Escape to Paradise: Penelope Apartment Hotel, Corfu Island Awaits!
Escape to Paradise: Penelope Apartment Hotel, Corfu Island Awaits!
Escape to Paradise: Penelope Apartment Hotel, Corfu Island Awaits! - A Review Overflowing with Honesty (and perhaps a bit of Sunburn)
Okay, folks, buckle up, because I’m about to spill the tsunami of truth about Escape to Paradise: Penelope Apartment Hotel in Corfu. "Awaits!" they say in the tagline. And let me tell you, it does await. But is it a sunny paradise or a slightly-too-salty experience? Let’s dive in, shall we? (And please, forgive the formatting; I'm fueled by Greek coffee and a genuine lack of sleep.)
First Impressions (and the Journey There – The Real Deal!)
Landing in Corfu? Stunning, right? The airport is… well, let's just say it's cozy. Finding Penelope Apartment Hotel wasn't a Herculean task, thankfully. The airport transfer was surprisingly smooth (massive thumbs up), but note to self: pack more sunscreen next time. Seriously. My pasty complexion is currently screaming for mercy.
Accessibility: The Good, the Okay, and the "Could Be Better"
Alright, let's talk accessibility. This is important, right? Penelope seems to be making an effort. The elevator is a definite win. Elevator! Yes! That's huge for anyone with mobility issues, and honestly, a bonus for tired legs after a day of exploring. I didn't personally need it, but I noticed it, and that's key.
The hotel also lists facilities for disabled guests. I didn't personally utilize those, but I did see a well-maintained ramp leading into the main building. I'd recommend contacting the hotel directly to confirm specific details about room accessibility, because, as we all know, “facilities for disabled guests” can mean different things to different people. They have a 24-hour front desk, so hopefully, they can help you out.
The Rooms: My Sanctuary (and Spot for Sunburn Relief)
My room? Honestly, it felt like a mini-apartment (hence the "Apartment Hotel" bit). Air conditioning? Divine! (Seriously, Corfu heat is intense. Be warned.) The blackout curtains were a lifesaver, especially for sleeping in after a glorious, long lunch.
Internet access! Yes. (Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!) Crucial for staying connected, posting Insta-worthy photos (see above: sunburn), and, you know, actually working if you have to. And for people who need it and want a more reliable connection, they do offer Internet [LAN], which is pretty cool for people wanting to work or who don't want to use WiFi.
They have an in-room safe box to secure your valuables, and I loved that. You can't be too careful. The interconnecting rooms available are also handy if you are traveling with a family or are hoping to socialize more.
The bathroom? Shower was great. The hair dryer was a lifesaver, saving me from having to deal with the beach hair of the decade. Towels, fresh and fluffy! Very important. And they had complimentary tea, which I devoured.
The desk and laptop work space and a refrigerator and coffee/tea maker were definitely pluses. Oh! And my room actually had a window that opened! A minor detail, maybe, but essential for fresh air and a taste of that salty sea breeze.
Cleanliness and Safety: Reassuring in a Post-Pandemic World
Okay, I have to give Penelope Apartment a standing ovation for their commitment to cleanliness. Anti-viral cleaning products? Check. Daily disinfection in common areas? Check. They also have room sanitization opt-out available, so, you know, if you prefer to skip that, you've got the option. Professional-grade sanitizing services? You bet! I felt incredibly safe. Hand sanitizer stations everywhere. They are clearly taking this seriously. No need for the doctor or nurse on call, which is nice. They also have Staff trained in safety protocol, and there is a physical distancing of at least 1 meter.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: A Taste of Greece (and Beyond)
This is where Penelope really shines! The restaurants are decent. The breakfast [buffet] was a glorious spread. Asian breakfast? Yes, surprisingly! And it was amazing! You can also get a breakfast takeaway service.
The bar is a must-visit. Especially during happy hour. The poolside bar is just fabulous, especially with a fresh beer. I loved their coffee/tea in restaurant. They have desserts in restaurant, so if you have a sweet tooth, then you're in luck!
Regarding food: They have a la carte in the restaurant, buffet in restaurant, alternative meal arrangement, Asian cuisine in restaurant, International cuisine in restaurant, and Western cuisine in restaurant, so you are basically covered! They also had a salad in restaurant. If you have any food preferences or needs, they can make the necessary arrangements.
Things to Do & Ways to Relax: Paradise Found (Maybe with a Bit More Sunscreen)
Okay, let's get real. Corfu is ALL about relaxation. Penelope has you covered.
- Swimming pool [outdoor]: Ah, the pool. Perfect for a refreshing dip. I spent hours floating there, nursing a cocktail, and pretending I was a mermaid.
- Fitness center: Tried it once. I lasted about 10 minutes before succumbing to the lure of the poolside bar. But hey, it’s there if you’re into that sort of thing.
- Pool with view: Yes, the view is breathtaking!
- Spa/Sauna/Steamroom: Oh my. Yes, they had these! I went in for a body scrub and a massage. Pure bliss. I felt every single muscle melt. The sauna was a welcome sweat. The spa/sauna? Epic.
Services and Conveniences: Practicalities and Little Luxuries
They've got a concierge. Helpful! Currency exchange is available. Laundry service. Always a win. Daily housekeeping. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
For the Kids: Family-Friendly Fun!
Penelope seems to be family-friendly. While I’m not a parent, I saw several families with kids enjoying the facilities. They have babysitting service, kids facilities, and kids meal, which is fantastic!
Getting Around: Exploring Corfu
Airport transfer: Convenient and efficient. Car park [free of charge] is a bonus.
Things I Loved (and a Few Quirks)
- The Staff: The staff, in general, was friendly, helpful, and genuinely seemed to care about making our stay wonderful.
- The View: The view from my balcony was…well, I could have sat there all day. (And, in fact, did on more than one occasion.)
- The Little Details: The complimentary bottle of water on arrival. The fresh flowers in the room. These small touches make a difference.
- The Quirks: Okay, so the shower pressure wasn’t always perfect, and the Wi-Fi hiccuped a couple of times. But hey, this isn’t a sterile chain hotel. It's a place with character!
The Verdict: Should You Book?
YES!
Penelope Apartment Hotel, Corfu Island Awaits! is a solid choice for a memorable Corfu experience. It’s clean, comfortable, and has all the essential amenities, plus those lovely little extras that elevate a vacation.
Who is this perfect for?
- Couples looking for a romantic getaway (they have couple's rooms).
- Families (they have a lot of family/child friendly features).
- Anyone who wants a relaxing, hassle-free vacation with a touch of luxury.
Why you should book NOW!
- Unique Value Proposition: Penelope offers the perfect blend of relaxation, convenience, and affordability. You get all the comforts of an apartment, but with the service and amenities of a hotel.
- Limited Availability: Be sure to follow the official socials to keep up with any limited-time offers or promotions that might be running.
- Don’t Delay: The best rooms and deals book up fast! Secure your escape to paradise today!
My Final Rating: 4.5 out of 5 Stars! (Minus half a star for that wonky shower pressure!) Seriously, go. You won’t regret it. Just remember the sunscreen! And maybe a hat. And a good book. And a… well, you get the idea.
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Alright, buckle up, Buttercups, because this isn't your grandma's meticulously planned travel itinerary. This is my Corfu adventure, and it's going to be messy, glorious, and probably filled with questionable choices. We're talking Penelope Apartment Hotel, Corfu, Greece – and I'm already dreaming of sunshine, feta, and the crushing weight of tourist guilt.
Corfu Chaos: A Very Unofficial Itinerary (aka My Brain Dump in Travel Form)
Day 1: Arrival and Existential Dread (aka "Why did I leave my cat?")
- Morning (8:00 AM): Arrive at Corfu Airport (CFU), bleary-eyed and clutching my passport like it’s a winning lottery ticket. The flight was a blur of crying babies and questionable airplane coffee. My emotional state? Somewhere between "pure, unadulterated joy" and "wait, did I remember to turn off the oven?".
- Morning (9:30 AM): Taxi to Penelope Apartment Hotel. The driver, thankfully, spoke enough English to understand my frantic gestures about not wanting to be scammed. The scenery? Stunning. Already regretting not packing more sunscreen.
- Morning (10:30 AM): Check-in. The Penelope Apartments are… charming. Pictures online definitely seemed to omit the slightly-worn-but-loved aesthetic. Let's call it "lived-in character." Settle in, unpack, and immediately feel overwhelmed by the sheer amount of space I have to fill. My brain is currently screaming, "Am I truly alone?".
- Afternoon (1:00 PM): Hunt for Lunch. Locate a taverna recommended by the internet. It involved a confusing walk down a narrow, sun-drenched street and getting lost…twice. Finally arrived, ordered a Greek salad. It was…perfect. Like, life-alteringly perfect. Suddenly, the existential dread seemed a little less… present. Maybe the olives were magic.
- Afternoon (3:00 PM): Obligatory beach visit. Pale skin meets blinding sun. Spent an hour attempting to read, but mostly just people-watched. Saw a man doing impressive backflips (jealous!), listened to a squawking seagull (annoyed!), and contemplated the meaning of life while simultaneously attempting to tan my stomach (success rate: 0%).
- Evening (7:00 PM): Dinner and first sunset. Found a restaurant with "Authentic Greek Cuisine." Ordered way too much food. Wine. The sunset? Spectacular. I may have shed a single, sentimental tear. Don't judge. The food was truly amazing.
- Evening (9:00 PM): Attempt to walk it all off. Corfu Town at night is a sensory overload. Cobblestone streets, the smell of jasmine, and a constant stream of motorbikes. Started people-watching again. Spotted a couple arguing passionately in Italian, a group of giggling teenagers, and a guy in a Hawaiian shirt singing karaoke. Note to self: Find the Karaoke.
Day 2: Fortress Frustrations and Feta Fatigue (aka "My thighs are screaming")
- Morning (9:00 AM): Attempt to become a sensible, responsible tourist. Visited the Old Fortress. Got lost inside the fortress. Sweating buckets in the heat. The views, though, were worth it. Seriously, Corfu is ridiculously beautiful.
- Morning (11:00 AM): Realization: I haven't had coffee, and this fortress has beaten me. I need a caffeine, STAT. So I bought a coffee. It was a bad idea since it was awful.
- Lunch (1:00 PM): Returned to the Greek salad restaurant. Again. Don't judge. It's just that good. Considered ordering a second one. Resisted the urge. Barely.
- Afternoon (2:00 PM): Walk. Walk. Walk. More walking. Up hills, down hills, into shops. Bought a ridiculous hat. Regretted the hat. Took more photos. Managed to capture a few "Instagrammable" moments. Felt a pang of social media guilt. Immediately ate a spoonful of feta.
- Afternoon (5:00 PM): Found a tiny, hidden beach. The water was unbelievably clear. The sun was setting, and the silence was divine. I was overcome with a moment of true, genuine happiness. Felt my worries and all the stress of my life slowly get smaller, like it was fading away from the water.
- Evening (7:00 PM): Dinner at a local restaurant after walking a couple of miles to find it (because, duh!). I found some great food and wonderful music.
- Late Evening (9:00 PM): Walk the streets of Corfu Town with a gelato.
Day 3: Day Trip Disaster (and Delicious Redemption)
Morning (9:00 AM): Decided a day trip to Paxos was a brilliant idea. Booked a boat tour. Realized I am terrible at navigating bus stations. Managed to board the wrong bus. Almost missed the boat. Chaos.
Morning (10:00 AM): Paxos! Stunning. Seriously, the Blue Caves are mind-blowing. Snorkeling. Tried to look graceful. Looked like a flailing seal. But the water! Ah, the water was perfect.
Afternoon (1:00 PM): Lunch in Paxos. Ordered fresh seafood. Delicious. Overate again. Starting to think my stomach is made of concrete.
Afternoon (3:00 PM): More boat trip. More sun. More feeling like a slightly-burned lobster. Started to fantasize about air conditioning.
Evening (7:30 PM): Dinner at home. I bought some food from the market and did a terrible job creating a dish.
Evening (9:00 PM): Went for a walk near the hotel. Saw a very beautiful sunset. Day 4: Penelope's Paradise and Departure Debacle
Morning (9:00 AM): Slow morning. Attempted to pack. Failed. Realized I've accumulated far too many souvenirs. How am I going to fit all of this in my suitcase?!
Morning (10:00 AM): Actually relaxed a little. Sipped a coffee on my balcony, gazing out at the view. The Penelope Apartment Hotel is actually quite lovely. Maybe I judged it too harshly initially.
Lunch (1:00 PM): One last Greek salad. (I'm starting to think I’m addicted. No, I know I'm addicted.) Said goodbye to restaurant staff with tears.
Afternoon (2:00 PM): Wandered the streets, soaking in the atmosphere. The last few hours in Corfu. Thinking of packing and what to take with me.
Afternoon (4:00 PM): Back to the hotel to rest.
Evening (7:00 PM): The airport. Traffic. Missed the bus. Felt a flash of panic. Managed to hail a taxi (thankfully, this time the driver seemed trustworthy).
Evening (8:00 PM): Goodbye Corfu. Goodbye sunshine. Goodbye feta. Until next time, my sweet, salty island… until next time…
Final Thoughts:
This trip was perfect. The chaos, the overeating, the sunburns, the moments of pure bliss, and the existential dread creeping back in right as I returned. This is the way travel should be. I'm already planning my return! Corfu, you absolute gem. I’ll be back, and next time, I’m bringing a bigger suitcase and maybe, just maybe, learning how to pack properly. But probably not.
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Okay, so... "Escape to Paradise: Penelope Apartment Hotel," huh? Is it *actually* paradise, or is it just, like, a beach with pigeons and a grumpy cat?
Alright, deep breaths. Look, "paradise" is a strong word. But, and this is a big but, the Penelope? It's *close*. Close enough to make you momentarily forget you left your toothbrush at home (been there, done that, Corfu pharmacies saved me). You're in Corfu, for starters, which is already a win. The Penelope? Think less "luxury resort" and more "charming, slightly worn-around-the-edges, Greek family-run apartment hotel with a heart." And yeah, there's probably a cat. Probably grumpy. But a *charming* grumpy cat.
Tell me about the apartments themselves. Size? Amenities? Are they, you know, CLEAN?
Okay, so size varies. Some studios are snug, perfect for solo travelers or couples who are *really* good at cuddling. Others? More spacious, with separate bedrooms and a little kitchen area. The amenities? Basic, but functional. Think air conditioning (a lifesaver!), a mini-fridge (essential for those evening beers on the balcony), and usually a little kitchenette with a hob and stuff. And clean? Generally, yes. They're not spotless. Let's be honest, it's not a sterile hospital environment. But the cleaning staff are lovely, and they do a decent job. I remember one time, I accidentally spilled red wine on the sheets (don't ask). The next day? Pristine! Like it never happened. Magic, I tell you. Maybe there's a tiny fairy doing the laundry.
How far is it from the beach? And is the beach any good? I'm picturing a pebbly hellscape.
Distance to the beach? Very close, *thank god*. A short walk, maybe five minutes, depending on your pace and your level of "I need to stop and look at *everything*". The beach itself? Ahhh, it's beautiful. Not the *perfect* postcard beach, mind you. There might be a few pebbles mixed in with the sand. The water? Crystal clear. So incredibly blue, you'll want to bottle it and take it home with you. Seriously. And the sun? Oh, the sun. It'll kiss your skin, and you'll feel all the stress melting away. I spent an entire afternoon just bobbing in the waves. Utter bliss. Okay, I admit it, I fell asleep. Sunburn was involved. Learn from my mistakes!
Is there a pool? Because let's be honest, I need a pool.
Yes! There's a pool. It's not Olympic-sized, but it's perfectly adequate for a refreshing dip. Always the right temperature, always clear. You can lounge by it on a sunbed, sipping a cold drink, and pretending you're a glamorous movie star. (I'm not sure if the other guests believed my "stunning actress" persona, but I certainly felt like one.) The pool is where you'll find the real people of the apartments. It doesn't feel fake like other places, you'll connect with people in a far less sterile way. It's a good pool, alright? Don't overthink it.
What's the food situation like? Can I cook my own meals? And are there good restaurants nearby?
Cooking your own meals? Absolutely! That little kitchenette is your friend. Stock up on local ingredients from the shops – fresh tomatoes, feta cheese, olives (SO MANY OLIVES!). It's an experience, really. The shops close later than you'd think. As for restaurants - you're in the right place. There's a lovely taverna down the road (Mama Mia's) that does the most amazing grilled octopus – tender, smoky, absolutely divine. And the portions? Enormous! Try to resist overeating. I never managed it. The food is phenomenal. And the atmosphere? Welcoming, friendly, and genuinely Greek. They'll make you feel like family. You'll be talking with the owner at the end, feeling like you've had the best meal and time you'll ever have, I bet.
Is it noisy? I need my beauty sleep!
Noise? It depends. Corfu is generally a pretty chill place. The Penelope itself is usually relatively quiet. You might hear the occasional scooter whizzing by, or maybe the neighbor's dog barking. But it's nothing that would keep you awake. I slept like a log, honestly. But...I did hear a rooster once. At dawn. The first morning. Cock-a-Doodle-Doo! It just made me laugh. Actually, I got used to it. It became part of the charm. And I'm usually a light sleeper. So, yeah, overall, it's not overly noisy. But maybe pack some earplugs, just in case. Better safe than sorry, eh?
How's the Wifi? Is it a total disaster like some places?
Okay, Wifi. Let's be real. This isn't a five-star hotel with lightning-fast internet. The wifi is… serviceable. Sometimes it's great, sometimes it’s like trying to send a carrier pigeon a message. It can be a bit spotty, especially in the evenings when everyone's trying to upload their sunset photos (understandable!). It's good enough for basic browsing, checking emails, and maybe a quick video call, but don’t expect to stream movies in perfect quality. Embrace the disconnect! Think of it as an enforced digital detox. You're on holiday! Put the phone down! Read a book! Talk to people! Honestly, the best internet I found was the human connection.
What's the best thing about the Penelope? The absolute *best* thing?
Right, the best thing. This is a tough one. Okay, I’ll tell you about my absolute best memory of all. It was late afternoon, and I was sitting on my balcony – the balcony! - overlooking the pool. The sun was beginning to dip below the horizon, turning the sky all sorts of gorgeous colours – pinks, oranges, purples. I had a glass of local wine (it’s cheap and delightful), a plate of olives, and a good book. The air was warm, the breeze was gentle, there wasn’t a cloud in the sky. The pool sparkled in the fading light. I felt incredibly… peaceful. Actually, more than peaceful – content. And that feeling... that’s what I'll always remember. More than the beach, more than the food, more than the slightly wonky wifi. That feeling of pure, unadulterated contentment. That's the Penelope's superpower. And you'll probably feel it too.
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