Crystal Blue Hotel, Barbati, Corfu

Crystal Blue Hotel is an aparthotel in Barbati for divers who like having room to organise the day their own way. You have a pool, a garden, a spa and a beach directly accessible from the property, so the rhythm can stay pleasantly simple: sea, shade, something cold to drink, and no need to dress for dinner unless you want to.

English is spoken by the hotel team, alongside German and Greek. That makes arrivals, practical questions and everyday requests straightforward for English-speaking guests. The official website is also available in English, German and French.

The atmosphere suits couples as well as small families. Air-conditioned accommodation, outdoor seating, a shared lounge and a choice between self-catering facilities and hotel dining give you options rather than a rigid holiday routine.

You stay in Barbati, on the north-east coast of Corfu, with the hotel set on the seafront. Glyfa Beach is directly accessible and has pebbles, sun loungers and parasols. Nissaki Beach and Barbati Beach are both about 0.6 mile away, while Kaminaki Beach is about 1.5 miles away.

The immediate surroundings are practical rather than cut off. Taverns are within about 0.1 mile, and the nearest supermarket is about 0.5 mile away. For a wider choice of restaurants, La Riviera Barbati Taverna is about 0.9 mile away; Corfu Town is about 11 miles from the hotel.

A car or bike is useful for exploring the island, and the hotel has free private parking. The Corfu International Airport is about 12 miles away. Nearby sights include the New Fortress in Corfu Town, the Kapodistrias Museum and the historic sites around Pantokrator and Kassiopi.

The accommodation is set up for real holiday living rather than simply sleeping between outings. Depending on your room, you have a kitchenette with a dining table, coffee machine, kettle, fridge and cooking facilities, or a fully equipped kitchen. That fridge is useful for keeping water cold, while the table gives you somewhere to deal with breakfast, maps or the inevitable pile of damp holiday clothes.

For two, the sea-view rooms are the obvious choice if the outlook matters more than squeezing every last bit of value from the room. The smaller double rooms keep things compact, while the larger Deluxe King, Superior Double and King rooms give you more space to sit and recover properly. The Family Suite is the practical option for a small family, with a separate sense of living space rather than everyone sharing one sleeping area.

Air conditioning helps when Corfu has done its warm-and-sunny routine all day. Rooms also have soundproofing, a private entrance, a safe, hairdryer, flat-screen satellite TV and views that may open towards the Ionian Sea, the garden, the pool or the mountains. Cleaning takes place every second day; bath towels are changed twice a week, with additional changes available on request.

The Main Restaurant handles breakfast, lunch and dinner in an air-conditioned indoor setting, with international cooking on the menu. Breakfast is a buffet served from 07:00 to 10:00, with continental and Italian choices alongside the usual buffet spread. Half board is available, which can make sense if you would rather keep the evening close to the hotel than go searching for a table after a full day outside.

For dinner, the A la Carte Restaurant moves onto the terrace and focuses on Mediterranean food. It has a smart-casual dress code, so this is the place for the shirt that survived the suitcase. The hotel also offers room service around the clock, breakfast in your room, packed lunches and a snack bar.

There are two cocktail bars. The Pool Bar keeps drinks within reach of the swimming pool, while the Main Bar is in the lobby. A coffee house on site covers the less ambitious but often more important business of getting the first drink of the day.

The main outdoor focus is the large swimming pool, with a bar built into the pool area. Sun loungers and parasols are provided around it, giving you an easy place to spend an afternoon without committing to another excursion. The garden and terraces add space to sit outside, while the directly accessible pebble beach offers a change of surface and scenery.

The spa is more useful than a decorative room with a candle in it: treatments include massage and facials, with a sauna and jacuzzi for slower recovery. There is also a gym and yoga classes, should you feel the need to remind your legs that they have other responsibilities.

On the water, the hotel offers snorkelling, kayaking, paddleboarding, boat excursions and equipment rental. On land, you can take up hiking or join cultural excursions to Corfu and Paleokastritsa. The programme also includes themed evenings, while families have access to babysitting and a children's menu.

Airport transfers are available through the hotel, and car and boat rental can also be arranged. Free private parking is available on site without a reservation, which is handy if you plan to use the hotel as a base for exploring Corfu rather than relying on taxis. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property.

Check-in starts from 14:00 and check-out is by 12:00. You need to give the hotel your expected arrival time in advance; for a late arrival, the key can be left at the door with your name. Identification and a payment card are required at check-in, and cash is not accepted. The minimum age for check-in is 18.

Children of all ages are welcome. Cots for very young children can be requested, subject to availability, but extra beds are not available. Smoking is not allowed, pets are not accepted, parties are not permitted, and quiet hours run from midnight to 08:00. Laundry and dry-cleaning services, luggage storage, a concierge and a reception safe are also available.