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Mar-Bella Collection is a family-owned group of four five-star luxury hotels across Corfu and mainland Greece’s Ionian coast. Three neighbouring properties are located on Corfu: MarBella, a family-friendly resort ideal for multi-generational holidays; Nido, an adults-only Small Luxury Hotel of the World that opened in 2018; and Avali, a stylish 76-room property that debuted in 2025. The fourth hotel, Elix, opened in 2021 on the Ionian coast of mainland Greece. All four hotels operate seasonally, from April to October.
Nido, Mar-Bella Collection, is an adults-only, all-suite hotel on Corfu’s south-eastern coast, less than 30 minutes from Corfu International Airport and Corfu Old Town. A member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World, it has been ranked among Greece’s top 10 resorts by Condé Nast Traveller readers for three consecutive years.
We were collected from Corfu Airport in a Mercedes E-Class estate, which we arranged through the hotel. Unfortunately, the driver did not offer to help with our bags or provide water, and he spent the entire journey on his phone. Thankfully, this proved to be an isolated lapse, and our return journey with a different driver was much better. Airport transfers cost €50 each way.
On arrival at Nido, we were warmly greeted by the staff and invited to the bar for a welcome drink made with kumquat, ginger beer, fresh lime juice and mint. We were also offered cold towels. Both were very refreshing.
The hotel has 70 suites across seven categories, ranging from Junior to Deluxe, all with panoramic views overlooking the Ionian Sea. Depending on the category, suites feature a balcony or terrace, a whirlpool or a private pool. Nido is now closed for refurbishment ahead of the 2027 season. The updates will include 24 new Deluxe Junior Suites, as well as interior upgrades to the existing rooms.
Its design takes inspiration from traditional Corfiot architecture. The hotel is situated on a steep hillside, but the elevated setting offers beautiful sea views. Guests should be prepared for some slopes and steps when moving around the property.
We stayed in a Sea View Junior Suite with Private Pool. Bright and spacious, the suite had a contemporary interior, a large bed and a seating area. It opened onto a furnished veranda with a private pool and views across the Ionian Sea. The bathroom had a walk-in rainfall shower with a glass panel looking into the bedroom.
Amenities included a Nespresso coffee machine with pods, along with a kettle and tea bags. The complimentary minibar was stocked with soft drinks, Greek beer, white wine and nuts. A bottle of Greek red wine and a basket of fruit awaited us on arrival. An iron and ironing board were not provided in the room but were available on request. A pillow menu offered memory foam, feather, latex and anatomical options, as well as soft and medium pillows.
On our first evening, the water supply was shut off, but the staff responded immediately when we reported the issue and the supply was restored within minutes.
At turndown each evening, housekeeping left chocolates on our bed and bottled water in the room. On our final evening, we were treated to a thoughtful departure gift of Lazaris Greek sweets and liqueur, accompanied by a lavender sachet for the wardrobe. A lovely touch!
Nido has three restaurants and two bars: Apaggio serves contemporary Greek and Corfiot dishes using local ingredients. San Giovanni offers buffet breakfast and dinner overlooking the sea, with three à la carte main course options at dinner. Aquavit, the poolside bar and restaurant, serves salads, light bites and local dishes at lunchtime. Heritage bar offers aperitifs along with classic and signature cocktails.
At San Giovanni, breakfast is served daily from 7.30AM to 11AM. The buffet included cereals, bread, fruit, cakes, pastries, salads, cold meats, cheeses and bacon. On Sundays, breakfast is accompanied by live acoustic guitar on the terrace from 9AM to 11AM.
Dinner is served here from 7PM to 9.30PM, with no reservation required. It began with soup, followed by a buffet that changed each evening and a small à la carte selection offering one meat, one fish and one vegetarian main course.
Apaggio is Nido’s fine-dining restaurant, offering al fresco dining with an indoor area available in case of bad weather. It opens from 7.30PM to 10PM, except on Mondays and Wednesdays. Reservations are required.
Aquavit Pool Bar and Restaurant is open daily, with food served from 12.30PM to 4PM and bar service from 10AM to midnight. Heritage Lobby Bar is open daily from 10AM to 1AM.
Complimentary Greek coffee and traditional sweets are served at Kafeneio, in the chapel courtyard, every Monday and Friday from 11.30AM to 1PM.
Guests can upgrade to Half Board Dine Around, which I’d strongly recommend if you’re staying at Nido. It includes breakfast and dinner at San Giovanni. You can also opt for an à la carte dinner at Apaggio with an allowance towards the bill. Guests can enjoy buffet dining, at no extra charge, across all three properties.
What makes the programme particularly worthwhile is its flexibility. You receive a daily dining allowance of €20 per adult, excluding drinks, at participating restaurants in the sister hotels – MarBella and Avali. At MarBella, these include Deck Grill, Kuzina, Kum Kuat, Celeste and La Terrazz. Avali offers Stià Grill and Zardini. À la carte lunches are charged at standard menu prices.
It’s well worth making the most of the sister hotels for a change of scenery. Just be sure to give advance notice and book ahead, as tables are subject to availability. A complimentary shuttle runs on demand between the three properties, which makes it easy to get around.
The food throughout our stay was very good, although we generally preferred the à la carte restaurants. Stià Grill at Avali and Kuzina at MarBella were particular highlights. Both delivered exceptional dining experiences.
Facilities at Nido include a freshwater infinity pool, a beach area, a fitness room and a wellness centre with a steam room and sauna. Sessions in the steam room and sauna must be booked in advance.
Guests staying at Nido also have access to all facilities at the sister hotels, MarBella and Avali.
MarBella and Avali have upgraded temperature-control systems for their main pools, although water temperatures can vary depending on the weather. Private pools at MarBella are heated, while Nido’s pool is not. During our October stay, we found the water distinctly chilly.
Activities include live music, Greek nights at Kafeneio, wine tastings, yacht cruises and Oyogo-led wellness weeks. Guests can also join activities and entertainment at sister hotels MarBella and Avali with advance reservations.
Nido offers expert-led complimentary wine and olive oil tastings. Wine tastings take place twice weekly, on Tuesdays and Fridays at 5PM. The hotel’s sommelier guides guests through a selection of Greek wines, explaining their characteristics, origins and history. Guests can sample four wines – a white, rosé, red and dessert wine – accompanied by a cheeseboard and grapes.
The olive oil tasting focuses on premium extra virgin olive oil, exploring its quality, health properties, tasting techniques and food pairings. This complimentary experience takes place every Saturday from 5.30PM to 6.30PM. Reservations are required.
Guests can also enjoy a complimentary cooking class which is held once a week on a Saturday at MarBella. During the class we prepared Greek salad, prawns with tomato sauce and feta, and sea bass with potatoes.
Live music performances are held every Tuesday and Friday at 9PM, in the Aquavit Pool Bar or the Heritage Lobby Bar, depending on the weather. On Tuesdays it features pop and rock ballads, with jazz and swing on Fridays.
Private yacht cruises, to destinations around Corfu, can be booked through Mar-Bella Collection Exclusive Services at an additional charge.
A complimentary sunset cruise takes place every Monday and Wednesday from 7PM to 8PM. Guests sail along Corfu’s southern coastline aboard a traditional wooden kaiki, with a glass of sparkling wine or juice.
A daily sea taxi service departs for Corfu Town at 9.15AM, with a return pick-up at 3PM. Return fares are €40 per person, €20 for children aged 3–10 and free for children under three.
Complimentary wellness and fitness weeks run throughout the season in partnership with Oyogo. Reservations are required. Daily sports and fitness sessions, for all ages and abilities, are available at the sister hotel, MarBella, including table tennis, boccia, aqua gym, aerobics and indoor cycling. Motorised water sports are available for an additional charge.
The beach was perhaps the most disappointing aspect of our stay. It is a public beach, though loungers are reserved for Nido guests. Access involves crossing a busy main road. The traffic noise detracted from the experience.
The hotel welcomes one pet weighing up to 8kg per suite in designated rooms. A pet bed and bowls are provided, while a special menu is available on request at an additional charge.
Although staying at Nido gives guests the opportunity to explore the sister hotels, MarBella and Avali, we found little reason to venture far, instead embracing the slower pace and relaxed atmosphere. Whether enjoying the sea views, spending time by the pool or simply taking a moment to unwind, the hotel lends itself to a more unhurried style of holiday.
Throughout our stay, the staff were consistently friendly and welcoming, adding a personal touch that made us feel at ease from the outset. For those seeking a peaceful Corfu escape, Nido offers a lovely balance of seclusion and understated luxury, with the added benefit of access to the wider MarBella Collection whenever the mood takes you.
For more information, visit https://www.marbella.gr/hotels/marbella-nido/.
Cliona was a guest of Nido, Mar-Bella Collection; however, all opinions expressed are her own.