The Best Boutique Hotels to Book in Corfu

Sleep is part of the wellness offering at Delfino Blu, an eco-conscious boutique hotel on the northwestern extremity of Corfu. Start the process at around 7pm, with a sunset cocktail on the veranda, then follow it up with a seafront, candlelit dinner before heading for a luxury spa shower. Accommodations range from two-person studios to family apartments, all with views of the sea or pool area, and are a short walk from Agios Stefanos beach, a popular diving spot.

Relax on a hammock hung between 300-year-old olive trees at the characterful Corfu Palma Boutique Hotel. The standout gardens on-site showcase natural Corfiot flora, such as cypress, pear and kumquat trees and, by the sundial, an olive tree that’s more than 700 years old. There’s also an outdoor heated pool and jacuzzi, a buffet restaurant specialising in Greek and Mediterranean cuisine, and a sleek lobby bar. The shops, bars and restaurants in Dassia are right outside, and the nearest beach is 100m (328ft) away.

The four-star Siorria Vittoria offers nine classically decorated suites in Corfu Town, just a five-minute walk from the Venetian fortress and attached museum. Over two floors in a traditional Corfiot villa and an adjacent building, the rooms reflect the quiet elegance of the property, with oak floors, marble bathrooms and Venetian shades of pink and yellow. Enjoy breakfast or an early-evening cocktail in the shaded, romantic garden before exploring the narrow lanes and traditional tavernas in the old town.

On the picturesque harbour in Kassiopi, against the Medieval castle walls, Melina Bay is a great option for couples (you can order champagne, chocolates and flowers, and honeymooners receive a welcome toast with bubbly). It has an outdoor pool and a two-storey restaurant and wine bar, where celebrated chef Fotis Bouras cooks a menu inspired by local ingredients. Chic, sober-coloured accommodations are by Italian architect Alberto Artuso, and most look out over the glinting Ionian Sea.

Run by an Italian family who made its name in luxury silverware, Art Hotel Debono is surrounded by a garden of palm and olive trees in the northern town of Gouvia. Accommodations comprise light-filled rooms and suites, with the most spacious being in the bungalows, and each one has a veranda overlooking the garden. Recline by the pool, sip cocktails to live music in the bar, or explore nearby attractions such as the beaches of Barbati, Glyfada and Dassia, or the tavernas and churches in Gouvia, a former fishing village.

Lena Mare is a pretty boutique hotel a short walk from the beach in Acharavi, on the northern part of the island. It’s perfect for a luxury stay, offering smart accommodations around a pool terrace. Kick back with a frozen cocktail from the Althea Pool Bar and drink in the uninterrupted sea views. Later, pamper yourself rotten in the spa or prop up the marble bar in the lobby lounge. All the amenities of a small town are on your doorstep, and the capital of Corfu is 37km (23mi) south.

The restaurant here was one of the first on Corfu when it opened in 1971, and it remains one of the top spots on the island for traditional Greek cuisine. The 47 sea- or mountain-view rooms in this boutique hotel are in an idyllic area on the east coast known as Kaiser’s Bridge, named after the walkway built to connect Achilleion Palace with the beach in the early 20th century. You’ll have access to a private beach, and the seaside village of Benitses is just 2km (1mi) away.

A grande-dame in Corfu Town, the Bella Venezia occupies a stately mansion with many previous lives. It was almost obliterated during World War II, but a loving renovation in 2006 has resulted in 30 simple yet classy rooms and a second-floor suite overlooking the old town. Breakfast is served in a gazebo in the gardens during winter and in the gardens themselves during summer; try the hotel speciality – Greek yoghurt topped with honey and nuts – or head to the egg corner, where they’re cooked to order using locally made olive oil.

The four-star Cavalieri occupies a landmark 17th-century townhouse on the edge of the Spianada, a short stroll from the Old Fortress and main streets in Corfu Town. For a balcony overlooking the fort and the sea, book a superior room. When not roaming the narrow lanes in the old town, enjoy wine or cocktails on the rooftop bar. Other perks include a daily Greek breakfast, a Venetian-style lounge and free parking nearby.

Behind a neoclassical facade lies the painstakingly restored Acanthus Blue Hotel. Wooden floors, exposed stone and traditional shutters enhance the eight suites. Meanwhile, mouth-blown Murano glass lighting and locally sourced furniture give the communal spaces an eclectic feel. Head to the characterful courtyard for an aperitif after a day of exploring. After all, with the lively San Rocco Square and the Old Fortress only a 20-minute walk away, it’s the perfect launchpad to explore the town.