Corfu Imperial

A luxury resort set in a gorgeous location, Corfu Imperial delivers on expected services and amenities but feels corporate. While it is the best hotel on the island, it is inconveniently located a 20-minute drive outside of Corfu Town.

• The picturesque bay surrounding the hotel, set at the edge of the Kommeno Peninsula
• Three sandy beaches on property
• Large villas with plunge pools and a sundeck overhanging the water

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.

Families who want to enjoy a private villa without giving up hotel services and amenities will find the most value here. For everyone else, it’s a perfectly fine hotel with a gorgeous setting and reliable services, but note that the hotel is a 20-minute drive from Corfu Town.