Stay: Imaret
Hilltop living in the manner of Scheherazade.
Kavala, Greece
23 rooms from 590 eur
Cresting the seaside hilltop Kavala’s Old Town, Imaret is a former 19th century seminary-turned boutique hotel. The sandy pink fortress walls conceal a gorgeous courtyard pool, and provide viewpoints upon which various balconies, dining rooms, and terraces nestle. In its previous life as an Egyptian theological college, the original mosque remains as a sitting room, and the expansive gardens are best experienced strolling through the marble arcades where you might run into one of several resident felines. Many of the quaint rooms have their original plumbing, as intended in the meticulous restoration. Choose your room wisely: some are cool and dark, and others are filled with natural light with a view. Previous guests rave: “it was tempting to check in and never leave” and another who opined that the “setting is as authentic as if you were in a Scheherazade fairy tale.” The service is top notch, crowned by a nightly 4-course gourmet meal. The property offers day-passes and historical tours for outside visitors on select days, but an advanced reservation is required. Most of the negative reviews highlight that in-house guests are treated far more royally than those not staying there, for obvious reasons. Note: Imaret sometimes has a minimum stay required.
Photo Credit: hotel site and i-escape
Every publication will feature one unique restaurant, hotel, activity, or other travel discovery that stood out in our research. Some of these are established institutions that deserve repeat merit, while others are hidden gems that are often off the radar of most. Our commentary is meant to be brief, summarizing the scale and offerings of a place, as well as the best and worst of relevant reviews found across the web – allowing our clients to quickly discern if this a good fit for them.
