The 5-star Corfu Palace is located in the center of Corfu town, overlooking the bay of Garitsa and the old fortress of the town. It was built in 1954 to designs by Pericles Sakellariou, and passed in 1990 to Corfu industrialist Christos Fokas, who now lives permanently in Zurich.
Pericles Sakellarios was one of the protagonists of modern Greek architecture with projects such as (together with Manolis Vourekas and Prokopiou Vassiliadis), the "Astera" tourist facilities of Glyfada (1955-1958), the EOT beach of Vouliagmeni, the restaurants "Argo" and " Oceanis", the Alexandroupolis Motel and finally, in collaboration with Gropius, the US Embassy.
The new owners will proceed with renovation of the building after the end of the season.
Speaking to ERT, Mr. Fokas said that he would like the hotel to keep its character (old lady's hotel) and he has expressed this opinion to the new owner.
In his farewell letter to the media, Mr. Fokas states:
"Dear friends, in 1962, leaving Corfu at the age of 24, I started my professional career in Switzerland, gradually creating a business group. However, my activities did not prevent me from regularly coming to our island with my family. After my mother's death in the 1980s we got to know the Corfu palace as customers and became emotionally attached to this iconic hotel and especially to its people many of whom have continued to be with us to this day. In 1990 we proceeded with its purchase and extensive renovation.
We have a lot to remember from that period with a special moment being the hosting of the European leaders during the 1994 summit.
From 1962 to this year 2023 I personally completed 61 years at the front line of the business and as head of our group 33 consecutive years at the helm of Corfu palace.
In these 33 years, our hotel has gone through many highs and lows with the impeccable support of the staff with their professionalism, courtesy and trust. and every third party and of course towards the Corfu society".
This is how the hotel formed the name it has today and this is how we had the pleasure and honor to provide high level services to many thousands of guests who loved our hotel and our island.
I am sure that even under new ownership our staff will continue to provide their impeccable service as they have done to date and it is clear that my family and I will continue to be close both emotionally and morally.
We would like to express a big thank you to the manager of Corfu palace and all our staff. We wish everyone the best of luck.
Christos Fokas
