Villa Birlis

Villa Birlis worked out as a comfortable, good value base for our four nights in Liapades. We were there at the tail end of the season, so the pool and bar area were closed. I imagine it would be even better in summer when everything is open. We didn't spend much time at the apartment because we were out exploring Corfu, and having a hire car made getting to nearby attractions easy. I’d recommend renting one if you want to see the island. The spot is handy for beaches, food and everyday essentials. The beach is about a 2-300m walk, with several restaurants and a small shop nearby. There’s a path beside the villas leading up to another beach, which is worth exploring. The old town is a fairly short walk uphill, with a pleasant bar and a couple of restaurants. Our car had a space behind the apartment. We had a ground floor room with two single beds pushed together, though I would have preferred a double. There was also a small sofa, a couple of drawers and a clothes hanger, enough for the two of us. The little balcony had a table and two chairs, fine for eating outside, although October mornings were chilly. The apartment had a dual hob, fridge, plates, glasses and cooking gear, so we could make breakfast and the occasional meal. The bathroom was adequate for a few days, if not the cleanest, and the shower could use descaling. Bedding was changed after two days, which was nice, but the floor wasn't swept or vacuumed, so dust and sand stayed there. The owner greeted us, showed us around and said to call if we needed anything. There were cats wandering around, some keen to come inside, which seems normal in Greece. We also spotted the odd spider, understandable on a wooded hillside. We tried the Medusa bar opposite. The cocktails were good, but the music went on until 3am. In October we weren't using the aircon and left the window slightly open, so it was noisy. With windows closed and aircon running in peak season, I don't think it would be as noticeable. Watch out for mozzies there, I got bitten badly. It’s basic but comfortable for what we needed, and great value compared with other places in town. With the pool and bar open in peak season, it would be better still. A good choice if you want to be near the beach, cook for yourself, and have restaurants, a pool and some nightlife close by.