The MarBella Corfu hotel is located in the beautiful Agios Ioannis Peristeron, on the stunning shores of the northern Greek island of Corfu. Surrounded by the lush landscaped garden, the 1960s-era resort hotel has spectacular views across the sea.
If you feel like leaving the resort, nearby ancient ruins, secluded beaches, and the bustling town beckon. I recently stayed here for three nights with my best friend. We enjoyed the resort as well as excursions out into the island’s interior and coastal towns.
MarBella Corfu
The MarBella Corfu hotel completed a three-year renovation in 2014, and the outcome is gorgeous. I believe it truly lives up to its five-star rating, from the rooms to the service to the amenities. Nestled along the east coast road tunnel, overlooking the strait, it’s close enough to town and accessible to the many beaches that Corfu offers.
There are various room packages available, from the half board (breakfast included) to a fully inclusive package ideal for families. There are in-between packages, perfect for couples who may want to enjoy lunch on the property or maybe some cocktails in the evening.
When we arrived, our room wasn’t quite ready. Our luggage was whisked away, though, and we were given two complimentary welcome drinks, which we enjoyed in the grand lobby. When our room was ready, our luggage was there waiting for us.
Rooms at the MarBella Corfu
We had a junior suite with a private pool and a garden view. At nearly 40 square meters the rooms are spacious yet cozy. There was a bottle of wine and a tray of sweets and fresh fruit waiting for us on arrival, a nice touch from the wonderful staff. The junior pool suites are laid out long and narrow. The large king-size bed faces the floor to ceiling windows which lead to the private terrace and pool.
There is a small, separate sitting area between the bed and the terrace with two sofa beds and a coffee table. Sliding doors give this small area privacy, so it’s perfect for a group of friends who want to share a room. The large, well-appointed bathroom is adjacent to the entrance hall. MarBella provides Apivita toiletries. Apivita is a natural Greek skincare brand whose focus is a holistic approach to sustainable products. Ingredients include Greek plant extracts, beehive products, and essential oils.
Following the renovation, there are fifteen different room categories, based on room size and view. In addition to the suite categories, there are double rooms, great for couples, and family rooms, great for those traveling with children. With 380+ rooms, the resort is by no means small, but it’s winding passageways, and various additions give the feeling of an old castle or manor house.
Amenities within the room include a safe deposit box, coffee and tea making facilities, a minibar (on request), satellite television, and complimentary wifi.
Amenities at MarBella Corfu
Corfu is a beautiful destination for travelers. With unique Venetian ruins, secluded monasteries, and 19th-century palaces, there’s plenty to see. The many hidden beaches, excellent snorkeling and winding walking trails, and lazy day beachside tavernas are some of the simple pleasures of Greek island life. Not that you’d want to leave the MarBella resort often! Two public pools, ten restaurants and bars, a semi-private hotel beach, holistic spa, kids club, and tennis courts vie for guests’ attention.
Restaurants at MarBella Corfu
With so many options presented to us, one wonders where we started! Most of the restaurants are open all day, although some might require reservations. We began with breakfast served in the La Terrazza restaurant. It is a full American-style breakfast with everything you could possibly imagine. There were platters of cured meats and fish, smoked salmon, cheese, pastries and bread, marmalades and jams, cereals, eggs, fresh fruits, juices, and more.
For lunch, we headed for the Splash American Diner, a 1950s style diner complete with the black and white checkered floor, red vinyl seats, and gleaming white tables. Splash is located near the pool area and is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Reservations are required for both lunch and dinner, and the hours are weather permitting. This is a great place to go while enjoying the pool. They serve ice cream floats, cocktails and mocktails, and delicious diner food.
On our first night, we dined at the La Terrazza restaurant, one of the main restaurants on property. La Terrazza serves a buffet dinner nightly. There are, as at breakfast, plenty of options for everyone. Some nights, La Terrazza hosts theme nights, which can alter the schedule slightly.
We also dined at Comodo Italian Restaurant, one of the specialty restaurants on property. It too is located near the garden and pools and is reminiscent of a charming Italian eatery. The a la carte menu is entirely Italian. Comodo is open daily, and reservations are required.
At all of the restaurants we dined at, the service was good, the staff polite, welcoming, and attentive, and the food was delicious.
Activities at MarBella Corfu
A resort often has plenty of activities for its guests. MarBella Corfu is no exception. In addition to the ten restaurants and bars and two large public pools, there are also kids clubs and pools, tennis courts, beach access, boutique shops, and a heavenly spa.
Beach access is provided either through the gardens or a tunnel to the private beach. Here, at the Adventure Centre, guests can enjoy snorkeling, swimming, stand up paddleboarding, kayaking, or head along some of the coastal trails for epic views of the beaches below. The Dolphin Bar is down at the beach too, perfect for those who prefer to sip a cocktail in the sun while reading a book or to talk to friends.
Check out the best beaches in Corfu.
Back up at the resort, there are two large public pools, a Jacuzzi tub, and two children’s play areas with a splash water park and a toddler pool.
For guests who enjoy spa services, the wellness center, and spa offers various treatments including facials, wraps, and massages as well as beauty treatments like manicures and pedicures. There is a fitness center adjacent to the spa for anyone wishing to stay on their workout routine while on vacation!
If guests forgot to pack something, or perhaps want to pick up a few souvenirs for family back home, there are several boutique shops at MarBella. These sell everything from beach essentials and groceries to jewelry and formal evening wear.
The Kids Club and Babysitting Services
MarBella Corfu is a family-friendly resort (although it does have a nearby adults-only resort!), and as such there are three kids clubs for parents who want to have a day to themselves. The Meli Creche Club is designed for children from 4 months to 3 years old. The Kids Club is for children 4 years to 12 years, and the Teens Club is for anyone 12 to 18 years of age. Each club offers different activities based on the ages of children. They are all open daily until 18:00. However, there are also babysitting services available for evenings. All of the Kids Clubs and babysitting services have an additional cost.
My best friend and I enjoyed our three-night stay at the MarBella Corfu. The room was comfortable and spacious, and we definitely took advantage of the private pool overlooking the gardens. We also thoroughly enjoyed all of the dining options and the amenities at the beach and pools. If you’re traveling to Corfu this summer, I recommend staying at this renovated five-star resort.
For more information:
MarBella Corfu
Ag. Ioannis Peristeron, Corfu
I was a guest of Marbella Corfu but as always opinions are my own.