Where is it
Sheltered in the shade of 400-year-old olive trees, Parga Beach Resort is a Grecian hidden gem. You’ll find Parga on the coast of mainland Greece, between Corfu and the Ionian islands, making it an ideal stopover for yachts sojourning through the area.
Why the hype?
With all the fuss over its multitude islands, it can be easy to overlook the Greek mainland. But those who bypass this stretch of coastline are missing out. After the hustle and bustle of more touristy Greek isles, the Pargra Beach Resort and its surrounds offer a welcome respite, offering up beautiful vistas, quiet bays and charming towns. The hotel itself has been recently refurbished with its suites seeing an update. The interior styling, with a palette of earthy colours and a nod to the sea, are designed with maximum relaxation in mind.
Warm waters lap the shore of the crescent-shaped Valtos Beach where Parga Beach Resort resides, all of it overlooked by the soul-stirring Venetian Castle of Parga perched on a lofty hilltop at the end of the bay. Start the day with a hike up to the castle, taking in the sunrise. In the next bay over is the quaint town of Parga itself, with its traditional tavernas, boutiques brimming with handmade goods and the magical island of Panagia right offshore. Take a tender ride around Panagia to admire the picturesque white-washed chapel. A quick boat ride away are the islands of Paxos – with its captivating Blue Cave – and Antipaxos – which has some of the best beaches in the world with stunning turquoise waters.
What to have?
The ethos of the hotel’s Blossom Wellness Centre is that a connection to nature aides wellbeing. The holistic spa journey at Blossom views the mind and body as one, with spa therapies aimed at soothing emotions as well as achy backs. In addition to the spa itself, with hammam facilities, are the outdoor wellness corners, including a private tent on the beach where you can have a massage while you listen to the ocean.
Go on the Blossom Journey - this restorative spa session begins with the application of a mask on your hair and hands while you bask in the warmth of a hammam steam bath before your chosen body or facial treatment takes place. A few other tasty options are the Chocolate Body Treatment – an ultra-hydrating skin-restoring session aimed at creating firm and rejuvenated skin – and the Caviar Veil, which uses real caviar to revitalise the skin and renew connective tissue for absolutely glowing results.
Where to eat?
This season, Parga Beach Resort introduce its new waterfront restaurant, Alselēa, which focuses on modern Mediterranean cuisine in a stylish, beachy chic setting. Inspiration for the restaurant came from the Greek epic poet Homerand the resort’s stunning location: “als” meaning sea meets “elea” meaning olive. Try the selection of local, farm-to-table meats or scrumptious seafood dishes like lobster risotto.
Best by boat?
Tenders can ferry guests to a little marina at the end of Valtos Beach, mere steps away from Parga Beach Resort.