A part of the Small Luxury Hotels, what MarBella Nido Suite Hotel & Villas may lack in size, it certainly makes up for in class.
Located just beside the larger-than-life MarBella Corfu, MarBella Nido Suite Hotel & Villas is an adult-only boutique that adds romance and elegance to any Greek holiday.
This intimate hillside hotel was inspired by a traditional ‘Corfiote’ or Greek Villa and is filled with inviting home touches that make it feel less like a hotel and more like the stylish holiday home of a beloved family friend. Check-in is done at the beautifully appointed Orangerie, complete with a flight of Corfu-themed welcome drinks – a great first impression and a precursor to the kind of attention to detail that would define our fantastic stay.
Like the name suggests, there isn’t a main building at MarBella Nido Suite Hotel & Villas. Instead the villas are scattered across the hill and guests are shuffled around in buggies that climb the zig-zagged cliffside. We stayed in the Junior Suite, which was beautifully designed, blending rich textiles with traditional patterned tiling, a large, free-standing bath and panoramic sea views for days. The Junior Suite was a glorious retreat and filled with an air of serenity. So much so, it was hard to leave.
Outside, we had a breathtaking veranda, complete with a private hot tub, that always stayed at just the right temperature. Two small bottles of Greek wines greeted us and the rosé was a delicious complement to a sunny afternoon spent on the veranda.
Aquavit, the hotel’s poolside restaurant, is also an excellent spot for lunch, with incredible views of the bay, while the Ala Carte restaurant offered some elevated classics that would impress even the most discerning connoisseur. As part of the hotel’s half-board or full-board package, both breakfast and dinner is served at the main buffet-style restaurant.
Don’t let the word ‘buffet’ fool you, because if there was ever such as a thing as ‘fine dining buffet’ it would surely be this. Here, guests can enjoy dinner by candlelight overlooking the sea below, while being tantalised by the culinary sensations available. Live mandolin music adds drama to breakfast, so you can enjoy your pancakes in a rarefied atmosphere unlike anything else on the Greek peninsula.
One of the advantages of staying in a boutique hotel over a larger property is the bespoke service. However, the team at Nido, led by General Manager Amarylise takes this up a notch – to astounding effect.
Amarylise knows every guest by name and often greets guests as they come for dinner. F&B Manager Achilles greets you with a smile (and a fistbump) whenever you visit the main restaurant, and the Head Chef will go above and beyond to cater to even the most exacting dietary requirements.
Heinz Troll photoshooting May 2018
Even going so far as to take this picky eater through all the buffet items that I could have and making specially made desserts that were dairy, egg and gluten-free (a challenge for any pastry chef at short notice).
With amazing, truly personal service like this, it is easy to see why MarBella Nido is part of small luxury hotels and a firm favourite of honeymooners looking to create magical moments in a destination that is simply a cut above the rest.