Ionian Arches Corfu

Dear Mr. Hollyoake and Mrs. Rechert, Thank you for choosing our hotel for your holiday. We would like to clarify what happened. On May 26, we informed you that a balance of 10 euros remained due. This was the environmental fee payable to the government, a legitimate charge required of hotels according to their star rating, not an extra fee set by us. We tried to explain this, but you disputed the charge and declined to pay. We then asked you to contact your agency for clarification. You reached Booking.com, which told you there was no further charge due. That is correct for reservations made through Booking.com, where the environmental fee is included. However, your booking came through an agency, not Booking.com, and the fee was due at the hotel. Neither the agency, Booking.com, nor anyone else had paid it to us. To reduce the tension, we wished you a good night. After the owner heard about the situation, he came to your room that same evening to explain it again. Unfortunately, you were rude and sarcastic throughout, made fun of the situation, and were unwilling to understand, although we were ready to spend as much time as needed explaining. This took place at reception in front of staff. In the end, you left without paying the required environmental fee, which we would have to pay on your behalf. We ask that you withdraw both your review and your friend’s review. We await your prompt action. Ionian Arches Team

The room we were given in July was dirty, with hair on the bed and headboard and a filthy drain. When I showered, a smell from the drain made my partner gag, and we had to rush out to the balcony. We asked reception to check the shower or move us, but they accused us of putting chemicals in it to stage a scam. We’d paid a lot for the hotel and couldn’t understand why they thought we were scamming them. The man there became loud and violent. He wouldn’t speak to me as a woman, instead separating my male partner and shouting at him in private. I was extremely upset and stressed, especially as it was our first time in Corfu. They threatened to call the police, which was frightening, though we thought it might help if we’d done nothing wrong. No police showed up. The women at reception then insisted we’d get a refund and told us to photograph the computer screen as proof. They haven’t replied to Edreams for months, and we’ve been struggling to get our money back from edreams. This was the worst hotel experience of my life. I was willing to leave no review if we got our money back, but now I have no choice. That violent man doesn’t deserve your money. Terrible.

This is a lovely, authentic place with a local family running it. It’s quite small, so it didn’t feel crowded, and we had a very pleasant stay. The family were kind and helpful, and clearly take good care of the hotel, keeping it clean and well maintained. I’d recommend it for a peaceful stay with a local feel.

A nice place to spend a holiday in Corfu. I’d recommend staying here.