- Greece Holidays
- Agios Ioannis
- Nido Mar Bella Collection
HERITAGE LUXURY HOTEL IN CORFU, GREECE Beautifully nuzzled in to Corfu's south-east corner, adjacent to Marbella Corfu, amidst the fragrant gardens and the emerald Ionian Sea, Marbella Nido luxury hotel in Corfu island brilliantly combines traditional aesthetics with modern comforts to offer its guests the warmth and coziness of a nest, just like the name Nido suggests. The peace, intimacy and familiarity of a home away from home with high-end facilities and amenities that will lift your luxury Corfu holidays to new heights. Blending the charming old look with a modern feel always with respect to Corfu's heritage, this traditional suite hotel in Corfu is the perfect place to enjoy the sea, the sun and the open sky. Welcome to Marbella Nido, a Corfu adults-only suite hotel, where dreams come to life!
Due to the surrounding area and the number of steps around the hotel, it may not be suitable for those with mobility difficulties.
The Nido-Marbella is a quite exceptional adults only hotel. Staff are unfailingly courteous and helpful, nothing seemed too much trouble. Breakfasts are quite wonderful and will set you up for the day ahead. There is a super terrace for sun bathing and an infinity pool with gorgeous views across to mainland Greece and Albania. Drinks at the Aquavit pool bar are expensive (11 euro for 125ml white wine) but there’s a lovely little supermarket on the main road through a short tunnel not five minutes walk away where you can buy a chilled bottle of white wine for less than 11 euros to enjoy on your terrace. Jenny and Tollis will want to talk!
The Green Bus stops straight across the road from the Nido and costs only two euro twenty for the 45 minute ride into Corfu town, though you can take a rather more expensive speedboat if you prefer. Corfu town is a must. We went twice during our week at the Nido and enjoyed every minute wandering round its cobbled alleyways, multicoloured Venetian style houses, hidden courtyards and local shops. The town was buzzing. No for sale signs, derelict shop fronts, littered streets or balaclava clad shoplifters here! Personally I would give the fortress a miss (10 euros and a long queue for not very much) as there is easily enough to see and do in the town. For coffee lovers, Favela No 17 is a super coffee shop with outdoor tables in a quieter part of town.
There are three authentic Greek tavernas close to the Nido: Akrogiali taverna directly opposite, and Marbella and Koyuni tavernas, both through the short tunnel described above (don’t confuse the Marbella taverna with any of the restaurants in the nearby Marbella hotel). All serve delicious Greek food (chicken souvlaki and moussaka were exceptional, as was their fish of the day) while Koyuni taverna offers traditional Greek nights on Tuesdays and Saturdays (complete with plate smashing). Each taverna offered half litre carafes of house wine at a delightfully gluggable price of only eight euros. On our last night we splashed out on deliciously aromatic dry white Greek wine called Malagousia.
Some reviewers have wondered whether a 5 star hotel like the Nido should offer more entertainment, though we were quite delighted with their olive oil tasting on Saturdays, and their wine tastings on Tuesdays and Fridays. The Nido lays on a daily boat trip to a sleepy fishing village called Petteriti, which takes about an hour there and an hour back, and was a nice way to spend a lazy half day. All of these tastings and excursions are included in your stay, though there are other things to do eg day trip to Paxos, which you can book with reception if you are feeling adventurous.
Finally, if you are thinking of a stay at the Nido, apartments do matter. We had a junior suite (immaculately presented with a sunny terrace) though you could pay more for a private pool if desired. There are three tiers of apartments. Tier one is closest to the road and considerably noisier than tiers two and three because of this. If peace and tranquillity are what you are looking for then I would ask for a tier two or three apartment before you go.
Terraces are coloured yellow ochre or terracotta pink, with the latter feeling perhaps a little claustrophobic in what is essentially an enclosed space (we would go for yellow ochre). The views from these apartments, and of the sunrise in particular, are quite spectacular. All in all this was a fabulous holiday.
Today is our last day at NIDO after our 8th visit, and somehow it continues to feel every bit as special as the first. Our favourite room remains 311. It's wonderfully spacious, incredibly comfortable, and the views are simply stunning. Waking up to those uninterrupted sunrises never loses its magic. Both of us travel extensively for work, staying in hotels around the world, so we know just how difficult it is to create a place where you can genuinely switch off. NIDO manages it effortlessly. We stay on a bed and breakfast basis, which suits us perfectly. Breakfast is always a highlight, with plenty of choice and a beautiful setting overlooking the sea. In the evenings we enjoy exploring some of the excellent local restaurants. Akrogiali, just across the road, is always a favourite, as are the Mar-Bella taverna. If you're looking for something authentically Greek, Messonghi Village is only a short taxi ride away, or easily reached by bus, and Kostas Restaurant offers great food, a warm welcome and plenty of fun. We understand some reviewers' concerns about the beach, but honestly, once you're here, taking in the beautiful views and relaxed atmosphere, it really is lovely. The setting creates the perfect backdrop for a truly restorative holiday. What truly makes NIDO special, though, is the people. Amaryllis and her fabulous team once again looked after us exceptionally well. Their warmth, professionalism and genuine hospitality are a huge part of why we keep coming back. Eight visits in, and the highlights never fade: the spectacular sunrises, the breathtaking views, the peaceful atmosphere and that wonderful feeling of leaving everyday pressures behind. NIDO isn't just a hotel for us anymore. It's our happy place. As we reluctantly pack our bags on our last day, we're already looking forward to visit number nine!
Amaryllis, and the wonderful team, Vasil, Christina and so many others did it again - we had a super holiday! The hotel is impressively well run by a team who love working together ... and we felt so valued as guests.
The rooms in the hotel are spacious and comfortable with a good-sized balcony. We slept like babies. Everything is spotless and the member of our group who is often uncomfortable staying away from home was made to feel very comfortable - a first!
The food in the buffet was delicious. There was a large selection on offer with some special meal choices each evening too. I wish we had taken photos of some of the desserts as they were absolutely stunning - works of art - and they tasted as good as they looked. We tried and enjoyed quite a few of the special options for breakfast as well as the buffet.
Every member of the team from cleaning staff, Mikaela on the beach, kitchen staff, cooks, waiting staff played their part in making our stay care-free and very enjoyable. We got to know them on this stay and during previous stays and, from all of us, a heartfelt thank you for a wonderful stay!
This is a lovely small adult only hotel with fantastic views across to the sea to the mainland,no complaints about the rooms, service or the excellent staff. The breakfast buffet is also very good. but you need to be aware if you have mobility issues it may not be suitable. Built on a steep slope it can be a trek from reception to your room or to the pool and back. Having said that you can always call for an electric buggy service which again is very good. Some free activities are offered, wine tasting, Greek coffee and olive oil testing and sunset boat trip. A few evenings may have music in the background, it is very quiet overall in the evenings. It is situated next to a busy road , so when outside or by the pool road noise is always present. If you want to go the beach this road has to be crossed. For walking to other places it is not good, poor footpaths, which are not completed makes this difficult if not dangerous. There is one Taverna with is good within easy walking distance. The house white is very drinkable! Other tavernas can be walked to in 10 to 15 minutes but it’s not a pleasant walk by the road. If you want to go anywhere else you need to hire a car. The bus service to Corfu town is excellent and well worth using for a day trip, it drops you off in the town but you have to walk to the bus station for the journey home. This is the better of the three hotels, which you can visit by courtesy mini bus or golf buggy.
The perfect hotel to unwind and relax in. The hotel itself is designed to look and feel like a local village as it climbs the hillside and boy does it work - stunning. The facilities are excellent and there is an atmosphere of total relaxation, ably assisted by its adult only nature. There are a number of free activities you can choose from, including a wine tasting event (well worth trying as it introduces you to the world of Greek wine) and a boat trip out to a peninsular (1 hour there, 2 hours to enjoy yourself, and an hour back) which is well worth going on.
The food is superb and although we stuck to the excellent nightly buffet, you can try their on-site a la carte restaurant as well as those of their sister hotel next door (the Marbella) where if you are on 1/2 board you are given a €20 allowance per guest.
Finally, the staff cannot do enough for you. Every single one of them from the room cleaners, to the reception staff, to those who serve and cook for you in the restaurant, to the maitre de at the main restaurant, they are all stars. Friendly, attentive and have the time to chat, making it feel you are the most important person in the hotel.
First time in Corfu and when we return in the future, this will be the hotel we come back to.
Cannot recommend or praise Nido Mar-bella enough. Superb
