Emelisse Art Hotel

Imagine living in one of those glossy penthouse apartments, Imagine living in a supremely manicured village, where everything is colour-washed and styled: a true deluxe, ‘Art’ hotel, where placement is everything. It may not be everyone’s cup-of-tea, but if you are looking for a stunningly attractive, modern complex (about 40 apartments) in a lovely setting (unobstructed sunsets over the Ionian each evening over the sea) then this may suit you. It is a 5 star hotel where most of its artefacts can be bought (from the T-shirts that the staff wear to the bath products and strangely also, the wall lights and switches in the apartments) and where attention to detail is paramount.
I visited in June 2004 and was overwhelmed with the hotel and its service. ‘Yes’, its modern but it is beautiful in a minimist way. Its not traditional Greek by any means, but I cant fault its setting (in a high, pine-wooded peninsula) nor care and attention of its (equally designer) staff. Each evening the paths around the apartments are lit by individual candles and a weather report is put in your door, guests are met at the car park and ferried to the hotel by a courtesy golf car. Breakfast each morning is in the open air veranda (great for spotting dolphins). It is quiet and relaxing a real get away from it all place. Picture the typical holiday idle: just sitting by the pool, gazing at a wide expanse of cobalt blue sea being brought an exotic cocktail by waitress in crisp white linen drifting in and out to soft piped jazz/funk music and you have the Emelisse/Kelalonia.
Its about five minutes from Fiscardo (by car), so eating out in the evenings by the animated traditional harbour with its bars and restaurants is easy. Food in the hotel is under the stars and also from designer cuisine school. The only slight drawback is getting to Fiscardo. I understand that there are 360 (mostly hairpin) bends on the road from the Airport (south of the Island) to the hotel (north of the Island). The road is spectacular and the views are breathtaking, however if you don’t like driving along 1000ft precipices you may need a blind fold in certain areas of the route! There’s not getting away from it, the drive to and from the hotel is tiring and the hairpin bends do take their toll especially after a week. You will need a good map because most the roads and towns aren’t on the tourist maps.
Its beautiful and spectacular and unlike any other place.