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kimkim staff visits the Ionians
Greece | Jun 18 - Jun 27, 2026

Julia
Julia v.
St. Catharines, Canada | Reviewed on Aug 31, 2026

I'm a kimkim staff member and was sent on a particular assignment where I had the pleasure of experiencing the kind of trip our travelers get to (thanks to the nature of the assignment and the Greece team's knowledge of the Ionians, culture, and operations—shout out to Alyssa, Siena, and Lea!). And while there was work to be done in between the fun, the private transfers, the hotels (Irida Boutique Hotel in Parga and Bella Venezia Historic Boutique Hotel in Corfu Town deserve special mention), and tours were awesome. The market shop and lunch in a local's house on Corfu was particularly memorable thanks to our fabulous host, Yorgos, as was touring a bee farm and meeting the family behind an olive oil press on Kefalonia.

There were a few hiccups along the way (a private transfer wasn't waiting for us as planned), but all were resolved quickly thanks to the app and the fast responses to my panic from the team.

Parga was a pleasant surprise. Touristic, yes, but for good reason. It's a nice resort beach town that had a really fun, energetic vibe, but Corfu was definitely the highlight of my trip. Oodles of culture, fantastic restaurants, and, like everywhere we traveled in the Ionians, warm-hearted people.

Hotel Reviews
Irida Boutique Hotel
Parga

I'm a kimkim staff member and stayed at the Irida for two glorious nights. Unfortunately, I didn't get to spend any time by the shared infinity pool, but I did enjoy two "honeymoon" breakfasts and the best views of my whole trip (seriously epic) at this very cool, hillside retreat. The walk up the drive is tough (my taxi refused to go up, though it seems this depends on the driver, as I periodically saw other taxis pick up/drop off guests), but the views more than make up for it. Each unit faces the sea, mine was the only room they had left upon booking: Stars (Irida's honeymoon suite), a Moroccan-themed room in navy and white. It was incredibly special, with a hidden kitchenette, a bed dressed in gauzy linens and 1,001 pillows, and a large floor plan (spacious foyer, living area, adjoining bedroom, and two balconies, one with a plunge pool, and comfy outdoor seating). I was a bit disappointed in the bed comfort, a little too firm for my liking, but not enough of a disappointment to warrant a star loss. The typed-up welcome note was a nice touch, as was the bowl of fruits and a plate of delicious treats. Breakfast was fairly carb-heavy and included an a la carte menu (breads, pastries, yogurt with fruit or with honey, boiled eggs, muesli, etc), and two additional offerings you have to pay for (an egg breakfast or pancakes, if I recall correctly).

Authenticity & Character
Chris and his staff are local, if not to the area, to Greece.
Location
I personally appreciated the location. You're only a 5-minute walk from Krioneri Beach and tucked enough away from the main drag so as not to be affected by all the bustle (read: noise from late-night partiers), but not so far that you can't access all amenities with relative ease—the walk of which is downhill. Though you will have a steep climb to make once you're at the base of the hotel's driveway!
Staff
Absolutely incredible, from my first hello at the front desk, to breakfast staff, and interacting with Chris, the owner, everyone is so genuinely kind and attentive. I made breakfast friends with fellow guests, and they raved about Chris before I had the chance to meet him. When I did, it was such a sweet interaction that I understand why we all love him so much. His staff, too, is very kind and courteous, and was great at referencing our earlier interactions.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Spotless. Everything seemed well cared for, from the pool area, restaurant, to every nook in my suite. I only removed a star from this rating because of the number of moth-like insects I discovered in my plunge pool, though I suspect it's nearly impossible to avoid this (the pools have an underwater light source, likely the attractant). The control panels for interior/exterior lighting, air-conditioning, etc., in my room, at least, took a little effort to get used to, mashing buttons as I tried to turn on a bedside light.
Bella Venezia Historic Boutique Hotel
Corfu

I'm a kimkim staff member, and I stayed at the Bella Venezia for a work trip, and how blessed I was. This jewelry box of a boutique offering exudes historic charm at every turn. Upon stepping inside the double doors, I was "wowed" by the lobby/bar area and its elegant layout. The staff is so friendly and warm. I was a sweaty hot mess, tumbling in, and they immediately offered me a welcome drink and to take a seat to cool off before checking in. I got to know three individuals during my stay, and they had great insights on where I could do a little shopping or directions to various points of interest (like the Kanoni Viewpoint or the elusive post office). My room was a loft, perfect for me, though if you had more than one suitcase or very large bags, it would feel cramped. My single carry-on was out of the way. And if you're here on a Wednesday, like I was, you'll find a band playing traditional music in the lounge. You can hear the music drifting upstairs, though nothing earplugs can't help if you're a light sleeper.

Authenticity & Character
Historic details abound: high, coffered ceilings, marble floors, a stunning Belle Époque bar—on my last night, I had to have a cocktail, so I asked for something with "mastiha" liqueur (a fragrant Greek tree resin you'll find in many products). Inquire at the front desk about the history, and they'll give you a little book about it (though it's also available on the website). The bar/lounge area spills out onto a wraparound outdoor patio, complete with an enclosed fountain and lush bougainvillea. Breakfast is served here on the garden terrace, with traditional Greek treats (pudding), jams, and made-to-order eggs. My corner loft room had these awesome Venetian windows with clever trick-of-the-eye window treatments: mirrors secured above the second-tier windows, making it look like the window wells were 15 feet high!
Location
The location is excellent. Everything is an easy walk away (nothing was more than 5-10 minutes) from restaurants and tour meeting points, and all the main attractions (even the bus stop to Kanoni Viewpoint was around the corner), though you're just far enough away that you won't be disturbed by late-night revelers.
Staff
Service is exceptional (shout out to Kimon, Vasia, and Konstantina). You can tell everyone is happy to work, and it makes sense once I learn the hotel owner takes the staff on an annual retreat during the offseason! Staff are attentive, thoughtful, and eager to share their culture.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Spotless. Toilet paper bins were emptied daily.
Local specialist: Siena Mueller
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