Why go?
Because you’re after a holiday where every member of the family, from toddlers to grandparents, feels right at home, yet you don’t compromise on style. Think sunlit terraces above the Ionian, the cheerful splash of the water park, a soft sea breeze and a cocktail waiting for you in exactly the right shade of coral.
Family style
Here’s the scene: your four-year-old squeals as they zoom down a slide, your sixteen-year-old drifts off on a kayak across calm water, you lean back on a lounger with a sundowner, and the grandparents glance at the sea from their shady terrace and share a sigh of contentment. This stay is for families who want fun with flair, who expect both laughter and quiet moments, who embrace the multi-generational holiday but want it done well.
Set the scene
You arrive via a gently winding road lined with pines and olive trees whispering in the coastal breeze. The resort tumbles down the hillside in soft terraces that shape pathways, gardens and a mosaic of pools and loungers, each layer offering a new glimpse of the sea. The first sight is of the upper lawns where children chase one another across the grass, while a father reads under an umbrella, and the light shifts through palm fronds onto the water. Further down, pale stone steps lead to an infinity pool where the surface seems to merge seamlessly with the horizon. The Anemelia Water Park announces itself lower still, its slides curling through greenery like ribbons of colour against blue sky.
Interiors are minimal yet warm, all pale wood, linen and gentle sea-blue accents. Breakfast hums with soft chatter; children skip ahead to the juice bar while grandparents sip strong coffee watching ferries glide by. By midday, parasols lean toward the water, loungers align neatly on teak decking, and a gentle soundtrack from the beach bar floats above the waves. The sea remains calm, inviting an afternoon swim or paddle. Come dusk, terrace lights flicker on, the air cools and you climb back through softly lit gardens, the scent of salt and olive wood drifting in from outside.
Ask for a room on the northwest side of the resort for golden-hour sunsets and fewer passers-by from the children’s zones. Arrive early afternoon if you can, just before the tide shifts, so you catch that first honeyed light on the pools before the evening crowd gathers.
The kit
Rooms are designed for easy family living. Interconnecting suites have double doors, full sofa beds for bigger kids and cots ready for little ones. Almost every balcony opens onto a sea or garden view where you can hear the faint splash of the pool below. High chairs, cots and bottle warmers are available on request, though it’s worth double-checking availability for infants under four. The water park is a triumph, with slides, splash zones and shaded benches for parents to supervise from a comfortable distance. For a more secluded experience, the bungalow suites with private pools and sea-view terraces are ideal.
The activities
Days at MarBella slip into a relaxed rhythm almost immediately. Children rise first, padding across cool tiles towards the balcony, drawn by the sound of water tumbling somewhere below. The Anemelia Water Park hums to life, slides swooshing through palms, laughter echoing up the hill. Parents linger at the edge with iced coffee, watching small figures dart through sunlight, sea spray catching in their hair.
The Grasshoppers Kids’ Club quickly becomes their second home. Run with Worldwide Kids, it hums with creativity and calm energy. Mornings might be spent painting seashells or moulding clay in pottery class, afternoons weaving through gardens on treasure hunts or learning to paddleboard along the shore. Younger children have quiet storytelling corners, dressing-up boxes and nature walks. Older ones gravitate to archery or the adventure course, or simply flop under the shade of an olive tree with new friends. The staff know their names by day two.
For families, there’s plenty to do together. The sea is gentle and clear, perfect for a morning of kayaking or a slow drift along the coastline on stand-up paddleboards. The hotel can arrange a sea taxi to Corfu Town, a soft-salted crossing that opens onto Venetian lanes, lemon gelato and shopfronts painted the colour of apricots. You return to MarBella by sunset, the light stretched long and golden across the water.
Evenings bring their own kind of magic. Children gather on the amphitheatre lawn for the resort’s party – a haze of music, balloons and foam that feels like midsummer in miniature. Parents watch from the terrace above, cocktail in hand, as laughter floats through the warm air. It’s here that MarBella finds its rhythm: children free to play, adults finally still, the island unfolding around them in perfect balance.
Rooms
The rooms strike a rare balance between practical and serene. Timber floors gleam under natural light, linen cushions soften corners, and terrace chairs look straight to the Ionian. The beds are generous with crisp sheets and layered pillows, while bathrooms are spacious, featuring rainfall showers and locally made soap bars. The children’s space is tucked neatly to one side, giving everyone breathing room. Two-bedroom bungalow suites offer a real sense of retreat, while the private pool suites are perfect for couples seeking a quieter corner. Ask for a west-facing room to enjoy the last light without early wake-up calls from sunrise.
Food and drink
Lunch at the newly reimagined Deck Bar & Grill unfolds in the most relaxed way, now styled as a breezy Greek taverna, where plates arrive slowly and conversation stretches long into the afternoon. A meze-style lunch menu leans into fresh, authentic flavours, think charred octopus with lemon, shrimp saganaki still bubbling in its sauce, and crisp salads shared over chilled white wine with the sea only metres away. In the evening, the mood shifts to a more refined à la carte offering, with comforting classics such as pork tenderloin prassoselino served against the same quietly spectacular seafront backdrop.
The buffet at La Terrazza is breezy and bright, serving a generous spread of Greek, Italian, and Mediterranean plates. Kuzina is the one to book for lunch: airy, family-friendly, and unfussy with just the right amount of shade, and for 2026 it introduces a new all-day Italian dining concept that feels perfectly suited to long holiday afternoons. Lighter lunches might begin with delicate carpaccio or seasonal salads, before evenings lean into the comforting rhythm of Italian classics such as ossobuco Milanese and saffron risotto.
Kum Kuat brings a pan Asian note with fragrant curries and handmade dumplings that pair surprisingly well with Corfiot rosé. Celeste offers a change of pace with refined French flavours and candlelit intimacy.
Children’s menus are thoughtfully handled, with real food rather than afterthoughts. Ask for an early sitting around 6:30pm if you have younger ones; it’s calmer, the service is swift and you can linger over dessert before bedtime routines call. For parents, order the grilled seabream and ask for it dressed simply with olive oil and sea salt – it captures the island in one bite.
The story
MarBella began as a family-run hotel and has evolved into a polished collection without losing its warmth. Its hillside architecture respects the slope rather than taming it, and there’s still a sense of heritage in the way the gardens are tended. Though the resort has grown, it never feels anonymous. The staff move quietly but attentively, resetting loungers and restocking juice bars before you’ve noticed. It’s this understated rhythm that gives the resort its grace.
Spa
Hidden just beyond the main courtyard, the spa is a calm retreat scented with citrus oils and quiet music. Therapies range from hydrating facials to deep-tissue massages using Apivita and Sothys products. Parents can book the signature “Mom & Hercules” or “Mom & Miss Mermaid” sessions – short, gentle massages that pair parent and child in side-by-side calm, all giggles and lavender oil. It’s a clever touch that turns spa time into shared time. Book early, ideally after kids’ club drop-off, when the resort feels hushed and you can float back to the pool in a daze of bliss.
Eco-friendly
You’ll notice thoughtful touches rather than slogans. Gardens are mature and well cared for, the beach deck avoids overcrowding, and menus nod to local sourcing. The resort holds a Blue Flag certification for its beach and supports local producers, although it could share more publicly about its environmental work. Still, the care feels real rather than performative.
Location
The resort perches above the Ionian on Corfu’s southeast coast, a half-hour drive from the airport. The hillside positioning means you’re always surrounded by views – turquoise sea, olive trees, distant hills. A private deck leads down to the beach where children paddle in calm shallows and older guests head for kayaks. The sea taxi into Corfu Town adds easy adventure, ferrying guests to Venetian squares and terracotta streets before returning for sunset drinks. The terrain is steep in places, so if travelling with a pushchair or grandparents, ask for a room near the main lifts or lobby level.
To book go to: marbella.gr
MarBella, part of Mar-Bella Collection, in Corfu can be booked with EasyJet Holidays. easyjet.com/en/holidays
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