Aeginitiko Archontiko Aegina

This stylish, historic hotel is set in a 17th century building near Aegina’s port. It boasts a grand living room with beautifully painted ceilings, two traditional courtyards and bright rooms with tasteful furnishings. The elegant rooms are appointed with private bathrooms and each is air-conditioned and heated. They all have a TV and room service is available on a 24-hour basis. The unique mansion has been former residence of Greek politicians, poets and artists, including Nikos Kazantzakis and Kostas Varnalis. The hotel offers year-round accommodation.

Archontiko has through the years accommodated figures of modern Greek history. After the independence from the Ottomans and the establishment of the Greek government, Aegina became the first capital city of Greece. During this period, Admiral Kountouriotis lived in Archontiko. Saint Nektarios, a historical figure of the Greek Orthodox Church, was a guest when he was still an unknown monk in a monastery on the outskirts of Aegina. The Saint used to travel to town with his donkey for food supplies and during the night slept at the lodge. The Greek poet, Kostas Varnalis, lived in the house for two years. During the weekends he used to host intellectual social gatherings. The famous Greek author Nikos Kazantzakis was also a guest. The inspiration from the islands unique lifestyle and the celebrations that took place, gave Varnalis the motive to write the poem "Andrikos Ballad". Later on Mikis Theodorakis wrote music for the ballad and made a song out of it.

There are a number of landmarks worth visiting such as the Temple of Aphaea from pre-Christian times and the Ioannis Kapodistrias, which is a large building erected in honour of the first modern leader of Greece. The monastery of Agios Nectarios is famous in Greece and truly a picturesque site. It is dedicated to Saint Nectarios, who was also a frequent guest of the Archontiko.