This all-villa Kefalonia hotel is perfect for a restorative Greek island break

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For all-out rest, this stylish, boutique resort combines all of the perks of a resort with the privateness of a villa vacation in an unbeatable coastal location in southwest Kefalonia

Location

Perched on high of cliffs within the southwest of Kefalonia, the most important of the Ionian islands in western Greece. Eliamos Villas Resort & Spa sits between the sleepy fishing city of Spartia and Mount Ainos – the island’s tallest mountain – and is a swift 15-minute taxi or automobile journey from the airport. Catch a morning flight from the UK (which takes about 3.5 hours) and you may be by the pool by mid-afternoon.

The resort has spectacular views out over the turquoise sea, with its personal non-public, rugged cove a brief buggy experience away.

It’s round a 20-minute drive to the capital Argostoli, with its fairly harbour, the place you possibly can see the well-known turtles who huddle beside fishing boats within the morning. One other 10 minutes away is the long-lasting Doric Saint Theodore Lighthouse – the island’s most well-known spot from which to snap a liquid sundown.

One other 50 minutes north from the resort is the breathtaking Fteri Seashore – a dramatic sweeping crescent flanked by limestone cliffs with impossibly clear water. It’s effectively definitely worth the journey given it’s not too long ago been named the world’s second finest seaside.

Learn extra: Why The Odyssey movie will make this secret Greek peninsula a vacation hotspot

The vibe

Simply 12 spectacular stone villas make up this stylish, boutique outpost from the Relais & Chateaux group, reachable by rugged nation roads that underscore the actual fact that it’s the solely luxurious outpost on this nook of the island.

Winding paths lead down to your private villa at Eliamos — Winding paths lead all the way down to your non-public villa at Eliamos (Felix Ledru)

The reception, major pool, spa and restaurant space are huddled collectively, with 9 of the properties reachable by winding paths which weave by lush gardens of agapanthus, lavender and gently swaying grasses. It offers the resort the texture of an idyllic village; so tranquil that the one soundtrack in summer season is the rhythmic buzz of cicadas.

Interiors by London-based inside architect Maike Gruna use a sun-bleached palette of blues and lotions that nod to the Grecian setting with out feeling on the nostril. There are wicker chairs and lightweight fittings, woods are stylishly weathered, and micro cemented partitions and flagstone flooring give a grounding, genuine really feel to what’s a comparatively new resort (it opened in 2023).

Service

Conversational and pleasingly casual, but spoiling. The restaurant workers remembered my espresso orders from the primary day, and handled my eight-month-old journey companion like a prince, providing to whip up pureed meals for him – which he lapped up.

Mattress and tub

Villas are individually designed and oriented, although all include well-stocked kitchenettes, non-public patios that includes outside plunge swimming pools, showers and varied preparations of seating and loungers that imply you possibly can fortunately spend all day there.

There are 5 room varieties, from one-bed to three-bed properties, to go well with {couples}, households or teams. The one-bed, double-storey Elia Maisonette options its personal sun-trap balcony looking to the ocean and the most important, Eliamos Villa, has a jacuzzi.

Villas come with a kitchenette and living area — Villas include a kitchenette and residing space (Felix Ledru)

Zellige-tiled bogs with fashionable brass fittings include big walk-in showers and separate loos, although there are not any bathtubs.

I stayed within the Elia Villa which had a lush, charming backyard and was positioned a couple of minutes up the hill from the resort’s major services in a personal compound which supplied parking for many who have rented their very own automobiles.

Learn extra: How this quiet Greek Island grew to become an ideal romantic hideaway

Food and drinks

Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served at Olias restaurant which has a powerful, seasonal Greek menu, and gives tasting menus, together with a seven-course Odyssey-themed model, to have fun the brand new Christopher Nolan movie. It’s open-air, looking over olive groves and all the way down to the ocean – lending a magical really feel to mealtimes.

All-day dining destination Olias brings the outdoors in — All-day eating vacation spot Olias brings the outside in (Eliamos Villas Resort & Spa, Kefalonia)

Breakfast features a private buffet unfold of breads, truffles, and fruit, and an a la carte providing permits you to add eggs or candy dishes, from Nutella-covered pancakes to a Mediterranean stuffed omelette. Mains are classics equivalent to moussaka and sea bass with confit tomatoes. There’s sufficient selection that you just gained’t get bored even when taking all of your meals right here for just a few days. The resort workforce are completely satisfied to cater to dietaries and intolerances.

You should definitely pair your meals with glasses from the easy-drinking Rebola-led wine listing. Or benefit from the restaurant’s chilled out lounge space with a pre-dinner traditional cocktail.

Amenities

When you may be reluctant to go away your villa, the primary pool space is right for stress-free with loads of loungers, sink-in bean luggage and shady areas. The 89 metre-squared infinity pool overlooking the ocean is ideal for laps.

There are daily reformer Pilates lessons at Eliamos — There are every day reformer Pilates classes at Eliamos (Eliamos Villas Resort & Spa)

The spa has two remedy rooms the place therapists will pummel you to your desire, with lymphatic, being pregnant, rest or deep tissue massages accessible. There are every day Pilates and yoga movement lessons within the ethereal outside health club with two reformer machines. Or make use of the wood biking machines and free weights any time of day.

There are additionally E-bikes which can be utilized to discover the encompassing space or to hurry all the way down to the non-public seaside. There was nobody else in sight once I spent a morning there, marooned on a easy rock jutting out into the ocean.

Accessibility

There may be one accessible villa, within the Ammos one-bedroom class. The doorways are wider, and the suite is open-plan with no indoor or outside steps. Entry to the pool is supported by a handrail and the lavatory is a moist room. This suite is situated near the frequent areas, nonetheless the hillside structure means Eliamos will not be finest suited to some accessibility wants.

Pet coverage

Pets are allowed upon request at a further cost.

Household-friendly

The resort welcomes kids, and might present cots and excessive chairs. Microwaves in rooms make it simple to sterilise bottles, and workers are completely satisfied to adapt dishes to kids, although there isn’t any devoted menu for them, and the hillside structure of the resort means it isn’t finest suited to curious toddlers. There are steps to the restaurant, so buggies will must be carried for a part of the journey out of your lodging.