The Olivar Suites

We keep coming back to The Olivar Suites, and in 2026 we'll be there for our third year in a row, this time for 10 nights with our 4yo. Seven nights just hasn't been enough. The place feels magical, and I really can't fault it. Both times, in May and June, we found plenty of space by the gorgeous pool and beach. Our Corfiot Suite the first year and Premiere Suite the second were both sensational and roomy, with private pools. The gardens and decor are stunning, and the friendly, attentive team really looks after you. Mytro and Angela, thank you! The hotel buggies with private drivers are a lovely extra for getting around the grounds. We stayed B&B. Breakfast had lots of choice and was excellent quality, and we loved the food and drinks at the beach bar, especially the iced coffees. There are several nice restaurants within walking distance, and the owners were welcoming at Seaside Snack Bar, Giacomo's Pizza Pasta & Wine, BO the Butcher, and Taverna Bacchus. The spa treatments were lovely, and there's a small gym too. For us, it's easily the best hotel we've stayed at in Europe, and such a relaxing, luxurious holiday.

It’s been one of our favourite hotels. We loved the food at the restaurant and beach bar, and you can walk to other restaurants and shops nearby. Our suite felt like a villa, complete with its own private pool. From the moment we arrived, the staff were so welcoming and did everything they could to make our stay a good one.

The gardens were lovely to wander through after sunset, with herbs in the air and gentle lighting that made everything feel peaceful. We came in early October and the weather was still warm and sunny enough for the beach. The accommodation layout was thoughtfully done, the interiors were high quality, and the gardens were beautifully scented. The private beach was well organized and cared for, with really comfortable sunbeds. We had a one-year-old with us, and the staff were kind to him and accommodating throughout. We felt so welcome that we extended our stay, and we're already planning to return next year. The restaurant dishes were delicious and beautifully presented every time. We especially liked the steaks, cooked just right, the salads, and the homemade sourdough with excellent Corfu olive oil. Breakfast was fantastic too, with loads of options, among the best we've had at five-star hotels.

There are around 20 restaurants nearby, and the shops just outside the hotel cover pretty much anything you might need. It's a gorgeous spot, and the rooms feel like good value for what you get. I did wonder whether rooms facing the nearby bars could be noisy in peak season, since some play music late. The setting is lovely, with low bungalows spread across an old olive grove. They kept many original trees in the courtyards and squares, which is a nice touch. Our Executive Suite with Private Pool had a large living room, a good pool, and a very private terrace. The golf buggies that take you around the grounds were handy, and we were welcomed with wine and fruit. The room smelled a bit musty when we arrived and showed some signs of damp. Housekeeping needed a nudge about the broken shower head and the USB socket by the bed. Some towels were dirty or stained, or still had a washing receipt in them. The shower gel and shampoo didn't feel very luxurious, and the dressing gowns felt a bit cheap. The hotel could make better use of all the plants and botanicals for a fresher room smell. The pool is amazing, and the beach is clean, with lovely beds, shallow clear water, and little litter. Beach drink service was good, though the snack menu was limited. It can be expensive when other places 50 metres away serve food just as good. The music was the biggest irritation: the beach bar repeated a five-track AI “summer” playlist until we started avoiding it. The evening DJ, saxophone, and violin were odd and annoying too. The gym is tiny and gets crowded with just two people, a real letdown for a hotel this size. There seems to be a lot of unused reception space, including a bar nobody uses. We had two massages; they were okay, nothing special, but not very expensive. Breakfast was pretty average, with the usual menu. The orange juice and milk portions were huge, so even in little glass bottles people left half and it went to waste. The hot options were okay. They tried to cater for us as vegetarians, which was kind, though one day they served us a boiled potato and we had expected a bit more, so it made us laugh. On a rainy Saturday we queued about 20 minutes because there wasn't much indoor seating. The saxophone and flute every other day also sounded better in theory than in practice. Having someone play right beside you while you eat was too loud and annoying, no offence to the musician. And the peanut butter omelette was the worst thing I've ever eaten. We only ate dinner in the restaurant twice. They tried to help with vegetarian food, but we had to make some meals work ourselves by ordering two or three sides with a large starter. The food was okay and the service decent. There are lots of things this hotel gets right, with a beautiful setting and really good value rooms. A few changes to fresher smelling rooms, toiletries, towel checks, vegetarian dishes, and all that music would make it a 10/10 stay.