The Greenest Island in Greece
What the Greek islands usually connotes to me is white washed houses and quaint villages where arid landscapes meet beautiful turquoise seas.
Corfu, one of the large Greek islands, was nothing like this - in a positive sense. Immersed in lush green olive trees, beautiful flora and sub-Mediterranean-arabesque influenced buildings, Corfu has a heritage of cultural diversity penetrating throughout. Landscape wise, it presents a merge of the Cote D'Azur and Italy, which is not surprising given it lies in the Ionian sea, close to Greece, Italy and Albania.
Close to Enough Natural Monuments but Far Enough to Escape
Standing in hills in the Southern part of the island overlooking the Ionian sea, you will find the MarBella Corfu. Awarded by Conde Nast Traveller Reader’s Choice Awards as one of the top 10 Resorts in Greece and Europe for 3 years in a row, MarBella Corfu offers families an immersive luxury experience that includes a plethora of activities ranging from fine dining, expansive watersports, a brand new water park, well organised childcare, spa facilities and many more.
With dramatic Venetian architecture, the hotel is perfectly positioned: ~25 minutes from Corfu airport and Corfu Old Town where you can discover Corfu's rich history and natural monuments, yet strategically placed to enjoy quiet and silence that you seek on your Greek holiday.
Phenomenal Views of the Ionian Sea
We stayed in a Superior Family Room, a stylish and spacious choice which housed a large bathroom with a bathtub, a double bedroom, and a separate adjoining section with 2 single beds for children. Our room opened onto a small patio with beautiful views of the sea.
Gastronomy Perfected
The resort houses 7 diverse restaurants and 5 bars, including the a la carte choices of Celeste (French Provencale), Kum Quat (Pan Asian), Platea Greek (Greek), Comodo (Italian) to La Terazza for a global buffet, with a different theme each evening, and many more. For lunch, restaurants rotate schedules to be open and you have additional options such as the pool side lunches and The Deck Bar & Grill, which is right at the sea. Each restaurant offers the kids menu with loads of choices.
The all-inclusive concept is novel in that you are able to dine at all restaurants for dinner, and many of the restaurants both for a scrumptious breakfast and lunch, depending on your choice of cuisine or a la carte vs buffet preference for the day. Snacks and drinks are on offer to refuel your energy at all pool side restaurants too!
The MarBella Group prides itself on it's fine dining gastronomy. The group brings together the well -known Greek chefs from abroad with their own executive chefs, to host very special dinners at restaurants at the MarBella Corfu and other Marbella resorts.
A Plethora of Activities
The newly opened Anemelia Water Park offers a sensory experience for kids. Hosting a variety of water slides for adults, older and younger kids, this is not an adventure to be missed. When you are tired of hitting the slides, you will find a child-friend infinity pool with surreal views of the sea.
Despite not having a sandy beach, the MarBella Corfu has innovatively created a huge deck with sand and sunbeds right next to the sea. The warm waters are ideal for a range of watersports both motorised and non-motorised and at the water centre you also have options to hire snorkeling equipment, paddle boards or pedalos. The crystal clear water presents an excellent opportunity to view a wide variety of fish right by the deck with easy access to the sea.
Beyond the sea, you and your kids have access to three large family friendly swimming pools with round the clock drinks and snacks. It is worth noting that some Junior Suites do host a private pool.
When you fancy a fitness fix, you can spend your time at the fitness centre or have a game of tennis or table tennis. For those who are happy to start the day earlier, hiking, mountain biking and bird watching activities are also available with guided hotel leads.
The GrassHopper Kids Club
A kids club with a difference with UK standard creche' and child facilities, with an energising programme, your kids will have so much to do. Separated into two zones for younger and older kids, and with a huge outside space, the GrassHopper Kids club runs an Ofsted-ratio driven schedule that is in demand and must be booked in advance. Our son simply did not want to leave.
A Thrill at Every Hour of the Day
The operational execution and planning of family activities at the hotel was exemplary MarBella Corfu offers a full day schedule of entertainment that is idealised for both adults and kids. From themed live music following dinner in the evening, balloon fun or an open air movie theatre, there is practically no need to leave the hotel.
The hotel offers complimentary return boat trips on a traditional Corfu boat every day to Corfu Old Town, where a delightful morning can be spent making your way through the towns sights including . Private yacht tours to neighbouring Greek islands or around Corfu are also available at the hotel at a separate cost.
I thoroughly recommend that you visit the picturesque island of Corfu where a stay at the MarBella Corfu is a must. Perfect for family holiday activities. We would return in a blink.
Much Love
The Kensington Diary
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