This review covers our trip to Corfu and our stay at Messonghi Beach Hotel, based on our personal experiences and opinions. After a canceled trip in 2021, we were finally on our way to Corfu, Greece. The journey had its hurdles—long airport waits and a pre-flight panic attack from Sadie—but nothing could dampen our excitement. A smooth flight landed us at Corfu Airport, where we arranged a €110 private transfer to the hotel.
Our stay at Messonghi Beach Hotel
Accommodation
By the time we reached the resort at midnight, we were hungry but found no food available. The staff directed us to a takeaway service, and while we appreciated the option, the frozen pizza and microwave fries left much to be desired. The reception team kindly provided drink vouchers since the all-inclusive services ended at 11 p.m., which helped make up for the initial disappointment. The rooms were disappointing, with the air conditioning struggling to keep the room cool. It eventually broke, leaking water before shutting off completely. Mosquitoes were also a persistent issue, making it difficult to sleep. Thin walls meant noise from other guests was easily heard, reducing overall comfort.
Facilities
The resort offers a wide range of activities, including multiple swimming pools with low chlorine levels, a beach, a park, an arcade, a gym, and a sauna. The abundance of olive, pomegranate, and fig trees added to the charm of the resort. However, the strong sewage smell throughout the property and the lack of free bottled water detracted from the experience. Sun loungers were often reserved early, causing frustration for those looking to relax by the pool or beach.
Food
Food was available throughout the day, with breakfast standing out as the most enjoyable meal due to options like scrambled eggs, toast, beans, and cinnamon biscuits. Fresh fruit, such as ripe nectarines and figs, was a highlight. However, the food quickly became repetitive and was suspected to have caused illness among several guests, including our family. Ice cream was a positive note, with tasty flavors available all day.
Staff
The lifeguard, Panagiotis, was a standout, engaging with the children and teaching them swimming techniques and Greek phrases. Reception staff were helpful, providing drink vouchers when all-inclusive services ended at 11 p.m., and kitchen staff worked hard to maintain cleanliness. However, the handling of the illness outbreak was less reassuring, with staff attributing it to a viral bug despite suspicions of food-related issues.
Pros and cons of our stay
Our stay at Messonghi Beach Hotel had its ups and downs. The entertainment was excellent, with fun activities for both kids and adults, and the variety of facilities, including pools, a gym, and a beach, added to the experience. The staff, particularly the lifeguard and cleaners, were friendly and helpful, and the natural surroundings with lush trees and greenery created a beautiful setting.
However, Messonghi Beach Hotel (now known as Mitsis messonghi) might be one to consider under "Corfu resorts to avoid." The repetitive food, suspected to cause illness, was a major downside, and the rooms were uncomfortable due to mosquito problems. A strong sewage smell lingered around the resort, while thin walls and additional charges for basic services like Wi-Fi and real coffee detracted from the overall experience.
Staying Healthy During Your Corfu Trip
During our stay, several guests, including our family, fell ill with symptoms resembling norovirus. The resort staff attributed it to a viral bug, but we also noticed poor food hygiene in the buffet, which could have contributed to the issue. To stay healthy on your trip, wash your hands regularly, drink bottled water, and avoid food that appears undercooked or has been sitting out for extended periods. Taking these precautions can help you enjoy your holiday without interruptions.
Things to do nearby
There are travel agents by the bus station with information and leaflets about local attractions such as the blue lagoon, boat trips and aqua park for families. These were slightly pricey and ran long hours from 8.45am till 5.30pm.
A local olive shop called Nyssos is not too far from the hotel, I wanted to buy everything but didn’t have much room in my suitcase. They sold real greek olive oil, olive pastes, olive furniture, handmade plates, kumquat marmalade and more. There are lots of shops and restaurants near the hotel if you fancy a change from the all inclusive, lots of authentic greek foods, we tried baked feta, real greek salad, fried feta, and gyros (it was a lot cheaper than England!)
Corfu Old Town
We went to the old town in Corfu which is a street full of shops and markets with gift items and a ton of different restaurants with street foods to try. We had authentic Greek chicken gyros that was made up of flatbread, shredded chicken, tzatziki, red onion, tomato, garlic sauce and French fries. It was €3.50 and tasted amazing! (The best kebab ever!)
What Would I Do Differently If I Returned to Corfu?
If I were to return to Corfu, I would definitely choose to eat out at local restaurants more often. Every time we dined outside the resort, the food was remarkably better than what was served at the hotel. From authentic Greek salads and gyros to baked feta and fried cheese, the quality and flavors at local eateries were outstanding.
Trying Authentic Greek Ouzo
We couldn’t resist stopping by Lidl during our trip to see what Greek offerings they had. The prices were impressively low, and the selection was authentically local. We picked up some snacks to try and a miniature bottle of ouzo, the classic Greek liquor similar to sambuca, you can get our authentic Greek Ouzo recipe here.
Watch our travel vlog trip to Corfu
In this video, we take you through our journey to Corfu, Greece, from navigating airport delays to arriving at Messonghi Beach Hotel. See the highlights of our trip, including stunning beaches, local food, resort experiences, and everything we loved about this beautiful island. If you enjoyed the video and found our guide useful, don't forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel for more travel tips and adventures!
