MarBella Corfu, part of the MarBella Collection, is one of the best known five star resorts on Corfu’s lush southeast coast. Built into a hillside above the Ionian Sea, it blends big-resort energy with polished service, all inclusive ease, and a strong family focus. Recent refurbishments and a reimagined dining program keep it competitive with newer luxury all inclusive properties in Greece.
Location & Setting
MarBella Corfu sits at Agios Ioannis Peristeron on the island’s quieter southeast coastline, around a 30 minute drive from Corfu Town and the airport. The hotel is built dramatically into a steep hillside, which means wide sea views from many vantage points and a real sense of seclusion compared with resorts closer to town. There is a main coastal road between the hotel and the shore, but guests reach the beach through a private tunnel so the traffic does not intrude too much on the experience.
The immediate area around the property is low key, with a few hotels and tavernas scattered along the coast rather than a dense resort strip. If you want nightlife, shopping, or a choice of independent restaurants within a short walk, this is not the best fit. If you prefer to stay mostly on property and escape the bustle of busier beach towns, the setting is a strong plus. Access to hiking and cycling trails behind the resort provides an added layer of appeal to outdoorsy guests who want more than pool and beach time.
Because of the hillside construction, getting around includes plenty of stairs, sloping paths, and elevators. That layout rewards guests with layered gardens, elevated terraces, and constantly changing sea views. It does, however, make the resort less ideal for travelers with mobility challenges or families with very small children in strollers who do not want to rely on lifts and shuttles. Guests who know they struggle with inclines should request rooms near the central facilities.
Overall, the location is best for holidaymakers seeking a self contained environment with easy airport access, strong sea views, and a quieter stretch of coast rather than those looking to be in the heart of the island’s dining and nightlife scene.
Design, Atmosphere & Service
Originally built in the 1960s, MarBella Corfu has been repeatedly renovated, and it shows. Public spaces today lean contemporary Mediterranean rather than grand old resort, with pale stone, plenty of white, and pops of sea blue and greenery. The towering main building steps down the hillside into terraced gardens and pools, while newer bungalow style blocks provide lower rise accommodation closer to the water. The overall effect is of a large, grown up beach resort that has been consciously updated for modern expectations.
The resort’s atmosphere balances family friendly energy with touches of sophistication. In high season, the presence of children is unmistakable, especially around the water park, kids’ pool, and main buffet at peak times. Adults seeking quiet can find calmer corners at the infinity pool and on the higher sun terraces, but this is not an adults only hideaway. Evening entertainment includes live music and themed nights, reinforcing the classic resort feel rather than a minimalist luxury hotel vibe.
Service consistently earns high marks from recent guests, particularly for friendliness and willingness to help. Pool and beach attendants, kids’ club staff, and restaurant teams are frequently singled out in reviews for being warm and attentive without feeling overbearing. As in most large properties, there are occasional reports of slower service during peak hours or minor lapses, but the overall pattern is of a well run resort with experienced staff used to handling families and repeat visitors.
The resort’s scale can feel a bit impersonal at first. New arrivals are given a map to help them navigate the multiple pools, restaurants, and accommodation wings, and it can take a day or two to orient yourself. Travelers who like the intimacy of a small boutique hotel may find MarBella Corfu somewhat sprawling, while those who want choice and facilities tend to appreciate its size.
Rooms & Suites
MarBella Corfu offers several hundred rooms and suites spread across the main building and bungalow style annexes. A major update added newly redesigned and extended bungalow rooms and suites, including new categories with private pools and private gardens that specifically target families or small groups who want extra space and privacy. Even at the entry level, all rooms include a balcony or terrace, air conditioning, flatscreen TV, tea and coffee facilities, and Wi Fi, aligning with five star expectations.
Design wise, rooms are more practical than iconic. The look is clean and contemporary with light wood, neutral fabrics, and restrained splashes of color rather than a bold design statement. Guests commonly describe the décor as simple and inoffensive, with everything needed for a comfortable stay but few details that feel ultra luxurious. Where the rooms shine is in functionality: plenty of storage, blackout curtains, and layouts that work for both couples and families.
View choice matters here. Garden view rooms appeal to budget conscious travelers, but the premium for sea view is money well spent if vistas are important to you. The resort’s stepped layout means many sea facing rooms enjoy broad panoramas across the Ionian, particularly those in upper floors and the newer suites. Superior family rooms bring more space and a sensible division of sleeping areas, while superior junior suites can add extras like whirlpool baths and larger balconies with loungers.
Some older reviews mention open plan bathrooms with partial or limited separation from the sleeping area in specific categories, which can be a quirk depending on your privacy comfort level. More recent refurbishments have reduced these layouts, but if bathroom privacy is non negotiable it is worth confirming the exact configuration of your booked room type in advance. Overall, rooms at MarBella Corfu are comfortable and well maintained, with the newer bungalow suites and private pool options providing the clearest sense of upgrade and indulgence.
Dining, Drinks & All Inclusive Value
Food and drink are central to the MarBella Corfu experience. The resort offers a Premium All Inclusive program that has been broadened in recent seasons and integrated into the wider MarBella Collection Dine Around concept. Guests on this plan enjoy all day dining from early breakfast through late evening, including buffet meals, à la carte dinners, snacks around the pools and water park, branded spirits and cocktails, and a weekly restocked minibar, which helps keep budgeting straightforward.
The main buffet venue, traditionally La Terrazza, covers breakfast, lunch, and dinner with a mix of Greek, Mediterranean, and international dishes, plus vegetarian, vegan, and gluten free options. Live cooking stations and themed evenings add variety over a week long stay. As with most large buffets, the experience hinges on timing and expectations: many guests praise the breadth and freshness of the selection, while some find it repetitive over longer stays or note crowding at peak times. Families often value the convenience and flexibility more than pure gastronomic excitement.
Where the resort distinguishes itself is in its à la carte offerings. Recent updates have consolidated and upgraded restaurants, introducing Kuzina for Italian accented Mediterranean cuisine, a reimagined Deck Bar & Grill that emphasizes seafood in a waterfront setting, and a dedicated Pan Asian option at Kum Kuat. Premium All Inclusive guests can dine without extra charge at à la carte venues several times per week, and the wider Dine Around program allows them to eat at sister properties’ participating restaurants with a set allowance when space permits. This creates a more varied culinary landscape than many traditional all inclusive resorts.
There are also numerous bars, from the central lounge to poolside, beach, and water park spots. Branded drinks, an extended cocktail list, and decent Greek and international wines are included in the upper tier packages. Service at the bars is generally efficient, with particular praise for beach and pool staff. For travelers who value convenience, choice, and not worrying about the final bill, MarBella Corfu’s dining and drinks proposition is a significant strength. Very food focused travelers seeking destination fine dining, however, may still view the experience as a good resort standard rather than a true culinary revelation.
Pools, Beach & Anemelia Aqua Park
One of MarBella Corfu’s headline features is its range of aquatic options. The resort has multiple pools, including a large main pool, quieter adults oriented pools, children’s pools, and access to a private, organized beach reached via a tunnel. The mix of freshwater and seawater pools provides variety, and tiered sun terraces deliver sweeping sea views that make lazing by the water particularly appealing on clear days.
The Anemelia Aqua Park has become a major draw for families. Promoted as the first water park with slides attached to a five star hotel on Corfu, it features several slides and water play structures that keep children entertained for hours. Having a proper water park on site rather than needing to travel elsewhere on the island is a significant advantage for parents who do not want to spend their holiday in transit. For kids and teens, this facility often becomes the centerpiece of the stay.
Down at the beach, guests find a sand and pebble shoreline lined with complimentary loungers and umbrellas reserved for the hotel. Water sports such as kayaking, stand up paddleboarding, and windsurfing are available, with some non motorized options included in upper tier all inclusive packages. The water is typically calm and clear on this side of the island, making it well suited for families with children who want to swim or wade under parental supervision.
One recurring critique at busy times is the competition for sun loungers around the main pools. Like at many popular Mediterranean resorts, some guests reserve chairs early in the morning, which can frustrate late risers. The resort has tried to manage this with signage and policies, but anyone visiting in peak school holiday periods should expect a bit of jockeying for prime poolside spots. Those who value peace and quiet over splashy fun may gravitate to the less central pools or prioritize beach time over the main deck.
Families, Kids’ Facilities & Activities
MarBella Corfu is very much designed with families in mind. Beyond the water park and children’s pools, the resort offers a structured kids’ club program, a creche and nursery for babies and toddlers at an extra charge, and an expanded roster of supervised activities for different age groups. Recent seasons have seen particular attention given to teen programming, with more flexible, interest led sessions that young guests can join on their own terms rather than rigid schedules.
Inside the kids’ clubs, children can expect a mix of creative arts, games, and educational activities, with options such as pottery or simple robotics classes adding a novelty factor. Outdoors, sports facilities include tennis courts, table tennis, and organized games on the property’s lawns and terraces. For active families, the chance to combine water park time with more traditional resort pursuits is a major plus, and many parents report that children are happily occupied for large parts of the day.
The all inclusive structure further supports family travel by simplifying decision making. Knowing that snacks, drinks, and most activities are already covered removes friction and reduces time spent discussing costs. Parents frequently mention staff warmth toward children as a standout, with many kids on a first name basis with kids’ club and activity leaders by the end of the week. This kind of soft factor is difficult to advertise but often critical in determining whether a family returns.
That family focus, however, does define the resort’s character. Couples traveling without children who are sensitive to noise, especially around pools and main dining areas, may find the high season environment livelier than they want. The property does offer quieter zones and can work for adults, but those seeking a romantic, hushed ambience might be better served at the collection’s adults oriented sister property or another adults only hotel elsewhere on Corfu.
Wellness, Sports & Extras
While the main draw at MarBella Corfu is sun, sea, and family fun, the resort offers a reasonable set of wellness and activity options for those who want to stay active or indulge in some spa time. The spa complex includes treatment rooms, a sauna, and steam room, plus a menu of massages and body therapies. For a resort of this size, the spa is on the smaller side and can feel booked up in peak weeks, so making advance reservations is wise if treatments are a priority.
A fitness room with modern cardio and strength equipment allows guests to maintain their workout routines. Regular yoga sessions are offered, sometimes including aerial yoga using hammocks, which gives active travelers a chance to balance out resort indulgence with mindful movement. Outdoors, guests can take advantage of hiking paths that lead into the hills and nearby villages, as well as organized activities like guided walks, stretching classes, or aqua aerobics depending on the day’s program.
On the practical side, the resort provides conveniences such as a mini market, gift and jewelry shops, an on call doctor, and concierge services accessible via a digital platform. This e concierge system allows guests to manage restaurant bookings, activity reservations, and certain service requests from their phones, reducing the need to queue at the front desk. For a large property, this kind of digital layer helps smooth some of the operational friction.
Meeting and events space is available for small conferences or group gatherings, though MarBella Corfu is not primarily a business hotel. It works better for incentive trips, weddings that want a seaside setting with a small on site chapel, or multigenerational family celebrations than for formal, corporate meetings that require extensive dedicated facilities.
Pros, Cons & Who MarBella Corfu Is Best For
MarBella Corfu’s strengths center on its comprehensive resort offering, family friendly features, and hassle free all inclusive proposition. The hillside location grants broad sea views and a sense of escape while remaining conveniently close to the airport and Corfu Town for day trips. The combination of a private beach, multiple pools, and a full water park means there is always something to do without ever leaving the property, which is particularly valuable for week long holidays with children.
The Premium All Inclusive plan and Dine Around access to multiple à la carte restaurants across the MarBella properties add depth to the food and beverage experience. Guests can enjoy buffet convenience when it suits them while still sampling Italian, seafood focused, Greek, and Pan Asian menus in more intimate settings. The inclusion of branded spirits, cocktails, and a weekly restocked minibar enhances value for travelers who would otherwise spend heavily on drinks at a typical beachfront resort.
On the downside, the resort’s scale and topography will not suit everyone. Its size can feel overwhelming at first, wayfinding takes a little time, and the stepped layout with many stairways is less than ideal for anyone with mobility concerns. Poolside loungers can be competitive in high season, particularly around the main pools. The atmosphere is distinctly family oriented, especially during school holidays, which may not match the expectations of couples hoping for a tranquil, romantic hideaway.
MarBella Corfu is best for families and multigenerational groups who want an all inclusive base with strong facilities, plenty of activities, and friendly, reliable service. It also fits couples who appreciate a classic resort feel, do not mind sharing the space with many children, and value the ease of a polished all inclusive more than ultra boutique luxury or cutting edge design. Travelers focused on nightlife, exploring different local tavernas every night, or seeking an adults only ambience would likely be happier elsewhere on Corfu.
The Takeaway
MarBella Corfu delivers a modern, well run interpretation of the Mediterranean all inclusive resort, rooted in a dramatic hillside setting and supported by a now extensive collection wide dining program. Its combination of water park, private beach, family friendly activities, and a steadily refined food and beverage offering makes it one of the more compelling choices on Corfu for travelers who want to settle in and let the resort handle almost everything.
It is not the most exclusive or design forward property on the island, nor is it the right choice for nightlife seekers or those who bristle at the idea of a large, busy hotel. Yet for many families and couples who prioritize sunshine, sea views, a safe and engaging environment for children, and the predictability of an inclusive package, MarBella Corfu strikes a persuasive balance between quality and convenience.
If you are planning a Corfu holiday and your ideal day involves a leisurely breakfast overlooking the water, a few hours at the pool or water park, lunch by the beach, an afternoon paddleboard session, and a relaxed dinner without signing a bill, MarBella Corfu is likely to feel less like a compromise and more like exactly what you had in mind.
FAQ
Q1: Is MarBella Corfu truly all inclusive, or are there many hidden extras?
The Premium All Inclusive package at MarBella Corfu is broad, covering buffet meals, several à la carte dinners per week, snacks, most drinks including branded spirits and cocktails, and a weekly restocked minibar. Certain premium items, some spa services, select excursions, and childcare for babies and toddlers in the creche carry extra charges, but day to day dining and drinking are largely included.
Q2: How far is MarBella Corfu from Corfu Town and the airport?
The resort sits on the southeast coast at Agios Ioannis Peristeron, roughly a 30 minute drive from both Corfu International Airport and the historic center of Corfu Town, depending on traffic. Taxis and private transfers are easy to arrange, and some packages include transfers in the rate.
Q3: Is the resort suitable for guests with limited mobility?
Because MarBella Corfu is built on a steep hillside, there are many stairs, slopes, and level changes. Elevators and internal transportation help, and some areas are more accessible than others, but the property is inherently challenging for guests with significant mobility issues. Those with mild limitations should request rooms close to the main facilities and discuss specific needs with the hotel in advance.
Q4: How good is the beach compared with other parts of Corfu?
The hotel’s beach is a sand and pebble mix common on this coastline, with clear, generally calm water and plenty of loungers and umbrellas. It may not feel as dramatically sandy as some beaches on other Greek islands, but its organization, water quality, and convenient tunnel access from the resort make it very user friendly, especially for families.
Q5: Is MarBella Corfu a good choice for couples without children?
Couples who like a lively resort atmosphere, value the convenience of all inclusive dining, and do not mind sharing space with many families can enjoy MarBella Corfu, especially if they focus on quieter pool areas and sea view rooms. Those seeking a secluded, adults only feel or a very romantic, intimate environment might prefer a smaller boutique hotel or an adults only sister property on the island.
Q6: What is the dress code for restaurants in the evening?
Evening dress codes are smart casual in most restaurants. Guests are generally asked to avoid swimwear and beachwear at dinner, and long trousers or tailored shorts with collared shirts are typical for men in the à la carte venues. The main buffet tends to be more relaxed while still expecting neat attire.
Q7: Do I need to book restaurants and activities in advance?
For peak season stays, it is wise to reserve à la carte dinners and popular activities as early as possible, often soon after arrival or via the resort’s digital concierge platform. The most sought after time slots and venues can fill up quickly, particularly during school holidays when the hotel runs near capacity.
Q8: What types of rooms are best for families?
Superior family rooms and the newer bungalow suites with private gardens or pools work especially well for families, as they provide more space and better separation of sleeping areas. Many can accommodate additional beds or sofa beds for children, and ground floor or garden level options reduce the need for lifts when moving around with strollers.
Q9: Are there enough quiet spaces if the resort is full?
Even when occupancy is high, the resort’s layered terraces, multiple pools, and various bars and lounges create pockets of relative calm. Guests looking for quiet should avoid the main pool, kids’ areas, and buffet at peak hours and instead gravitate toward the less central pools, higher sun decks, or the beach in the early morning or late afternoon.
Q10: How does MarBella Corfu compare to newer luxury all inclusive resorts in Greece?
MarBella Corfu is not the most cutting edge or design driven all inclusive in Greece, but ongoing refurbishments, the water park, strong family programming, and an evolving dine around concept keep it competitive. It tends to offer very good value for the facilities and service level, especially for families, even if some newer resorts elsewhere in the country may deliver a sleeker aesthetic or more overtly high end feel.