The Greek island of Kefalonia recently celebrated the opening of a new luxury boutique hotel: Eliamos Villas Hotel & Spa. Situated on the isle’s southern shore above a secret cove and private beach, the 12-villa retreat boasts a spa, restaurant, outdoor gym, and more.
The five-star property was envisioned by Maike Korsanos, founder of London-based design firm Maike Gruna Interiors, with the help of her husband, Spyro, whose family is from Kefalonia. “We saw an opportunity to create a little oasis amongst the unspoiled, beautiful green nature of Kefalonia,” Maike Korsanos says. “After 10 years of searching for the perfect natural landscape, we finally found the site of today’s Eliamos, which has it all—a valley hillside that’s above a secluded beach with uninterrupted views out to the Ionian Sea and serenity and calm amongst green olive groves.”
Eliamos was designed to naturally blend with its surroundings, while showcasing an elegant, minimalist sensibility. Maike adds: “To further connect with the island’s earthy landscape, we collaborated with Greek-based Ecoscapes to mindfully design the gardens with plants and trees of local origin.”
Spanning one-, two-, and three-bedroom configurations, each villa features a private saltwater pool or hot tub, kitchen, outdoor dining area, barbecue, and terrace. With sweeping views over the glistening Ionian sea or sprawling olive groves, each villa connects with the island’s earthy character, acting as a sanctuary of calm to suit the needs of every guest.
Sustainability is also key at Eliamos. (Kefalonia recently became a member of the UNESCO Geoparks Network.) Environmentally friendly measures onsite include the installation of solar panels, reusing water waste to irrigate the gardens, and the restaurant sources produce locally to support the community. Additionally, the property aims to soon be entirely plastic-free.
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