Gentilini Retreat

We’ve made this place part of our yearly routine, and even the year we only stopped by to say hello to Eleni, we were reminded how much we love Gentilini and its people. It’s a peaceful hideaway in an ancient olive grove, with a gorgeous pool tucked beneath the trees and a vintage look. The rooms have a simple, elegant style, and breakfast is delicious. Eleni and Natalie are caring, welcoming hosts who really know their stuff. It’s also well placed for Argostoli, St George castle, good restaurants, lovely beaches and hikes on Mount Ainos. A truly special retreat.

Eleni made us feel so well looked after, with great advice on restaurants, quiet beaches and places to skip. We also loved the tasting at her sister’s nearby winery, Gentilini Winery. The stone cottages are spacious, clean and comfortable, with pink oleander around them. At night we sat outside under a sky full of stars, with no light pollution and the sounds of nature all around. The pool is a couple of minutes down a path, right among the olive trees, with Kefalonia’s dramatic mountains behind it. It’s an incredible setting. We were pleased to have found such a peaceful, charming corner away from the crowds. Breakfast was a real treat: homemade feta and marmalade, lemonade from Eleni’s lemon trees, honey from their hives, olive oil from 2000 year old trees, fresh peaches and figs, Greek yoghurt, crusty bread and good coffee. You can buy the olive oil, too.

A little tricky to find, but worth the effort. Among the olive trees, it’s so peaceful that you hear only birds and wind. Really relaxing.

The pool area is spacious, with lots of loungers and chairs, and towels are provided. The setting is a beautiful olive grove, and at night the only sounds were nightingales. We rented two separate residences, each with its own bathroom and kitchen; one also had a living room that could sleep another person. The rooms were roomy and comfortable, the beds were good, and the place was cleaned daily. These were once warehouses for an old olive mill, and the renovations respect the area’s history and surroundings. It’s about 10 minutes from Argostoli and five minutes from a supermarket and gas station. For a proper rest, I’d choose this place without hesitation. Many thanks to the family who runs it.