11 Best Hotels In Ioannina

When we think of Greece, destinations like Athens, Mykonos, Santorini, Crete, and Rhodes come to mind. The town of Ioannina, however, is one gem that we couldn’t be more thrilled to have discovered. Tucked on the western shores of Lake Pamvotida, this is one of the wealthiest, most cultured, and most atmospheric of cities in northern Greece. While the old, fortified city of Kastro is serene, the namesake island on the lake made for a quiet, car-free escape. The best hotels in Ioannina are much the same. Not only did we find luxurious hotels with top-notch amenities, but we also found smaller, boutique, and homely places where intimate and exclusive service was the highlight.

With the lake turning a strangely ethereal shade of silver at sunset and the massive mountains in the background turning lilac, Ioannina is truly beautiful in every season. In fact, it’s a fantastic destination for a romantic long weekend. To that end, here’s a guide to staying in Ioannina, Greece.

Archontariki Historic Boutique Hotel

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We begin with the Archontariki Historic Boutique Hotel, which sits one lane from the lush, verdant Katsari park on the shores of Lake Pamvotida. The location in Ioannina doesn’t get any better than this!

We loved the warm rooms and suites here, all of which featured traditional, ornate decor, dark wooden furnishings, coffeemakers, and fireplaces. What’s more, they all featured free Wi-Fi, minifridges, flat-screen TVs, and even room service. Moreover, they all had sleek bathrooms with complimentary bath products. Did you know that every room came with a free private parking space on the property? Yes!

The highlight of the amenities here is the delicious breakfast every morning, despite there being no restaurant. Other amenities included multiple opulent lounges and a courtyard garden where we could unwind with coffee or wine at the end of the day. What’s more, we could even rent bikes from the reception and enjoy drinks at the bar.

Epirus Palace Congress & Spa

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Located hardly 15 minutes south of the town center of Ioannina, Epirus Palace Congress & Spa is yet another polished luxury stay in the region. If you’re looking to splurge or indulge in a romantic, luxurious escape, this is where you should be doing it. In fact, it’s unique in its category because it is one of the only 5-star hotels in the wider region of northwestern Greece. Hw cool is that!

We had the choice of as many as 200 exceptionally designed rooms and suites, all of which were bright, airy, and richly appointed. Not only did they have luxurious marble bathrooms and well-decked-out living rooms, but they all came with a slew of mod-cons, including coffeemakers, Wi-fi, flat-screen TVs, and minibars. If that wasn’t enough, all rooms boasted views of either the pool or the garden. In fact, some rooms like ours even had balconies, with gorgeous views of the landscape. Did we mention that room service was available in all areas and that suites added separate living rooms? Yes!

Coming to the amenities, there was a lot to enjoy and do at the property. Its best feature was the huge, 500 sq. meter swimming pool. It was sprinkled with daybeds and parasols and boasted excellent views of the surrounding region. The on-site upscale restaurant not only served various cuisines, including local Greek cuisine, but it also served all meals, including a sumptuous breakfast. Free wi-fi in all areas, free private parking on the property, wonderfully manicured gardens, a fitness center, a spa, and an opulent lounge bar round up the amenities here.

Saz City Life Hotel

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Best value for money. The main street running through the town is Eleftheriou Street, and Saz City Life Hotel occupies pride of place on it, right in the heart of the town. However, what’s great about the hotel is that its rooftop offers superb bird’s-eye views of Lake Pamvotida. What could possibly be better?

Don’t be put off by the hotel’s unassuming exterior; on the inside, it’s a thoroughly refined, polished, and modern stay. We’ve already told you about the rooftop space, which was our favourite. What made it extra-special was that it was home to the hotel’s restaurant and bar. Except for breakfast, it was open for all meals, especially high tea and cocktails. What’s more, it served excellent Greek and Mediterranean cuisine. Meanwhile, the other on-site restaurant served a fantastic buffet breakfast, which was a great start to the day. Not only was there a small event space, but the hotel also offered free parking.

“A modern hotel offering contemporary stay, delicious local cuisine, a fantastic rooftop with lake views, and free parking in the middle of the city? No wonder we loved our stay here!”

Choose from a host of stylish rooms and suites, which offer all the regular creature comforts that you can expect from upscale boutique hotels. Think en-suite marble bathrooms, minifridges, tea and coffee-making facilities, flat-screen TVs, free Wi-fi, as well as balconies.

The Lake Hotel

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Best lake hotel. Where there is a lake, there has to be a property right alongside it. This Greek town has plenty, but there are none to match the Lake Hotel, which sits right along Lake Pamvotida. What we loved about this understated hotel is that it featured stunning mountain views, besides lake views, of course.

The highlight of this hotel is its outdoors. For instance, the seasonal outdoor pool directly faces the lake. What’s more, it also features daybeds and is surrounded by manicured gardens, making it the perfect place to unwind at the end of a long day. Besides the gardens, there was even a terrace, where we could unwind with a cup of coffee or a glass of wine and soak in the lake views. Thanks to the on-site bar/restaurant, we didn’t have to look far for any meals, including breakfasts and even drinks. Other amenities included a banquet hall, concierge services, and even complimentary Wi-Fi.

We were thoroughly impressed by the polished rooms and suites at Lake Hotel. Firstly, all of them had either garden or mountain views, marble bathrooms, minifridges, sofa beds, flat-screen TVs, and high wood-paneled ceilings. Furthermore, if you wanted to upgrade, the upgraded and premium rooms even had lake views from floor-to-ceiling windows or balconies. The pinnacle, though, was the suites, which even added separate living areas and whirlpool tubs.

Hotel Egnatia

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If you’re considering a budget stay right in the commercial center of the town, consider Hotel Egnatia. Occupying a prime location just a minute’s walk from the city square, the hotel is also just a 10-minute walk from the shores of Lake Pamvotida. Since this is a basic hotel, we didn’t expect to find many amenities. However, we were pleasantly surprised to see that the hotel offered complimentary covered parking. This was very useful for us since we had rented a car to explore Ioannina and the surrounding region. Not just that, but the hotel also offered a wonderful breakfast in the casual dining room. What made this extra special was the fact that the hotel didn’t have a restaurant per se. Nevertheless, it did have an informal lobby bar/cafe, complete with a cozy lounge area for relaxing.

The rooms at this hotel might have been basic, but they were immaculate and very well-kept. Plus, they had a ton of floor space to walk around and store our luggage, too. Not only were they all air-conditioned, but the units also came with creature comforts such as telephones and flat-screen TVs. If that wasn’t enough, all rooms had private bathrooms with showers. What more could we ask for?

Grand Serai Congress & Spa

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Most luxurious. If you are looking for luxury living in Ioannina, look no further than the Grand Serai Congress & Spa. Surrounded by 13,000 sq. meters of manicured gardens, this palatial hotel is, undoubtedly, the most luxurious hotel not just in the town, but in the entire region. The rooms and suites had distinctive touches, such as crystal chandeliers, marble bathrooms, and wooden floors. What’s more, they offered a host of mod-cons, including minibars, flat-screen TVs, free Wi-fi, and swish bathrooms. If you’re looking for something special, choose the upgraded rooms, which also add furnished balconies. If that wasn’t enough, the suites have all of the above, along with separate living rooms with plush sofas. Nevertheless, room service is available in all the rooms, as are soundproofed windows.

Being a luxurious 5 star hotel, there were a lot of amenities to look forward to. Firstly, we love the seasonal outdoor pool, which had diabetes and parasols to relax on. After that, we’d make a trip to the spa, which had a hot tub, a hammam, as well as a detailed treatment menu. Freebies included parking and breakfast, which was served in the elegant restaurant. Moreover, additional features included concierge services and a fitness center. Finally, we would end the day at the poolside bar or bar/lounge with drinks.

Little Island Resort

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Serene living comes to Ioannina in the form of the Little Island Resort, which is the only accommodation on the fairytale island in the middle of Lake Pamvotida. It might be basic accommodation, but it’s immaculate and very well-kept. Not only that, but it’s also secluded, romantic, and offers some of the most exclusive and spectacular views across the lake and of Ioannina. Even getting here wasn’t an issue; there’s a boat to the island every half-hour and the journey takes just 10 minutes.

The only choice here is a one-bedroom villa, which felt like private living. This, especially more so since the place had a comfy living room with a fireplace, two spacious bedrooms with king-size beds and lake views, and two luxurious en-suite bathrooms. What’s more, one bedroom even had a private balcony overlooking the lake. Plus, there was even a spacious kitchen-dining room, where a chef would even prepare local culinary delicacies if one wanted. We loved the decor, which included historic heirlooms, antiques, objets d’art, and paintings by famous artists.

There was a lot to do at this property. Not only was there a private beach where we could soak in the views and swim in the water, but there was also a delicious breakfast provided every day. When we wanted to unwind, there was even a gramophone on which we could play old Greek records. Since there was no store on the island, the hosts even provided bottled water. Finally, they make sure that they have screens on the balcony doors and windows to keep bugs out. Did we mention that since there are windows all around, we had views from everywhere? Yep.

The View Hotel

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How would you like to enjoy views of Lake Pamvotida from the other side? Welcome to The View Hotel, which is on the other side of the town, overlooking the stunning lake. The name is befitting: almost all rooms have huge floor-to-ceiling windows or balconies with spectacular views of Lake Pamvotida.

With just 8 air-conditioned rooms and suites to choose from, staying here felt as intimate as exclusive. What’s more, they all had creature comforts such as cable flat-screen TVs, complimentary Wi-Fi and wired internet, and even en-suite bathrooms with bathtubs and complimentary bath products. Furthermore, other conveniences included ironing boards, electric kettles, as well as phones with free local calls.

We enjoyed the recreational amenities at this wonderful boutique hotel. Our favourite was the seasonal outdoor pool, which boasted unobstructed, panoramic views of the lake. Right next to it was a lush garden, which also had similar views of the lake. It was where we’d unwind with coffee or a glass of wine while enjoying the views. Besides a common area with a TV. The hotel also had a picnic area. Finally, there were two restaurants that were both open for dinner and served delicious Greek cuisine. Even then, our days began with delicious buffet breakfast spreads every day.

MounTrace Suites & SPA

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If you’re looking to stay outside the town of Ioannina and don’t mind the distance, few places are as imposing and elegant as MounTrace Suites & Spa. Built into the hillside and overlooking Vikos Gorge, this refined boutique hotel boasts a commanding and grand stone facade. Moreover, it’s a mere 45-minute drive from the town centre of Ioannina.

The highlight here is the sweeping views over the gorgeous valleys of northwestern Greece, capturing the essence of mountain life. We loved the elevated terraces throughout the property, which reinforce this impression. What’s more, the hotel sits across a pair of structures, which house the amenities and the suites. Not only is there a refined restaurant/lobby bar where we had enjoyed drinks in the evening, but there is also an adults-only spa. It boasted a Moorish decor, along with a bevy of treatment rooms, a sauna, and a hot tub. So, it was the perfect place to relax after an entire day of exploring the region. The best bit? There was a wonderful Greek breakfast included in the room rate.

Since it’s an all-suite hotel, we had the choice of a number of juice and posh suites, which radiated coziness. Think warm wooden floors, fireplaces, and leather furniture. What’s more, they all had mod-cons in the form of free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, seating areas, tea and coffee-making facilities, minibars, and luxe bathrooms. If that wasn’t enough, upgraded rooms, some even two-storied ones, even added living rooms and balconies with magnificent views.

Stoes Boutique Hotel

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And old stone archway around the corner from the Castle led to the elegant Stoes Boutique Hotel. Dating back to the 19th century, this mansion retained and preserved much of its old-world glamour. However, the aesthetic of the hotel is contemporary and clean; think well-placed chandelier, gleaming white-and-black tiled floors, whitewashed walls, and high ceilings.

We loved the dark wood furniture, parquet floors, exposed stonewalls in the austere and simple but refined, cloister-like rooms and suites. What’s more, even the bathrooms were minimalist, with walk-in showers. Some rooms, like ours, also had striking modern fireplaces and/or balconies. If you’d like to splurge, the upper-level suites also feature lavish bathrooms and spacious living rooms with Chesterfield sofas.

That being said, we love the public spaces at this hotel. Our favourite was the sunny terrace, where we would sip on a glass of Greek wine and enjoy the sounds and sights of this lovely town. Moreover, there was also an all-day restaurant and a bar. Not only did it serve all meals, but it also served cocktails, brunch, and high tea.

KAMARES Historic Boutique Hotel & Spa

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Best overall. Sitting at the top of the list is KAMARES Historic Boutique Hotel & Spa. In 1820, a raging fire swept through the Greek castle town of Ioannina. Only a handful of historic structures survived that fire, and one of these was a handsome stone mansion near the castle walls. Today, it’s known as the Kamares Boutique Hotel & Spa. The hotel retains much of its old-world grandeur — think original tile floors, sumptuous antiques, ornate fireplaces, brick archways, and heavy wooden doors.

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The atmosphere might be retro, but the hotel is thoroughly up to date where it counts — creature comforts. So, while the rooms radiated. Charm with vaulted wood beam ceilings and brick or exposed stone walls, we also found Nespresso machines and modern bathrooms with jacuzzi spas. That, alongside the hand-painted wall panels, antique velvet loveseats, and decorative bed frames, made our stay as historic yet comfortable as possible. Our bedroom even had a fireplace!

The amenities at this hotel were no less impressive. Our favorite was Bodrum Spa, which offered a wealth of treatments for intensive relaxation. What’s more, it also had a traditional hamam and a hot tub. Despite there being no restaurant at the hotel, it offered a delicious buffet/continental breakfast spread every day. The best bit was that we could hire cars and bikes to explore the neighbourhood and the region right from the hotel reception.

Our Verdict!

Ioannina has a wealth of stays that we liked, which is why we created this list to help you choose where to stay.

• Best value for money:
• Best location:
• Best hotels for xxxx:
• Best xxxx:

Where to Stay in Ioannina?

Affectionately known as Yannena, Ioannina is the largest city in Epirus and one of Greece’s most important urban centers. Its pride is Lake Pamvotida, a picturesque water body that kisses the edge of the city. Since we were looking to soak up Ioannina in its true essence, staying near the lake and the castle was a fantastic choice for us. However, we also found the city center of Perama and the Ioannina island of Amfithea to be great choices.

The focal point in Ioannina is the breathtaking Lake Pamvotida. Along with serene views, the lake is also close to the Castle of Ioannina. Not only can you enjoy a leisurely walk by the water, but so enjoy the lakeside outdoors, including activities such as fishing, biking, and the like. The competitive prices of accommodations make this area the best place to stay in Ioannina. However, the staying options are limited, so book early if possible.

Next, there’s Downtown Ioannina, which includes both the modern section and the old town with its quaint cobbled streets. What’s more, there are four squares, Mavili Square, Pargis Square, Pyrrus Square, and the lower Andras Papandreou Square, which add to the city’s charm. It’s home to a vibrant nightlife, with affordable eateries, bars, and cafes that are open into the wee hours. Thirdly, there’s Perama near Lake Pamvotida. It’s famous for its spectacular cave formations, which were discovered during WWII. Moreover, they’re a huge system filled with stalactites and stalagmites.

Finally, nestled at the foot of Mitsikeli Mountain on the north shore of the lake is the scenic, rural Amfithea. From here, it’s a short 10-minute journey to Ioannina Island, which has a welcoming community and 7 monasteries.

Which is the best lakeside stay in Ioannina?

That would be the Lake Hotel, which is a luxurious property on the shores of Lake Pamvotida. 

Can we stay at the castle in Ioannina?

While you can’t stay inside the castle, there are stays located within the castle walls, such as “Platanos in the Castle,” “In the Castle House,” and more.