San Stefanos Online ~ North West Corfu

We made our first visit to San Stefanos on June 21st 2013 and after reading the comments posted on this forum and other comments from people who’d been we were expecting a wonderful holiday.  We weren’t disappointed. 
We were staying in the Barras apartments and had read slightly conflicting reports but we had little reason to complain.  The only downside about our very spacious apartment was the kettle was in need of – well needed replacing.  We even found the frogs chorus amusing and once we’d closed all the doors and had the air con going they didn’t bother us one bit.  The rooms were cleaned everyday bar the Sunday and the towels etc changed around three times a week.  Believe me, we’ve had far worse.  The bar area was excellent but one criticism and one that we would level at a few of the places we visited, Mythos should be served in a Mythos glass!!!  Having a Mythos whether draft or bottled doesn’t look right in an Amstel glass, nor an Alpha glass.  Nitpicking maybe, but standards had been set.  Also they didn’t stock Corfu beer – I know the reasons why and that will be a separate story.
Because of the number of restaurants available we didn’t get the chance to dine in the Barras one but that’s because we had so much choice.
The San Stefanos resort has something to suit just about everyone and the beach in excellent.  Those sun beds outside Mango are almost as comfy as a soft bed!  Kostas just further along has good ones as well.  The choice of where to eat at lunchtime is as good as you’ll find almost anywhere and you can make them suit any budget.  On one side of the beach there’s The Havana bar, Mango bar and Athenia all with a great selection of food and drink but again Mythos in an Amstel glass – no thank you!  Over the bridge the two other bars really meet all requirements.  Waves and Mistral are excellent and yes Mythos as it should be and eating a light lunch, sipping Mythos from an ice cold glass and listening to the almost haunting Greek music is something special. 
The night life has something to suit most tastes and along what we called ‘The Strip’ you had the Elvis impersonators, Karaoke, Motown nights and more besides.  That’s not for me though as I preferred the old town.  Dining overlooking the sea is what we love about Corfu but we didn’t just shun the sounds of music; we became early evening regulars in El Greco and started to use it as the place for a nightcap as well.  The place deserves a special mention in a separate post as does Summer Dreams, surely a place deserving of more custom.  Both El Greco and Summer Dreams do the Corfu brewery products justice.
So just to sum up this initial post San Stefanos is just about the ideal resort if you like a mix of everything.  Not as quiet as Arilas but not as lively as Sidari.  Nobody is in your face trying to tempt in into places or sell you things and you can still get that old Greek feeling about being in a different time zone.  We had our two weeks and loved every minute apart from the early mosquito attacks on the other half of the Mythos2 – they left me alone though.   
     
Hope people don't mind my posts but I do like to spread the word and share thoughts.

We've just returned home and I intend to make comments about the places we dined at.  Just to say though, that the Fantasea was special - we we dined their twice and on the first night it was a bit chilly so everyone was indoors.  Superb food and service.  The second time we sorted out a meza and we could dine on the balcony are overlooking the sea and the resort.  I would say it was one  the best experiences I've had when dining out.  The service again was top notch, the 'waiters' amusing and polite.  The food - superb.  We had giant beans, Greek salad, pototes and the best Kalimari ever.  One litre of wine, two metaxa's each [one on the hourse] and there was a bit of salad left.  We paid 40 euro and felt we'd had more than value for money.  Any other thoughts on the place because they deserve coustom.

I suppose going up at least means after you've wined and dined its all downhill and that's a bonus.

South George's South - was there last year and stayed at Doras.  The eating places are superb but during the day the San Carlos is great - free Sunbeds and the family that you end up with as friends. 
At night Alex - next to the Panorama [or near as] is the local madhouse, he never stops telling his yarns and tops up the wine carafe without being asked and often without charging.  There's a 'real' Greek place opposite and Saturday nights are Greek nights - not just dancing but music and everything.  Try the Seagul - the waiter never stops singing his Greek melodies and the ambience is as good as anywhere.  Good bars all over the place and would go there again. But San Stef got the call.

What's the local Stan Stefanos forecast for the next few weeks?  The hotter the better as far as I'm concerned but that doesn't suit everyone.

All your comments are getting us into the holiday mood - as is the current good UK weather.  We expect to arrive around midnight two weeks today and my other half will insist on a Mythos before we even think about anything else.  So a midnight special it must be - give or take a few minutes.  My Niece stayed in the Barrass apartments a few years back and has been to San Stef a total of 14 times and has given me a few tips.  We love Corfu and last year had two great weeks in St Georges South so anyone going there give the San Carlos a go, great daytime diner and bar, free sunbeds etc. 
Is the San Stef doughnut man the same one who trades on the beach in Arilas - he sounds the same, over priced and dodgy.

How far from the beach?  I think Thompsons said 250m but just checking.  Any comments on the place like, room facilities and cost of air con?  Is the supermarket close by as my first job on the first full day will be to stock up with coffee, milk, orange juice and water.  If there's a toaster could get bread as well.  Sunny here now so getting in some sunshine practice.

 

Thanks for all the comments.
We usually stay on the beach for as long as we can and rarely go pool side.  If we can find the right spot, a taverana or two for lunch then we'll cope.  Last year we were in St George South, found a place with free sun beds and reckon we saved over 70€/100€.  We dined in his restaurant daily and everyone was happy.  If I went to a pool of some other hotel I'd expect to at least buy a couple of drinks but it won't be the case if the beach is what we expect it to be.  Sadly these days we have to have a budget but that's life.  8€ per day for a sun bed for me and the other half will be accounted for but if some place offers a sunbed in exchange for lunch or a discounted lunch then that's not a problem either.  Our usual day is to hit the beach at around 11ish and find a place on the beach near the taverana's and that's us sorted till say 6ish?