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Inside the luxury resort on one of Greece’s most stunning islands – you’ll never want to leave

thescottishsun.co.uk 2024/10/5

I’M a huge fan of Greece and the Greek islands and try and visit at least once a year.

The weather, food, beaches, scenery, the culture and history all combine to make it my favourite holiday destination.

The stunning Angsana hotel overlooking the Ionian Sea
The stunning Angsana hotel overlooking the Ionian Sea
The views are incredible
The views are incredible

But incredibly, despite that, it had been over 20 years since my last visit to Corfu, so this year I decided to put that right.

I was keen to see the changes in that time and to revisit the stunning old town and the magnificent Spianda which dominates the heart of the city and enjoy the bars and restaurants around the harbour.

But I didn’t do any of that!

Why? Because I was staying at the magnificent 5 *Angsana Corfu Resort & Spa in the hills overlooking the small fishing village of Benitses and it’s the kind of place you Never. Ever. Want. To. Leave.

There is five-star luxury and then there’s Angsana luxury, where from the moment you arrive in reception you know you are in for the holiday of a lifetime.

Having arrived much later than I intended (thanks Ryanair) my feelings of tiredness and annoyance vanished the moment I opened the door to my luxurious suite on the fourth floor.

Huge living room and dining area, stunning large bedroom and massive bathroom/shower with a free-standing bath certainly hit the spot.

The living room in Kevin's suite offered spectacular views
The living room in Kevin's suite offered spectacular views
Stunning junior suite at Angsana  also have incredible Ionian sea views
Stunning junior suite at Angsana also have incredible Ionian sea views
The balcony with views of the island and sea
The balcony with views of the island and sea

Next morning I drew back the curtains to reveal a huge double balcony with giant sunbed and superb views of the turquoise Ioanian Sea and the resort’s stunning infinity pool and sunbathing area . . . and a big yellow thing in the sky which I hadn’t seen for a few months!

First port of call was Ruen Romsai the hotel’s sprawling breakfast only restaurant. It promised a breakfast experience like no other and it certainly lived up to that.

The Ruen Romsai has the breakfast of kings with views to match
The Ruen Romsai has the breakfast of kings with views to match
Incredible infinity pool
Incredible infinity pool
The hotel's private beach has loungers and cabanas for relaxing by the sea
The hotel's private beach has loungers and cabanas for relaxing by the sea

Every taste was is catered for — cereals, yogurts, fresh fruit, meats, cheeses, pastries, cakes, full cooked breakfast, your own hot breakfast cooked to order. An amazing selection and it’s open till 11am every morning if you fancy a lie in. Result.

The vibe at Angsana is all about relaxation and no more so than at the pool area which is breathtaking and the perfect place to chill out. Plenty of sun loungers, Bali beds and beds placed on a small jetty over the water to choose from

The infinity pool is spectacular, with the temperatures already nudging 30 degrees by 11am it’s the ideal place to cool down. The clever design gives the impression you are swimming all the way to the nearby ocean and it’s definitely a major highlight in a resort full of them.

Inside Corrie star Tina O'Brien's incredible family holiday to Corfu with husband Adam and her kids

As tough as it is tear yourself away from the amazing pool and sunbeds, Angsana has a secret weapon for those who want to sample some beach life.

The Emerald Beach Club is the resort’s private beach, reached via shuttle bus, and only available to guests, where the luxury beds and cabanas are just steps from the sea.

And there’s no need to worry about lunch or drinks, as there is a beach bar on site plus a food truck serving delicious seafood and other snacks.

Another area where Angsana excels is dining. While the breakfast is next level, the quality ramps up even higher with the options for lunch and dinner.

My go to was the incredible Asian restaurant Oribu, which offers a fantastic selection of dishes from Japan, Taiwan and Korea. The menu, including a separate sushi menu, was mouthwateringly fab.

I’d strongly recommend the prawn gyoza, tempura shrimp or the amazing crispy duck bao buns to start. The teriyaki salmon was my standout dish and the chocolate coconut mousse was so good I had it twice . . . but not on the same night!

The Asian restaurant Orbi has incredible views to drink in as you feast
The Asian restaurant Orbi has incredible views to drink in as you feast
Kevin loved the food at the Asian restaurant Orbi
Kevin loved the food at the Asian restaurant Orbi
Sofrito is another fabulous restaurant with stunning sea and pool views
Sofrito is another fabulous restaurant with stunning sea and pool views

The service and presentation would match any high end restaurant but the real clincher for Oribu is the idyllic setting. The stunning open plan design and tables complete with sea views make dining there an unforgettable experience.

Also definitely worth a visit is Sofrito, the resort’s award-winning Greek taverna-style restaurant which is open for lunch and dinner.

Dishes all use the best local ingredients and the fresh fish is out of this world. Definitely try a mouthwatering Greek meze with a selection of local Corfu dishes for dinner.

Again the setting is breathtaking, located above the huge infinity pool with more jaw-dropping scenic views.

Having two outstanding five-star restaurants on site means there is little incentive to leave Angsana and visit the many dining options Corfu has to offer.

GO: CORFU

GETTING/STAYING THERE: A week bed and breakfast at the 5* Angsana Corfu Hotel is from £1,643pp leaving Edinburgh on August 15. See tui.co.uk.
MORE INFO: For more on the hotel see angsana.com/greece/corfu and for info on visiting Corfu see visit.corfu.gr.

But there is another choice that falls into the must-visit category and that’s Emerald by Night, a unique dining experience on the sands of Angsana’s private beach which is available during the summer.

The accent is again on local produce with a stunning selection of small meze plates, all crafted by local chef Tasos whose passion for Corfu cuisine shines through in every dish.

There’s an extensive selection of cocktails and local wines to enjoy with your food, along with live music and Greek dancing some nights.

Angsana also has several great bars and lounges to enjoy a few cocktails or my own favourite the local Corfu craft pilsner.

Pick of the bunch is the massive Vertigo Sky Rooftop Bar, open during the summer. It has amazing views of the island, the sea and nearby mountains, with cool tunes to soundtrack your night.

The views are breathtaking
The views are breathtaking

The vibe is super chilled, the location just perfect and Vertigo also hosts live music events and movie nights.

The ultra cool Starboard Lounge is where you can enjoy a few drinks under the stars, with the bartenders mixing up a tempting choice of cocktails.

For those who want to pamper themselves after a night on the cocktails or a hard day at the pool, Angsana also has a world-class spa with the emphasis on Thai-style treatments and there’s plenty to choose from.

If you’re looking for a dream luxury break with EVERYTHING you need for the perfect holiday in an out of this world resort, look no further than Angsana Corfu.

A word of warning though, you probably won’t see much of the island but I guarantee you’ll have the trip of a lifetime.

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