Where It All Began
In the 1950s, in the mountain pastoral village of Livadi — the well-known Vlach settlement on the slopes of Mt Titaros — the Hatzis family opened a small lanaristirio, a wool-carding mill. Sheep wool was the raw material of the local economy, and the mill served the wider region, drawing in families from the surrounding villages.
The carding work (in Greek: λανάρισμα, *lanarisma*) took time — often more than a day. So in the spirit of Livadi hospitality, the Hatzis family offered overnight lodging to those who had come to bring their wool, until the work was done and they could go home.
Years later, with that hospitality as the model, the traditional guesthouse Lanari was built on the site of the old lanaristirio. The name carries its original meaning — the tool, the trade, the doorway opened to strangers in the middle of work. That's still the idea.
Our Philosophy of Hospitality
In Greek, the word for hospitality is filoxenia — literally "love of the stranger." This ancient concept is not merely a tradition for us; it is the guiding principle behind everything we do at Lanari. We believe that the best travel experiences are not found in luxury alone, but in genuine human connection, in meals shared around a common table, and in stories exchanged beside a crackling fireplace.
Every detail of your stay is considered with intention. Our rooms are designed to be sanctuaries of calm, furnished with locally crafted wood and textiles that honour the region's artisan heritage. Our breakfast spreads feature homemade preserves, mountain herbs, honey from nearby apiaries, and bread baked fresh each morning. It is this attention to the small, meaningful things that we believe transforms a visit into a memory.
Livadi, Our Village
Livadi is a village that time has treated gently. Set between chestnut forests and alpine meadows at 1,160 metres on the southeastern slopes of Mt Titaros, it sits where the Greek world's geography and its myths overlap. Olympus — legendary home of the twelve gods — rises to the east, its snow-capped peaks visible from our garden terrace.
Life in Livadi follows the rhythms of the seasons. In spring, wildflowers carpet the meadows. Summer brings long, sun-drenched evenings and the sound of cicadas. Autumn transforms the forests into a mosaic of amber and gold. Winter wraps the village in quiet snow, inviting evenings by the fire with a glass of local tsipouro.
Our guesthouse is both a gateway to Olympus and a retreat from the pace of modern life. From here, you can set out on ancient hiking trails, explore Byzantine monasteries, visit neighbouring villages, or simply sit beneath the plane trees in the village square and watch the world slow down.
Our Commitment to the Land
Sustainability is not a trend for us — it is a responsibility we owe to Olympus and to future generations.
The mountain is the reason anyone comes here, and looking after it is the only sensible way to run a guesthouse on its slopes. The forests, springs, and wildlife around Livadi are what we wake up to. We try to keep things simple — local materials, local suppliers, as little waste as we can manage. None of this is a programme. It's just how you take care of a place you care about.
- Locally sourced ingredients: Our kitchen prioritises produce from Livadi and neighbouring villages — seasonal vegetables, mountain herbs, artisan cheeses, and honey harvested within kilometres of our door.
- Energy efficiency: We use energy-efficient heating systems and LED lighting throughout the property, reducing our footprint while maintaining guest comfort.
- Waste reduction: We minimise single-use plastics, compost organic kitchen waste, and recycle diligently. Guests are provided with refillable toiletry dispensers made from locally produced natural products.
- Supporting the community: We collaborate with local guides, artisans, and producers, ensuring that tourism benefits the people of Livadi and the wider Olympus region.
- Nature conservation: We actively support reforestation efforts and participate in trail maintenance programmes to preserve the hiking network on Mount Olympus.
“We do not simply offer a place to sleep. We offer a place to belong — even if only for a few days. That is the Lanari way.”
The Lanari Family
Come and Be Part of Our Story
We would be honoured to welcome you to Lanari. Whether you come for the mountain trails, the village charm, or simply the quiet, we promise you will leave feeling at home.
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