Mayor Pelekas Monastery

The large, white, modern building is nestled into the green mountains overlooking the beach. Stone walkways allow guests to easily walk around the beautiful property, which is full of lush trees and bushes. There are also many stairs, so guests must be able to handle this. There are several outdoor terraces and balconies, including off the main restaurant and in most rooms, which allow guests to fully absorb the scenery. The sleek lobby has floor-to-ceiling windows and is filled with lots natural light. The off-white comfortable couches, gauzy curtains, and light grey walls create a serene, chic atmosphere.

The hotel is located off of a quiet road situated within the lush mountains over Pelekas Beach. Although a bit isolated, it's just a short distance from many of the beautiful beaches and nearby attractions in Corfu, including Glyfada Beach (about a 10 minutes' drive), and Aqualand (about a 15 minutes' drive). History buffs will enjoy the Old Fortress and Paleokastritsa Monastery, both within about a half-hour of the hotel. Corfu International Airport is about a half-hour drive away.

Air-conditioned rooms are spacious and clean with contemporary decor, including a sitting area with a couch and coffee table, flat screen TVs, and mini-fridges. Off-white walls and simple furniture give the rooms a bright, airy quality, and there are large balconies with fantastic views -- either looking inland or out to the ocean. Some overlook the amphitheater, which can be noisy at night when there are performances going on. The bathrooms are small but clean, with green tiled floors, and shower/tub combos with a glass wall. There's a notice not to flush paper, but this is common on the island due to delicate plumbing. Some of the rooms could use a bit of a refresh. Minibars are available upon request for a fee.

There are many features that take advantage of the hotel's beautiful beachfront. A huge sun terrace -- with palm trees, lounge chairs, and cushioned wicker couches -- provides a relaxing space to look at the sparkling water. Just a quick walk down the stone stairs brings guests to the large private beach with gorgeous green mountains in the distance. Guests can relax under an umbrella in the lounge chairs spread out along the large sandy area (both sun beds and umbrellas are free), go for a dip in the turquoise water, or play a game of volleyball on the beach court. It's a good idea to arrive in the morning to claim a lounge chair, as guests go early to reserve them. The hotel has four restaurants -- Olive Tree, which is a la carte and more formal, and Pergola, which is also a la carte. Petra -- the main buffet -- and Tortuga -- an a la carte beach bar -- both offer terrace dining. All-inclusive packages are available, but past guests have reported paying extra for bottled water and cocktails. Room service is available for a fee. There's also a unique enclosed area under an outdoor gazebo for spa treatments, including a pedicure station. A large lagoon-style pool with kiddy pool, plus a kids' club and outdoor game room keep families entertained.