It is just off the main square of a picturesque little town called Xirokambi in the heart of the Peloponnese, just minutes away from the city of Sparta.

Named after an impressive nearby mountaintop, Taleton is simply a fabulous eco-boutique hotel set in a lush valley against a backdrop of beautiful mountains. It is just off the main square of a picturesque little town called Xirokambi in the heart of the Peloponnese, just minutes away from the city of Sparta.

This little hotel used to be a stone storage facility for olive oil once upon a time, but it has now been completely renovated using the old bricks and features of the original building by the old facility's descendents. The owner, Mr. Doros Solomos, is actually an engineer: the perfect design of this homely property with only ten exclusive rooms is a reflection of his excellent work.

That said, Mr. Solomos is also very interested in the sustainability of his local area and in organic products. He has an organic farm himself that produces olive oil and offers a delicious breakfast with superb local products. Fresh fruit in season, thick local honey, home-baked bread and cake, mountain tea, village eggs and locally prepared fruit jams are just some of the delicacies on offer every morning. You'll also love the organic wines, delicious olives and other local products on sale right in the main dining room. Best of all, the lovely inner courtyard with the fountain add an almost spiritual, magic touch to the property and soothes the senses in a myriad of ways.

Beyond the walls of the property there are a number of activities to enjoy, such as hiking on the flat valleys or climbing on the most impressive mountains in the midst of a green, Mediterranean setting. You can easily rent a bike to discover the area, visit the nearby organic winery, learn about olive picking during the right season or visit a pebble mosaics workshop with healing properties close to the hotel.

On the technical side Taleton has a geothermal energy system, and most people wouldn't know that the air-conditioning and heating are not powered by fuel or electricity, but mostly by the temperature in the ground below us. Built almost exclusively with stone, wood and eco-friendly materials, the Taleton Eco-Boutique Hotel in the heart of the Peloponnese deserves special recognition for its efforts. Three of the rooms have kitchenettes, and a few can fit two adults and two children.

Most importantly, the property is a springboard for beautiful attractions around Laconia such as the Byzantine ghost city of Mystras, the picturesque towns of Gythio and Areopoli, breathtaking Monemvasia, attractive mountain villages like Geraki and the lovely museums of the greater Sparta area. And if this isn't enough, a 25-minute drive will take you to the beautiful beach of Mavrovouni. Welcome to Laconia's little corner of paradise.