Escape to Paradise: Korina Gallery Hotel, Ithaki, Greece
Escape to Paradise: Korina Gallery Hotel – Ithaki, Greece: My Chaotic Odyssey (and Surprisingly Great Stay)
Okay, so picture this: me, a travel blogger, slightly frantic, trying to actually escape to paradise. My inbox is a war zone, my laptop is threatening to spontaneously combust, and the pressure to find the perfect getaway? Astronomical. I landed on the Korina Gallery Hotel in Ithaki, Greece – and let me tell you, it was a… journey.
Accessibility: A Mixed Bag, But Mostly Okay (Phew!)
Let's start with the nitty-gritty for all my readers who need it: accessible travel. Now, the Korina does have facilities for disabled guests, which is a HUGE win. The elevator was a lifesaver at times (more on that later). Honestly, I didn’t do a super deep dive on every detail though, I was busy trying to decide between the “body wrap” and the “pool with a view”. But from what I saw, the effort was there. Definitely call and check specifics if you have particular needs – it's always wise.
On-site Accessible Restaurants/Lounges? Hmm… I'm going to be honest, I didn't specifically check for designated accessible restaurant areas in the way some people might. It was more, "Is there cake? Yes? I'm in." But the layout seemed generally manageable. Again, call ahead to confirm.
Wheelchair Accessible: As mentioned, the elevator was a plus. The hotel is nestled into the landscape, so there might be some unevenness around the property. Best to confirm ramp access etc., before booking.
Inside My Chaos: The Rooms (and Internet Struggles)
Okay, the rooms themselves? Pretty darn good. My "escape" really began with my room. I was lucky enough to get a room with a killer view and a balcony that was basically begging me to sit there and write… which I did, eventually, after a few panicked emails.
Available in all rooms: Air conditioning (bliss!), a comfy bed (extra long, even!), and – hallelujah – Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! Which leads me to…
Internet, Internet [LAN], Internet Services, & Wi-Fi in Public Areas: The Wi-Fi… Let's just say it added a dash of adventure to my stay. Sometimes, it was lightning fast, perfect for uploading my Instagram stories of feta cheese. Other times… well, I felt like I was back in the dial-up era. Internet [LAN] was also available, which honestly, I didn't even bother trying to figure out (blame the feta). Wi-Fi in public areas was generally fine, but again, your mileage may vary. Bring your own hotspot if you're totally reliant on the internet for work. And maybe a carrier pigeon just in case.
Things to do, ways to relax, & the Pursuit of Bliss:
Now, this is where the Korina shines. Remember when I mentioned that "pool with a view"? Yeah, that's not an exaggeration. I spent an embarrassing amount of time floating in that pool, staring out at the Ionian Sea. Pure, unadulterated bliss.
Spa Day Shenanigans:
I went full-on "treat yourself" and indulged in the spa.
- Body scrub & Body wrap: Heavenly. Seriously. My skin hasn't been that smooth since I was, like, five.
- Fitness center: Okay, I saw the fitness center… I just didn't use the fitness center. Let's call it a "potential".
- Foot bath: This was surprisingly amazing after a day of trekking around Ithaki.
- Gym/fitness: See above.
- Massage: Oh, the massage. It was… perfection. I nearly fell asleep mid-massage, which, frankly, is the ultimate goal. That alone made the trip worth it. (I’ll be looking into where they get those masseuses, I need them on speed dial!).
- Sauna, Spa, Spa/sauna, Steamroom: All present and accounted for, though I confess, I prioritized pool time and massages.
- Swimming pool [outdoor]: The star of the show. I swear, I heard angels singing every time I went for a swim. Absolute magic!
- Sauna: Yep! They had those too!
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: A Gastronomic Adventure (with Occasional Moments of Panic)
Food. My love language. And Korina Gallery Hotel, bless its heart, delivered.
Restaurants: The hotel has several restaurants, offering various dishes.
- A la carte in restaurant, Alternative meal arrangement, Asian cuisine in restaurant, Bar, Bottle of water, Breakfast [buffet]: The breakfasts were fabulous – think mountains of fresh fruit, pastries, and the most delicious Greek yogurt. The buffet in the restaurant was amazing, and even if it didn't suit your personal dietary needs, the chefs provided Alternative meal arrangement.
- Desserts in restaurant: YES PLEASE. I swear I gained five pounds just looking at them.
- Happy hour: Essential. Always.
- International cuisine in restaurant, Poolside bar, Salad in restaurant, Snack bar, Soup in restaurant, Vegetarian restaurant, Western breakfast, Western cuisine in restaurant: They had something for everyone (and me).
- Room service [24-hour]: This was a lifesaver on a couple of nights when I was too exhausted to venture out. (And again, the breakfast in room was just chefs kiss).
- Coffee/tea in restaurant, These were a lifesaver - morning coffee, afternoon tea…
Cleanliness and safety: Feeling Safe and Sound (Post-Pandemic)
Okay, let's be real, I'm still a bit of a germaphobe after all this COVID stuff. The Korina made me feel pretty secure.
- Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, Hand sanitizer, Hygiene certification, Individually-wrapped food options, Physical distancing of at least 1 meter, Professional-grade sanitizing services, Room sanitization opt-out available, Rooms sanitized between stays, Safe dining setup, Sanitized kitchen and tableware items, Staff trained in safety protocol, Sterilizing equipment: They were on it.
- Cashless payment service, First aid kit: Always good to have, and available.
- Hot water linen and laundry washing: Standard.
- Shared stationery removed: Good move.
- Doctor/nurse on call, Safe dining setup: Phew.
I actually felt completely comfortable, which is a huge win.
Services and Conveniences: A Little Bit of Everything
- Air conditioning in public area: Yes. Thank goodness.
- Audio-visual equipment for special events, Business facilities, Cash withdrawal, Concierge, Contactless check-in/out, Convenience store, Currency exchange, Daily housekeeping, Doorman, Dry cleaning, Elevator, Essential condiments, Facilities for disabled guests, Food delivery, Gift/souvenir shop, Indoor venue for special events, Invoice provided, Ironing service, Laundry service, Luggage storage, Meeting/banquet facilities, Meetings, Meeting stationery, On-site event hosting, Outdoor venue for special events, Projector/LED display, Safety deposit boxes, Seminars, Shrine, Smoking area, Terrace, Wi-Fi for special events, Xerox/fax in business center: They had everything you could need, and more.
- Breakfast takeaway service: This was amazing for those days I wanted to explore.
For the Kids (and the Big Kids at Heart):
- Babysitting service, Family/child friendly, Kids facilities, Kids meal: I didn't personally use these services, but the hotel seemed well-equipped to handle little ones.
- Couple's room: Always a good option.
Getting Around: A (Mostly) Smooth Ride
- Airport transfer: They arranged my transfer and it was perfect. Easy-peasy.
- Bicycle parking, Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], Car power charging station, Taxi service, Valet parking: Plenty of options.
My Overly Detailed Room Rundown (Because I Spend Most of My Life There):
- Additional toilet: Didn't need it, but nice to know it's there.
- Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Bathroom phone, Bathtub, Blackout curtains, Carpeting, Closet, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, High floor, In-room safe box, Interconnecting room(s) available, Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Mirror, Non-smoking, On-demand movies, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Safety/security feature, Satellite/cable channels, Scale, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, Visual alarm, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], Window that opens: Basically, everything you could wish for. My room was
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because this isn't your grandma's pristine itinerary. This is me trying to wrangle a trip to the Korina Gallery Hotel on Ithaca, Greece. Prepare for glorious mess.
Korina Gallery Hotel, Ithaca: A Hot Mess Itinerary (with hopefully some sunshine)
Phase 1: The Pre-Trip Frenzy (aka, My Life is a Dumpster Fire)
Months Before: Booked the Korina Gallery Hotel. Saw the photos. Swooned. Then immediately started panicking about packing. Will I really use that linen jumpsuit? Probably not. Will I really ever learn basic Greek? Double probably not. Cue a mental spiral into the abyss of overthinking. Ordered about six guidebooks and read approximately zero. The siren song of online shopping is a cruel mistress, isn't it?
Weeks Before: Attempted to learn a few basic phrases ("Efharisto," "Parakalo," and "Where's the nearest taverna with octopus?"). The pronunciation guides made it sound like I was choking. Filed passport. Prayed it hadn't expired without me noticing. Considered buying a travel journal. Immediately lost the receipt for said consideration.
Days Before: Packing. The actual packing. Began. Ended up with a suitcase that looked like a clown car exploded. Threw in everything "maybe" needed. Forgot the adapter again. Mild panic. Googled "Ithaca pharmacies." Ate a whole jar of olives in a moment of pre-trip stress.
Phase 2: Arrival (and the inevitable disorientation)
Day 1: Athens Arrival & Ferry Chaos (and the first taste of Greek Charm)
- Morning: Arrived in Athens. Beautiful city. Didn't understand a word. Rode the metro. Almost got run over by a scooter. Immediately fell in love with the smell of fresh bread.
- Afternoon: Ferry Terminal. More chaos than a Black Friday sale. Should've pre-bought tickets (rookie mistake). Queued for what felt like an eternity. Learned to love the Greek shrug. Finally got on the ferry - the promise of Ithaca was a beautiful beacon.
- Evening: Ferry to Ithaca! The sea! The sky! The breeze! Gorgeous. Found a tiny, surprisingly delicious gyro for dinner. A very generous helping of feta. Ate it on the deck under the stars, ignoring the faint scent of diesel. Bliss. Arrived in Vathy, Ithaca. The hotel owner was waiting. He looked exactly like the photos. Smiling. Welcoming. It was a small win.
- Night: Check in (the lobby was filled with art, which immediately impressed me). Korina Gallery Hotel - Small room. But with a balcony that overlooked the harbor! Opened a bottle of wine (that I may have smuggled). Felt instantly, utterly, and ridiculously happy. Passed out by 10 pm. Jet lag is a brutal mistress.
Day 2: Vathy Exploration (and the inevitable sunburn)
- Morning: Woke up to the sound of church bells and the smell of coffee. God, this is life. Coffee on the balcony - the view was even better in the morning light. Took a while to get to the breakfast which was great.
- Late Morning: Wandered around Vathy. Tiny, colorful houses. Cats EVERYWHERE. Lost my way at least three times. Got hopelessly lost. Found the most charming little shop selling olive oil soap and handmade jewelry. Spent a small fortune. No regrets.
- Afternoon: Aimless wandering became purposeful sunbathing on a small beach. Almost immediately forgot to apply sunscreen. Burned. Badly. Spent the rest of the day looking like a lobster.
- Evening: Dinner at a taverna overlooking the harbor. The food was incredible. Grilled octopus (finally!), fresh fish, the works. Tried to order in Greek, mostly failed but received much laughter and good-natured help. Was a happy, slightly sunburnt, slightly tipsy mess.
Phase 3: Diving Deep (and the potential for epic failures)
Day 3: Coastal Drive & Beaches (and the quest for paradise)
- Morning: Rented a car. Should have opted for the smallest one possible. I'm not good at parallel parking. Got lost leaving Vathy. Eventually found the coastal road. The views were breathtaking. So, so beautiful. This place is like a movie.
- Afternoon: Beach hopping! Went to a couple of beaches that were recommended. Found one. No sand, just smooth white pebbles! Bliss. The water was crystal clear. Spent hours swimming, reading, and generally feeling like I'd stumbled into a dream.
- Evening: Drove back to Vathy. Washed the sand of my sunburned self. Dinner at a different taverna - another amazing meal. Tried a local wine that tasted like sunshine. Watched the sunset over the harbor. Another perfect evening. I was in love with Ithaca. Utterly and completely.
Day 4: Cave Exploration & Local Life (and the inevitable meltdown)
- Morning: Found a cave with a view that looked like a postcard. Managed, somehow, to take a million photos. Climbed high. Made some friends with some lizards. Felt like Indiana Jones.
- Late Morning: The weather turned. Thunder. And I mean, thunder. Rain. Huge drops. Scrambled for shelter, laughing and completely delighted. Walked. Got totally soaked. Found a tiny cafe, and had the best coffee I've ever tasted. The local shop owner shared his stories and told jokes in broken English.
- Afternoon: Attempted to make a Greek salad. Failed miserably. It looked like a massacre. Ate it anyway. (It tasted good, despite appearances).
- Evening: Walked the marina with the rain abated. Found a great restaurant that served traditional Greek cuisine. Ate more amazing food. Drank more amazing wine. (The wine is the best part.)
Phase 4: The Farewell (and the lingering longing)
Day 5: Relaxation & Departure (the emotional rollercoaster)
- Morning: Slept in. Ate a lazy breakfast on the balcony, watching the boats come and go.
- Late Morning: One last swim in the sea. Tried to memorize the feeling of the sun on my skin.
- Afternoon: Packing. The dreaded return. I didn't want to go. I didn't want to leave. Wrote a whole bunch of postcards, and swore to send them when back home.
- Evening: A final, final dinner at my favorite taverna (with a very, very generous tip for the staff). Walked the harbor one last time, feeling a pang of sadness. Ferry ride back to Athens. I knew I would miss Ithaca forever.
Day 6: Athens Departure (and the inevitable post-trip blues)
- Morning: Wake up in a hotel near Athens Airport. Feeling like a ghost. All the amazing experiences seem like a beautiful if distant dream.
- Afternoon: Departed Greece.
- Evening: Arrived home. Stared at my own four walls. Immediately began planning my return.
Post-Trip Reflections:
Ithaca was… magical. Messy, beautiful, and utterly unforgettable. It was everything I hoped for and so much more. I sunburned. I got lost. I ate too much. But I also found peace, beauty, and a whole lot of joy. I can't wait to go back. (And maybe this time I'll learn a few more Greek words.) Highly recommend. 10/10. Would get lost again.
Adonis Arc Hotel Aix: Your Dream Aix-en-Provence Escape Awaits!
Okay, so, "Escape to Paradise"... is it *actually* paradise-y? Like, the real deal?
What's the actual location like? Because pictures online often lie. (Don't they *always* lie?)
The hotel itself? It's not some gleaming modern monstrosity. It’s a bit older, feels lived-in, you know? I like that. Gives it a proper, Greek, feel.
The rooms – spill the tea! What are they *really* like? And the balconies... are they all they're cracked up to be?
The *size* of the room… well, "cozy" is a good word. Remember that eccentric aunt's house? Kinda like that. It’s not palatial, by any stretch. And the bathroom? Let's just say it's… functional. But clean. And hey, you're not there to live in the room, right? You're there to drink wine on the balcony and stare at the sea.
Speaking of which, **the balcony.** It's a must-have. Honestly. I spent at least half my trip on that balcony. Reading, napping, watching the boats come and go, and just… *breathing*. The size could be bigger, I admit. But it made up in view. And the feeling of being high above the water… priceless.
Breakfast! Don’t leave me hanging. What's the food situation like? Are we talking stale croissants and sad, lukewarm coffee?
It's the kind of breakfast you can linger over. With a view. And that, my friends, makes *all* the difference.
The staff – what are they like? Are they friendly? Helpful? Or just… there?
They made my trip, honestly.
What about the downsides? Be honest! No place is perfect!
The walk *up* to the hotel can be challenging, especially in the midday sun. Seriously, wear comfortable shoes, and maybe take a breather halfway (or two).
And the WiFi… it's not the strongest. Accept it. Embrace the digital detox. You're in Ithaca!
Okay, let's talk about that *view* again. Is it really that good? Is it worth the hype?
There was one morning, I remember, where the clouds were rolling over the harbor, and the sun was turning the sea into liquid gold. I sat there for a good hour, just completely lost in it. I forgot to drink my coffee. I just… stared. I’ve got pictures, of course. But they don’t do it justice. It’s something you have to experience. I would go back just for that view. Seriously. I am getting emotional thinking about it.
Is it good for families? Couples? Solo travelers? Who is this place *really* for?
Couples? Absolutely perfect. Romantic getaways, sunset drinks on the balcony, that kind of vibe.
Solo travelers? Definitely. Safe, welcoming, and the view is the ultimate companion.
Ocean View Inn
