GRECOTEL CORFU IMPERIAL CORFU, GREECE
IF YOUR IDEA OF A CHILLED-OUT HONEYMOON
involves a week or two of limited decision making, this could be the trip for you. The hotel is set on its own private peninsular on the north-east side of the island and dotted with secluded coves and neat sandy beaches – the perfect place to dock your private yacht, perhaps? Just a 25-minute transfer from the airport, Grecotel’s Dream Villas are made for honeymooners. These vast two-storey homes have uninterrupted views of the Ionian Sea and a terrace that gives you direct access to the waters at the bottom of your private garden.
There is also plenty of space to dine à deux outside – or in the large separate dining area within the villa. Most have their own private pool, too, which aren’t overlooked, so there can be no bikini body angst. You will be assigned your own ‘concierge’, so expect the customer service to be a cut above here. And that breakfast. Everything is beautifully presented or cooked to order in Mon Repos, the Mediterranean buffet restaurant, and as it’s your honeymoon, why not indulge in some free-flowing fizz with your pancakes and watermelon?
There are seven places to eat in the resort – our favourite is Yali, where you can sit on a deck that juts over the sea and gorge yourself on prawns, mussels, calamari and your pick of the catch-of-the-day from the Ionian or Mediterranean Sea (dine on salmon that’s been marinated in sea water for a salty kick to remember). You can also sip a cocktail in the lobby bar, or take it up a notch in Aristos, the largely seafood fine-dining eatery.
The hotel has also unveiled a steak and sushi restaurant to sit alongside its poolside grill. Yali turned out to be the venue for our most relaxing and memorable meal – or, rather, one of the three little coves that sit right next to it did. This is where you can have a private dinner, with personalised menus, toes-in-the-sand style, watching the sun set and dozens of paper lanterns twinkling in the moonlight, romance factor reassuringly high.
OUR KIND OF LUXE
Lying by the uncrowded huge main pool, not having to worry about a thing, as suntan lotion, ice-cold water and snacks magically appear, before you even realise you need them. GO Sovereign (sovereign.com) offers seven nights from £799 per person, full board. Includes flights and transfers
