Leaving Emelisse Resort at Fiskardo, I realize I have surpassed a personal record of mine. I had never spent as many hours swimming in the water in 3 days as I did during my stay at the idyllic Kefalonian resort.
You would have done the same, were you in my shoes (or should I say sandals?) Picture this. There is this paradise-like location of Emelisse Resort, on the northern tip of Kefalonia at the Ionian Sea. At this small peninsula, where three islands meet, one finds a dazzling infinity pool spread in two levels. A bit further in the resort among cypress trees, there is another – adults-only pool with panoramic views of the beautiful beach close to the hotel. Talking about Emplysis beach, one of the best of the island, located at the adjacent bay of the hotel, which you can walk to or be driven to by a hotel buggy. Last but not least, there is one more option for swimming even closer to your hotel room. Maybe the best one. A few steps down from the pool of the hotel, one finds an awesome landscape, azure waters, white rocks and blue caves included. A tiny private paradise, with a very few black and white striped sun beds scattered around. Well, in such places how can one opt for being out of the water?
Emelisse Resort Revisited
This was my second time at Emelisse after 14 years. I was there in one of its first summers when it was still among the most talked-about hotel openings in Greece. Fast forward to 2021 and Emelisse remains as modern as ever! As an experienced hotel trotter, I can always catch the rhythm and the vibes of a hotel, scanning every little corner of it to see what effect those years have had on it! This is what I have to say: Emelisse is one of those charismatic hotels that mature and evolve at the same time. It is a rare gift to be able to improve with the passage of time and appear fresher and more modern. It entails flawless design, a mixture of unique qualities and a distinctive hotel identity, unlike any others. It also requires a dedicated team with an unquenchable thirst for offering better services, constantly getting up to date and adopting new trends. Εmelisse ticks all the aforementioned boxes! In addition, there is one thing it could never fall short of the visitor’s expectations: being situated in an idyllic location, on a tip of the Ionian islands, with emerald green waters, unlike any other place in Greece.
Almost invisible from the road, Emelisse Nature Resort is a place devoted to seclusion and privacy. Access to a discreet parking area is granted to guests that have just arrived via a code.
And we are in! Here we are in this awesome piece of land where the lush nature, the crystal clear waters, the private beach and the scintillating pools create a feeling of euphoria, ready to surrender to the calm of the surroundings. The hotel buggy takes us from the parking area to the reception and we are offered cool refreshments during the check-in. My eyes immediately fall on this impeccably designed but homey lobby, with the most impressive bookcase, full of books, reminding myself that I should return soon in order to explore the titles!
It’s not long before we are shown to our junior suite that looks like a super-cute stone cottage. Tucked in the cypress trees with its own paved terrace, it is ideal for privacy and serenity. I can already envision myself relaxing in the shade of the high trees, with grapes in one hand and a fascinating book in the other.
The resort is hidden, almost out of sight, among cedars and cypress trees. Most of its buildings are mansions in Ionian style and colors, all with tiles, housing luxurious rooms or suites with private pools. Among the paved paths with olive, cedar, lavender and cypress trees there are the central buildings of the restaurant, the reception area and the SPA. Featuring 64 brilliantly appointed rooms, suites and maisonette apartments, this enchanting accommodation in Kefalonia ensure that every desire is met to the fullest. Whether seeking relaxing holiday accommodation for your family or a tranquil hideaway for a romantic escape with your partner, Emelisse Nature Resort is the place for you.
One day at Emelisse Resort
The day starts with a high-quality breakfast served at the veranda of the ivy-covered main building with the most colorful views. Small boats coming and going at the cerulean waters of Emplysis beach in front of you pleasantly distract you from the mouth-watering buffet. I loved to have fried eggs with salmon and avocado and then some chocolate brownies and pancakes with honey and fruits. The selection had of course many other options, from Kefalonian cheese and traditional pies to homemade jams and freshly baked bread, pastries and cakes.
Then we allowed ourselves a little time away from the resort, exploring one of the nearby beaches – all highly placed in lists with the best waters- such as Foki (10 minutes drive from Emelisse), Emplysis, Kimilia (15 minutes drive and some minutes walk) and the worldwide famous Myrtos.
Even though each of these beaches is an aquatic extravaganza by itself, the one we always hurried back to, in order not to miss the most amazing swimming, is the small rocky coast of the hotel. In the evening, we always made sure to end our swimming tour properly with a dive in the adults-only pool with the spectacular sunset views and the cypress reflections. Of course, we first made sure to indulge in a light snack by the main pool. The lentil, lobster and quinoa salads were our favorite.
8.30, right after sunset, is the best time to sit at one of the tables of Votsalo restaurant. Aggelos Foskolos the chef of the hotel has curated a small but creative menu full of intriguing choices, accompanied by an extensive list of cocktails and awarded wines.
One evening we ordered and seafood starters and another we opted for the meat dishes. Βoth times, we ended with a superb chocolate lava cake! The setting is idyllic, illuminated by candles and the swaying lanterns that adorn the restaurant.
We always closed the day with a leisurely stroll around the resort up to its highest spot called the lighthouse. The last thing before going to bed was some (more) relaxing time, lying on the loungers of our yard looking at the stars and smelling the unique fragrance coming from the trees and the herbs around!
Sit back, click on the gallery below and enjoy an imaginary journey to this dream vacation destination!
TheHotelTrotter.com is curated by greek journalist and fanatic hotel lover Eleni Stasinopoulou. With the eye of a fashion and lifestyle editor, Eleni hopes to inspire all connoisseurs of traveling, focusing on stylish hotel moments around the globe.
