Having read some recent negative reviews [on other sites] we were a little apprehensive so here goes with our opinion, firstly the negative.... not suitable or those with mobility issues.

Now the nitty gritty, the hotel is built up the side of the Pantokrator range [ hills],overlooking the Gulf of Barbati this hotel offers stupendous views across to Kyrkira [Corfu] town, the hotel runs a courtesy car up and down the hill from hotel to main road every half hour or so, but if you wish to go to the local beaches there is still a long steep walk ahead of you.

Our room was just a standard room, whilst not large we found adequate, the bathroom [formally wet room] is small but functional although both a little tired and dated in fittings and decor, However scrupulously clean with a small balcony with terrific views

The public areas were very clean, comfortable, and quite smart, the housekeeping staff do an excellent [if often unseen] job, the gardens are well kept and on the whole the hotel is in good condition

A small pool bar serves drinks and snacks during the day [at reasonable prices]. Breakfast is the usual cold buffet supplemented with a selection of hot dishes [bit repetitive] do not expect English style breakfast.

Dinner again the usual selection of Greek salad dishes and dips, lovely soups, fresh bread and a selection of hot dishes [again do not expect the usual British type sausage/fish/chips] cooked in Ionian style

As this hotel has guest from many countries you may in-counter some who do not speak [or very little] English, this we did not find a problem, over all we found the staff extremely pleasant and help-full.

No entertainment was offered the week we attended.

I may sound biased but since we have been to the Pantokrator six times since 1997 that's probably understandable.

The hotel and rooms are kept clean and tidy by the most friendly cleaners imaginable.

The self serve food is basic but filling at breakfast with muesli, cornflakes, cold meats, cheese, beans (served hot), boiled eggs, toast, lovely coffee and or a choice of fruit juices. If you want to enjoy the most stunning view whilst you breakfast sit on the capacious terrace.

The evening meals I have found invariably delicious with a wide variety of starters and mains, again a most romantic setting if you are on the terrace overlooking the sea with a superb 180 degree view.

We find the rooms quite adequate and prefer the separate blocks in the terraced arrangement to one big hotel. Try and get an upstairs room as it can be a bit noisy below. In our opinion the overall package is inexpensive particularly if you are able to organise your own flight and book direct.

The pool is large and quite shallow and the bar staff
do a great job and speak perfect English. There is a good range of food and drinks.

Pantokrator location is a bit remote and the access is steep but this adds to the hotel's charm in that it remains fairly quiet and therefore traditional, however you do need to be aware of the climb to the hotel and then to your room but this is easily solved by hiring a car or there is regular free taxi up and down the hill which is run by the hotel.

The cost for the car was 150 Euros (barter for a good deal locally) for an open topped Fiat for 7 days which we left at the airport when we returned thereby saving 25 Euros in the taxi.It was also useful for the daily trip to the shop which is just halfway down the hill and opens up the entire island at least some which you must see.

The staff are very efficient particularly Elaine in Reception who is a Brit but now lives in Corfu. If you ring the hotel direct she will help you with amazing efficiency particularly if you want to tailor make your holiday for an odd number of days or you've found a cheap flight like we did this year for 8 days.

The bar staff are good but the language barrier prohibits them getting to know you too well and in September the bar is quiet so they tend to be the same. The gardeners work hard and the roses around the balcony are beautiful.They are always friendly.

In the peak months of July and August there is plenty of entertainment but in September there is only a Greek night once a week with a bit of a disco so don't expect to dance the night away, however the terrace is an ideal place to sit and chat to new friends or revive your romantic side with that stunning view across the water and the moon reflecting off it.

We will be returning to the Pantokrator again next year.

HOTEL: Very nice and clean with a fabulous pool area with the best views on the island, the backdrop of the mountains is stunning, however this makes for a VERY steep walk to the hotel from the main road and it doesn't end there. Once you arrive at the hotel reception you discover the rooms are in in fact more like small apartments built higher up on varying stages of hills set right back in the hill above. Each block is completely seperate from the actual hotel building itself which in fact only houses the bar, reception and dining rooms.

ROOMS: Adequate with varying configurations of beds some have 3 singles others 2 or even 1 double and a single, all rooms vary in size and shape as do the balconys (of which all rooms have one) The usual lastic table and 2 chairs on balcony come as standard alonf with a small wadrobe and 2 small draws. There is air con units in the rooms which are payable locally for approx 8 Euros per day plus a fridge which can also be rented daily. The rooms are quite cramped but fine for what you need and the staff will let you have more blankets, towels and pillows etc. Bathroom again small but adequate they have the usual hand held greek shower facility ! But at least you get a shower curtain even if it is 5 inches short of the tray !!!!! The water was always hot even though the weather wasn't (come to that later) perhaps it may not be if there were more than the 8 rooms being used when we were there. Rooms are cleaned daily except Sundays and sheets and towels changed every other day.

FOOD: Brekkie was the usual greek standard affair of cold sliced meats, greek yoghurt, sliced cake, museli and cornflakes. Plus the toaster for toasting your brown or white bread also honey and jams available. Tea and STRONG coffee plentiful but beware they only provide Earl Grey tea bags it is served in the dining room between 8 & 10 and they are pretty strict at shutting it all away at 10am too so not for stragglers or late risers ! You can order a full english for an extra 3 Euros if required, although we never did so can't comment on it. The Pool Bar was open every day (except when it was raining !!!) and served lovely coffee, milkshakes, alcohol and fruit juices along with good quality snacks at very reasonable prices. Carla is the resident wizard in the pool bar and is very quick and very friendly.
The main bar does serve food in the evening but it's very limited at this time of the year and we didn't bother, however we did all have our first drink of the evening in the bar and although it was nice I wouldn't say the staff go out of their way at all to get to know the guests they all very much keep themselves to themselves.