Set in a quiet, rural spot in northern Lefkas, among olive trees and pristine lawns, Mousses is a wonderland for families. Tranquil, small and welcoming, it’s a refreshing take on family-friendly resorts and a far cry from your usual package-holiday suspects. Parents, this a rare chance to put your feet up!
There are 12 villas of varying sizes scattering the gardens, each painted in pastel-pink – a shade that’s typical of the Ionian islands – and kitted out with large kitchens. Kids can splash about on inflatables in the enormous swimming pool, while parents can loll on a sunlounger, totter over to the bar for a cocktail, or go for a massage at the on-site spa. There’s a restaurant open daily for lunch and dinner – with a kids’ menu, of course. But best of all, there’s an excellent creche and kids' club (for children aged six months to 11 years), run by super-nanny Natasha. When you feel like heading out, dozens of beaches are on your doorstep, boats zip you along the coast, and trendy coffee shops line the streets of island capital Lefkada Town, just down the road. You and your kids are in for an absolute treat.
Highs
- Extremely well set up for families – kids will make lots of new friends and parents will find plenty of quiet corners for relaxing
- Staff are incredibly friendly and go out of their way to get to know every guest; creche manager Natasha is adored by children
- The creche runs “date nights” when kids spend the evening watching films and parents can enjoy a romantic evening out
- The setting is incredibly tranquil, immersed among shady gardens with flowerbeds and potted plants
- Lefkas itself is becoming very popular with younger travellers, with lots of cool coffee shops in the main town, great beaches and watersports along the coast
Lows
- The villas aren’t stylish but they are traditional in design and are extremely spacious
- There are no beaches within walking distance and the nearest beach can get very windy – it’s a popular windsurfing spot
- Breakfast isn’t offered at the restaurant, so you’ll need to get food in for the mornings
- Those who prefer to keep to themselves on holiday may prefer to book a private villa with a pool as the atmosphere in general is social
- Boutique Villas
- 12 villas for 2-6
- Restaurant and bar
- All ages welcome
- Open all year
- Outdoor Pool
- Spa Treatments
- Beach Nearby
- Babysitting
- Creche / Kids Club
- Car recommended
- Parking
- Pet Friendly
- Disabled Access
- Restaurants Nearby
- WiFi
- Air Conditioning
- Guest Lounge
- Terrace
- Garden
- Gym
- Daily Maid Service
- Towels & Bedlinen
- Concierge Service
Rooms
There are 12 villas in total, most with two bedrooms, some with three bedrooms. Although they are not the most stylish, all are very spacious inside, and they couldn’t be better equipped for children. There are stair gates, kids’ toy boxes, changing mats and potties, and children’s plates, cups and cutlery.
The Two-bedroom Villas are very similar. All are painted in a pretty shade of pink and stand in a row along one side of the garden. Inside, they each have an open-plan kitchen/living/dining room, a family bathroom, a master bedroom with a WC and a kids’ bedroom with twin beds. Floors are polished wood and the exposed beams are a lovely feature. Each villa also has its own little terrace with outdoor seating, should you wish for extra privacy.
The two Three-bedroom Villas are located on the other side of the garden and each has a private swimming pool. Inside, they are enormous, with an open-plan kitchen/living area and three very spacious bedrooms (one double, two twins). One of the twin rooms has an ensuite bathroom and a private entrance – ideal for grandparents.
Features include:
- Hairdryer
- Iron
- Safe box
- WiFi
Eating
The on-site restaurant is set beside the pool with lots of outdoor tables shaded by trees and climbing ivy. Potted flowers add colour and the bar provides the music. There’s an a la carte menu for lunch and dinner, with kid-favourites – burgers, pizzas, pastas – alongside local Greek fare on offer. We shared lots of small dishes: courgette tempura sticks, crispy fried calamari, grilled mastelo cheese (similar to halloumi) with pita bread, and a Mousses salad with walnuts.
If you fancy a change of scene, Lefkada Town is a five-minute drive away and is chocka with excellent tavernas. Choose one of the smart restaurants along the strip beside the lagoon, or head into the central square, where tables spill onto the streets.
Mousses doesn’t serve breakfast, so you’ll need to get food in for the mornings; there's a minimart within walking distance for stocking up on supplies. Alternatively, treat yourself to breakfast in town - the coffee shops lining the edge of the lagoon are perfect for this.
Features include:
- Bar
- Dishwasher
- Fridge
- Full kitchen
- Hob or stove
- Microwave
- Restaurant
Activities
- Spend the day on the beach: Agios Ioannis is the closest, though note that the waters can get a little choppy in the afternoons; from Agios Ioannis you can catch a boat to Mylos Beach, which is usually quieter. Further down the west coast, Gialou is lovely and more secluded than most
- Go snorkelling in the calm, crystal-clear waters around Agiofili beach and Afteli beach, both in the south of the island
- Have a go at windsurfing or kitesurfing; the beaches on the west coast are good for watersports
- Hire a boat for the day to explore Lefkas' gorgeous coastline
- Explore Lefkada Town. There are cool coffee shops and bars lining the lagoon, lovely little boutique shops for souvenir shopping, and a buzzy town square with restaurants
- Go for a drink at one of the sunset bars along the west coast
- Splash about in Nydri Waterfalls, where there’s also a pretty walking trail through shady pine forest
Activities on site or nearby include:
- Boat trips
- Hiking
- Kayaking
- Sailing
- Scuba diving
- Snorkelling
- Swimming
- Windsurfing
Best Time to go
May and June enjoy pleasant temperatures, wild spring flowers and fewer crowds, but the pool and sea are a little cool. July and August are the hottest months, the beaches can get busy and the towns are buzzy, but Mousses has lots of shade and the pool will keep little ones cool. September and October are lovely, with the pool and sea at their warmest and fewer crowds on the island.
Our Top Tips
If you want to book your child(ren) into the creche, make sure you do so in advance. It’s extremely popular and places are usually fully booked by the time you arrive at Mousses – particularly in July and August.
Location
Mousses is in the north of Lefkas (also called Lefkada), one of the Greek Ionian islands. Lefkada Town, the island capital, is five minutes' drive away.
By Air:
The nearest airport is Preveza (Aktio, 24km) on the Greek mainland, which is 30 minutes' drive away. Alternatively, you could fly to Corfu and take a hopper flight to Lefkas, or take a taxi to the port then take a ferry to Igoumenitsa (on the mainland), then pick up a hire car there for the pretty 90-minute drive to the hotel.
By Car:
For car hire, see our car rental recommendations. You can park at the hotel.
Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.
Airports:
- Preveza 24.0 km
Other:
- Beach 1.0 km
- Shops 2.0 km
- Restaurant 2.0 km
Our guests' ratings...
Based on 4 independent reviews from i-escape guests
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