A restful Corfiot getaway

In the thick of the pandemic when learning went online and as a work community we became innovative with our self-development, travel counsellors took to teaching one another about a destination they had in-depth knowledge of. My colleague had been returning to Corfu since she was a child and the webinar thoroughly brought the destination to life, so much so, the island jumped straight to the number 1 spot of places I wanted to visit. The lush green landscape, Italian influences and the arrival of several new luxury hotels over the past 5 years had been the main motivators.

One of such hotels was The Olivar Suites where we spent the first few nights of our stay. A boutique hotel built from scratch on the site of a former olive grove - which first opened its doors in 2021 - whose original olive mill still forms part of the property, home to the beach bar, Olibar, coffee lounge & boutique. Low-rise suites (the majority of which have their own private pool) are spread along a winding pathway towards the sea, interspersed with 300-year old olive trees and beautifully thought through planting; scented pelargoniums, lavenders, agapanthus, grasses & mint. Wildlife thrives and most shrubs will have an abundance of bees & butterflies bobbing about on their fronds.

Besides the effortless, peaceful and calming surroundings, for me, the star of the show was the food. From the Corfiot pancakes with mizithra cheese, kumquat & black sesame at breakfast, to the octopus kalamaki at lunch to the beef tenderloin with metaxa sauce at dinner. All day dining is available at both Olibar and its restaurant Flya - one little tip: pool-side dining is the most popular spot, so once you have access to the hotel’s app upon check-in, take advantage of the table reservation tool, specifying indoor or poolside.

The hotel welcomes couples and families but I would suggest it is most suitable for families with either pre-school or teenage children. Since there are no facilities for children (apart from umpteen sandcastle-building opportunities!) it is more geared up for little ones who are content in entertaining themselves!

Once you have slipped down a few gears, sit back, relax and have every need pandered to, from your sunlounger call button to request bar refreshments to the in-room SuitePad device from which you can order room service, book spa treatments, request or delay housekeeping and enquire about excursions. Speaking of which, you’re perfectly positioned to visit Corfu Town or Paxos by boat as regular departures leave from Messonghi River, just a few minutes’ walk from the hotel. The town of Messonghi in which the hotel is located, also has a good selection of tavernas, several right on the beach front, should you wish a more authentic dining experience. A hidden gem is the wonderful Rose Garden, a short walk from the hotel, run by a very knowlegeable & charming front of house team.

We then travelled 50 minutes northwest for the remaining 4 nights of our visit, to stay at Domes of Corfu (a much more ‘all-singing-all-dancing’ resort) located in the sleepy village of Glyfada against a dramatic backdrop of verdant mountains.

The hotel tries its best to appeal to all traveller types, from plenty of activities and a brimming kids club programme to zoned areas for adults (including an adults only pool), a ‘quiet zone’ at the beach, as well as romantic dining spots and evening entertainment generally more suited to the grown-ups. We were treated to a terrific saxophonist at sunset, a performance by the Corfiot Philarmonic Orchestra and moonlight cinema on the lawn overlooking the sea.

Food is plentiful and of excellent quality - half board is recommended as there are no dining options in the immediate area (unless you want to take a taxi to the nearby pretty town of Pelekas or further afield to Corfu Town). Our half board plan included breakfast and dinner buffets in Agora restaurant which was very good indeed with daily rotations so you aren’t faced with the same choices each day. Its 3rd floor outdoor patio overlooks the sea, which was our favourite dining spot. We also had the option to dine in the two a la carte restaurants; Topos (seafront seafood) or Frourios (fine dining Greek/Mediterranean) with a €15 credit each to use towards the meal. Daytime dining is centred around Spianada - loosely based on the concept of a village square with a gelateria and food truck serving ceviche, sushi & poké to add to the offerings. Rooms vary considerably according to view, facilities and privileges (such as access to the Haute Living Room club lounge) so contact me to discuss the most appropriate choice for your needs.

In my opinion, no visit to the island should be complete without a day (or evening) in Corfu Town. The bus from Glyfada costs just €2,20 each way (or €45 by taxi) and takes about 45 minutes. Once there, settle in for some initial people watching with an iced coffee (do as the locals do) and plan your time. With both Venetian and Parisian influences and the scent of jacaranda trees and jasmine hanging in the air, a day exploring the winding pathways and nooks of the city, home to plenty of boutiques, cafes & pretty bougainvillea fringed restaurants is a really lovely contrast to a beach stay. Don’t forget to leave room for a gelato from Mona Lisa!

If you’re after lush green landscapes, clear blue seas, a little pampering and some wholesome and genuine Greek hospitality I may well be able to find you that perfect getaway. Contact me to discover more - I’ll happily bend your ear about my recent wonderful few days away.