Hotel Snapshot
At 1,200 meters in the fir-lined mountains of Arcadia in the Peloponnese, Manna, a member of Design Hotels and Marriott Bonvoy, is Greece’s refined take on an alpine retreat. After a twisting mountain drive through stone villages and pine-covered hills, rounding the last corner left me awestruck. The hotel’s stone façade beckoned—commanding and hinting at its storied history. Built in the 1920s as a tuberculosis sanatorium, Manna’s been lovingly restored by owner Stratis Bayatas, who spent his summer holidays as a child in the area and dreamed of giving new life to this childhood-remembered abandoned landmark. Wanting to honor the building’s legacy while creating a retreat for modern travelers, this has certainly been achieved: monastic stone walls meet velvet armchairs, rich woods, and sculptural lines. I loved how the space balances history and modern comfort, making it luxurious yet unpretentious, and I felt my pace slow immediately.
Design & Character
The restoration, led by K-Studio and Monogon Office of Architecture in Athens, gives Manna a quiet, confident charm. Moss-green velvet armchairs, oak furniture, and wool throws echo the forest beyond. Curated art, such as a clay bust of Pan on the bar’s mantlepiece by Diane Alexandre, enriches the interiors, while lighting by Eleftheria Deko adds flair as halos and shadows cleverly animate the stone walls. I especially loved the glass walkway linking the two wings. Standing there at dawn, I watched mist curl through the firs and birds flit between branches—a clever design that pulled nature inside, leaving me suspended in the forest while sheltered by architecture.
The Rooms
Manna’s 32 rooms and suites blend raw stone and soaring ceilings with bronze, velvet, and marble finishes. My suite had a soaking tub overlooking the fir forest, just begging me to indulge every evening. Thoughtful personal touches included shelves lined with novels such as Zorba the Greek by Nikos Kazantzakis in both Greek and English, and Greek herbal teas from Symbeeosis, which I loved sipping on my stone balcony as the sun slipped behind the mountains. Couples will love the suites, and note that children above the age of 11 are welcome, so whilst it’s not necessarily ideal for families with young children, it makes for a beautiful, quiet, peaceful retreat.
Food & Drink
At Manna restaurant, award-winning chef Athinagoras Kostakos creates authentic dishes. I loved Manna’s signature sausage; local pork stuffed with frumenty (cracked wheat), tomato sauce and fried leek as one of their popular appetizers. Main dishes such as the grilled seabass and fricasse with wild mushrooms from the region, ginger, herbs and Avgolemono sauce left me wondering what to choose. Almost everything is hyper-local—meat from mountain herders, cheese from nearby dairies, herbs and greens foraged in the region and honey from Arcadian beehives. Breakfasts of warm tsoureki, mountain honey and fresh eggs became my daily indulgence, while I loved my evenings under the stars by the firepit, drinking an aperitivo.
Wellness & Amenities
Manna’s Wellness & Spa draws therapies from the forest such as the Aromatherapy Mountain Massage—choose signature oil blends such as fir and cedarwood or fir and sage, incorporated with a Swedish massage . I loved floating in the ‘cave’ pool before lazing in a hammock with a book. The boutique continues the spa’s ethos, stocking high-end skincare and haircare by Augustinus Bader.
Location & Neighborhood
Manna’s setting makes exploring Arcadia effortless. Kapsia Cave (15 minutes) impresses with stalactites, Vytina village (10 minutes) charms with stone alleys, and Lousios Gorge invites rugged hikes. Nearby monasteries and Dimitsana’s Open-Air Water Power Museum round out a perfect balance of culture and nature.
Fast Facts
Location: Arcadia, Peloponnese, Greece
Address: Korfoxylia, Magouliana, Arcadia, 22010, Greece
The vibe: A mountain retreat in Greece? Yes. Switch off, and simply watch the world go by.
Room Count: 32
Starting Rate: From €300 per night.
Dining: Arcadian classics with a modern twist. It’s all about fresh and local here, and that’s part of its rural destination charm.
Amenities: Bar, restaurant, spa.
Closest airport: Kalamata International Airport
