The Rou Estate

Houses

The villas come in various shapes and sizes, from two bedrooms up to five. All face the sea and have wonderful views from their gardens and shuttered windows. Each house is uniquely decorated with its own colour palette and style, but they all feature soothing white linens, fireplaces and period features that create a light and elegant atmosphere. Villas are named after garden flowers, and all have lovely outdoor spaces with pools (plunge or lap).

Your two-bed options are Acanthus, Hestia, Laurus, Lilium and Trifylli; three beds are Campanula, Centaurea, Lavandula, Muscari and Thyme; four beds are Cyclamen, Papaver and Strelitzia; and the five bed is Plumbago.

Cyclamen, Acanthus, Hestia, Laurus & Lilium back onto the car park, with Hestia, Laurus and Lilium also backing onto each other, you can see into the other villas gardens. If you’re after more privacy, opt for Muscari, Campanula, Centurea, Trifylli, Thyme or Plumago.

As the estate is spread across an old hamlet, and the original pathways and steps have been retained it can be tricky for those with limited mobility. Muscari & Strelitzia have the master on the ground floor so are good for older guests. Papaver is good for families with grandparents as it has a self-contained annexe with lounge pool, or Campaula which has a separate guesthouse. The houses closest to the carpark are easiest to access, though you will need to walk the steep pathways to the restaurant, shared pool and other facilities.

Our favourite houses on our visit were Campanula which is spacious with manicured private gardens and a half moon pool. Thyme is also lovely, with a separate area with a large infinity pool, loungers and hammocks. Strelitzia is great for privacy and a double height living area, and we loved Tryfilli and Muscari for their homely coastal-grandmother decor.

Bedroom set-ups vary - some villas have mostly double rooms, others mostly twin – as do bathrooms. So whether you’re travelling as a family or an adult group, you should find one that works for your party. Cots and high chairs are available to borrow if required.

Eating

All villas are equipped with full kitchens for self-catering. You get a welcome pack of staples and local produce, and you can pre-order groceries for delivery on arrival. For restocking, the nearest supermarket is a 10-minute drive away.

Breakfast deliveries of freshly baked bread and pastries can be arranged, as can other meal deliveries or private chefs. Dine in or alfresco on your terrace and enjoy the glorious sea views.

The Garden Terrace restaurant opens four nights per week and offers a menu of Greek and Mediterranean dishes, like cheese pastries, lamb kleftiko or moussaka. On our visit, we loved the feta parcel and the seabass. The team were very friendly and the views from the restaurant made for a fabulous meal - all at a reasonable price.

If you want to eat out, the nearest taverna is a five-minute drive away and the hotel can arrange taxis for you. Our personal favourites in the area include Glyfa Tavera, a gorgeous seafood restaurants accessible by road or boat, which allows you to use their sunbeds for the day. Cavo Barbaro in Avlaki, is great for lunch before lounging on the quiet, white pebble beach. And if you’re heading to Corfu Town be sure to check out The Ventian Well, a fine dining restaurant set in a stunning courtyard – but make sure you book in advance.

Activities

• Get pampered at the Granary Spa, which offers a menu of massages, facials and beauty treatments
  
• If you’re feeling more active, hit the gym - personal trainers are available - or join one of the 3x weekly yoga classes ay the yoga pavilion with sweeping sea views
  
• Hit one of Corfu’s lovely beaches: Agni and Avlaki are both a 20-minute drive away, each with tavernas for lunch
  
• Hire a boat - lots of guests tell us this was their highlight, and there's no better way to explore the coastline
  
• Cross the strait to visit Albania or visit neighbouring islands Paxos and Antipaxos by boat (private day tours can be arranged)
  
• Kassiopi or San Stefano on the island’s north coast (25 mins) are both perfect for great seafood, shopping, and lively nightlife – making them an ideal choice for families with teens
  
• Take a scenic 1-hour drive to the island’s capital, Corfu Town, with its cobbled streets and Venetian, French and English architecture. Or you can catch a boat directly to the town from Avlaki beach
  
• Hike up Mount Panotaktor, or walk up to the viewpoint at Porto Timoni beach
  
• Visit the town of Old Perithia

Kids

What a place for families! It’s got the lot: villas with different bedroom set-ups, full kitchens for self-catering, a private pool per villa plus a larger shared pool, an on-site restaurant, and lovely gardens. The estate's hilltop location keeps it cool and tranquil, though in school holidays you’ll see plenty of other families – great for finding playmates. Beaches aren’t far away, though do bear in mind that you’ll need to navigate a bumpy access road to get to and from the property.

Best for:

All ages

Family friendly accommodation:

Strelitzia is right next to the shared pool, with four bedrooms – a master upstairs and a master and two twins downstairs – making it ideal for large families with grandparents. Thyme feels very private, with two entrances from the path – one leading to the full-size infinity pool, table tennis, loungers & hammock, the other leading to the house, making it good for families with small children.

No stair gates can be added to the houses but Papaver Plumbago, Trifylli and Strelitzia have stair gates built-in.

Distances:

• Airport: One hour
• Supermarket: 10 minutes

For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection

Location

The Rou Estate is located in a tiny hamlet in the foothills of Mount Pantokrator. It overlooks the island's east coast and beyond to Albania. Access is via 1.5km of unmade country lane.

By Air
You can fly direct to Corfu (28km).

From the Airport
The drive takes about an hour. Taxis are available, but you'll probably want to hire a car to make the most of the island - see our car rental recommendations.

Be wary that car rental companies all close by about 10pm so try to pick a day time flight, or spend the night in Corfu town before heading north.

By Sea
It is possible to reach Corfu from the mainland and other islands, though it's not really island-hopping territory. Year-round car ferries and seasonal hydrofoils sail from Igoumenitsa on the mainland to Corfu Town, and there are also ferry links from Patras (Peloponnese) and from Italy (Venice, Ancona, Bari, Brindisi).

Detailed directions are provided when you book through i-escape.