Elix, Mar-Bella Collection

High above Karavostasi Beach on Greece’s Ionian coast, Elix, Mar-Bella Collection makes spectacular use of its pine covered hillside setting, with sweeping views across the water towards Paxos, Antipaxos and Corfu.

There is a wonderful sense of arrival at Elix. The resort occupies the crest and slopes of the hillside, with the Ionian opening out below and Karavostasi Beach appearing at the foot of the trees. Rather than fighting the gradient, the architecture follows it, stepping down through terraces and low rise buildings so that the view remains the defining feature as you move around the property.

The landscape gives Elix a character quite different from a conventional Greek beach resort. Pine forest surrounds the buildings, paths wind through the hillside and the beach feels tucked into the coast below, reached by a private funicular or a shaded walk through the trees. That combination of mountain, forest and sea is what makes the setting so memorable, particularly in the late afternoon when the light begins to fall across the Ionian islands.

Rooms & Suites

Rooms and suites are designed to make full use of the elevation, and every category in the collection comes with a sea view. Even the Standard and Superior Rooms look out across the Ionian, while Deluxe Rooms introduce larger terraces, swim up access or private pools for guests who want more of the day to revolve around their own outdoor space.

The Panorama Junior Suites sit particularly well within the hillside, pairing broader sea views with generous terraces and the option of a private pool. One Bedroom Suites add proper separation between sleeping and living areas, while families have dedicated sea view rooms and swim up accommodation that makes days around the water exceptionally easy.

At the top of the collection, the Deluxe and Maisonette Suites with private pools provide the greatest sense of space and independence. The Maisonette arrangement works especially well for longer stays, with two levels of living space and a private pool positioned against that extraordinary Ionian backdrop.

Dining

Four restaurants give Elix enough range for dining to become a genuine part of the stay. Saffron is the main restaurant, bringing Mediterranean and international cooking to breakfast and dinner, while Pearl moves into a more refined expression of Greek cuisine for evenings that call for something slower and more considered.

Down at the shoreline, Azure Beach Restaurant keeps lunch connected to Karavostasi with lighter Mediterranean dishes, drinks and the sea only steps away. Indigo sits beside the main pool and provides another easy daytime option, allowing lunch to follow wherever you have chosen to spend the morning.

Three bars complete the picture, but it is the different elevations that give eating and drinking here much of their appeal. A day might begin with breakfast high above the water, move down to the beach for lunch and finish with dinner as the last light disappears beyond Paxos.

Experience

Karavostasi Beach is one of Elix’s great pleasures, and getting there is part of the experience. The private funicular travels directly down the hillside to the sand, while a tree shaded path offers a more leisurely route through the pines. Once there, clear Ionian water and a broad sweep of beach make it very easy for a morning by the sea to become most of the day.

The surrounding landscape also gives Elix an unusually strong outdoor programme. Kayaking, snorkelling and other water sports make use of the coast, while guided walks and cycling routes head into the hills and countryside around the resort. Tennis, fitness sessions and the main outdoor pool provide plenty closer to home.

Families have a kids club, playground and dedicated activities, but the appeal of Elix goes well beyond organised entertainment. There is something particularly satisfying about being able to spend one day almost entirely beside the water and the next heading into the landscape on foot, by bike or out along the coast.

Wellness

The spa provides a quieter counterpoint to all that activity, with massages, facials and body treatments alongside a steam room, hot tub and dedicated relaxation areas. Yoga and fitness classes add a more active side to the wellness programme, supported by the resort’s gym.

It is easy to build wellness into the natural rhythm of a day here, whether that means yoga in the morning, a treatment after returning from the beach or simply retreating to a private pool while the sun drops towards the islands.

Where

Elix, Mar-Bella Collection is approximately 7 kilometres from Perdika, 15 kilometres from Sivota and 22 kilometres from Parga, placing some of the Ionian mainland’s most appealing coastal towns and landscapes within easy reach, while Aktion Airport is around 82 kilometres away.

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