TheMailOnLine –It took millions of euros to build, was dedicated to the gods and with its spectacular circular atrium was supposed to be a symbol of the new economic might of Greece.
But today, 13 years after it opened as one of the most luxurious tourist resorts in the Peloponnese – hosting celebrities such as Angelina Jolie – Hotel Lakonis, with its perfect beach and amazing views across the Aegean, lies abandoned, a perfect example of all that is wrong with the troubled country.
Now it is for sale – offered at five million euros – but privately said to be available for as little as half that price.
Hotel Lakonis took millions of euros to build, was dedicated to the gods and with its spectacular circular atrium was supposed to be a symbol of the new economic might of Greece
Today, 13 years after it opened as one of the most luxurious tourist resorts in the Peloponnese – hosting celebrities such as Angelina Jolie – Hotel Lakonis lies abandoned
Hotel Lakonis is now for sale – offered at five million euros – but privately said to be available for as little as half that price
The once-thriving 100-room luxury hotel in east Mani and was built by a private developer who now owes ‘significant sums’ to the bank
With its 900-feet secluded beach, 59,000 square feet of buildings – including 10 residential outbuildings – dedicated to gods including Artemis, Poseidon, Athena and Aphrodite – it’s a prime site for development
The once-thriving 100-room luxury hotel in east Mani took three decades to complete and was built by a private developer who now owes ‘significant sums’ to the bank.
But mystery surrounds who funded the development and its sale has been bogged down in legal confusion.
A local restaurateur said: ‘Some people think it is cursed’
Selling agents Lantzi Properties have the hotel listed for 5.5 million euros (£3.95 million) but were shy of clarifying under what circumstances it could be sold
The bank responded to calls about the sale of the property but refused to clarify the financial arrangements.
With its 900-feet (300m) long secluded beach, 59,000 square feet (5,500 sq.metres) of buildings – including 10 residential outbuildings – dedicated to gods including Artemis, Poseidon, Athena and Aphrodite – and 7.4 acres (30,000 sq.metres) of gardens, it’s a prime site for development.
Selling agents Lantzi Properties have it listed for 5.5 million euros (£3.95 million) but were shy of clarifying under what circumstances it could be sold.
It has parking facility for 100 vehicles and the main building is just 900 feet (300 metres) from its own secluded beach.
Its seafront is blue-flag class – meaning it’s been classified as one of the most pristine beaches in the world. There is also the opportunity to have a private marina built to accommodate luxury yachts.
The property is also listed on the website homegreekhome.com – on which the MoneyMarket brokerage service is offering to loan 70 per cent of the value (3.85 million euros) at a repayment of 15,662 euros a month on a 40-year-loan (or 22,967 a month on a 20-year-loan).
The real estate agent, Mina Lanzi, said: ‘It’ s a once in a lifetime opportunity to purchase such a big property in such a fantastic location.’
The estate agent said the hotel’s owner, who is believed to be a TV personality living in Sparta, owes between 350,000 and 450,000 euros to the bank – a small sum compared to what it was once worth.
No one however, seems keen to touch it.
‘The proprietor had the hotel built at a huge discount thanks to his political connections to the junta,’ the local restaurateur, who did not want to be named, claimed.
‘It’s bizarre that the bank can’t seem to sell it – and there have been offers – without the approval of the owner. It’s pretty incredible given the state of our economy. Or maybe it’s an example of why it’s in quite the incredible trouble it is.
‘We’d love to see it bought by a wealthy overseas investor who would redevelop it. It would bring much-needed money to the region.’
