Grecotel Eva Palace Hotel Resort Review in Corfu, Greece
/This post contains affiliate links, which means that at no additional cost to you if you click on one of the product links, we may earn a commission.
If you’re looking for a resort that has everything you could possibly desire all conveniently located in one place where you can simply unwind and relax, then the Grecotel Eva Palace is the perfect choice for you. This beautiful resort is situated about 13 km (8 miles) from Corfu International Airport or 12 km (7.5 miles) from Old Town Corfu, making it an easy 20-minute drive from both locations. I personally took an Uber from Old Town Corfu to the resort, and the fare was approximately 40 Euros.
My initial plan was to stay at my Airbnb rental in Old Town Corfu, but since my friends had opted for accommodations at Grecotel Eva Palace, I decided to join them there for a couple of days as well. Although it turned out to be significantly more expensive than my accommodation in Old Town, I reasoned that resorts like this often provide a wide array of amenities, and thus, the higher cost is understandable.
FIRST IMPRESSION
As my Uber driver was approaching the impressive resort, he paused for a moment, allowing me to take in the breathtaking views of the Ionian Sea that stretched out before me. I was genuinely stunned by the beautiful scenery and felt an overwhelming excitement about staying at this luxurious resort.
When I finally arrived at the resort, I noticed that it seemed a little chaotic with many guests checking in at the same time, but I was tended to in a timely manner. One of the staff members took my luggage while another kindly directed me to the inviting lounge area, where I was handed an iPad to fill out my information.
I handed them my passport and credit card, and they made their way back to the front desk to take care of the necessary procedures. While I was filling out my personal information on the registration form, I was pleasantly surprised to be presented with a lovely tray of small snacks, along with a couple of refreshing drinks that added to the experience.
Since I had arrived around 11:30 AM, and knowing that check-in time was not until 3 PM, I understood that my room was unfortunately not yet available. The staff kindly informed me that they would give me a call as soon as my room was ready for occupancy and also mentioned that I could leave my luggage with them for safekeeping.
However, I felt a little uncomfortable leaving my luggage in their possession, as they simply placed it out in the open in the lobby area alongside the belongings of other guests. I had a security lock on one of my suitcases, but I still did not like the fact that they did not store the luggage in proper and secure storage.
Anyone walking by can easily take the suitcase without anyone noticing. I understand that Corfu is generally very safe, with locals you can trust and rely on, but I don’t really trust the guests visiting from other countries who might not share the same values. In the end, my luggage was safe and placed in my room when I returned.
ROOM
My room was conveniently located just outside of the main hotel, nestled within a charming bungalow that I thought was absolutely adorable. Although I did not specifically book a room with a view, the view from my room was somewhat obstructed by a few trees.
Despite this, it still offered a pleasant and serene setting, complete with a lovely balcony where I could enjoy my morning coffee. The room I chose was specifically named “Double Guestroom Landscape View,” which hinted at the peaceful surroundings I was looking forward to experiencing.
I had a lovely welcome gift of champagne and baklava waiting for me, which was a very nice touch to start my stay. However, I did not drink the champagne nor eat the baklava, as I unfortunately don’t really care for either option.
It would have been more enjoyable for me if there had been a bottle of red wine accompanied by a selection of fresh fruits instead. Additionally, there were a couple of large bottles of complimentary water in the fridge, which was greatly appreciated.
The room itself was incredibly spacious, providing ample closet space for my belongings. The closet doors doubled as full-length mirrors. Inside the closet, I discovered about ten hangers along with a batch of fragrant lavender, which helped keep the closet smelling fresh. There was also a digital safe for securing valuables, plush robes, cozy slippers, a handy sewing kit, a shoe care kit, and a laundry bag.
Across from the closet was the bathroom. The bathroom was also quite spacious, featuring two sinks that provided ample room for my belongings. The shower and bathtub combination was nice, but I encountered some trouble using the shower head. Unfortunately, it did not securely fit within the handle that was designed to be positioned above my head.
Instead, it only fit within the lower handle that was situated below my knees, forcing me to constantly hold the shower head while showering, which became quite annoying. I’m guessing they had to replace the shower head at some point and did not accurately calculate the right fit for the upper handle.
However, putting this inconvenience aside, the shower itself had excellent temperature control and pressure, and there were plenty of bath towels readily available.
The king size bed was exceptionally comfortable, and as a result, I slept remarkably well both nights during my stay. On either side of the bed, there was a nightstand equipped with a lamp. However, I encountered a bit of a challenge since there were no available outlets conveniently located by the bed.
This meant that I had to unplug the lamp on one side to charge my phone beside my bed. This task proved to be a struggle in itself, as the outlet was situated right behind the bed, necessitating that I move the bed to reach it.
Overall, the room seemed to lack sufficient outlets. In fact, there was only one outlet I could utilize, which was positioned in an odd location that required me to place my devices on the floor while they charged.
In front of the bed, there was a luggage rack placed alongside a long table that featured a Nespresso machine, and a hot pot that came with a selection of various teas. Adjacent to the bed and situated near the sliding door leading to the balcony was a cozy sitting area furnished with two comfortable chairs and a small table.
While all the furniture in the room functioned perfectly well, I couldn't help but notice that the overall style felt quite old-fashioned. Personally, I would have appreciated a more contemporary design that aligned better with modern aesthetics.
RESORT FACILITIES AND AMENITIES
There are several restaurants and bars located on the property, providing guests with a variety of dining options. The complimentary breakfast buffet at the Mediterraneo was excellent and offered a wide selection of tasty items; however, if you do not arrive early when breakfast starts at 7:30 AM, you will likely find yourself waiting in a long line and struggling to find a table to accommodate your group.
I had the opportunity to enjoy dinner with my friends at Steak n Sushi, and while the food was good, the service left much to be desired. We ended up waiting for our meals for over an hour, which is simply unacceptable. This was especially challenging since my friend had her baby with her, who had been a very patient baby until the wait began to stretch longer.
Unfortunately, the waiter never came to our table to update us on the status of our order or offer us anything else in the meantime to ease the situation. Ultimately, after my friend expressed our frustrations about the service to the general manager, he kindly comped our meal, which was a nice gesture in light of the circumstances.
The resort features an array of fitness activities in addition to a gym, a spa, and music entertainment options. Guests can also take part in a variety of additional activities such as chess, boccia, darts, and ping pong, ensuring there is something for everyone to enjoy.
One afternoon, we took the opportunity to unwind by the gorgeous pool on site, finding it to be both very lovely and inviting. There were plenty of comfortable lounge chairs available, and since the area was not crowded at all, it created a truly relaxing atmosphere.
Additionally, there is a bar conveniently located next to the pool, allowing guests to enjoy refreshing drinks while soaking up the sun and enjoying the serene surroundings.
In addition to the pool, there is a private beach area that provides a bit of seclusion. It’s a small space, but fortunately, there weren’t that many people present during our visit, allowing for plenty of room for you to enjoy the beach. Additionally, there is a nice bar with a comfortable seating area nearby where you can unwind and refresh.
Furthermore, there is a complimentary shuttle service that goes to Old Town for your convenience, but it’s important to note that you must make a reservation in advance. I highly recommend taking advantage of the shuttle bus if you are planning to visit Old Town, as parking is very limited and can be quite challenging to find.
There is free WiFi available on the property, but unfortunately, it barely worked during my stay. I decided to call the front desk to report the ongoing problem, and they assured me that they would look into it, but, regrettably, nothing ever seemed to happen.
They provided a WhatsApp number to contact in case you needed anything, and I tried using it a couple of times; however, the response time was ridiculously late or, in some instances, completely non-existent. You’re much better off either calling the front desk directly or visiting the front desk in person for any assistance you might need.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Even though there were some nice aspects of the resort, I honestly don’t think I would stay here again in the future. In my opinion, the overall cost is simply too high for what I would consider an average resort experience. They really need to take the time to upgrade some key areas and significantly improve their customer service in order to provide a better experience for guests.
The thing I enjoyed most during my stay was definitely the pool area and the breakfast buffet, especially if you manage to arrive early to enjoy it. With that being said, I noticed there were many guests who chose to stay here, which suggests that it seems to be quite popular among travelers.
Therefore, I might have had a different experience than several others who visited. There were a lot of families and couples enjoying their time, so it may be more geared towards those types of guests rather than a single female traveler like myself.
PROS
Beautiful resort with gorgeous views.
Spacious rooms.
Each room is unique; some bungalow style like I stayed in; some have private pools.
Private beach with bar service.
Stunning pool with bar service and not too crowded.
Free shuttle to Old Town.
CONS
WiFi is terrible.
Service was confusing - the staff were all polite and nice but we would often get the wrong information.
Too many people - breakfast was very crowded and people were literally fighting over tables.
Expensive for what you get.
Far from everything; you will either need to rent a car or take an Uber/taxi everywhere.
No free shuttle to the airport which costs about 40–60 Euros.
My room’s shower head did not lock in place at head level so I had to always hold the shower head or leave it beneath my knees. The water did not drain well either.