Destination Guide

Corfu

Unknown Image

Courtesy of Corfu Imperial

Corfu has been famous since the days of Homer: the Ionian island was Odysseus’s last stop before returning home. In modern times, it was one of the first Greek islands to be developed for tourism. While there are many hotels in Corfu, the most high-end properties are four-star, at best. Our favorite way to experience Corfu is to rent a villa, some of which are truly luxurious, especially on the less touristy northern side of the island.

Stay

We only feature hotels that we can vouch for first-hand. With Indagare Plus,members receive special amenities.

View All Hotels

Pool Lounge at Corfu Imperial, Corfu, Greece

Corfu Imperial

It says something that the best hotel on one of the biggest and most developed Greek Islands is lackluster and merely adequately luxurious. Corfu Imperial hits all the marks for a “luxury resort” in that it has comfortable rooms, a spa and large pool, landscaped gardens and six restaurants. Yet nothing about it makes it memorable, and some might say it verges on feeling soulless. Service is perfunctory, not warm, and the large lobby with four sitting areas is constantly empty, even in peak season.

The hotel’s most appealing feature is its location. Corfu Imperial is set at the edge of the Kommeno Peninsula, on a large bay with undulating, verdant hills as backdrop and the hazy landscape of Albania a few miles in the distance. There are three small sandy beaches lined up next to each other, with lounge chairs crowding the short shoreline. The water here is clear and refreshing, and a brisk swim to the floating decks offers great bay views.

Accommodations are spread out between a main building, garden-level bungalows and villas. The interiors are spacious and decked in pleasant floral patterns and pastel shades. While the bungalows offer more privacy, the rooms in the main building feature sea views. Also, the bungalows do not get wifi.

The most luxurious accommodations are the villas, designed like townhouses with private pools and sundecks overhanging the sea. For families looking for a private villa experience with hotel services and amenities at a nightly rate (rather than a weekly commitment), this is the best choice.

Note that the hotel is a 20-minute drive from Corfu Town, and there is a free shuttle bus service that goes to town twice daily. Alternatively, taxis are available for about 25 Euros each way.

Bedroom at Eva Palace, Corfu, Greece

Eva Palace

While it sits next door to its sister property, Corfu Imperial, Eva Palace feels like another world entirely. The hotel has a distinctly adult vibe with features such as the Elixir Rooftop Love Spa and daily activities including wine tasting, dance classes and cocktail courses. The guest rooms are romantic, with four-poster beds wreathed in chiffon drapes, long flower vases filled with tulips and orchids and white candles surrounding marble tubs in glass-walled bathrooms.

In the summertime, families with young children could consider staying here, when the hotel operates a kids’ club. Like Corfu Imperial, the resort has villas on the waterfront with their own private pools. Other than that, it’s really a playground for adults who want to enjoy a mostly child-free beach, a large saltwater pool with a swim-up bar and a bevy of activities including fitness classes and watersports.

The hotel is a 20-minute drive from Corfu Town and the hotel's complimentary shuttle bus only goes into town twice each day. Taxis cost about 25 Euros each way.


Ready to go and in need of expert trip planning? Contact us today.

Start My Trip

Welcome back,
log in to Indagare

Not a member?

Forgot Password

Enter your email and we’ll send you a link to reset your password.

Type the first 3 letters to begin