Mirror reporter Siobhan McNally headed to Corfu’s north-east coastline where she enjoyed 200-year-old olive trees, 60 acres of lush gardens, golden beaches with clear waters
I was singing a line from Duran Duran’s 1982 hit Rio as I jumped off the jetty and on to the white catamaran taking my party for sundowners off Corfu’s lush north-east coastline.
I looked more like a mackerel caught in a fishing net than a supermodel stretching out her tanned limbs on the mesh trampoline on our sunset sail.
But the glamorous setting of my holiday, which is on sale exclusively with British Airways Holidays, made me feel like Simon Le Bon’s girlfriend. The one before he became famous.
Everyone who steps into the ultra-chic world of Corfu’s all-inclusive five-star Ikos Odisia will feel like a model in a Vogue photoshoot, where staff waft around this hushed and discreet resort in Greek goddess-style robes. Couples as well as families will love it here as even the children play quietly. And if they don’t, well, they can always be stored in the complimentary children’s clubs.
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One of seven in the luxe Ikos portfolio, Odisia only opened last year. Some early reviews mentioned slow service, but I couldn’t move for staff servicing my room and refilling the mini bar. And I had to remind myself it was all free – rather than having to take out a mortgage for a KitKat Chunky.
Ancient, gnarled 200-year-old olive trees grow among the simple, clean lines of low rise luxury villas built sympathetically in 60 acres of lush gardens on the secluded Dassia Bay. The hotel’s sleek decor provides a neutral backdrop for the azure blue of the Ionian Sea, while outside, a fleet of gardeners tend to fields of purple verbena.
The scale of the resort means everything has to be reached by golf buggy, but the nicest villas with a sea view are yards from the beach. The soft golden sand is lapped by warm, shallow water, and there are rows of comfy sun loungers to sink in, and staff attending to your every whim. If you do stagger to the water’s edge, Albania’s so close, you can practically wave to its people.
The local vino at most all-inclusives can be sprinkled on your chips, but Odisia has a cellar of 300 wines to match the Michelin-star inspired a la carte menus served in the resort’s five fine-dining restaurants. Overlooking the bay, Greek restaurant Elia is the snazziest and has the best views. I loved the Spanish restaurant Oliva’s very authentic tapas, and Italian Fresco is a top breakfast spot if you like your eggs with a sea view.
I could have dined on pork gyros, chips and Mythos beer at the beachside Sea Grill every day. But if you run out of restaurants, Odisia will arrange a Dine Out experience.
Even the watersports are on the quiet side – pedalos, canoes and stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) plus wind-surfing and scuba starter lessons. I wobbled across the bay on a SUP which constituted my exercise for the entire stay. But there are also tennis courts, football, gym, and all the usual exercise classes.
I kept meaning to do yoga but never found time between meals to digest long enough to attempt a downward dog. The beautiful wellness spa with infinity pool is also free to guests. I was treated to a very firm neck and shoulders massage, which was a bit unnecessary as I was already so relaxed.
Evening entertainment is low-key– don’t expect to do the hokey-cokey. Think soothing jazz sounds while you slip off your perch after too many margaritas. Author Gerald Durrell put Corfu on the map with books about his bonkers family, The Durrells. You can stay in one of the family’s houses, and there are Durrell-related tourist spots around the island.
However with one road into Corfu town and one road out, expect traffic jams when you leave Odisia. There’s a free shuttle bus into town, but unless you want rude Olympian-style fridge magnets, don’t expect a centre of historical excellence.
The kumquat is the national fruit of Corfu, despite it not being indigenous, due to the colonials’ obsession with planting things in this island’s tropical-like climate. It makes a delicious ice-cream flavour at Papagiorgis Gelateria in town, where I also bought kumquat liqueur rather than the Day-Glo orange versions being sold on the street.
You don’t come to Corfu for ancient Greek ruins, because there aren’t any really, but you do come to Ikos Odisia for unconditional luxury… without having to carry your wallet with you.*
*Terms and conditions apply – some activities cost extra unless you book deluxe, in which case you’re too rich to care.
Book the holiday
- British Airways Holidays offers seven nights on all-inclusive at the five-star Ikos Odisia hotel in Corfu from £1,379pp. For travel from Gatwick on selected dates in April with 23kg baggage, book by November 17.
