For the cultural traveller, when it comes to exploring the Peloponnese in Greece, there are myriad historical and archaeological sites to visit, including Ancient Olympia, Tiryns, Ancient Corinth, Epidaurus, Pylos, Sparta, Bassae, Monemvasia and countless others. In truth, to even come close to seeing all there is to see, you would need many trips over several years.
Perhaps one of the most popular destinations for fans of Greek Mythology when visiting the Peloponnese is the archaeological site of ancient Mycenae.
The name alone conjures images of ancient kings and battles beneath the high walls of Troy, far across the wine-dark sea. It’s no wonder too, for as the famed seat of King Agamemnon who led the Greek armies at Troy, Mycenae holds a special place in our modern imaginations. It’s a place every fan of history and mythology should visit at least once.
Roughly one hundred and twenty kilometres from the city of Athens itself, it is always possible to get a day trip to visit Mycenae, but if you are on a quest to explore at your own pace, especially in the Peloponnese, then you will want a place to stay.
We recommend La Petite Planète in the village of Mycenae.
Mycenae sits, as one would expect, in a highly strategic position overlooking the Argolid plain looking out toward Nauplio, Argos, Tiryns and the distant sea.
This is a luscious land of myth and legend with fertile plains covered in orange and olive groves, the leaves of which are rustled by hot Arkadian winds in summertime.
Whether you are coming to Mycenae from the national road just to the northwest, or from across the baking plain and Nauplio to the south, when you arrive at the small village of Mycenae on your way to the archaeological site, there is no mistaking that you are stepping back in time.
LOCATION
As you drive through the small village of Mycenae you are greeted by a few, sadly rundown businesses that harken back to long gone days of blossoming tourism. One has the impression of walking through a once-beautiful garden in winter. But the names of some of the businesses are a hint, however, that this is no ordinary tourist destination. You pass by the King Menelaus and Homer restaurants, as well as Atreus Camping. The Hotel Agamemnon sits ironically down the street from Clytemnestra Rooms. Then there is our favourite name, Achilles Parking.
At the end of this lineup of oddly-named businesses lies the welcoming entrance of La Petite Planète, the last bit of modernity on the way to the archaeological site. As such, this hotel is less than two minutes away from the famous ‘Lion Gate’ and the legendary ruins of Agamemnon’s palace. This proximity allows you to either drive or walk up to the archaeological site. If it is hot, we recommend driving.
If you are exploring ancient Mycenae, La Petite Planète is the perfect location to stay as it allows you to visit the site last thing in the day, after the crowds have dispersed, or first thing in the morning before the crowds emerge from their buses which sit in the parking lot like rows of Trojan Horses with armies of tourists spilling out.
We booked our stay at La Petite Planète for a family of four (one double and two twin beds) through Expedia, and we’re so glad we did.
After a day exploring nearby Ancient Nemea, our goal was to spend the night at the hotel so that we could get an early start the next morning at Mycenae.
STAFF AND SERVICE
It is no secret that one of the most important things about a hotel are the people running it. Service can make or break a hospitality business.
Luckily, this is indeed where La Petite Planète excels.
From the moment we drove up on a stifling Sunday afternoon, we were greeted by hotel staff as though we were the only guests around. We actually felt that they were genuinely thrilled to see us, as if we were old friends visiting.
The gentleman at the front desk calmly explained everything about the room, the pool, and the hours for the archaeological site for us. He then confirmed our spot and course choices for dinner on the main terrace later that evening before letting us get settled in.
More on the pool and food shortly.
Wherever we went in the hotel, we had the impression that everyone had a stake in its success, that they care about the guests having a truly pleasant stay.
The lady at the front desk, whom we met later at dinner, was very knowledgeable about Mycenae and indeed other historical sites in the area. She was always ready with a smile and offer of help and information.
It is obvious that these folks go out of their way for their guests, making this truly the best part of our experience.
We should note that they hotel staff did not know we were from Ancient World Travel, and that we observed that they treated the other guests with the same courtesy that we received.
The kindness of the owners also extends to the local stray cats and dogs which they care for as if they are their very own.
ROOMS AND AMENITIES
The first thing you notice when you enter La Petite Planète is its age. This is not a new hotel, but that is part of its charm. It feels as though it is from a bygone era of casual tourism that we have somewhat lost sight of.
The hotel lobby is replete with couches, art, and many books about history and archaeology which guests are welcome to peruse as though they are in a library.
Some people may not like the 1970s charm of this hotel, but we found it to be a part of the experience. Yes, the corridors may be dimly lit and eerily quiet, but everything is very clean.
Because the hotel water is not drinkable (it is the Greek countryside after all), there is always free bottled water available for hotel guests.
The room we stayed in was also simple, but very clean with an outdoor seating area looking toward the distant mountains. The bathroom was large and clean with exposed pipes that brought back some memories to be sure.
There was air conditioning, a fridge, and a safe to store valuables.
The only niggling thing might have been that the beds and pillows were a little uncomfortable, but this was far outweighed by the kindness of the staff and the hotel’s proximity to the archaeological site.
A nice bonus to this hotel is that it also has a pool tucked away among the olive trees. This provided a very welcome respite from the heat which was indeed intense that day.
Second only to the wonderful attitude of the staff is the onsite restaurant of La Petite Planète.
A few days before we arrived for our stay, we received a message from the hotel asking us if we would like to have a table set aside for us for dinner on the outdoor terrace the night of our stay. We were also asked for any dietary accommodations we would require. Two of us are vegetarian, so we flagged that when we accepted the invitation to dine.
Originally, we had thought to walk into the village to eat at the Electra Taverna, but when we read that the hotel serves locally-grown products, some of which are organic and from their very own gardens, we could not pass up the opportunity to eat onsite.
We’re so glad we did as it truly was a wonderful experience.
When our party showed up for dinner, there was a lovely, large table reserved for us in the middle of a broad terrace that overlooked the Argolid valley toward Argos and the sea. The cicadas were just singing the last of their daytime song as we were seated and offered cocktails and water.
Three staff people, including the owner, tended to us very carefully, always ensuring that we had everything we needed and taking every opportunity to explain the food to us, food in which they take great pride.
La Petite Planète’s daily menu is set, so be sure to ask beforehand what is on offer. Two in our party opted for the fish, and the two vegetarians for the eggplant and mushroom moussaka, both of which were delicious and fresh. We were told that there is always a vegetarian option for guests.
The food was brought to us in courses as the sun began to settle on the horizon beyond the mountains of Arkadia. We ate well, enjoying the organic artichokes in lemon sauce, village salad with homemade cheese, our mains, and fresh bread with their own golden-green olive oil made from the trees behind the hotel itself. It was some of the best olive oil we’ve ever tasted!
As we watched the swallows dive in the purple sky above us, and the lights of Argos in the distance begin to flicker as night fell, we marvelled that all the food we had eaten came from the very mountain slopes and plains laid out before us.
To dine in such a way, on such fresh fare, is truly a wonderful experience, perhaps worthy of the megaron of King Agamemnon which we would explore the following morning.
After a dessert of homemade mille feuilles, we sat finishing our wine from Nemea and contemplating the sublimely quiet evening scene before us and the people of myth and legend for whom the stars above us were named.
In the morning, we rose early to the sound of a rooster doing his due diligence in a neighbouring field, and a dog no doubt telling him to give it a rest.
It was early, to be sure, but we wanted an early start anyway so that we could get to the archaeological site at the outset of the day.
La Petite Planète also offers a wonderful breakfast. In the indoor dining room, this morning repast is complete with farm fresh everything from eggs, homemade cakes, and breads, to in-house cheese, honey, jams and marmalades. The owner, once again, was there to tell us with rightful pride that they had made almost everything on-site.
It was absolutely delicious, and was the perfect start to our day of sightseeing and exploration.
VALUE FOR MONEY
When it comes to value for money, La Petite Planète has a lot to offer.
Our family room for the night, which we booked through Expedia, cost us just $97.11 CA.
If you would like to eat at the hotel, which we highly recommend, then the fixed dinner menu will cost you an additional 20 Euros per person, and breakfast for 5 Euros per person. Both are excellent prices considering the quality of the food and the setting.
Some travellers might expect there to be more in the rooms, and while we agree that the beds and pillows could be more comfortable, you cannot beat the location of this lovely, family-run hotel.
With the costs getting high across all of Greece in recent years, this remains a great value for the money.
OVERALL IMPRESSION
La Petite Planète hotel in the village of Mycenae, is the perfect base for exploring not only Agamemnon’s Palace, but also other sites such as Ancient Nemea, and Tiryns.
This wonderful, clean hotel has loads of old-world charm and is perfectly paired with one of the warmest welcomes you will receive across the Peloponnese. It is obvious that they care deeply about their business, and the guests who come to stay here.
The setting of this lovely place is both ancient and idyllic, the perfect place to rest before and after braving the tourist throngs who come daily to lay siege to one of Greece’s most famous sites.
The onsite restaurant which serves wonderful food with ingredients from their own backyard is an added bonus. Eating on the terrace overlooking the plain of Argos, as the stars named after the gods and heroes of mythology emerge, make this a magical experience not to be forgotten.
Ancient World Travel recommends La Petite Planète for families, couples, or solo travellers who are visiting Mycenae and the broader region of Argos!
Book your stay at La Petite Planète for an excellent price today through our 'Travel Resources' page, or one of the following links:
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