Rossendale Free Press

The Elixr of life MARBELLA ELIX HOTEL, GREECE

- By Nigel Thompson

CORFU points the way like a finger to the new five-star showpiece property on the lush Ionian coast of mainland Greece.

The MarBella Elix hotel, perfectly positioned atop a pine-clad hill overlookin­g Karavostas­i beach, has just opened and is sure to make new friends quickly.

It’s 30 minutes by road from Parga, an appealing resort town with an impressive castle, and around 90 minutes from Aktion airport.

Greece will always welcome families with open arms and this hotel will be no exception. It has an array of activities for those who love the outdoors and enjoy unspoiled natural surroundin­gs, where verdant mountains roll down to meet the azure sea.

Part of that will include adventure clubs for teens and younger children that both focus on the magic of Greek mythology.

Away from the world of Hercules and Artemis, artistic youngsters can join ceramic and pottery classes and take part in robotics and 3D printing workshops.

More energetic, diverse activities for adults and older children range from hiking, biking and swimming to sailing, kayaking and yoga via fitness training.

Of course, all that energy needs fuelling and, being Greece, guests will not go hungry.

Saffron is the main restaurant overlookin­g the Ionian Sea and will offer casual all-day buffet dining, with some internatio­nal themed nights.

Those sea views are also on the menu in fine dining restaurant Pearl, with a la carte Mediterran­ean dishes and a curated selection of wines.

Indigo pool resta taurant and bar ser serves light lunches, healt healthy snacks and salad by day, then transf forms it into an Italian trattoria at night. Down at the beach – reached by a funicular or a tree-lined path – Azure dishes up a la carte meals and drinks during the day.

For a pre or post-dinner drink (and late into the night), there’s the Ruby lobby bar, which has a terrace with, yes, sea views.

For guests who want to try the local cuisine and hospitalit­y, the Dine-Out programme covers meals in selected restaurant­s in surroundin­g villages.

It would be almost a crime for the hotel architects not to have included an infinity pool with views of Corfu, Paxos and Antipaxos, so they did.

As befits a five-star hotel, there’s a sumptuous spa too.

All levels of rooms benefit from those sea views, with contempora­ry styling and facilities ranging from a balcony with chairs to a terrace with a swim-up pool and sun loungers. Multi-channel satellite TV, integrated music channels, tea and coffee facilities, minibar, safety box, free wi-fi and luxury branded amenities are standard. Can’t wait to stay? Neither can we...

■ Rooms at MarBella Elix start from around £121 a night on half board. marbella.gr/marbella-elix

For more informatio­n visitgreec­e.gr

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 ??  ?? To infinity and... Corfu – the hotel’s cliff top site offers a stunning panorama
To infinity and... Corfu – the hotel’s cliff top site offers a stunning panorama
 ??  ?? Relax and enjoy beautiful views and perfect beaches
Relax and enjoy beautiful views and perfect beaches
 ??  ?? A typical room at the MarBella Elix
A typical room at the MarBella Elix

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