As far as family travel planning goes, it never really stops. The constant search for the balance of family fun along with a finer style of adult holidaying never ceases, as we bookmark articles, keep browsers open with recommendations from friends, save instagram posts. But sometimes, as I’ve just experienced, letting go and embracing full family fun is the only way forward.
Admittedly, I went into LuxME’s Costa Botanica slightly naïvely having never been to an all-inclusive, my nose turned up, only wanting to stay the best of the best hotels – even with my kids. This property changed my opinion completely.
The Vibe
The fourth property from the Grecotel group in Corfu, space is optimum. Sitting on 1,000 metres of natural beach and across an oasis of olive grove gardens and wildlife, this hotel is built on a protected wetland in the shadow of a mountain, meaning wild animals and luscious tropical gardens are never far away, with the building’s architecture fitting seamlessly into its surrounds. A long drive opens up to the wide open-spaced lobby, an imposing large elephant’s mould on the wall.
Learning during my visit that “LuxME”, stands for “luxury made easy,” it all made sense. It is as easy as a trip with kids could be – a childhood paradise on a Greek island, and so well equipped as a family hotel, you could say its a giant kids’ club with great wine. The staff are as warm as the weather, welcome and all smiles, knowing what you want before you even ask.
The Food + Drink
A very generous and great tasting buffet serves breakfast, lunch and dinner with daily changing menus and enough choices to never get bored: fish to meat, salads to endless deserts, and an ice cream station on the main piazza every night. The Cava Bottega invites you to discover hundreds of selected labels from Greek and international vineyards, with the guidance of experienced sommeliers. At several points throughout the hotel, you’ll find a creperie and a gelateria, and a designated Chocolate Bar offering traditional Greek delights, candies and homemade treats. Remember, there’s plenty of space for children to run off the sugar rush.
You can choose between four à la carte restaurants from Greek to Japanese and Italian, plus the Botanica Fine Dining restaurant for a special evening out (only for 12 years old and up). The Tavernaki was a favourite with a great selection of Ouzo, fresh bread, local produce and olive oil – likely a restaurant you’ll repeat a few times during your stay. The newest addition is the Lobsteria, offering lobster and sparkling wine, plus a collection of degustation menus and a set menu.
But you know you can’t go wrong with a family friendly buffet. In a courtyard lined with cypress trees, the resort’s Mediterranean Restaurant gives you enough choice for fussy palates, as they can pick and choose their way through all sorts of global culinary tastes, with the added flair of live cooking stations and a special kids’ menus at every meal time. Take a seat on the piazza, under the Greek sun and even if your kids (like mine) like to run around, its of no disturbance to the guests while they enjoy chasing birds and playing with other children. Plus kids dine free, a bonus with non-stop snacking.
The Rooms
From country house rooms to summer houses, accommodation option ranges from two bedroom, two bathroom houses, to interconnecting rooms with a shared swimming pool, bungalows with gardens to playroom suites with a private veranda.
Every room offering has a complimentary stocked mini bar and comes with either views, pools, gardens or balconies; enough choice to pick your preferred arrangement depending on the age of your kids. With the resort sprawled over so much land, you have enough space across every option. The elegant and romantic country room comes with a shaded veranda, ideal if you’re travelling with an under one year old. The family suite at Yucca’s Residence is a great option for two adults and two children up to 12 years old – an elegantly furbished living room, with a large private veranda, which doubles as children sleeping quarters or as a place to enjoy games, reading and TV. Larger families should book into the PlayRoom Suites, generously spaced with two-room suites, ideal for families of five.
The Child’s Play
There are two standout items at this property. The kids’ waterpark and the entertainers at the kids’ club. They nurture, smile and laugh with your children, as if they are their own kids. There are endless things to do for kids alone or as a family. A zoo tour to art classes, a family movie night to horse riding, adventures through the herb garden, scooter rides and Corfu bike tours.
The Grecoland Kids Club is an experiential haven for children which focuses on play as a medium of self-discovery. Set just next to the waterpark, the weekly schedule of activities means you’re fully entertained, day to night. And back to the waterpark itself. An amazing 40,000 square metre aqua park is filled with waterslides, rides and aqua fun. A Kamikaze slide and a Free Fall (definitely for older children and adults) and a Lazy River to calm down after the adrenaline high. The children’s play area is gentle with the right amount of fun, Kids Bozo Slides, Lazy Duck and Lazy River. As well as this wet area, there are pools with child-friendly areas, shallow enough for toddlers to stand knee-deep and splash around. End the day every evening with a kid’s party at 8pm, the right amount of fun and dance to send them off into a deep slumber at night (even after they’ve had their share of ice cream).
If you’re travelling with young babies, you’ll be sent a pre-order form so they can anticipate any of your needs. Cots to trainer steps, sterilisers to buggies, bouncy chairs to monitors, they’ve thought of it all.
The To-Do List
Within a walking distance from the complex is the lagoon of Antiniotis, one of the most impressive landscapes on Corfu, with a diverse ecosystem that hosts more than 90 species of migratory birds, rare turtles, the unique Corfiot otters, sand dunes with lilies, wild orchids, olive groves and impressive vegetation. Jeep safaris, boat tours and plenty of watersports options are available. Should you want to venture off property, treat yourself to a walk around Corfu town with a professional guide who will inform you about the historic and cultural background of the sites. Adults looking for downtime? Yes, there is a full spa centre with hammam, massages and a whole selection of treatments to undulge.
Asking the taxi driver, “Is there any crime here?” He said, “No, this is the safest place in the world.” “Do you know why?” he continued, “because the sun is shining.” May it always shine on Costa Botanica, thank you for welcoming me to my first all inclusive. I’ll be back.
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