With the British summer having failed to materialise, StyleNest jetted off to the beautifully scenic MarBella Corfu Hotel in Greece for a spot of September sun – and sanctuary.
Situated close to the unspoilt area of Agios Ioannis Peristeron on the south-east coastline of Corfu, it’s a struggle to imagine a more perfectly located Grecian haven than the MarBella Corfu hotel. The 5 star resort sits upon a leafy hillside overlooking the Ionian Sea and it certainly makes for a breathtaking view upon arrival, with its six buildings spread across a range of landscaped gardens.
It was all a far cry from when I excitedly departed a drizzly London Gatwick North Terminal for Corfu early one September morning. Joined by a lovely group of fellow writers, our trip was supported by Sovereign Travel and as part of this package we received access to the No 1 Traveller Lounge before taking off – always a welcome treat for those red-eye flights.
Sovereign also gives its customers private resort transfers and our trip to the hotel enabled us to take in the cobbled streets and scenics sights of Corfu town.
Upon arrival I couldn’t help but feel stunned by the resort’s enviable location overlooking the sea (and I can attest that, no matter how many times you observe the scenery as I did over the course of the holiday, it’s always amazing). The heat was at its peak and the reception we received from the welcoming staff who awaited our arrival was equally as warm. Despite a slight delay with my room being ready, I was provided with refreshments and kept company by a friendly trainee member of staff who gave me a wonderful insight into the local area as well as the positive atmosphere at MarBella Corfu.
“You see staff walking around smiling,” she said, explaining how the resort’s employees feel valued and content at their idyllic workplace. This may sound like a cliche but I quickly discovered that it is absolutely true – the team at the hotel seem very happy in their work and can’t do enough for you.
My suite was undoubtedly worth the wait. The spacious rooms with incredible balcony views (yes, those views again – seriously, you have to see them) make for a very special sanctuary to retreat to when the scorching sun gets too much. It’s easy to imagine both couples and families staying in these suites too, and indeed the resort caters well for both groups. There is a wide choice of accommodation available, with 384 rooms and suites offering stunning glimpses of the sea. The air con is excellent too, which is good to know during the high temperatures of the summer season, and the Wi-Fi internet access was much better than I’ve experienced in other hotels (no wandering around with my iPad in the air searching for a signal).
After luxuriating in the, well, sheer luxury of my accommodation I was getting peckish, and managed to tear myself away from the gorgeous balcony of my room to join my group for a delicious lunch at the hotel’s main restaurant, La Terrazza. Foodies are well catered for at MarBella Corfu as there are several bars and restaurants available and I wasn’t disappointed by any one of them. Our first day was rounded off perfectly by an evening meal under the stars at La Bussola Seafood Restaurant, located right on the seafront. It’s a breathtaking, incredibly romantic setting and the a la carte menu has choices for all, including some non-seafood dishes.
The Platea Greek Restaurant served up some mouthwatering Mediterranean dishes too, though I was particularly taken with the menu at the Italian Comodo Restaurant during our second evening meal – my puff pastry cannelloni with caramelised pork starter was so good that I wondered if I’d accidentally stepped over the other side of the Ionian Sea to the Italian coast. Bellissima!
With so many wonderful eateries available (not to mention the incredibly generous breakfast in bed I received after my first night at the hotel, a complimentary service for Sovereign customers), it’s fortunate that MarBella Corfu provides a range of activities which helps one to burn off some of those indulgences. Our group tried our hand – and every other body part, come to think of it – at aerial yoga, an innovative activity I was proud to have had a go at but discovered is probably not suitable for those who suffer from motion sickness…
Those wanting to explore the great outdoors (and trust me, with the scenery on this island it’s hard to resist) won’t be disappointed either – there are all sorts of exploratory activities available ranging from scuba diving and kayaking to biking and hiking. The hotel also has two sea water and fresh pools, a children’s pool and even a baby pool, plus there’s direct access to the resort’s own private beach for those who want to take a dip or just soak up the sun.
The local area has plenty to see too. Our group headed out on a boat trip during our final full day, where we had the chance to see the amazing landscape of the Ionian Sea and its surrounding islands. Stopping off at the Limnopoula Fish Tavern for lunch provided a fantastic opportunity to get a really authentic experience of Corfu and what life is like there, not to mention enjoy some beautifully fresh seafood served by friendly staff – highly recommended. We sat and blissfully savoured it all by the edge of the water, shaded from the incredibly hot sun, and it was hard to believe that just a few days earlier we’d been in a rainy and rather cold London.
For this peace-seeking StyleNest writer it was the more tranquil moments of the holiday like this one that that were truly to be savoured. Marbella Corfu provides wonderfully soothing ways to while away the time and I had a blissful ‘MarBella Wellbeing Massage’ at the very tranquil spa. It may have only lasted 30 minutes but I lost track of time and honestly felt I could drift off. The APIVITA natural products used in the spa – which contain rejuvenating ingredients such as honey and organic essential oils – left my skin feeling nourished and I only wish I had sampled more treatments after hearing great things about them from my fellow guests.
There are plenty of other ways to enjoy quiet time at MarBella Corfu. I visited the small church on the resort, which is open to all, and also enjoyed taking many walks alone around the beach and seafront, where I visited a friendly local shop to pick up some baklava as a souvenir of my stay. I always felt safe as well as totally blissed out on that view. My tip is to get up for sunrise – yes it can be hard when the beds are so comfy, but watching this from the comfort of my room’s balcony on my final morning at MarBella Corfu was a moving moment and an unforgettable end to the trip.
I left feeling both invigorated and at peace. And with exciting new developments happening at MarBella Corfu, including expansion of the spa and the addition of suites with their own pools, I think I might just have to go back next year…
Sovereign (01293 731 566, www.sovereign.com) is offering a seven-night holiday to Corfu staying at the five star MarBella Corfu Hotel on a half-board basis from £515 per person – saving up to £138 per couple. The offer includes an exclusive free a la carte diner and free breakfast in bed. The offer also includes airport security fast pass and access to UK airport lounges (where available), private airport transfers and return international flights from London Gatwick with EasyJet. Based on departures 04 May 2016. Sovereign is also offering a seven-night family holiday on a half-board basis from £2,149 per family of three – saving up to £381 per family of three. Based on departures 29 May 2016. Book the MarBella Corfu Hotel at www.sovereign.com.