23/07/2022
Steps away from the gentle waters of the Ionian Sea, the stunning view from Domes Miramare toward the Greek mainland is the reason many visit this quiet resort of the east side of Corfu.
The rich and famous from bygone days have swam this shore and it has hosted the likes of Jackie O, Eisenhower & Marlyn Monroe under the former stewardship of Onassis family back in the sixties as a playground for jet-setters. It’s current owners have invested millions to continue that glitterati feel by creating a stunning waterside adult-only resort that draws views of wonderful sunrises among centuries old olive trees and lush lawns.
An enthusiastic and younger team welcome you as you arrive in the shade of the main entrance. A refreshing drink is offered as you check in from the comfort of the outdoor sofas and the first moments of the view across the calm waters of the Ionian Sea. After formalities are complete, a short orientation of the resort is provided by the front desk team where you will taken to the Pavilions (top-end to the North), Emerald (2 story low rise blocks to the South) or finally the brand new Opal & Jade blocks across the, not ideal, road that splits the resort.
Having opened in June 2022, the ‘other side’ as it’s known, is comprised of two blocks and provides a huge uplift in terms of accommodation & facilities. The addition of these 69 rooms and suites along with a wonderful and much larger outdoor swimming pool and loungers, well equipped gym, spa, additional indoor pool, restaurant and soon to be ‘VIP lounge’, allow the overall property to offer much more but not at the expense of over crowding.
An upgrade to an Opal whirlpool bath Suite in this 4 week old extension was our first experience and whilst the room was not ready having arrived before noon, Moraitiki, the local village, is just a 7 mins stroll away and affords many good restaurants (Village Taverna, Pesce Fish Bar & Rose Garden were our favourites on some nights out) for a lazy lunch & dinner.
The new extension would be an excellent hotel in its own right although and note there are no plans to make this the case! The owners would rather bring the two sides together through the addition of a bridge or tunnel, however it is dependent on getting through the required building / planning processes; something that apparently may take some time.
The Opal whirlpool bath Suite itself brings a strong sense of natural design. Gentle seaside tones, soft wood finishes and airiness brings about a sense of Corfiot calm in the strong summer heat - the aircon easily wins the battle on this occasion. A generous Ambassador welcome gift of wine, nuts, limoncello & soft nougat was laid out and whilst a few small snagging issues presented, the room is of fantastic quality. The balcony is elevated across the whole resort and has a stunning view of the sea and mainland although it is slightly interrupted by the still growing living roof seen below. The front block is however closer to the road which may bring onboard some unwelcome traffic noise although the sliding doors should be enough not to be bothered. The rear block had no sound issues and the crickets chirp on an evenings stroll back to the room along the well lit paths. The balcony has the Jaccuzi bath that is protected by shutters and two loungers provide for a comfortable view out to sea through the glass panel. The bathroom has two sinks with plenty of Elemis toiletries although they are curiously not repeated on both sinks.
The ‘other side’ also houses a well equipped gym - rowers, bikes, elliptical, jogger and weights are provided along with Yoga & Pilates however they come with a €10 tag per session. An outdoor gym is available by the original rooms but comprises of a jogger and a few weights. An delightful indoor pool, spa treatments, sauna & hamman (not operational on our stay) complement the overall spa area.
The new extension has increased dining options and houses the Korypho Al la carte offering as well as one of the two breakfast buffets. The main restaurant on the original side is Makris which provides both the breakfast and evening buffets. The two breakfasts have a few small differences but are essentially the same offering and are plentiful and good quality. The main difference is the view, one is 5 metres from the water, the other has a spectacular view. My only complaint as a fan of poached eggs, is the particular cooking method used that turns them into a slimey alien eyeball - it should be better and not served lukewarm.
The evening buffet is a good but expensive event. If not on half board, this is €55 per head. A seven night stay on that basis will leave you somewhat lighter in the pocket and perhaps larger around the waist. Very good food, delightful sushi and vegetarian options come a plenty. Despite the price there is no shortage of choice and it is a special place to eat and admire the peaceful view as the evening darkens to the sound of water lapping a few steps away.
A daily and weekly epicurean journey is offered including Greek coffee tasting & Olive Oil tasting from the Governor; apparently one of the best producers in Europe. A delightful story is told and quickly we understand how to taste this award winning oil. I will never cook with supermarket olive oil again…!
On a single pier stretching out into shimmering waters, lies The Miramaretta - the luxurious hotel motorboat that will whisk you to Corfu Town in just 20 mins. €150 one-way makes this a very luxurious ride indeed in comparison to the €2 bus fare to the same.
The most upmarket accommodation at the property is the Pavilions, Ivory & Pearl suites which all have access to the Haute living area. This is termed a hotel within the hotel and affords an exclusive area comprising indoor lounge, pool, private loungers, direct access to the water as well as cocktails. drinks and food throughout the day. As well as this, each of the suites are within metres of the waters edge and are set away from the main beachside lounger area offering much more privacy to enjoy the views over the clear waters.
Overall it is a stunning location and a high level of service that makes your stay relaxing and effortless. The sunrise views are special and whilst some experience is lacking across the new team here, there is high quality food, service, interiors and an ongoing commitment of investment into the property. From the morning piano player to the evening duo of singers or (not too loud DJ), the air of bygone luxury continues with many nice touches throughout. As an Ambassador I did indeed feel very well looked after (suite upgrades, cocktails, dinner, €60+ welcome gift) and probably in the minority as many guests were third parter bookers. The biggest problem on the property (bar the walk through some pebbles to the water in the beach) is the feeling of separation between the original and new part of the property. A bridge or tunnel would go a long way to fix but with the possibility of this happening only in off-season and the planning process, it is perhaps something that won’t happen any time soon. Til then, my favourite location is the Pavilion’s however the new rooms are superb in their own right and well worth a stay.
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