Rooms

The 31 rooms are spread across three buildings on a slope overlooking the sea. All are spacious and have smart, contemporary interiors: pastel-coloured walls, wicker rugs and lamps, wooden chests and little stools with crooked legs. Every room has a private terrace and most have sea views.

If you’re bringing the children, there are three categories of Family Suite - each sleeps four people and has a kitchenette for whipping up quick meals. The Junior Suites and Suites can also accommodate children on their sofabeds.

The newer Exclusive rooms are ideal for couples (and only available for families to book during the school summer holidays). They are set further up the hill away from the main reception area and have their own private swimming pool and bar to share. Note that it’s a bit of a climb up to these rooms - lots of steps!

Bathrooms come with rain showers and Apivita toiletries. Our Exclusive Family Suite also had an extra shower and toilet cleverly built into its hall area – very convenient if there are four of you.

Features include:

• Bathrobes
• Hairdryer
• Safe box
• WiFi

Eating

Breakfast takes place in the lobby and conservatory overlooking the gardens, pool and sea. The help-yourself spread has an array of fruit, creamy Greek yoghurt, local honey, fresh pastries, breads, cooked options, and tea and Nespresso coffee.

For other meals, the poolside bar offers light bites during the day, as well as fresh juices, smoothies and cocktails. You’ll need to head out for dinner in the evenings; most people simply stroll down to the tavernas at the back of Avlaki beach (100 metres from the hotel). We chose a seafront table at Kavo Barbaro and tucked into the most delicious seafood spaghetti with juicy prawns, mussels and clams, washed down with a glass of local white wine.

Further afield, the nearby town of Kassiopi has lots of great restaurants: Old School and Trilogia are highly recommended for modern Greek fare, while Tavernaki is loved for its gorgeous setting overlooking the harbour.

Features include:

• Bar
• Lunch by arrangement
• Restaurant
• Restaurants nearby

Activities

• Charter a boat and explore Corfu's northern coast - there are lots of hidden coves and snorkelling spots
  
• Drive over to Corfu's west coast to spend the day on sandy beaches - great for kids
  
• Visit Albania - private day tours can be arranged via the hotel
  
• Drive to Old Perithia, where locals use to hide from pirates in the 16th Century. The area is great for walking - especially in spring when the wildflowers are in full bloom
  
• Explore the island’s capital, Corfu Town, with its cobbled streets and Venetian, French and English architecture. You can catch a boat directly to the town from Avlaki beach
  
• On a hot day, go for a stroll around Mon Repos Estate, where Prince Philip was born
  
• Try your hand at paddleboarding, kayaking or windsurfing

Activities on site or nearby include:

• Cycling
• Table tennis

Kids

Kids will love Bella Mare. There's loads of space and Family Suites that sleep four people. During school summer holidays there's a fun weekly activity schedule. On arrival kids (5-11yrs) receive a drawstring bag with goodies. Children get to do a range of complimentary activities including pool games, mocktail making, t-shirt design, scavenger hunts, table football, and movie nights. Nearby, there are lots of sandy beaches to be explored, old villages to walk around and plenty of boat trips.

Best for:

All ages

Family friendly accommodation:

There are Family Suites in each of the hotel's three buildings, which come with kitchenettes and can sleep four. The Exclusive Family Suites also have an extra toilet and shower. Junior Suites and Suites have sofabeds that can sleep children.

Distances:

• Shops: 5 minutes by car or 25-minute walk
• Hospital: 60 minutes by car
• Airport: 60 minutes by car

For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection

Location

Bella Mare Hotel is located on Avlaki Beach, in the north of Corfu.

By Air:
You can fly direct to Corfu (35km).

By Car:
The journey from the airport takes approximately one hour. Taxis are available, but you'll probably want to hire a car to make the most of the island - see our car rental recommendations.

By Sea:
Car ferries from the mainland arrive at Corfu Town. They run all year round (weather permitting), more frequently between May and September. From Igoumenitsa (six-hour drive north from Athens) ferries run almost hourly, with the journey time taking up to two hours. In high season, there is also a twice-daily hydrofoil express which takes 30 minutes. From Patras (three-hour drive from Athens) there are several weekly ferries, each taking seven hours to arrive in Corfu.

Detailed directions are provided when your booking is confirmed through i-escape.