Mediterranean Blue

Penny and the staff went out of their way to make our group of three feel special during our week there. The food was excellent, and the location was great. Our room was adequate, if not luxurious. The bathroom could use a little TLC, but the shower worked very well and everything was functional. We had a very enjoyable stay. Now I’m back in dull, cold Norfolk 🙁

What we remember most is the food, the warm welcome, and the Greek evenings with live music and dancing. Every meal tasted homemade, and the owners and staff were kind and ready to help. We felt welcomed like family. Mediterranean Blue is officially a 3-star hotel, though our experience felt like more. Our clean, cozy room had a fridge, kettle, and small stove, which came in handy when we wanted to buy food and eat in. The beds smelled fresh and everything was tidy. There are several restaurants in Kavos we enjoyed, too. We liked the pools and tried the three nearby beaches. Our favorite was the hidden one behind the little hill, about a 20-30 minute walk away, with clear water and a peaceful feel. We also found even better beaches on the island’s north-eastern side and visited Korfu city. Renting a car on the island was easy. The sea by the hotel was gentle and shallow for a long way, so it seemed good for children or anyone who isn’t a strong swimmer. The views were amazing, and early September was sunny and warm without being too hot. We came away with lovely memories and would recommend it for a Greek holiday.

The staff were genuinely kind and hardworking, and the cleaning ladies did a good job. Still, the hotel seemed short-staffed. I kept seeing the same four people covering reception, cocktails, table clearing, breakfast, cooking, gardening, and even letting guests in late at night. They looked exhausted. It also needs renovation and more staff support. We chose it based on last season’s reviews, but after staying here and reading newer ones, I’m unsure what to make of them. I can only guess that some reviews for hotels in Corfu, including this one, may be fake or influenced. That’s just my theory, but the praise didn’t match what we experienced. We stayed at two hotels in different parts of the island, and given the price and descriptions, this one was hard to rate above 3 stars compared with the other. Our room felt dated for what we paid. You could see the sea only from the balcony, which was shared with the neighboring room and divided by a low wall that offered little privacy. The bathroom was especially awkward: the glass door panel had fallen off, making it look from the bed as if someone were showering right in the room. The renovated shower was still very small and uncomfortable for someone around 1.80m tall. Ants were all over the room. One good thing was the balcony door’s excellent sound insulation. A nearby hotel played loud DJ music late, but we couldn’t hear it inside and slept well. We were out exploring most days and used the room mainly to sleep. For us, the hotel felt overrated compared with what we got elsewhere for a similar price. It might suit people coming to party in Kavos. As travelers and explorers, the only real advantage was the nearby port, which made boat trips convenient. The meals were underwhelming in both quality and choice. Even at the start of breakfast or dinner, the selection was very limited, and arriving late meant there might not be much left, which I understand. I enjoy desserts on holiday and was disappointed to find just one option, and not even a Greek one. Maybe the limited choice was because few guests ate at the hotel, but it still compared poorly with other 3-star hotels. I disagree with reviews calling the food amazing or saying there was a huge selection. That wasn’t our experience. For the money, I think there are better choices in Corfu, with nicer beaches and shorelines, more food options, renovated rooms, and a quieter setting outside a party town. We should have considered that last part more carefully instead of relying on the reviews here.

We were warmly welcomed after our 10-night stay began, and the staff helped us with the safe and booking excursions. Things went downhill that first night: a wedding had loud music and karaoke going until after midnight, with speakers right by our room. After travelling for half a day and being awake since 2am, we found it inconsiderate and couldn’t sleep. There are two pool areas. The one near reception was better maintained but had only a handful of beds and wasn’t relaxing. The music was loud, and it seemed geared toward guests who were closer to the staff. I wondered if they were the people leaving 5-star reviews and coming back every year. The other pool, which I later learned used to belong to another hotel, was neglected. Most tables and umbrellas were broken, and the pool steps were so sharp we had to plan how to get in and out without cutting our feet. The music was unpredictable, either Celine Dion remixes on repeat or silence. A can of Coke Zero cost €3,50, and two ice creams were nearly €10. Nothing was priced, so we had to ask the woman serving before tapping our cards. We ended up using the neighbouring Erofili hotel instead. We’d missed that many Mediterranean Blue guests were already using its pool and bar. More Med Blue guests joined day by day, and they told us they’d had similar experiences. Erofili was spotless, friendly, and reasonably priced. I couldn’t recommend it enough. The so-called “private beach” isn’t attached to the hotel. You walk along a derelict road past a derelict hotel to reach it, so we may have misunderstood when we thought the property was on the beach. The beach looked tired and dirty, was poorly kept, and required a jump down a steep drop to access. I wouldn’t use it, and the water there is very rocky. Greek night was okay and good value at €18, with standard buffet food that I can’t complain about. The bar lady seemed stressed and could have used some help. Drinks were expensive and not great quality. On our last day they offered a shower room, which I appreciated and accepted. I waited 40 minutes at reception for it to be ready, which seemed fair. They directed me to room 301/302, I don’t remember which, and said the door would be open. There was a naked man lying in the bed, so I shut the door quickly. The next room was wide open and seemed to be the one I should have used, but it was also a staff member’s room. It had been tidied but still contained their belongings and smelled of cigarettes. I was so shocked I didn’t go back to reception, and used the shower at neighbouring Erofili instead. Even without the cigarette smell, I wouldn’t want to intrude on a staff member’s privacy. To get to the second pool, guests also have to pass the staff bedrooms. It wasn’t a huge issue, but felt like an invasion of their privacy. You could see staff who cook and clean half dressed, smoking, with their pants hung outside to dry. Maybe that’s just me. The staff were generally friendly, but that didn’t make up for the poor housekeeping, misleading facilities, overpriced and disappointing food and drink, neglected pools and beach, and a location that felt unsafe an