Kontokali Bay Resort & Spa

Founded in 1971, the resort has a fairly long history on Corfu, and is one of the most highly-rated, iconic, and best-known on the island. This Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice award-winning resort and spa has lots of repeat visitors, and lots to offer.

Five star Kontokali Bay Resort’s location is pretty unusual. About 10 km. up the coast from Corfu’s Old Town on the northernmost Ionian Island off Greece’s west coast, the resort is situated on a short, heavily wooded northern-pointing peninsula, and has a beach that is split into northern and southern halves, with picturesque Gouvia marina dividing them, making for a really nice view.

To the north, past the lush vegetation of the immediate area, the promontory of another peninsula a couple kilometers away slopes down to its headland, beyond which rise the mountains of Albania across the water. To the east rises the hills of mainland Greece 12km across the strait separating Corfu and the mainland. Due east about 1500m is the islet of Lazareto.

The marina dividing the two beaches provides lots of distractions as small boats come and go, and it is beautifully lit during the evening. The mature trees and the lush grass on the resort’s grounds and the surrounding area are unusual for normally arid Greek islands and add a great deal to its charm, and the beaches are perfection.

Founded in 1971, the resort has a fairly long history on Corfu, and is one of the most highly-rated, iconic, and best-known on the island. This Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice award-winning resort and spa has lots of repeat visitors, and lots to offer: there are 241 rooms, suites and bungalow to suit every taste and every budget. There are 2 restaurants, a beachfront infinity pool, an indoor heated pool, a kids’ pool, and a spa pool.

The Blue Flag beach is very well organized, with water sports on offer. There are 4 restaurants, 2 bars, and a world class spa and fitness center, and a whole range of sports activities and entertainment options.

Kontokali Bay gets lots of repeat visitors and has built up a long, faithful word of mouth clientele list. Guests praise the friendly and helpful staff, the beautiful and scenic environs, the great food, the clean rooms, and the wonderful beach.

Rooms

A wide range of accommodation options includes rooms in the main building, bungalows surrounded by the resort’s gardens, and luxurious suites. Earth tones predominate room décor, with lots of beige, off-white, brown curtains, wood and upholstered furniture, double or twin beds, sofas, bathroom with bathtub or shower and furnished private terrace or balcony with picturesque views of the lush gardens, or the sea, and the Corfu landscape.

Amenities include AC, bath or shower with complementary bathroom amenities, Bathrobes and slippers, cable and satellite TV, hairdryer, mini bar, music, smoking and non-smoking rooms, private furnished balcony or terrace, safe deposit box, and free WiFi.

Main Building Rooms

The Main Building hosts a wide range of comfortable rooms for couples and families, and can be found on different floors of the main building.

Double Rooms

There are five categories of double rooms in the main building, with slight variations in room sizes. All double rooms sleep up to 3 guests.

Garden View- Main Building. Rooms have a private balcony, or terrace, depending on the floor they’re on, and give you a nice view of the greenery of the surrounding area. They feature a double or twin bed, with a sofa bed for a third guest.

Garden View with Private Pool- Main Building. These rooms are on the ground floor, and come with a private terrace furnished with sun beds. The heavy vegetation give you a sense of complete privacy. There is a double bed and either a third single bed, or a sofa bed, for a third guest. Guests receive a complementary bottle of wine, and bottle of mineral water on arrival.

Bay View- Main Building. The Bay View rooms can be found on the 2^nd-5^th floors of the main building. They provide a nice vista of the Gouvia Marina, with the hills of the peninsula forming a pleasant, verdant backdrop. Furnished balcony is the ideal spot to watch the goings on at the Marina, and to enjoy the wonderful Corfiot sunsets.

Sea View- Main Building. Rooms are on the Main Building’s 3^rd-5^th floors. You get a nice view of the beach, the Ionian Sea, and the hills and mountains of mainland Greece in the distance. Twin or double beds, with a sofa bed for a third guest. Furnished balcony to sip your favorite beverage and watch the sun come up over the mainland.

Sea Front- Main Building. These 1^st floor (reception level), or ground floor rooms are oriented towards the beach and the Ionian Sea, providing you with some really nice views for being so low to the ground. Complementary bottle of water, and wine, on arrival.

Family Rooms

Here are the locations for Family rooms:

• Family Garden View-Main Building, 1^st floor.
• Family Garden View-Bungalow
• Family Bay View-Main Building, 4^th floor.
• Family Sea View- Bungalow

So the Family Garden View can be found either in the Main Building, or in a Bungalow, which provides a little more privacy. Both rooms face inward towards the grounds.

Family Bay View, with a view towards to Marina, is in the Main Building, whilst the Family Sea View, with its view of the Ionian, is in a more quiet and private Bungalow.

Family Rooms have their own bedrooms separated from the living room by a sliding door. The living room has 2 sofa beds. Rooms in bungalows equals more privacy. All family rooms sleep up to 4.

Bungalow Rooms

Bungalow rooms, in a separate annex building to the resort’s Main Building, offer a more tranquility and privacy. You’re out of the trafficked way of the Main Building and its environs. There are a number of room types for both families and couples. Comfy furniture with a distinctive minimalist earth tones decor work in perfect harmony with the natural exterior environment. Modern bathrooms have bathtub or shower, and finest-quality amenities.

Double Bungalow Rooms

Double Garden View Bungalow. Bungalow Rooms are on the 1st floor of bungalows, accessible via a path or staircase. Nice view of the immaculately manicured grounds, with the forested hills of Corfu in the distance. Furnishings include double bed, single bed, armchair, furnished balcony, amongst others.

Double Garden View Bungalow with Private Pool. This ground floor bungalow has a private terrace fronting the lawn and a very nice bonus: your own private pool. ground floor, terrace with private pool and sun loungers. There is a double bed and a single bed. Access to this bungalow room is via footpath.

Double Sea View Bungalow. These are either on the 1st or 2nd floor, accessible either by a path or staircase. View is of the beautiful Ionian, with the islet of Lazareto in the near distance, and the contours of mainland Greece in the further distance. Separate bedroom and living area separated by a door. Double bed in the bedroom, and single bed in the living area are the sleeping arrangements.

Double Sea Front Bungalow. Found on the ground and 1st floors, with beautiful views of the sea and the beach, bungalow room has an open floor plan, it’s the same size as the other bungalow rooms, but the person limit is only 2.

Suites

Luxurious suites in five categories, located on the top floors of the main building (3 categories), or at the seafront in the bungalows (2 categories). All suites have spacious indoor and outdoor areas with unique aesthetics, bedrooms with king-size beds, modern bathrooms with luxurious toiletries and amenities.

Deluxe Suite One Bedroom Sea View. Can be found on the 4th floor of the main building. This roomy suite boasts incomparable views of the Ionian Sea and the surrounding landscape. Has a separate bedroom and living area, with a king size bed in the bedroom and a sofa bed in the living area. 73m² (785 sq. ft.) Sleeps up to 3.

Executive Suite Two Bedroom, Sea View. Fourth floor, main building. Has two bedrooms and two bathrooms. Rooms are divided by sliding pocket doors. Up to 5 guests. This spacious suite has a master bedroom with a king size bed, a second bedroom with two twin beds, each with their own bathrooms. The view over the sea at this height is fantastic. 107m² (1,150 sq.ft). Sleeps up to 5.

Junior Suite Sea Front with Private Pool. Bungalow, ground floor. This made for two suite provides the perfect setting for honeymooning or romantic couples, with beautiful natural surroundings and a private pool. There’s the pool, there’s the lawn, and then, steps away, there’s the beach. Suite has every possible amenity you can think of. 36m² (387 sq. ft.)

Executive Suite One Bedroom, Sea Front with Private Pool. A bungalow suite, you get privacy, a private pool, a king size bed, separate bedroom with pocket door divider, a sofa bed, and walk-in closet. offers discreet luxury and privacy, in a privileged location, overlooking the sea and the beach. 64m² (690 sq. ft.). Sleeps up to 3.

Presidential Suite. On the top floor of the main building, offers This suite offers a spectacular 360-degree panoramic view of the entire peninsula, the sea, the Gouvia Marina, the Old Fortress of Corfu, and the Ionian coastline, amongst others. There’s a heated roof top private pool, tons of VIP amenities and features, like the two Jacuzzis, a wooden deck terrace with Kettal furniture, a hammam (Turkish bath), a small gym, and a complimentary Spa package. 97m² (1,043 sq. ft) Sleeps up to 4.

Food and Drink

Kontokali Resort has 4 restaurants and 2 bars.

The 4 restaurants are led by Chef d’hotel Kostas Zervas and Group Executive Chef Spiros Voulismas, who oversees Chef Zervas’ creative team. These two professionals and their team are responsible for menus items offered by the restaurants.

In addition, the Allegro Beach Bar and the Panorama lobby bar provide a respite for guests wishing to relax, imbibe, and people watch during the lazy afternoons.

Asterias Fine Dining is an a la carte restaurant sited with a great view of the Ionian. Dishes are Mediterranean in focus, prepared and plated with loving care by Chef d’hotel Kostas Zervas, Group Executive Chef Spiros Voulismas, and their team. Main dishes include Tsipoura (sea bream) with fresh beets, filet of Tuna, and fricassee of lamb.

Parea (Friends”) By the Sea is a seaside venue on a deck near the shore and also offers Mediterranean dishes, with special emphasis on Greek cuisine with a few international dishes, such as Black Angus Burger. Other items include grilled shrimp, baked mylokopi (a flaky, delicate Medierranean fish) with frsh veg, and gemista (stuffed peppers).

The object of the Marina Food Court is to recreate the atmosphere of a Greek taverna with its rustic décor and traditional menu items such as gyros, grilled fish and meat, and even pizza in their special Pizza Corner. The Marina Food Court can also be found at the seaside.

The Horizon is a smart-casual restaurant with a wide variety of beffet-style menu items which includes show cooking stations so you can see how what you are about to eat is prepared. Themed nights take you on a gastromic journey around the globe.

Bars

The Allegro is Kontokali’s beach bar and is just the place to relax and sip your favorite beverage either in your sun lounger, or at the bar itself as you contemplate the gently movement of the surf and the lazy conversations around you on sun-drenched summer days.

The Panorama Lobby Bar provides an ideal meeting point, or a place to watch the goings on at the resort. Live lounge music is on offer at the Panorama, making your visit there that much more pleasant. Sit back relax, converse, and enjoy a cocktail, beer, or coffee whilst soaking in the ambience at the Panorama.

Spa and Wellness

Kontokali Bay Resort & Spa has a focused approach to its Spa and wellness as its end goal. It hearkens back to the Hippocratic ideal of balance and harmony in three spheres of life: harmony within the individual, harmony in one’s social sphere, and harmony with one’s natural environment. The Spa’s signature treatments and therapies all aim for these goals, and succeed admirably. The liberal use of local herbs, plant extracts, essential oils and other pure ingredients give you a healthy, natural, balanced boost as the Spa’s trained therapists go to work on your specific needs after expert consultation. These treatments are critical for the removal of toxins from your system, for increasing the health and elasticity of your skin, and for giving your face a healthy glow.

After your treatment, take a dip in the spa’s indoor heated pool, and finish up with a pleasant session in the Jacuzzi to cap of your spa experience.

The Sunkissed Rebel prepares you for an even, long-lasting tan. The Cretan Flair, using local herbs, cleanse and detoxify and increase blood circulation. Noble Land mud mask introduce detoxifying trace minerals to renew your complexion. New Era is a treatment designed to drain the lymphatic system and remove that puffy look in your face. Prince Charming is a signature facial for men, while Cretan Massage uses olive oil as its base for a deeply penetrating full body massage. The Greek Heritage applies deep pressure techniques going back to the healers employed by athletes in the ancient Olympic Games. This is but a sample of treatments available to you as a guest at Kontokali Bay.

The Spa is also home to 2 saunas, a relaxation room, a heated treatment pool, and a gym equipped with all manner of free weights and exercise machines to tone you and keep you fit during your stay.

Activities

The Spa offers a whole range of activities for those who have a need to do more than laze around in the sun all day. Group activities including morning stretching, yoga, and aqua aerobics supervised by professional trainers. In addition there is hiking, various sports and water sports activities. Cultural events include syrtaki, a tradition Greek dance, and Greek cuisine events arranged by the resort’s chefs. Other activities include bicycle rental, horse riding, and various excursions and day trips arranged by the hotel concierge.

Other sports-related activities at the hotel and resort, and in the area, include tennis, table tennis, beach volleyball, bocce, and, a short drive from the resort, an 18-hole golf course.

Pools and Beaches

There are a lot of options for water-based recreation at Kontokali Bay. The main hotel pool, unusual for resorts, is sea water, allowing you to absorb all the healthy minerals that the Med provides. The indoor heated pool is fresh water, as is the childrens pool, which can be found in the Kids Village. There is also the Spa pool, available to adults, and to kids on bad weather days for a limited amount of time.

On the beach, water sports available include waterskiing, stand up paddle, banana rides, pedaloes, and scuba diving training.

Evening entertainment is a big part of life at Kontokali Bay. Various themed night live performances, folklore events, and piano music spice up your evenings.

Fun for Kids

Kontokali’s Mini Club is just the thing for youngsters. These supervised activities give your kids a chance to blow off steam, to make new friends, and to participate in a plethora of organized activities. The wading pool is a great place to play safely, as is the indoor playhouse. There are organized kids’ activities of all kinds on offer, such as weekly childrens’ shows which educate as well as entertain.

In the Area

Corfu is an island rich in history. There are all kinds of things to see and do here.

Just a bit south of Corfu Town is the Achilleon Palace, a 50-acre estate which now operates as a museum under the authority of the Greek National Tourism Organization. It’s rated as #2 on US News and World Report’s list of things to do in Corfu (the beaches were #1). The palace was built in 1890 for Elisabeth, Empress of Austria, known as Sissi. Sissi had been devastated by the suicide of her only son and needed a refuge. The grounds are full of sculptures inspired by Greek mythology, the Achilleon, named after Achilles, has many representations of the ancient hero, both in statuary and paintings. The palace itself is modeled after villas in Pompeii.

The Old City of Corfu is just a few minutes south of Kontokali Bay. It’s a listed UNESCO World Heritage site, and is full of narrow, twisty streets with a surprise around every corner. A highlight is the Old Fortress, built in the 14^th century during the island’s rule by Venice. Its heights offers tremendous views of the town and the surrounding area.

Aqualand is a large waterpark about 20km northwest of the resort. It has all kinds of slides, games, pools, and other activities. It also has 2 bars, some fast food restaurants, and an arcade. Parents praise the large number of slides.

The Corfu Donkey Rescue is a refuge for more than 500 donkeys, many of which are enjoying a labor-free retirement. You have the opportunity of taking one of them out for a donkey walk.

There are lots and lots of really nice beaches in Corfu, especially along the west coast. Probably the best of the lot is Palaiokastritsa Beach, easily reachable by local bus, which takes you through the silvery olive orchards and live oaks of the island. The water is crystal clear, the sand soft and brown, and the sunsets are spectacular. There are many more excellent beaches up and down both coasts, as well.

Palaiokastritsa Beach is named after the island’s most famous monastery, Palaiokastritsa, which, from its heights, give you the best views on Corfu. The monastery dates the 1200’s.

Pontikonisi (Mouse Island) is a picturesque islet about 2.5 km north of the resort, and is the most photographed site on Corfu. This pocket island has a small whitewashed Byzantine chapel built is the 11^th or 12^th century.

There are lots of other things to do and see on Corfu. There is the aforementioned golf course, plus a number of boat and bus island tours available.

Kontokali Bay is a great place to holiday, and Corfu a wonderful island to visit. It has a high number of British ex-pats, mostly due to the long stay here of poet Lawrence Durrell and his brother, naturalist Gerald, beginning in 1935 when their mother brought the family to Corfu, where they lived as expats until the outbreak of WWII. Their former home is just a few kilometers north of Kontokali Bay.

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