The Durrells TV show introduced Corfu to a new audience, on a recent stay at LUXME Costa Botanica Resort in Corfu Sean King was pleased to find that’s no bad thing.
LUXME Costa Botanica, Corfu
The Durrells’ TV series, based on the 1956 book My Family and Other Animals by Gerald Durrell, has definitely helped bring about a resurgence of interest in all things Corfu.
The original memoir took a humorous look at life in 1930’s Corfu, painting a vivid, romantic picture of the island and, together with the recent TV series, has further cemented it as an ever-popular family holiday destination with something for all ages, and just over a three hour flight from the UK.
LUXME Costa Botanica takes a thoughtful approach to families
During our recent family break, we stayed at LUXME Costa Botanica; an all-inclusive luxury resort spanning 350,000 square metres of land and canals, overlooking a long, natural beach facing the Ionian. Following its recent upgrade, Costa Botanica now offers a wide range of family accommodation, and in other good news, invites children under-12 to stay free.
When you mention Greek island holidays to most families, the conversation often turns to concerns about finding child-friendly beaches and restaurants or activities beyond sandcastle building, LUXME Costa Botanica addresses all these issues beautifully.
In fact, what really sets the resort apart is its all-round thoughtful approach to family holidays. Aside from children under-12 staying free, the resort is very much designed with families in mind, from its child-friendly facilities to the choice of spacious family lofts, bungalows, apartments and suites, sleeping up to five guests.
READ MORE: Where to find beaches in Greece worth planning your family holidays around
Waterpark, LUXME Costa Botanica, Corfu
A 40,000m² waterpark wins hands down with kids
Then there’s the 40,000m² waterpark which comes with everything from adrenaline-pumping slides to gentle lazy rivers. The donkey farm adds a magical touch that children will remember years later, and parents appreciate the sophisticated Piazza Popolare dining hub.
The resort also sits next to Antinioti Lagoon, so you’re surrounded by genuine natural beauty, as well as 90 species of birds, turtles, and orchids.
LUXME Costa Botanica’s approach to all-inclusive offers multiple dining options to satisfy different tastes and even moods. There are four à la carte restaurants, along with a bountiful Mediterranean buffet and more than enough choices, even for vegans and vegetarians. With everything included from snacks and ice creams to your mini-bar, there are no unwelcome surprises at the end of the holiday.
Multiple sports are included too, such as tennis and padel, yoga classes and aqua aerobics, so kids can try new activities without parents worrying about costs.
LUXME Costa Botanica kids’ clubs go above and beyond
Children’s facilities here go well beyond standard kids’ clubs, as the resort offers activity programmes featuring fun Greek culture lessons and even water sports’ instruction for different ages and abilities. Also, the resort’s Grecoland areas aren’t just play zones, they’re full entertainment complexes with movie nights, eco-gardens and live shows.
The variety works particularly well for families with mixed age group kids. Plus, you’ll find welcome adult-only areas as well, and the resort’s spa and fitness offerings feel accessible rather than intimidating, with activities ranging from yoga and Pilates to boxing and sessions in the outdoor gym.
READ MORE: 10 secret Greek islands your kids will love in summer
Corfu Old Town
Go exploring all over Corfu
If you want to explore wider Corfu, the friendly concierge team is always happy to help with your arrangements.
For example, it’s well worth booking a guided tour of Corfu Town as there’s so much to see and learn about this medieval UNESCO World Heritage site. We were lucky enough to be guided by Nausica, the co-founder of Corfu Walking Tours, who was both delightful and a font of all knowledge about Corfu and its history. The Romans, Venetians, French and British have all ruled this strategically important island at some point, so there’s a lot to discover. Plus, for fans of The Durrells, a visit to Corfu Town is almost a pilgrimage.
Families keen to travel around the island but who don’t want to hire a car, should think about a jeep safari. It’s a brilliant alternative to going it alone, and our fun and knowledgeable tour guide made sure we got the inside scoop on all the best places to see.
We also booked dinner at Danilia Village, a replica Greek village that was used as a location in the James Bond movie, For Your Eyes Only, and more recently, in The Durrells, of course. The original village was almost destroyed by an earthquake in the 1950s but was then transformed into a museum by the Bouas Brothers in 1970. It was subsequently acquired by Grecotel in 2000, and over the years has been used to host weddings and other large events.
Our verdict on LUXME Costa Botanica Resort
LUXME Costa Botanica succeeds because it understands that the best family holidays have plenty of sophisticated planning behind all the seemingly effortless fun, so its combination of genuine luxury, comprehensive all-inclusive and outstanding family facilities means everyone – from toddlers to grandparents – can enjoy the holiday feeling and relax a little more than usual.
After five decades perfecting Greek hospitality, Grecotel has created resorts that showcase the best of Greece and lower the stress of family travel. So its ‘Luxury Made Easy’ promise isn’t marketing hyperbole, but rather a genuine commitment to perfecting family holidays.
READ MORE: Find the best Greek island holidays for younger kids
Make It Happen
How to get there
Direct UK flights to Corfu from 3 hours, 5 minutes
Where to stay
LUXME Costa Botanica, Family Apartment (2 adults, 2 children) all-inclusive from £530 per night grecotel.com
Good to know
MORE FAMILY TRAVEL STORIES
The best of British family hotels for breaks with kids this year
The best family hotels in the world recommended by parents who know
Best Dubai family hotels for children of any age, and teens too
20 best family hotels in Spain for easy escapes with your kids