MARE BLU BEACH RESORT - CORFU - REVIEW

We visited Mare blu Beach Resort at the end of April 2026 and overall had a very enjoyable holiday. The transfer from Corfu Airport took approximately 45 minutes and check-in was straightforward. Instead of traditional wristbands, guests are issued with a room key which is used throughout the stay.

The Hotel & Grounds

The resort is laid out with a main building at the front housing reception, the main restaurant, entertainment area and bar. The accommodation is spread across several separate buildings leading towards the sea, each named after James Bond films or characters.

One thing that immediately stood out was how well maintained the grounds were. The gardens were attractive, grass was regularly cut, and flowers were well cared for throughout the resort.

There are two swimming pools. One is located near reception, while the second is situated closer to the sea. The lower pool area also has its own bar, ice cream station and the resort's two à la carte restaurants – a Greek restaurant and a pizzeria.

Our Room

Our room was quite basic and consisted of two single beds pushed together, a set of bunk beds, a bathroom with a shower, a small fridge, wardrobe space, television and a balcony overlooking a green area beside our accommodation block.

Shower gel and hand wash were provided, along with tea and coffee making facilities. However, we found that the tea and coffee supplies were not replenished daily. Air conditioning was included and worked well throughout our stay.

The bed itself wasn't particularly comfortable, and one downside was the balcony design. There were no privacy dividers between neighbouring balconies, which made us less inclined to spend time sitting outside.

We did encounter a small ant problem in the room on one occasion, but after informing reception, staff attended within around 10 minutes and resolved the issue quickly, which was impressive.

Food & Dining

The food throughout the week was good and there was plenty of choice. We particularly liked how efficiently the restaurant was managed. Staff ensured guests were seated quickly, tables were cleared promptly, and the overall dining experience felt well organised.

The resort offers two à la carte restaurants, but we found it very difficult to secure a booking. Despite checking availability on our first day.

Beach Access

The beach is only a short walk from the resort. To reach it, leave through the gate near the lower pool area, turn left and follow the road past a small shop, restaurant and car hire office.

The beach itself is sandy and pleasant, although it appeared that sunbeds and umbrellas required an additional charge.

Car Hire – Highly Recommended

For us, hiring a car was essential. The hotel is located in a fairly remote area and we saw very few buses during our stay. While there are some local amenities within walking distance, having a vehicle gave us the freedom to explore much more of Corfu.

We initially considered hiring through the hotel, but the prices were considerably higher and there was an extra charge for an additional driver. Instead, we hired from Drive Corfu near the beach and paid roughly half the price, with the additional driver included. We received a small Peugeot which was perfect for exploring the island.

The roads around Corfu can be winding and sometimes poorly maintained, but we found driving manageable and well worth it.

Nearby Food & Shops

Just down the road from the resort is a food truck called Bobo's, which quickly became one of our favourite places to eat. Their gyros were excellent, portions were generous, prices were reasonable, and they also served burgers, hot dogs and other Greek dishes.

There is also a small shop within the resort selling snacks, drinks, souvenirs and holiday essentials.

Places We Visited

Acharavi

Acharavi is the nearest town, around a 4–5 minute drive from the hotel. It offers plenty of restaurants, bars, shops and a much livelier atmosphere than the resort area.

Peroulades

This was recommended to us by one of the resort's security staff and turned out to be one of the highlights of our holiday. The dramatic cliffs and viewpoints were absolutely stunning and well worth the drive.

Palaiokastritsa

Without doubt one of the most beautiful places we visited on the island. We actually returned twice during our stay.

There are boat trips to the famous Blue Caves, a picturesque beach, beautiful coastal views and a monastery overlooking the bay. Although it can get busy, the scenery makes it easy to understand why it's one of Corfu's most popular destinations.

Pyrgi

A lovely coastal area with a pleasant seafront walk, several restaurants and beautiful views. Perfect for a relaxing afternoon stroll.

Corfu Old Town

Corfu Old Town was probably our favourite place on the island. We had been warned that parking could be difficult, but we found parking along Leoforos Dimokratias and generally had no problems finding a space.

We visited the Old Fortress, which was fascinating and offered some fantastic views. One piece of advice would be to bring drinks with you, as refreshments inside the fortress café are quite expensive.

The old town itself is wonderful to explore, with its narrow streets, historic buildings, shops and restaurants.

One standout discovery was a pastry shop called Mpochotis. The selection of cakes, pastries, chocolates and ice cream was incredible, and everything we tried was delicious. We returned more than once during our stay.

Kanoni & Plane Spotting Area

Near Corfu Airport is an excellent viewpoint by the Kanoni-Perama area where aircraft pass directly overhead as they land. It's a fantastic location for photography and aviation enthusiasts.

Nearby is the beautiful Monastery of Vlacherna, which is also worth visiting.

Departure Day Tips

When checking out, we discovered several useful services that may help future guests.

There is a luggage storage room upstairs where suitcases can be left until departure. Although the room isn't monitored by cameras, it is tucked away and seemed secure. Reception were also happy to store our more valuable bags containing passports, laptops and other important items.

Guests can pre-book access to showers on departure day, but this must be arranged in advance, so it's worth asking reception on the morning of checkout.

Late checkout may also be available depending on room availability. We were quoted approximately €60 to keep our room until departure, which we personally felt was too expensive.

Overall Thoughts

Mare blu Beach Resort provided us with a pleasant and relaxing holiday. The resort grounds were attractive and well maintained, customer service was generally very good, and any issues we encountered were dealt with quickly and professionally.

The rooms are fairly basic and the lack of balcony privacy was disappointing. The resort's location is also quite remote, which may not suit everyone. However, if you hire a car and use the hotel as a base to explore Corfu, it works very well.

Corfu itself is a beautiful island with stunning scenery, charming towns and plenty to see. Some of our favourite memories came from exploring beyond the resort, particularly Palaiokastritsa, Peroulades and Corfu Old Town.

Would we return? Yes, particularly because of the island itself. We'd simply recommend hiring a car from the start to make the most of everything Corfu has to offer.