Golden Mare Resort

As someone who is not picky at all and can adapt to almost any conditions, I have to say that this was, without a doubt, the worst hotel I have ever stayed in. My husband and I arrived at the hotel in a great mood, excited to enjoy our holiday. This was not our first time in Greece, so we knew what to expect and we certainly were not expecting luxury. We simply wanted a clean, comfortable place to stay. The moment we entered the hotel, we were hit by an awful smell. It wasn't just unpleasant – it was a terrible stench. Then we got into the elevator to go to the second floor. The elevator was filthy and looked as if someone had vomited or spilled bodily fluids inside. When we stepped out into the corridor, the same horrible smell was everywhere. Unfortunately, it didn't get any better when we entered our room. We found a torn curtain, a dirty floor, dirty mirrors covered with splash marks, an awful bathroom full of limescale, a broken bathroom cabinet, and even small bugs. I was honestly shocked. It looked as if the room hadn't been properly cleaned for several guests. Even the mirrors still had visible stains when we arrived. The windows were dirty. Everything was dirty. The common areas were no better. The swimming pool was cloudy, with visible algae, and looked disgusting. The sunbeds were in terrible condition—I will attach photos because words cannot describe them. We didn't even want to lie on them. The cutlery and glasses were dirty. The drinking water, which seemed to be desalinated seawater and was also used for all the soft drinks and cocktails, tasted awful and was impossible to drink. The coffee was equally bad, so we ended up buying coffee from nearby cafés every day. The restaurant was also very dirty. The windows, tables, and even the walls were filthy. On top of that, there was the same terrible smell in the dining area. I don't know whether it was coming from the sewage system, but it completely ruined the experience. The food was another huge disappointment. There weren't even any proper Greek olives, and the feta tasted like the cheapest supermarket version. Breakfast was by far the worst meal of the day. Even the bread was inedible. There were only two kinds of low-quality ham and some yellow cheese that was literally sweating because there was no air conditioning in the restaurant. The tomatoes looked old, the cucumber had no flavour, and the selection was very limited. The melon looked as if it had been sitting there for four days because it had already dried out. The only things we actually enjoyed were the French fries and the ice cream. However, even the ice cream scoop was left sitting in cloudy water, so I would recommend using your own spoon. I think the best recommendation I can give is the fact that we changed hotels after only two days. We simply couldn't stay there any longer. The only positives are the bus stop right outside the hotel and the beach, which is within walking distance. I am genuinely concerned that this hotel has a four-star rating. For the price they charge, the level of cleanliness, the quality of the food, and the overall standard are completely unacceptable. Even the plates in the restaurant were often still wet, which is unhygienic and allows bacteria to multiply. In my opinion, for the same money you are much better off renting an apartment from a local host and eating in nearby restaurants. You will almost certainly have a much better holiday than we did

My friend and I stayed at the Golden Mare Hotel last week and had a fantastic time. All of the staff were so welcoming, especially Ronaldo, who was always friendly and happy to help.

The restaurant was amazing, with a great selection at every meal. There was plenty of variety each day, so there was always something new.

We had a wonderful holiday and would happily recommend the Golden Mare Hotel to anyone visiting Corfu.

Good location away from the hustle and Bussell of town. Set on hillsides, so there are rooms are positioned on steep walks. Barbati beach is around 15 mins walk away. Buses run from outside the hotel. Green bus straight to Corfu town. Get off at the stop before the terminal. Or you will have to walk back into town and that can take 10-15 mins. €2.70 each way. Atmosphere is a mix of couples and families. Evening entertainment is live music sourced from outside. Most days it was good, however you may need to occupy yourself whilst the music is on. Room was average. I’d liken it to a Premier Inn in the UK and not 4 star. Issues were - no WiFi in the room even though we asked for it to be looked at over our week long stay. Gaps in the front door so bugs can get in and the door has to be slammed shut for it to lock. We could hear the people next door, wall are thin. Beds were ok - well used and the spare bunk beds are uncomfortable. Room was cleaned on a daily basis, but the cleanliness level was low. Bathroom not fully cleaned, not enough towels left each day and they were not always clean and some were worn out and ripped. No tea and coffee refills (had to ask). The plug in the bathroom sink was stuck closed. I had to chase a number of times to get it unblocked as we were using the shower to brush our teeth. When the technician came, he just removed the plug and left it on the side, without a repair. Not a great service. The shower gel ran out, so we had to ask for more, surely this should be part of the daily routine. Restaurant was well run and efficient. However, there is no air con in the main restaurant and flies are in the outside space. Food was good variety each day. Breakfast was the same, lunch and dinner had options - limited but nice. Drinks taste of salt, however the water is filtered. So we bought our own. They did cater very well for our son who has a gluten free diet. Thank you George and team. The pool was clean and well kept. However, the surrounding area around the pool was dirty and not cleaned during the day. Sun beds are also not cleaned and have marks on them. Pictures on the website and reality are not the same. No WC outside by the pool area. You have to go through the reception to get to one WC. There is a bar next to the pool and they serve coffee, cocktails and local beers and sprits. Reception team were helpful, although they had to be chased. The grounds are quite hilly. If you have an outside room be prepared to climb slops and some stairs. Not good it’ll you are elderly or struggle with mobility. The hotel shop is well stocked and has all the necessary essentials. Snacks, creams, hats and drinks. Overall, I would say this is an ok hotel. It’s not a 4 star if I compare it to other 4 star hotels in Greece. It’s a 3 star hotel at best. Friendly staff all busy doing their jobs. It’s 45-50 mins from the airport. WiFi around the hotel was ok and worked well.