Elix, Mar-Bella Collection

Character and identity

Perched on a hilltop above the Ionian with sweeping views toward Paxos, Antipaxos and Corfu, this 146-room property is the mainland chapter of the MarBella trilogy, opened in 2021 outside Igoumenitsa. The design language is earthy-chic: pine floors, woven-wood headboards, bronze pendants, hand-loomed tapestries and barn-height reception windows framing the sea. A funicular drops you to a Blue Flag beach cove. Four restaurants run from the all-day Saffron buffet to the more ambitious Greek tasting menu at Pearl, plus poolside Indigo and beachside Azure. A compact spa and a serious kids' programme round out the offer. Service is calm, professional and notably patient.

Who's it for

Bottom line

The defining draw is the view-plus-family equation: a hilltop perch over the Ionian paired with one of the more thoughtful kids' programmes in Greece, delivered without sacrificing design credibility. Book a family room with a panorama pool if you have children, or a sea-view category for two; arrive via the hotel boat from Corfu if logistics allow, and target June or September to dodge peak heat and school-holiday density.