The Island’s Best Resort: Our Domes Miramare Corfu Review, With Photos

We discovered it in 2021, and we’ve been hooked ever since – the Domes Miramare Corfu is a resort like no other. In fact, our fabulous stay back then brought us back the next summer, and then again the summer after that. Therefore, if you don’t have time to read our whole review, know that our opinion of this place is very, very positive.

Domes Miramare, a Luxury Collection Resort, is a high-end Marriott branded property on the eastern shore of the Greek island of Corfu. We’ve come to just call it “The Domes”, although that’s not quite accurate, because Domes Resorts is its own little chain of stunning properties all around the Greek Islands.

This one is on a peaceful little stretch of private beach with calm, warm water and sweeping views of the mountains on Greece’s mainland. On the edge of the horizon, you can see the shores of Albania.

We stay here for summertime relaxation. The pool experience, luxurious rooms, and overall serene seaside atmosphere makes this a place to stop and decompress – perhaps with a bit of sightseeing in between, because the rest of Corfu is absolutely gorgeous. That’s not to mention the excellent food and warm service from the Domes staff.

We know this place very well, so if you’re considering a trip to Corfu, keep reading for our opinions, plus lots of photos. We know we’ll be back, too – so this review will be updated in case we experience anything new!

Quick Summary: What to Know About Domes Miramare, Corfu

• “Casually luxurious” atmosphere, with very high-end architecture and furnishings, but still a chill vacation feel
• Location is about 35 minutes from Corfu Town – not terribly far, but a rental car is a good idea if you plan on exploring
• Adults-only: a major plus point for couples or friend groups looking for peaceful relaxation, but not families
  • If you need a family-friendly alternative, consider their sister property: Domes of Corfu, an Autograph Collection Resort, located on the other side of the island
• Two incredible pool experiences, both surrounded by lounge chairs and with bar service, plus a lovely beach
• Stunning, modern, and well-maintained guest rooms, basically all of which are sea-view
• Fantastic dining, which can be included in your room rate with half-board option
• The property is split by a somewhat busy road, but they recently installed an underground tunnel so you can avoid crossing it
• It is a large resort that gets quite busy in the summertime – not a boutique hotel experience
  • On the flip side, Marriott’s consistent quality mitigates this impact, plus offers loyalty and status benefits

Booking & Reservations: When to Visit and How to Get a Good Deal

Domes Miramare Corfu is a seasonal hotel, like most resorts on the Greek islands, and is only open between early May and early October. Honestly, this would be the only enjoyable time to visit anyway. The island all but shuts down for the winter.

July and August are peak season and are guaranteed to be near-sold-out. The weather will be hot with almost no rain or clouds, and most Europeans are on holiday during this period. If this is when you plan to travel, book a few months in advance and expect to pay a bit more. Marriott Elite members shouldn’t expect any upgrades or other “based on availability” amenities during this period.

If you have flexibility, consider June or September. You’ll get essentially the exact same weather, far fewer people to share the resort with, and lower prices. Marriott loyalists are much more likely to get rewarded during these months, too.

If you’ve been hoarding Marriott points, Domes Miramare is an exceptional place to use them. Certain days see points rates drop under the 50,000 mark – opening the possibility of using free night certificates. But even rates in the 50 or 60 thousand points represent excellent value compared to cash rates, especially if you go for fifth-night free bookings.

Also Read: The Best European Summer Destinations to Visit in 2024

Location & Setting of Domes Miramare Corfu

The Greek island of Corfu is a famous one – while it’s not as well-known in America as are places like Santorini or Mykonos, it’s a summertime hotspot for Europeans. Therefore, this island is not a hidden gem, and you should expect crowds in peak season. But that’s all the more reason to stay at a place like The Domes, where you can escape to your own little corner of peace and paradise.

Corfu is not one of the Cyclades in the Aegean, but rather an island in the Ionian Sea. It’s across the strait from the heel of Italy’s boot, just a few miles off the western part of the Greek mainland. And it’s even closer to the exotic and lesser-visited country of Albania.

Domes Miramare is in the small village of Moraitika. Located on the island’s eastern shore, about 35 minutes from Corfu Town and the airport, it’s a quiet spot without much more in the way of tourism – although the beaches here are nice and quiet, and there are a few fantastic traditional Greek tavernas to eat at. Do not miss The Village Taverna if you are looking for a dinner spot.

It is indeed on a busy road, which separates the Panoramic Wing (hill) side of the property. But they’ve mitigated this issue in several ways: for one, a (nice looking) wall blocks the sea side of the resort, keeping it quiet on the other side. And for two, you no longer need to run across the street to get to that side’s pool, rooms, and restaurants – they installed an underground tunnel for that.

But once you’re on the hotel grounds, whether it’s in the beachside olive grove or up the hill at the new pool, it’s a different world. You’ll quickly be compelled to order an Aperol Spritz, get in the water, and forget about everything else.

Getting to the Island of Corfu

Corfu has a major airport – at least in the summertime. You can find flights connecting the island to cities across Europe. It’s about an hour to Athens, two to Milan, and three to London. One-stop service from the US is definitely possible.

If you find yourself on the Greek mainland, the small port town of Igoumenitsa has near-constant ferries to Corfu that take less than an hour. There are multiple trips per day to the Albanian Riviera city of Sarande, taking a similar amount of time. Finally, the Puglia region of Italy is served by both daytime and overnight ferries to Corfu, with departures to and from the cities of Bari and Brindisi. We love getting a private room and waking up in the Greek Islands using this method.

As mentioned, Domes Miramare is a bit separated from the main parts of the island. If you plan to just kick back and relax without exploring too much, it’s easy to get a taxi or arrange a transfer for around 50 euros each way. But if you want to get out of the resort, consider renting a car. There are plenty of options for this on Corfu, but again, they can fill up fast during peak season.

The drive down the coast is very nice and not difficult at all. You’ll see the nicely painted wall of the resort for a few dozen meters before arriving at the lobby building, where you can pull in and park for free!

Also Read: Best Beaches in Milos, Greece

Checking In at Domes Miramare

We like to plan to arrive to the Domes early in the day, because even if it isn’t check-in time yet, you can still enjoy the pool, beach, and even breakfast buffet. After a bellman welcomes you at the driveway (shoutout to Kostas, our favorite) and stores your bags, the reception staff will seat you at a couch in the lobby rather than perform the check-in at the front desk.

At this point, you’re already experiencing the luxurious serenity of the Domes. At the center of the lobby is a centuries-old olive tree, which the modern building has been built around. There’s usually a pianist playing music next to it, and the gigantic glass windows immediately reveal the panoramic sea views that you’ll be enjoying for the rest of your stay. The welcome drink served during check-in is particularly excellent – we even continue to order it at the restaurant during our stay.

If you take our advice and arrive early, you’ll likely be escorted to breakfast or to a set of beach chairs by the pool to wait for your room. Your reception agent will give you a little tour and point out fascinating facts about the hotel – like the grove of olive trees that has been around for hundreds of years, and which the entire resort was built around. After that, it’s time to start enjoying your stay however you choose, whether it’s pool, beach, spa, or dining.

Rooms & Suites at Domes Miramare

Before we go further into the pool, beach, and restaurant details, it’s important to understand the layout of the Domes. The different sections of the hotel contain different room types, and while all are a great choice, they are different – and everyone will have their own preferences.

There are three separate parts of the resort. The first two are the original buildings on the Miramare Beach and adjacent to the main lobby and main restaurant, which has obvious advantages. These sections include the Emerald Retreat rooms and suites on one side and the Haute Living villas and suites on the other. All are beachfront or sea view.

The third part of the resort was just recently constructed across the street and up a small hill. As mentioned, they now have an underground tunnel so you can avoid crossing the street. This is where you’ll find the Jade and Opal Suites, all of which have ocean views from higher ground.

We’ve been lucky enough to stay on both sides of the street, plus we’ve experienced the Haute Living section thanks to getting lounge access. So, this is all first-hand information!

The Seafront Wing: Emerald Retreat Rooms and Suites

The Seafront Wing is where people generally default to preferring, because they want to be by the water. That’s all fair, and it’s definitely not a bad choice. You can guarantee yourself a spot with easy access to the pool area, beach, and lovely olive groves down here, and potentially even have a ground-floor terrace.

The categories here are called Emerald Retreat Sea View and Emerald Retreat Beachfront, available in both standard room and one-bedroom suite. There are only two floors in these buildings – so ground floor and upstairs. Sea View is generally upstairs, with a balcony facing the sea, while Beachfront is downstairs with a terrace. Some downstairs rooms are set very close to the beach, while others are set a bit further back in the olive groves.

All rooms have king-sized beds, and there is no double-double option. If you need separate sleeping arrangements, go with the suite, as they have a sofa that can be set up to sleep someone. Emerald Suites have very nice living rooms that basically double the size of a standard room, plus add an extra bathroom.

But if you aren’t willing to budget extra for that, do not worry – standard Emerald rooms are just as amazing! No matter what, all rooms in this part of the resort have lovely outdoor spaces, high-end furnishings and décor, spa-like bathroom amenities and robes, and much more. You probably won’t be spending much time in your room, but it’s an amazing place to start and end your day in the Greek Islands.

Being down here gives you easy access to what we call the “lower” swimming pool, which sits directly next to the beach, its adjacent bar, and the main restaurant. We’ll discuss all that in a bit more detail later.

The Panoramic Wing: Opal and Jade Suites

We’re skipping across the street, because this is the next most likely part of the resort you’re probably considering – unless you have a very large budget for your stay and can afford Haute Living. The Opal and Jade Suites are in the new building, called the Panoramic Wing, on the other side of the road. The sound of that last part usually immediately deters people… but not so fast, in our opinion.

These rooms are incredibly modern, more spacious, and have sweeping views of the sea and Greek mainland mountains. This part of the resort has its own stunning pool area, bar, restaurant, and lobby, and it’s where the spa is located.

Opal Suites and Jade Suites are almost identical but offer slightly different locations in the building. You can opt for versions with or without an oversized hot tub on the balcony – and we highly recommend selecting this feature! There’s nothing like retreating to your own private jacuzzi while you watch the colors of the evening with a glass of wine.

There’s also the Grand Opal Suite, which is larger in size thanks to an extra outdoor terrace. We loved sitting on the lounge chairs out here with morning Nespresso – machines also included in all rooms. But again, no matter which of the Opal or Jade Suites you go with, you can expect modern, luxurious, and more-than-satisfactory accommodations.

Best of all, the upper building’s swimming pool and bar are a hidden gem. For whatever reason, fewer people like to spend time up here, despite all guests having access. We love it, and have chosen to stay in Opal or Jade Suites for our past two stays for this reason. But again, more on the pool and dining experiences later.

Haute Living Suites and Villas

Finally, if you’ve got a big vacation budget, you can consider the Haute Living section of the Domes. This is a very private part of the resort on the other side of the lobby, on the water’s edge. It has its own pool area and club lounge.

The handful of rooms over here are all one-bedroom suites or villas. Most have their own private hot tub, and a few even have their own swimming pools. The entire area is exclusive to its guests, unlike the other two sections, making this the place to stay for those who need the best of the best.

We’ve never stayed over here, but we’ve been granted access to the club lounge, so we’ve seen quite a bit of it. It would definitely be nice to experience such luxury. The one downside, if any, is that there’s not much of a beach here – it basically just has a set of stairs directly into the sea.

Domes Miramare Beach and Pool Experiences

Hopefully, you have a good idea of the resort’s layout now and where you might want to stay. Luckily, with the exception of Haute Living, all guests can access all parts of the resort. We like to mix and match our days at the various pools and the beach.

Miramare Beach

The beach, which can easily be reached from any Seafront Wing room, is rather narrow. There are no more than two rows of lounge chairs and umbrellas lining it, so there’s not exactly a bad spot on the beach. Rather than sand, it’s mostly made up of small pebbles. It’s beautiful.

The water here is very calm, warm, and shallow for quite a distance out. It’s fantastic for swimming, soaking, and water games, but you probably won’t find much interesting when snorkeling. You can set up wakeboarding and water skiing trips, and if you take a short walk further south, there’s a giant obstacle course in the water.

One of Domes Miramare’s really cool assets is its private luxury speedboat, the Miramaretta. It docks directly in front of the resort and can be chartered for all kinds of things. Private sightseeing, trips to secluded coves, and special celebrations are some of the possibilities.

Seafront Wing Pool

The original pool down in the Seafront Wing is the most popular place to hang out, simply because it’s steps from the sea. It’s not huge, but there’s more than enough space for everyone, even in the high season. Besides the umbrellas, centuries-old olive trees provide some natural shade here. The pool always seems to be the perfect temperature.

The bar down here, Verde Pool Bar, is directly next to the pool and beach and offers service to your chair. The cocktail menu is exceptional. Our favorites are the Caribbean Mule and the Corfu Mule – both are based on the Moscow Mule but have coconut and kumquat, respectively.

This is a great place to hang out after the sun sets, too. After dinner at the restaurant, we love to hang out on a beach chair under the night sky and enjoy the slightly cooler island air.

Panoramic Wing Pool

Across the street, you’ll almost always find less of a crowd. We don’t quite get it, because it’s absolutely gorgeous up here, but we don’t mind having the place to ourselves either! This pool is much larger and divided into two sections, one flowing into the other.

There are comfy lounge chairs spaced nice and far apart all around it, and they continue up a few more tiers on the hill. There are also a select few covered cabanas for two on one side. No, you don’t have to pay anything for them! This pool has its own bar with the same offerings as down below.

Again, this is a beautiful evening chill spot. While you won’t get the calming sounds of the sea up here, the lit-up pool and panoramic view are just as relaxing when combined with nice music and a drink.

Restaurants at Domes Miramare

There are just a few options for dining at the Domes Miramare, but they are absolutely amazing. The main restaurant, located in the Seafront Wing, is 1962 By The Sea. It is literally steps from the sea and has wonderful outdoor seating to enjoy that atmosphere.

The breakfast buffet is extensive, and this is generally included in your room rate. Order a freddo espresso to try coffee the way Greek locals like it – you’ll never go back.

Lunch and dinner are à-la-carte Greek, European, and other international specialties, and we’ve never encountered a dish I didn’t like. If you go with a half-board room rate, dinner is included, and it’s almost always worth it. They used to offer a full-board package that included all meals, and we are really hoping it comes back someday!

Most days, we have lunch at either the Verde Pool Bar or Panorama Pool Bar. It’s too hard to leave your perfect spot by the pool or beach. They have simple things like pita, tzatziki, and hummus, as well as larger meals like sandwiches and salads.

On the rooftop of the main restaurant, a lounge called Raw Bar also serves evening sushi and cocktails. They also have a DJ playing music. But to be honest, we eat Greek food at every opportunity when in Greece, so we don’t usually dine here.

Finally, if you get tired of resort food or you want to save some money, there are some amazing local tavernas nearby. Your number one choice should be The Village Taverna, just a few minutes down the road and within walking distance. It is up a steep hill, but it’s worth it. Nico, the owner, and his team are some of the friendliest people you’ll meet in Corfu, and his wife makes some of the best Greek food on the island.

Soma Spa

Domes Miramare’s spa is located in the Panoramic Wing, and therefore, it’s all brand new. You can expect top-of-the-line facilities and a comprehensive wellness treatment menu. There’s also a sauna, hammam, and a beautiful indoor pool – but we’ve never brought ourselves to spend much time there, given the Greek summer sun is just outside.

The gym is also up here, and while it’s ultra-modern and well-equipped with a panoramic view, there’s a more popular alternative. In a quiet corner of the Seafront Wing across the street, there’s an outdoor open-air satellite gym steps from the sea. Most people like to run on the treadmill and lift some weights in this atmosphere instead.

Resort Activities and Things to Do in Corfu

While we spend most of our time lounging around the pools and beach, it’s always nice to try something special or see something new. Being a Luxury Collection Resort, the Domes does a great job of offering entertainment. You’ll receive an activity calendar when you check in with specific days, but here are some things you can expect:

• Morning yoga in the olive grove
• Painting masterclasses with a local artist
• Greek coffee brewing rituals
• Gastronomy and mixology classes
• Private boat charter opportunities on the resort’s own speedboat

And although you could easily spend every day of your trip relaxing at the Domes (and we have…), Corfu is a breathtaking place that begs to be explored. As mentioned, it’s great to have a car here, but many guided tours and activities will offer pickup. Consider some of our favorites:

• Corfu Town – The island’s charming and historic old town, lined with restaurants, shops, and culture. You can do a guided walking tour.
• Sidari & Canal d’Amour – Iconic spots in the northwestern part of the island, including a long, narrow cove that’s unbelievably photogenic. You can rent a boat up here to explore this dramatic coastline.
• Kassiopi – A tiny, quiet village in the northeast with some of the best pebble beaches on Corfu. We like snorkeling here, and this is the island’s closest point to Albania.
• Palaiokastritsa – Usually considered Corfu’s best beach, it’s a sandy cove on an otherwise cliff-lined coastline. We always rent boats here and escape to beaches you can only reach from the sea.
• Paxos & Antipaxos Boat Trip – These are two tiny islands close to Corfu with very small local populations and some of the most stunning coasts in the Ionian. You can easily find a cruise to see the coves and caves of these little pieces of paradise.
• Day Trip to Albania – Check another country off your list while you’re right across the channel! Ferries run multiple times a day to Saranda in the beautiful Albanian Riviera, and we can confirm that it is absolutely worth it. If you aren’t confident in doing it yourself, you can book a guided day tour from Corfu.

Final Thoughts: The Verdict on Domes Miramare Corfu

If it’s not clear already, the Domes Corfu is awesome. We’ve gone every summer for several years now. We’ve been to many Greek islands and intend to visit many more, but this place is literally the top reason we keep coming back to Corfu.

Corfu is beautiful, and there are certain activities we do every single time – like renting a boat in Palaiokastritsa and spending an evening in Corfu Town. But most of our time is spent enjoying the unbeatable ambiance of the Domes. Last year, we spent five days soaking up the sun by its pools and beach, and we left thinking it wasn’t enough.

The staff is a major reason we have such a good time. Each year, we are re-welcomed by people who remember us, and we get introduced to more and more of the fantastic Domes team. Maria K. and Aurela at the reception, Kostas on the bell team, and George at the Verde Pool Bar always make us feel more like family than guests.

If what we’ve described sounds like your kind of vacation, you will love the Domes. Go for it, and tell us what you think! In the meantime, we’ll be planning our return.

FAQ

Is the Domes Miramare Corfu family-friendly?

No, all guests must be age 16 or older to stay at this Corfu hotel. They do have a sister resort called Domes of Corfu, Autograph Collection, on the other side of the island, which is great for families.

Is the Domes Miramare Corfu a five-star hotel?

Yes, it is indeed a five-star hotel, and in our opinion, this rating is well deserved.

Which room is best at the Domes Miramare Corfu?

We love the Seafront Wing (Emerald Retreat rooms and suites) and the Panoramic Wing (Jade and Opal Suites) equally – it comes down to where you want to be. The Seafront Wing has direct access to the restaurants, main pool, and beach, but it’s usually busier down there. The Panoramic Wing may be across the street and up the hill, but its pool is larger, less crowded, and more luxurious in some peoples’ opinions. Wherever you stay, your room is going to be amazing.