’s the kind of gem I’d like to keep all to myself.
HOWEVER. I’m feeling generous, and I found Nikolaos and Marina, the husband and wife team who own the place, to be so kind and welcoming, that I feel compelled to share it with you.
Mr. Anthology and I were headed to Kinsterna and I wasn’t sure how he’d feel about the 3.5 hour drive down there, so I was looking for something approximately halfway between the Athens airport and Monemvasia. Arkadia, the region Villa Vager is situated in, fit the bill, and I took a chance. We’d only be there for one night…how bad could it be?
Reader, I tell you, we could have stayed there a week. If I learned anything from this trip, it’s that I’d be perfectly happy doing the exact same trip annually, just without the Greek islands portion (our trip started in Athens, then headed to Lesvos, then finished up in the Peloponnese) - I’d much prefer to explore the weirdcoolnew vibe that is Athens and tool around the Peloponnese, drinking great wine and feeling like a genius for discovering unexamined gems like Villa Vager and Kinsterna.
While You’re In The Area:
Villa Vager makes a great base for visiting the Nemea wine region, the Byzantine ruins at Mystras, or the gorgeous coastal city of Nafplio. I’m not exaggerating when I say I think you could base an entire week-long trip here in the mountains of the Peloponnese. While your friends are dealing with aggravating clubbers on Mykonos, or jostling for photo-taking position at Oia on Santorini, you’ll be enjoying a part of Greece that’s equally spectacular, but virtually unvisited by Americans.
Don’t Take Our Word For It:
HOW DID WE BOOK?
Direct with the property.
