The first thing you’ll notice is the view; stepping onto the terrace after traversing Alkyna’s cool, marble-floored lobby, the shades of blue are almost dazzling. 

The azure of the sky meets the aquamarine of the Ionian Sea, while to the left is a sheer slab of granite cliff. It towers behind the resort, carpeted in lush greenery and lending the scene a wild, untamed Jurassic Park feel. 

It’s a dramatic introduction to the third property launched by Europe-based Ella Resorts, the hospitality arm of real estate company H.I.G. Realty Partners, which also owns Helea and Elissa on Rhodes. 

Ella prides itself on its simple, yet generous, hospitality: philoxenia, as it’s known in Greece. 

The name Ella itself comes from the Greek word ‘come’: “Our policy is for all our guests to come in, and make themselves straight at home,” communications director George Doucas tells me, as we sit on that gorgeous terrace with homemade mint lemonade in hand.

Sustainability is another priority. The resort is plastic-free, and ventilation, cooling and heating are done as naturally as possible. 

Ella is also proud of its relationships with the local community, and has a programme of activities and experiences – which they call ‘Ellascapes’ – aimed at getting guests to engage with their surroundings as much as possible. 

Clients can spend the morning with a beekeeper or at an olive oil mill, although my favourite was the day-long fishing trip with a company called Captain Tziros. 

Captain Tziros himself, a weathered and friendly fisherman by trade, takes guests out to sea on his fishing boat, accompanied by his affable son Christos, with the proviso that they catch their own lunch. 

I wasn’t particularly optimistic, and secretly hoped they had a little stash in the fridge that they’d ‘caught earlier’. 

However, with some expert – and patient – tuition, before too long my little group had between us caught a pretty impressive pile of sea bream, red snapper, sardines and mackerel. Once cooked, it was served with salad, fresh bread and taramasalata, and eaten to the soundtrack of seabirds and waves. Heaven.

Rooms and suites

There are 349 rooms divided into ten categories, including comfort, deluxe, premium and junior suites, plus a one-bedroomed villa. 

The ones to book are those with either their own private pool, or one shared between three or four other rooms, as the two main pools can get pretty busy. 

Decor is soft and soothing; walls and floors are done in sandy tones, while the walk-in showers are lined with granite-effect tiles, reflecting the landscape outside. 

Fabrics are cream or biscuit, the only pops of colour coming from the red and green cross-stitch embroidery on the cushions. Oversized terracotta pots and vases grace the corners, reflecting, like the cushions, traditional, heritage crafts.

Dining

There are three restaurants on site: Lucata, which offers Italian cuisine; Greek-focused Nafs; and Cucura, the all-day buffet, where you’ll find international dishes as well as some local specialities. 

I loved the ‘Breakfast Stories’ concept at Nafs, curated by Michelin-starred chef Alexandros Tsiotinis. 

You get a substantial selection of traditional bites, presented stylishly in small ceramic dishes, kaiseki-style; expect spanakopita (spinach and feta pie), thick Greek yoghurt, and locally-produced honey, jam and nuts. 

There’s also the option of ordering a hot dish, such as kagianas (scrambled eggs with tomato, oregano and Corfiot graviera cheese) or pancakes with thyme-infused honey and sweet mizithra cheese.

Health and Wellness

There’s a well-equipped fitness centre with TechnoGym machines, although walking up and down the resort’s steep and winding paths is a workout in itself. (Don’t worry, there are plenty of staff-operated buggies if, like me, you just can’t face it). 

A small spa with an indoor pool, sauna, steam room and ice treatment is available to use (at an extra charge), as well as five treatment rooms, two of which can accommodate couples. 

Massages, rituals and facials use local ingredients, such as kumquat and citrus oils, while the main products are by UK brand Gaia Skincare and Greek-based Ariadne Athens.

Rates start from €200 and €240 (depending on occupancy levels), on an all-inclusive basis.