If you’re searching for under-the-radar relaxation then this could be the Greek hideaway of your dreams. Arete Lifestyle hotel nestles on the lush green Ionian coastline of Epirus in northern Greece. Small and intimate, it combines contemporary chic with friendly personalised service, all at affordable prices and just metres from a pretty beach.
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Disclosure: I visited Sivota Greece as a guest of Ionian Villas on the understanding that all opinions expressed in this blog post are entirely my own
Sivota, also spelled Syvota, on the mainland of north-west Greece, is only a handful of miles from Corfu island, but it’s surprisingly undiscovered. Ionian Villas invited me for a two-centre visit to Corfu and Sivota so along with my son Ed, I flew out from London in May to explore.
Like the Ionian islands, the region of Epirus is densely forested and verdant. Backed by the Pindos mountains, the land slopes sharply down to the rugged azure coastline with dramatic views and rocky coves.
Although coastal towns like Syvota and Parga are geared to holidaymakers the region is still relatively undeveloped. This is secret Greece, a world away from the tourist hotspots. Read more about our visit to Sivota Greece here.
How to get to Sivota
We flew to Corfu from London and stayed in Kalami Bay on the north-east coast. Then we took a 90 minutes ferry ride from Corfu Town to Igoumenitsa on the mainland. From here it was an easy drive of less than an hour to our hideaway hotel on the craggily beautiful coastline just outside Sivota village.
2-centre stays in the Ionian Islands
Corfu and Sivota is a great 2-centre combination in the Ionian islands with speedy transfers between destinations. Other Ionian islands with quick links are:
Ionian Villas can help you plan a personalised villa holiday or 2-centre stay in the islands.
Why you’ll love Arete Lifestyle Hotel
- Affordable luxe
- Pool and beach
- Stylish contemporary suites
- Delicious food
- Quiet position on unspoilt coastline
- Close to Sivota village
Arete is an intimate small hotel with just nine suites, set in two tiers behind an elliptical pool. All the suites have balconies facing out to the sandy bay of Agia Paraskevi where a little wooded islet lies temptingly close to shore. And the hotel’s contemporary aesthetic carefully harmonises with the surrounding countryside.
Arete nestles in a bay with a wooded hillside behind it. The only access is the small windy road down to the beach. A few more villas and apartments share the bay and dot the landscape but the nearest village is Sivota, 5 km away.
The concept of ‘arete’ comes from Greek philosophy. Aristotle talks of it as the habit of striving for excellence: doing one’s best in all things to achieve a sense of peace and fulfilment. And that’s what Arete Lifestyle hotel offers too: high standards of friendly hospitality to help guests relax and fully enjoy this secluded unspoilt bay.
Book a stay at Arete Lifestyle Hotel here.
We arrived at Arete just days before they opened for the new season. Our suites were on the first floor and we immediately stepped out onto our balconies to take in the view.
The beach was blissfully tranquil, with sparkling sheltered waters and a little chapel perched on a promontory looking out over the bay. Just as the hotel promises this is barefoot luxury: you can pad straight from your room to the sand, where sunbeds and parasols are free for guests to use.
The suites at Arete
The joined-up design details at Arete speak of a high quality boutique experience. And my Executive suite felt fresh and stylish when I walked in. I loved the chic, contemporary touches, from the generous washstand and deep bath to the luxurious queen-sized bed.
Clothes and suitcases can be stowed on a hanging rail and luggage rack. There’s a flat screen TV, air-conditioning, mini fridge, coffee machine, small safe and good wi fi.
Superior suites have a sofa area that can convert to a sofabed with additional bench seating on the balcony.
The larger Family suite offers two independent spaces, with a double sofabed in the lounge area for children in addition to the queen-size bed.
I appreciated the thinking that has gone into the design of the rooms. The bedside lights are positioned perfectly for reading. A drying rack is slipped into a corner of the balcony for wet swimming things. Woven baskets and raffia slippers echoe the natural wood tones of the room. A silk sachet on the washstand holds little pebbles of olive oil soap.
I made coffee at the coffee station by the door and carried it out with my laptop to the table and chairs on the balcony. Here you can appreciate the lines of the curvy pool and let your gaze be drawn out over the terrace to the sparkling sea, gently lapping the shoreline.
Bath and shower in Arete
The stylish washstand acts as room divider in the Executive suite, as well as providing plenty of space for toiletries and makeup. Fluffy towels stand in a stack alongside a hairdryer and raffia slippers.
As well as a shower my suite had a deep bath with a waterfall tap, perfect for a relaxing soak.
Suites at Arete are stocked with Olivia Thinks toiletries, a high quality Greek brand that celebrates natural vegan ingredients, inspired by nature, in eco-friendly packaging.
All part of the Arete philosophy of the pursuit of quality to enable you to enjoy life to the full.
A morning at Arete Lifestyle hotel
Next morning we ate breakfast under the shade of a pergola of thick fringed ropes that cast stripes of sunlight on the rough hewn stone wall behind us. This natural detailing is picked up in the black string tables and chairs on the terrace for outdoor dining, cocktails or coffee.
Around the pool comfortable sunbeds are ranged under broad parasols. The pool has a swim-up cocktail bar and on the lawn leading down to the beach boho-style beanbag chairs are an alternative place to lounge.
Swallows dipped across the surface of the pool. Our breakfast was accompanied by birdsong and the murmur of the sea on the beach at the foot of the garden.
Agia Paraskevi beach
A whitewashed chapel, half-hidden in the wooded slopes, lends its name to the pretty beach of Agia Paraskevi. It almost goes without saying in the Ionian region, but the sea here is crystal-clear.
It’s calm too, sheltered by an islet in the centre of the bay. The water was warm enough, even in May, for a relaxing swim. And shoals of tiny silvery fish swirled in the shallows.
A few more visitors arrived with snorkels and paddleboards to make the most of the calm clear waters. Ed swam over to the tiny beach on the islet and back then we headed to our suites, just a few metres away, for hot showers and coffee. The perk of a beachside stay.
We almost had the beach to ourselves in May. Maintenance staff were quietly at work, raking and manicuring it for the new season, whilst a stack of sunbeds stood to the side ready to line up along the water’s edge. In the busier summer months Agia Paraskevi is an organised beach with sunbeds and parasols as well as pedalos and paddleboards to rent so you can explore the bay.
Food at Arete Lifestyle hotel
Breakfasts at Arete are a special start to the day. The price is included in the room rate but this is not your standard offering of cereals and pastries. Instead, head chef Paul whisks up delicious morning treats and changes up the menu regularly.
We sampled slices of a breakfast-style cake with a cinnamon’y crust. Oat tarts topped with a light white chocolate creme. The healthiest-sounding chocolate mousse of Greek yoghurt, egg whites and honey.
Alongside these inventive goodies are the elevated basics: toasted home-baked sourdough to pair with homemade jam and aromatic local honey dripping from its wooden stirrer. Or, for a savoury start to the day, hot dishes of bacon and eggs, any way you like them.
Breakfast sets the culinary standard for Arete’s tempting Mediterranean menu. The kitchen here honours the Ionian region’s fresh local ingredients and traditions, whilst adding its own sophisticated modern twist. For lunch we ate some of the best grilled shrimp I’ve ever tasted along with the freshest of Greek salads and a velvety chilled soup.
The menus include vegetarian and vegan options. Whilst dinner can be served indoors or out. At Arete you can choose barefoot dining on the beach under the stars, a meal on the terrace or an intimate dinner on your own balcony.
Things to do near Sivota
With a hire car it’s easy to explore the area around Arete Lifestyle hotel. There are plenty of beaches to discover along the craggy coastline, with a mixture of organised stretches and wilder coves.
The lively village of Sivota is a 10 minute drive away. It’s definitely worth a visit for its pretty harbour, boat hire and tours, waterfront restaurants and sunset views.
We also headed up to the hillside village of Perdika for authentic Greek gyros and a mesmerising twilight view of the coastline and archipelago.
Parga is a bigger and more touristy coastal town, 30 minutes drive from Arete. It has a picturesque harbour and like Fiskardo on Kefalonia, a Venetian influence. It’s hillside castle, built by the Venetians, looks out over the bay and the town’s colourful waterfront.
Culture-lovers might be interested to stop off on the way to see the ruins of the Turkish fort of Anthoussa. It was deserted when we visited: a romantic jumble of crumbling archways and battlements with commanding views of the wild countryside and coast.
But after a day’s exploring we were happy to come back to the comfortable beds in our peaceful hotel, with moonlit views of the beach and the soft sounds of the sea, lapping on shingle.
Book Arete Lifestyle Hotel
Click here to contact and book direct with Arete Lifestyle Hotel.
Ionian Villas
Ionian Villas is a family-run villa company with decades of experience in the Greek Ionian islands. They’ll tailor-make an itinerary for you to one or more Ionian destinations and can recommend the best 2-centre trips. You can be perfectly independent or rely on Ionian Villas to arrange meet and greet services, transfers, car hire, boat tours and villa chefs. Contact Ionian Villas here, mention Map&Family and let them help you plan your next trip to the Ionian islands.
Please note that all visitor information here is for guidance only. Please check the relevant websites for the most up to date information eg. accommodation details, tickets, entrance requirements, opening times etc.
What to read next about the Greek Ionian Islands
- Visit Sivota – the Ionian coastal hideaway on the Greek mainland
- Why you should visit the Durrells’ favourite Kalami Bay in Corfu
- Luxury Villa Bliss overlooks peaceful Kalami, Corfu
- Vasiliki Lefkada is the place to stay for watersports and superstar beaches
- Check out my Favourite Lefkada beaches
- Secret Meganisi island is just a short hop from Lefkada
- Pretty Fiscardo village is a great place to stay on Kefalonia
- Fun Things to do in Kefalonia
- Stay in a catered villa in Kefalonia
- Pick this villa with a view in Paxos that’s close to beach and village
- Paxos Greece: an unspoilt island getaway close to Corfu
- AntiPaxos: white sand beaches a taxi-boat ride from Paxos
About the author Nancy Roberts is a former women’s magazine editor and writer. She lives in London and is mum to two 20-something boys. In Map&Family she shares info and inspiration for curious travellers: singles and couples as well as families travelling with teens and young adults.
All photos are all rights reserved. Please do not reproduce these photos without prior written permission
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