About Us

Firstly, we would like to offer you the warmest welcome to Corfu, the beautiful Greek Mediterranean island and home of our ancestors.

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Once upon a time, the island was divided into family estates. Our family was so large that the historical name of this area was 'Kaloudatika,’ or 'land of the Kaloudis.’ Our great-grandparents had 10 children, and when the time came for them to pass, Kaloudatika was divided into 10 parts and left to the next generation.

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The youngest of these children was our grandfather, George Kaloudis (pronounced Yorgos and spelled γεωργός in Greek). He was a mountain of a man, renowned on the island for his strength, character, and generosity. He left behind a legacy and a long list of people he had helped and charmed over the years. After meeting our grandmother, who lived in Paris, he divided his time between Corfu and France, which is how our mother came to be. He told tall tales and would move heaven and earth to help his family. Among his grandest gestures, he brought the first-ever French patisserie ovens to the island and helped his cousins set up a bakery that thrives on the Dassia strip to this very day.

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The Greek word for grandfather is "Papous"

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Corfu was Papous' paradise. In the early days, he was a barman at 'Club Med,' a famous travel destination where tourists would come by boat to party and relax. The Mediterranean vibes were alluring, and people flocked to enjoy the cocktails, sea, and sunshine. Back then, people traded shells and beads for drinks. We have kept some of these mementos in the houses to reminisce about the history and legacy of Club Med. Some of the art in the houses is also made from original Club Med prints. Our cousin printed those back in the day and still owns the print works on the island (Corfu T-shirts are a thing!).

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As descendants of a big family, our cousins are everywhere! Most of the shops, houses, and restaurants locally are owned or managed by our relatives. If you are staying at Villa Oikos, the neighbor is our cousin, the restaurant across the road is our cousin, the white house opposite is our cousin, and the plant shop across the road is... yep, you've guessed it! This means that you are in good company. If you want a great place to eat out in close proximity, then find their restaurants listed on the 'Eating Out' page. That amazing bakery set up with the ovens that Papous brought over is a must-try!

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We are very grateful to our Papous. Although he didn't visit much (we grew up in the UK), he silently dedicated his life to providing for us. As the tradition goes in Greece, you don't buy a house for your children; you build one. Papous built Villa Oikos and Katomeri House with his own hands. When he fell ill with dementia in 2010, our mother, Stella, stepped in to help restore the homes that had fallen into disrepair during his illness. We then assisted, with every holiday being used to work, build, and repair the houses. At first, we lived with makeshift furniture made of pallets, and eventually, we carried out larger works such as new roofs and windows. We took care to preserve the original features. You will see the traditional building materials and Corfiot style throughout all the houses, although we have updated them to cater to modern living and create relaxing and comfortable holiday homes.

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Due to our commitments in the UK and France, we can't be on the island full-time, but we would still like the houses to be full, enjoyed, and lived in. We feel a responsibility to continue the occupancy of the homes that Papous worked so hard to create. Our biggest wish is that these homes provide a gateway to the incredible island of Corfu and all that it has to offer. By staying here, we hope you will make incredible memories filled with the island’s beauty, happy vibes, incredible food, the relaxed Mediterranean lifestyle, and the breathtaking scenery. We want everyone to enjoy the island from a local perspective, from our family to yours.

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enjoy your stay!

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