August 18th 2024.
Could a holiday where I am responsible for all the parenting be worth it and, dare I say, even relaxing? As a thirty-something year old, I have very limited experience staying in hotels. Growing up in a large family, it was always difficult to find accommodations that could fit all of us. We often ended up camping or renting self-catering properties to save money. I remember one time, while waiting in line to board a plane, a stranger asked if we were on a school trip due to the size of our group. Despite the challenges, these family holidays created many cherished and humorous memories that I wouldn't trade for anything.
However, with the debut of Angsana Corfu in Europe, the first property of Banyan Tree hospitality company, I couldn't resist the idea of a hotel stay. The thought of not having to cook, clean, or plan anything other than which luxurious amenities to enjoy each day was too tempting to pass up. Plus, with my daughter being under 12, she could stay for free in the same room as me. As a single parent, this was a huge relief and made the idea of a holiday less daunting.
In the days leading up to our trip, both my daughter and I caught yet another cold, most likely from her nursery. We were already exhausted before our three-hour flight from London to Corfu, which ended up feeling much longer. We almost didn't make it on the plane as I was asked for my daughter's birth certificate due to our different surnames. Thankfully, my partner was able to send a photo of the required documents just in time.
After arriving at 11pm, much later than expected, we woke up at Angsana Corfu to breathtaking views from our room. The sight of the Ionian islands and swaying olive trees immediately made us forget the chaos of the previous 24 hours. Our balcony was the perfect spot for a morning coffee, with no other rooms in sight. It also had sunlight most of the day, allowing me to soak up some much-needed vitamin D while my daughter napped in the air-conditioned room.
As a parent, one of my biggest worries about staying in a hotel was being stuck inside during my daughter's nap time. But at Angsana Corfu, all rooms have private outdoor space, providing a solution for parents like myself. We stayed in the spacious Ionian Sea View One Bedroom Suite, which not only had a stunning view but also had all the amenities we needed. Having a separate bedroom meant I could stay up past my daughter's bedtime without disturbing her.
Waking up to the serene sea view through the sliding doors brought a sense of calm that I wasn't expecting so soon into our stay. However, that feeling was short-lived when my daughter unexpectedly vomited all over the bed and floor after a playful game. I was both embarrassed and grateful when the hotel staff quickly cleaned and left the room sparkling.
But the highlight of our stay had to be the buffet breakfast at Ruen Romsai restaurant. They had an array of delicious options, including pastries, eggs, chia seed puddings, and fruit plates. My daughter even discovered her new favorite drink, a "babychino," which she requested every morning. And how could we resist the hotel's award-winning infinity pool, voted Best Pool in the World in 2022 by Prix Villegiature? It measured 1000sqm and provided the perfect spot for us to relax and enjoy our holiday.
In conclusion, despite my initial fears and doubts, our holiday at Angsana Corfu turned out to be a much-needed break for both me and my daughter. The stunning views, luxurious amenities, and impeccable service made it a truly relaxing and memorable experience. And who knows, maybe this will be the start of more hotel stays for our small family in the future.
As I approach my thirties, I can't help but wonder if a holiday where I have to take on the full parental load will actually be worth it. Could it even be relaxing? You see, I didn't have much experience staying in hotels while growing up. With a big family, it was always more practical for us to go camping or stay in self-catering accommodations. I remember one time, a stranger even mistook us for a school trip while we were queueing to board a plane. But despite the financial sense, those family vacations filled with aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents, and everything but the kitchen sink are some of my most cherished memories. I wouldn't trade them for anything in the world.
But now, as a grown-up with a child of my own, the thought of being the sole parent on a holiday was mildly terrifying. Could it truly be worth it? Luckily, the Angsana Corfu, the first European property of Banyan Tree, opened its doors in 2021. And let me tell you, the idea of not having to cook, wash dishes, or worry about anything except choosing between the infinity pool and private beach each day was incredibly enticing. Especially after my daughter and I caught yet another cold from her nursery, leaving us exhausted even before the trip began.
The journey from London to Corfu was only three hours, but it felt like an eternity. We almost didn't make it on the plane because I was asked to present my daughter's birth certificate due to our different surnames. Can you believe I didn't even know about that rule? Thankfully, my partner saved the day by sending a photo of the necessary documents, and we were able to make our flight. Phew!
But all the stress and exhaustion disappeared when we arrived at Angsana Corfu, even though it was 11pm and delayed. The next morning, we woke up to the most breathtaking views from our room. The sight of Ionian islands and swaying olive trees from our balcony made us forget the previous 24 hours. We had somehow made it, and I could finally relax.
And speaking of our balcony, it was the perfect spot for a quiet morning coffee. It wasn't overlooked by other rooms, and it had the sun all day long. This meant I could soak up some much-needed vitamin D while my daughter napped in the cool, air-conditioned room. My biggest concern about traveling alone with a toddler was not being able to leave the room during nap time. But at Angsana Corfu, all rooms have private outdoor space, so that worry was gone.
We stayed in the Ionian Sea View One Bedroom Suite, which not only had spectacular views but also all the necessary amenities for a comfortable stay. The separate bedroom was perfect for my daughter's cot, and I could stay up late on the balcony or in the living room without disturbing her.
Waking up to the sea every morning and feeling a sense of calm wash over me was unexpected but very much welcomed. It gave me hope for a great day ahead. That is, until my daughter decided to surprise me with a sudden case of vomiting all over my bed and the floor. Perhaps playing "tickle monster" after a bowl of ice cream wasn't my best idea. But the hotel staff quickly came to the rescue, cleaning up the mess and leaving the room sparkling.
Now, let's talk about the best part of staying in a hotel – the buffet breakfast. And let me tell you, the spread at Ruen Romsai restaurant did not disappoint. From pastries to eggs to chia seed puddings and fruit plates, they had everything to fuel us up for the day. My daughter even had her first "babychino" and was immediately hooked. She woke up every morning after that, demanding her morning fix and asking when we were going to the pool.
And can we talk about the pool? The Angsana Corfu's infinity pool is a dream come true. In fact, in 2022, it was voted as the Best Pool in the World by Prix Villegiature. And it's no surprise – the outdoor pool measures a whopping 1000sqm!
So, to answer my initial question – was a holiday where I took on the full parental load actually worth it? Yes, without a doubt. And dare I say, it was even relaxing. The Angsana Corfu provided the perfect balance of luxury, convenience, and family-friendly amenities. It's safe to say that we will be returning next year, and maybe even the year after that.
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