Escape to Paradise: Melina Oasis Awaits in Corfu!
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because we're about to wade through the glorious, messy, and sometimes infuriating details of a hotel stay! We're talking real talk, not some sanitized corporate brochure. This isn't just a review; it's a therapy session, a comedy routine, and a shopping list all rolled into one. Let's dive in!
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Right, now we can breathe.
Accessibility: The First Hurdles (and occasional triumphs)
Let's be real, accessibility can be a minefield. So, first, a personal story! I always try to request a wheelchair accessible room. Emphasis on trying. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't, Sometimes you get a “accessible room," that really isn't, after a little "chat" with customer service. I am not going to disclose the hotel's name (yet), because the details I am about to share would blow out of proportion.
So, let's just start with the basics. Did they say they had accessible features? Check. Were the entrances reasonably easy to navigate? Mostly. The lobby was alright, though the reception desk was a touch on the high side. A very small, but present, detail. Elevators? Absolutely. That's a win. The most critical aspect of accessibility: Wheelchair accessible. I am not going to lie, it can be so frustrating.
On-site accessible restaurants / lounges: This is where it got tricky. While the main dining room was technically accessible, squeezing through the tables was a contact sport. "Excuse me, excuse me, sorry, pardon me…" You get the picture. The lounge area was relatively better, but the comfy chairs – the kind you sink into – would be an utter nightmare for someone with mobility issues.
Wheelchair accessible: My biggest gripe? The bathroom. It looked accessible – grab bars, the whole shebang. But the turning radius was laughably small. I felt like I was trying to do a three-point turn in a phone booth. Seriously, people, measure your damn bathrooms!
Internet Access: The Eternal Struggle
Internet, Internet [LAN], Internet services, Wi-Fi in public areas, Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!: Okay, let's be positive. Free Wi-Fi? Yes, in all rooms, as advertised. Thank god.
Internet [LAN]: Anyone still using this? I guess it's nice to have the option, but honestly, I’m not sure who this is for anymore.
Wi-Fi in public areas: It worked… sometimes. The signal in the lounge was spotty. Trying to work by the pool was a frustrating exercise in buffering and dropped connections. Which, if I’m honest, is the opposite of relaxing.
Things to Do & Ways to Relax: The Spa Fiasco (And a Bit of Redemption)
Body scrub, Body wrap, Fitness center, Foot bath, Gym/fitness, Massage, Pool with view, Sauna, Spa, Spa/sauna, Steamroom, Swimming pool, Swimming pool [outdoor]: Alright, buckle up. This is where it gets good (and then maybe not so good).
The Spa was the siren song. I envisioned myself, swathed in fluffy robes, sipping cucumber water, the world's worries melting away. The reality? A slightly chaotic, overcrowded space where whispers were replaced with chatter and the scent of over-chlorinated water. The pool with a view (or so the brochure promised) was gorgeous, but the lounge chairs were packed so close together I felt like I was on a cruise ship.
Sauna, Steamroom: These were actually pretty decent. Clean, well-maintained, and a welcome escape from the noise.
Fitness center, Gym/fitness: I skipped, I am not that kind of person, sorry to say!
Massage: The one bright spot of the Spa? The massage I had was heavenly! The therapist was incredibly skilled, and I floated out of the room feeling genuinely relaxed. So, a mixed bag really.
Cleanliness and Safety: The Worrywart's Guide
Anti-viral cleaning products, Breakfast in room: Cashless payment service, Daily disinfection in common areas, Doctor/nurse on call, First aid kit, Hand sanitizer, Hot water linen and laundry washing, Hygiene certification, Individually-wrapped food options, Physical distancing of at least 1 meter, Professional-grade sanitizing services, Room sanitization opt-out available, Rooms sanitized between stays, Safe dining setup, Sanitized kitchen and tableware items, Shared stationery removed, Staff trained in safety protocol, Sterilizing equipment:
Okay, here's where the hotel really shone. In this pandemic-era, safety is paramount, right? Everywhere I looked, there were signs of intense cleaning and sanitization measures. Hand sanitizer stations galore. The staff were properly masked. The whole operation felt very much like a military-style operation. The in-room breakfast was an inspired touch, I do love that, and the Individually Wrapped options were a very nice detail.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: The Culinary Chronicles
A la carte in restaurant, Alternative meal arrangement, Asian breakfast, Asian cuisine in restaurant, Bar, Bottle of water, Breakfast [buffet], Breakfast service, Buffet in restaurant, Coffee/tea in restaurant, Coffee shop, Desserts in restaurant, Happy hour, International cuisine in restaurant, Poolside bar, Restaurants, Room service [24-hour], Salad in restaurant, Snack bar, Soup in restaurant, Vegetarian restaurant, Western breakfast, Western cuisine in restaurant:
Right, the food. Ah, the food. The breakfast buffet was a monster of options. A veritable smorgasbord of everything from pastries to pancakes to… well, everything. It was decent, if a bit overwhelming. The coffee in the coffee shop (the only thing that could save the breakfast) was excellent!
Restaurants: The restaurant served international cuisine, and it was pretty good! Room service [24-hour] was a lifesaver. I had a late-night craving for a club sandwich, and boom, it was there in 30 minutes.
Poolside bar: Was a nice touch! The happy hour was nice, but can be a bit loud as all bars.
Services and Conveniences: The Little Things That Matter
Air conditioning in public area, Audio-visual equipment for special events, Business facilities, Cash withdrawal, Concierge, Contactless check-in/out, Convenience store, Currency exchange, Daily housekeeping, Doorman, Dry cleaning, Elevator, Essential condiments, Facilities for disabled guests, Food delivery, Gift/souvenir shop, Indoor venue for special events, Invoice provided, Ironing service, Laundry service, Luggage storage, Meeting/banquet facilities, Meetings, Meeting stationery, On-site event hosting, Outdoor venue for special events, Projector/LED display, Safety deposit boxes, Seminars, Shrine, Smoking area, Terrace, Wi-Fi for special events, Xerox/fax in business center:
The concierge was genuinely helpful. Need a restaurant recommendation? Done. Transportation? Easy. The contactless check-in/out was a godsend (especially after traveling). The daily housekeeping was efficient and unobtrusive.
Room Decorations: It was nice, but nothing to write home about.
For the Kids: The Family Factor
Babysitting service, Family/child friendly, Kids facilities, Kids meal: I didn't see any children, so I cannot say, because I did not experience it.
Access: And the Nitty Gritty
CCTV in common areas, CCTV outside property, Check-in/out [express], Check-in/out [private], Couple's room, Exterior corridor, Fire extinguisher, Front desk [24-hour], Hotel chain, Non-smoking rooms, Pets allowed unavailablePets allowed, Proposal spot, Room decorations, Safety/security feature, Security [24-hour], Smoke alarms, Soundproof rooms:
Safety seemed to be a primary focus and that is good to know. Everything, from the CCTV to the fire extinguishers, to the 24-hour security, was there. The check-in/out (Private) was nice.
Getting Around: The Travel Tango
Airport transfer, Bicycle parking, Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], Car power charging station, Taxi service, Valet parking:
Getting
Unbelievable Luxury Awaits: CHANGJIANG HOTEL, Suzhou
Melina Oasis, or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Lounger (and Maybe Greece, Too) - A Very Unofficial Itinerary
Okay, buckle up, buttercups. This isn't your pristine, Pinterest-perfect itinerary. This is real. This is me, in Corfu, trying (and likely failing) to maintain some semblance of order amidst the sunshine, the ouzo, and the sheer, overwhelming beauty. Prepare for a rollercoaster of emotions, questionable decisions, and a whole lot of "Why did I think packing those shoes was a good idea?"
Day 1: Arrival & Initial Panic (Followed by Bliss)
8:00 AM (ish) - Athens Airport: The Pre-Corfu Drama. "Right," I muttered to myself, wrestling with my unwieldy suitcase. "Get to Corfu. Relax. Eat. Breathe." Famous last words. Athens Airport is a glorious exercise in controlled chaos. Finding the right gate? A treasure hunt. Finding a decent coffee? Forget about it. Ended up with something that tasted suspiciously like burnt rubber and regret. Emotion: Mildly panicked, fueled by caffeine deficiency.
10:00 AM - Corfu Bound! The flight itself was stunning. The Ionian Sea shimmered below, a thousand shades of blue I didn't even know existed. Made me actually gasp out loud. Quirky Observation: Note to self: pack motion sickness medication for this kind of view. I spent most of the flight trying to avoid the inevitable nausea.
11:00 AM - Corfu Airport - Embrace the Chaos. Small airport, big arrival: the chaos continued. The airport's luggage carousel was a death trap that could swallow baggage whole. Emotional Reaction: Panic level 2, mostly averted.
11:30 AM - The Taxi Ride, A Love Story. The drive to Melina Oasis was… something. Picture this: a tiny, winding road, clinging to the cliffs, with a taxi driver who clearly thought he was auditioning for a Formula 1 race. My internal monologue: "We're going to die. But at least we'll die with a beautiful view."
12:00 PM - Melina Oasis - Finally! And… breathe. The hotel is even more gorgeous than the pictures. Seriously. Pure, unadulterated, Instagrammable bliss. The staff are lovely, and the view from my balcony? Unreal. Emotion: Pure, unadulterated, "I've-made-it-to-paradise" bliss. I immediately ditched the suitcase and jumped straight onto the balcony lounger. Zero regrets.
1:00 PM - Lunch at the Hotel Restaurant: Tried the grilled octopus. (Actually, I think I just saw the grilled octopus – it's good, I'm sure). The food was great, the view was better, and the rosé… well, let's just say I had two glasses. Emotional Reaction: Happy and hungry. The stress of the morning was melting away.
2:00 PM- Melina Oasis - Lounger Life (and an Attempt at Productivity). Okay, so I intended to write, to read, to be productive. Nope. The sun, the sea breeze, the fact that I'd basically been traveling for 10 hours… the lounger won. I think I managed 30 minutes of reading before dozing off. Emotional Reaction: Guilty about not being productive, but also overwhelmingly content.
6:00 PM - Sunset Drinks at the Hotel Bar: Watching the sunset over the sea with a cocktail in hand? Absolute perfection. This is what vacations are supposed to be. Emotion: Pure, unadulterated joy. Like, I wanted to happy-cry.
8:00 PM - Dinner at a Taverna in a nearby village: Wandered down to a quaint village and stumbled upon a charming little taverna. The food? Phenomenal. The ambiance? Magical. I'm pretty sure I ordered way too much, but who cares?
10:00 PM - Sleep: Absolutely passed out. Bliss.
Day 2: Beach Day & The Great Sunscreen Fiasco (with a Side of Ouzo)
- Morning (ish) - Breakfast at Melina Oasis: The breakfast buffet is a dangerous masterpiece. Too much feta, too much fresh fruit, far too much temptation. Imperfection: I overate, definitely. I'm now the proud owner of a mild food baby.
- 10:00 AM - Beach Bound (Or, The Journey of a Thousand Steps): Decided to hit a nearby beach. The walk down was a scenic delight. The trek back up? An exercise in sheer, sweaty, "why-did-I-forget-my-water" agony. Emotional Reaction: Initially thrilled. Later, moderately miserable.
- 11:30 AM - Beach Bliss (and a Terrible Mistake): The beach was gorgeous. The water was crystal clear. The sunscreen… apparently, I had not applied enough. Or maybe any. Quirky Observation: Note to self: Reapply sunscreen. Often.
- 12:30 PM - The Great Sunburn of '23: I felt the burn, but I ignored the warnings. Hours later, and now I am lobster-red. Emotional Reaction: Regret. So much regret.
- 1:30 PM - Beachside Lunch (and Damage Control): Tried to salvage the situation with some shade, plenty of water, and aloe vera. Oh, and a delicious Greek salad. Imperfection: I ate too much. But the sunstroke was getting in the way.
- 2:00 PM - The Beach - Nap. The sun, even though I was now covered in shade, continued to beat me down.
- 3:00 PM - Return to the hotel. Another climb, another sweat, and now I am covered in sunscreen.
- 4:00 PM - Sunburn Relief: Spent the afternoon in the hotel room, attempting to soothe my crispy skin with aloe vera. Seriously considered hiring a nurse.
- 6:00 PM - Another Sunset Cocktail: Needed something to take the edge off. And maybe a little more aloe vera.
- 7:00 PM - Dinner (And the Ouzo Mishap): Attempted to eat at the hotel restaurant, but my sunburn made it impossible to stand.
- 8:00 PM - Failed Recovery. I had an early night.
- 10:00 PM - Sleep I slept alright.
Day 3: Exploration & Epic Fail (and Then, Redemption!)
- Morning - Breakfast (and a new sun protection plan): This time, I lathered up.
- 10:00 AM - Car Rental Mishap: Rented a car to explore the island. Which was fine, except navigating those tiny, winding roads is a lot more challenging than it looks. I have a feeling I’m going to need to take a driving course when I get home. Emotional Reaction: Initially excited. Then, mildly terrified.
- 11:00 AM - Exploring Corfu Town: Wonderful. Full of character, with Venetian architecture and hidden squares. Got lost and loved it. Emotional Reaction: Joyful, but also, slightly disoriented.
- 1:00 PM - Lunch in Corfu Town: Found a fantastic little taverna and I was just fine.
- 2:00 PM - Driving Disaster: The Narrow Road Incident.: Tried to drive to a scenic viewpoint that turned out to be behind a tiny little road. I got the wheels stuck, panick started to set in, and I was rescued by a little old lady. Emotional Reaction: Pure chaos.
- 3:00 PM - Back to the Hotel!
- 4:00 PM - Poolside Relaxation and a Good Book: Finally, a moment of zen.
- 6:00 PM - Sunset Views and a Deep Breath: Appreciated the beauty.
- 8:00 PM - Dinner at a Taverna in a nearby seaside village.
- 10:00 PM - Sleep.
Day 4: … And the Beach, Again. And Maybe One Last Cocktail.
- Morning: Repeat Day 3, mostly, with slightly less sun exposure. Perhaps I finally learned my lesson?
- Afternoon: Lounging, swimming, and a final, lingering look at the sea.
- Evening: Farewell Dinner and cocktails
Departure:
- Morning: Wake up and regret the fact I will be leaving.
- Airport: More chaos and the same burnt rubber coffee.
Overall Impression:
Corfu? Stunning. Melina Oasis? Perfect. Me? Still learning. But I can definitely say that I left with
Hilton Iowa City Grad: Your Dream Graduation Awaits!
Why is everything so…complicated? (and why do I get anxious about it?)
Oh, honey, you and me both. Seriously. I swear, you could be buying a freaking toothbrush and suddenly there's sixteen different types, each with a different bristle firmness, handle grip, and environmentally-friendly packaging. And you're just standing there, staring at them, feeling your chest tighten. Is it too soft? Will it get the gunk out? Is it *judgey* of your existing toothbrush habits? Anxiety is a real jerk, honestly. It's like your brain's taken up residence in a constant state of "what if…?"
My advice? Take a breath. Pick *a* toothbrush. Seriously. It doesn't have to be perfect. Perfection is a myth, a cruel, beautiful lie we've been sold. If you pick the wrong toothbrush, you buy a different one next time. The world won't end. Your teeth might be a little less clean for a week, but you'll survive. We all will.
What's the deal with… you know… *relationships*? Why are they so hard?
Ugh. Relationships. The Everest of human experiences, only with more crying and passive-aggressive text messages. Look, I'm no relationship guru, trust me. I'm currently navigating the minefield of *my* own love life, which is a bit like trying to assemble IKEA furniture in a hurricane. Difficult to explain it's a chaotic mess, but I love it, which is a lot.
Why are they hard? Because we're all fundamentally broken messes, clinging to each other for warmth and validation. We have needs, wants, insecurities, and baggage that could fill a small cargo ship. We expect people to read our minds (which is NEVER a fair expectation), forgive our flaws (which we're not always good at doing ourselves!), and love us unconditionally (which, let's be real, is a *big* ask).
My advice? Communication is key, which is an annoyingly obvious answer, right? But it's true. Be honest, even when it's uncomfortable. Don't be afraid to mess up. And for the love of all that is holy, learn to apologize. Really apologize. And if you can, get someone who understands the chaos to help you clean up your messes, because that's what it takes.
I'm overwhelmed! How do I even *start* to fix things?
You know what? I get it. The world is coming at you a mile a minute, and you're just trying to keep your head above water. I totally get it, and maybe my answer won't be for you, but if you want a quick cheat, here's the thing I do. It doesn't always work, especially on Mondays.
First, take a deep breath. Seriously. In through your nose, out through your mouth. Do it a few times. Then, ask yourself, What's the *most urgent* thing? What needs to be addressed RIGHT THIS SECOND? Deal with that. And I mean *deal* with it. Don't procrastinate, don't overthink, just do.
Next, move step by step. If you got the urgent thing done, take a moment. Then look at the next item. Small steps, that's all. This is what I do most times.
Finally, remember that it's okay to *not* fix everything immediately. You're not a superhero. You're human. And humans get overwhelmed. They stumble. They fall. They eat an entire tub of ice cream when the world feels like it's coming down around them. And that's okay. Really. It's okay.
I once spent a whole week paralyzed with anxiety, trying to plan the perfect vacation. The result? We watched Netflix and ordered take-out. It was perfectly fine. We were fine. And the world kept turning. You will too.
How do you… *cope*?
Oh, coping. That's a loaded word, isn't it? Like, as if I have some secret, magic formula. I don't. I'm a work in progress, just like everyone else. And coping, for me, is primarily a mix of the following:
- Humor: Dark, self-deprecating, sometimes inappropriate humor. A good laugh can go a long way, especially when things are bleak.
- Chocolate: A surprising amount of chocolate. Don't judge me.
- Avoiding bad people: No one needs that toxicity.
- Accepting the mess: The sooner you accept that life is messy, chaotic, and frequently disappointing, the easier it becomes to live with the mess.
- Good friends: The real MVPs
The other thing is this: Don't be afraid to ask for help if I need it.
What's the biggest mistake you think people make (besides wearing socks with sandals)?
Oh, wow. Socks & sandals... a crime against humanity. But besides that? I think we spend way too much time worrying about what other people think. Seriously! Why are we so obsessed with impressing strangers? We pour all this mental and emotional energy into curating our image for the world, when the people who actually *matter* – the ones who love us for who we are, flaws and all – are the ones we should be focusing on. Think about it. Who are you truly trying to impress? And why are you trying so hard?
I remember one time, I was SO stressed about a work presentation. I spent days tweaking the slides, practicing my delivery, panicking about every potential question. I was a nervous wreck. The presentation went okay, but afterwards, my boss (who I was trying to impress, naturally) didn't even *mention* it. The thing that they did bring up was my cat during the presentation. My cat. Because apparently I have a cat.
The truth is, most people are too busy worrying about their own problems to care much about yours. And the people who *do* care? They're the ones you don't need to pretend for. Learn to be yourself, flaws and all, because that's who the real people are waiting for.
Is there anything *good* about all this…stuff?
Okay, okay, now you're trying to get me to be all… optimistic. Fine. Yes. There are good things. Maybe. Sometimes. Here's the thing: The tough stuff… it shapes you. The struggles make you stronger. The heartbreaks teach you resilience. The mistakes? That's how you learn and grow.
For instance, I went through a REALLY rough patch last year. Relationship ended. Job was a nightmare. Pretty much everything that could go wrong, didBook Hotels Now
