I decided to spend a week in Corfu, and the Karaiba Mythos Palace (Corfu, Greece) stood out as the most affordable last-minute option for a five-star hotel in August.
Karaiba Mythos Palace
The Karaiba Mythos Palace (Corfu, Greece) is an adults-only five-star resort, catering exclusively to couples and groups of friends rather than families with children.”
- 5-star hotel
- Address: Boukari Bay, Kouspades 490 80, Greece
- Phone: +30 2662 440800
- 23 km from Corfu airport
- Price: € 1.531 for one person in a double room.
- Dates: from the 22nd to the 29th of August 2024 (8 days and 7 nights).
The stay was booked as an all-inclusive package, which covered the flights, hotel accommodation with all meals and drinks, as well as the bus transfer from the airport to the hotel.
The official description
Nestled among trees, this relaxed adults-only hotel with mosaic accents is just a three-minute stroll from Solitude Beach and the Ionian Sea, and 23 km from Corfu Airport. The airy rooms feature furnished balconies or terraces, flat-screen TVs, Wi-Fi, safes, sofas, minibars, and tea and coffee facilities. Some rooms also offer sea views or private plunge pools, while room service is available for added convenience. Guests can choose from three restaurants, including a rooftop venue with a terrace overlooking the sea. Additional amenities include a lobby bar, two outdoor pools with a poolside bar, complimentary breakfast, and parking. For wellness and relaxation, the spa offers an indoor pool, gym, and sauna.
My personal experience
I was disappointed by both the hotel and the service for several reasons. The Karaiba Mythos Palace in Corfu looked completely run-down, with major renovation works turning the property into what felt like a construction site—possibly due to an extension being built. The staff also fell short of five-star standards: many seemed underqualified, and some displayed unprofessional behavior, such as touching guests on the arm or shoulder while speaking—a practice unacceptable in any hotel, let alone a luxury resort. Others would begin conversations with phrases like ‘Listen,’ which came across as abrupt and inappropriate.
WIFI
Wi-Fi was working well in the rooms, public places and around the pools.
FOOD
Some parts of the food buffet were very good other parts were really lacking the 5-star experience.
Room
The room was far from comfortable and certainly not up to five-star standards. While the air conditioning worked well, the closets were completely worn out. The bathroom was a major disappointment—the shower was nearly falling apart, and the water pressure was weak. Housekeeping also failed to meet expectations, as amenities were not replenished on a daily basis and the overall cleaning felt careless.
SPA
The spa was an absolute disaster—dirty, poorly maintained, and quite literally falling apart. I have never encountered such a dreadful spa experience in a five-star hotel. The sauna was equally disappointing: it wasn’t properly sealed, allowing cold air to seep in, and it was by far the filthiest sauna I’ve ever seen. To make matters worse, guests were required to book a day in advance just to use it, which only added to the frustration.
POOLS & BEACH
The swimming pools were small, shallow, and often overcrowded with loud, drunken tourists, which made them far from relaxing. The hotel itself is surrounded by trees and conveniently located close to the beach—just a short one-minute walk from the pool or three minutes from the reception, with only a small road to cross. Unfortunately, the path to the beach passed directly by the garbage area, which spoiled the experience. Once there, the beach itself was underwhelming—small, not particularly cozy, and lacking charm. The sea, however, was the highlight: beautifully clear water with a perfect temperature for swimming.
Hotel Management
At the end of my stay, I had a ten-minute discussion with one of the hotel managers about the overall service. I brought up all of the issues I had encountered. While he remained polite and professional in his communication, he didn’t seem to fully grasp my complaints or frustrations. Eventually, he conceded that the service was indeed poor, but attributed it to the impact of the COVID crisis, explaining that the hotel had struggled to recruit qualified staff.
Million dollar question
Would I return to the Karaiba Mythos Palace? Absolutely not. I chose not to share photos of the room or spa, as they were such a disappointment. That said, it’s worth acknowledging that the COVID crisis and lockdowns have been catastrophic for many businesses, especially in the hospitality industry.
Gentlemen Lifestyle 
Leave a comment