Ella Elyra to open in June 2027 in Corfu: 171 adults-only keys on Kontogialos Beach, Pelekas

Corfu has its eastern beaches, facing the mainland, and its west coast, known for cliffs, olive groves and sunsets over the Ionian Sea. It is on this second coastline, in Pelekas, that the Greek group Ella Resorts has chosen to establish its next resort. Ella Elyra will open in June 2027 on Kontogialos Beach: 171 adults-only rooms, suites and villas, seven dining venues included in the stay and a full spa, set within architecture featuring arches and planted terraces. The group, which already transformed La Grotta Verde into Ella Alkyna on the same island in 2025, is making this its fifth address. Here is a look at the first official images and what is known of the programme.

Kontogialos, Pelekas: the sunset-facing west coast

Pelekas is a perched village in the mid-west of the island, famous for Kaiser’s Throne, the viewpoint where Kaiser Wilhelm II used to watch the sun set over the Ionian Sea. Below, the Blue Flag Kontogialos Beach unfolds its golden sands between two pine-covered hills. Ella Elyra takes over the address of the Pelekas Monastery, the family-friendly five-star hotel currently operated by the group on this beach, which its distributors are already listing under the new name, some fifteen kilometres from the airport and Corfu’s old Venetian town, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Choosing the west coast appeals to guests who want the sea without the coastal road: here, the resort descends directly onto the sand.

171 keys, arches and planted terraces

Renderings published by Ella Resorts show low-rise, tiered buildings with ochre facades pierced by arches, each terrace planted with olive trees and ornamental grasses. Inside, the palette reflects the island: natural stone, wood, linen, sand tones, beige and brown, and floor-to-ceiling windows that extend the rooms towards the sea. The 171 keys are divided into Comfort and Deluxe rooms with balconies, Premium rooms with direct pool access from the terrace, Open Plan suites, one-bedroom sea-view suites, and the Elyra Suite, the largest, featuring its own private Mediterranean garden and sun loungers. A selection of suites will feature a private pool. The reception area, set beneath a circular skylight, is centred around an olive tree planted in a stone floor.

Seven dining experiences included: from Petra to the Shori Japanese table

The Ella Elyra formula, named Ellavated Bliss, builds on the concept used at the group’s other resorts and takes it a step further: everything you eat and drink is included, à la carte across every restaurant, featuring champagne, signature cocktails, regional and international wines, 24-hour room service and a minibar restocked daily. Seven dining experiences unfold: Petra, the main restaurant with open kitchens and Greek and Corfiot buffets; Tortuga, by the sea, offering Corfiot and Ionian cuisine with Venetian influences; Aglio e Olio, the poolside Italian restaurant; Luma, in the evening, serving Nikkei and Asian fire-cooked dishes; the Shori table, a Japanese yakiniku and shabu-shabu ritual hosted around the chef; Naftis Beach House, specialising in mezze and ouzo; and the Breakfast Stories breakfast, designed by Athenian Michelin-starred chef Alexandros Tsiotinis. Four bars complete the offering, from the lobby to the beach.

Roée Wellness & Spa: Finnish sauna, ice room and kumquat

The spa features the Roée brand deployed across the group’s resorts. In Corfu, it includes four treatment rooms, a suite for two with private sauna and hammam, an aromatherapy thermal circuit, a Finnish sauna, an ice room and cold plunge for recovery, and a heated indoor pool, alongside outdoor pools. The signature ingredient is kumquat, the small citrus fruit cultivated in Corfu since the 19th century from which the island produces liqueurs and preserves: rich in antioxidants and essential oils, it is incorporated into hydration rituals and facial treatments. Three programmes are announced: Active Fitness, Wellness Together for couples, and Spa Essence, featuring yoga sessions and recovery therapies. For a 171-key resort, cold therapy facilities such as an ice room and cold plunge remain rare in Greece, catering to guests accustomed to the hot-cold contrast of Nordic baths.

Ella Resorts: five resorts in three years, from Rhodes to Crete

Ella Resorts is a recent brand built upon hotels already operated by the Corfu-based group. It currently comprises four addresses: Helea, a family resort, and Elissa, adults-only, both in Rhodes; Ella Alkyna in Corfu, the former La Grotta Verde in Agios Gordios, reopened in May 2025 for guests aged 16 and over; and Rocrita, opened in March 2026 in Crete for families. The group also operates Mon Repos Palace in Corfu town. Ella Elyra will be its fifth owned property and its second adults-only address in Corfu, roughly ten kilometres from Alkyna. Discover hotel news in Greece and the latest spa news on La Revue des Hôtels.

Our perspective

Luxury adults-only all-inclusive resorts have become the rising format in Greece: Rhodes and Crete have made it their specialty, while Corfu lagged behind. Ella Elyra ticks all the boxes for the genre, featuring inclusive à la carte dining, cold spa therapy and pool rooms, but it holds an advantage the others lack: the west coast, its cliffs and the sunset that Kaiser Wilhelm II used to view from Pelekas. Two caveats ahead of opening: the renderings are computer-generated images, and the promise of “seven experiences” will depend on the group’s ability to run so many kitchens for 171 keys. Our advice: target June and September, when Kontogialos is still peaceful, and request a Premium room with pool access, the true luxury of a tiered resort.

Practical information

• Ella Elyra · Kontogialos Beach, Pelekas, Corfu · opening June 2027 · ellaresorts.com
• Best time to visit · June and September for the beach without the crowds, sunset from Kaiser’s Throne in Pelekas
• Nearby sights · Corfu old town (UNESCO), the Achilleion Palace in Gastouri, the Canal d’Amour in Sidari