A villa gives a family what a hotel cannot: your own pool, your own kitchen and room for everyone to breathe. Here is what we have learned from hosting families since 2024, and what we would check before booking any villa in Corfu.
1. Count the bedrooms and the bathrooms
For two families or three generations travelling together, the number of bathrooms matters as much as the number of beds. Mornings are much calmer when nobody queues for the shower.
At Castelia each villa has 3 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms: two double bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms upstairs and a twin bedroom downstairs. Each villa sleeps up to 8 guests, and the nightly rate covers up to 6.
2. A private pool, not a shared one
A private pool means the children can swim when they wake up, after lunch and before dinner, without towels on sunbeds at 8 am. Check two things:
- Is it really private? Some "villas" share one pool between several houses. Each of our villas has its own pool with a jacuzzi and its own fenced terrace.
- How is the water treated? Our pools use electrolysis disinfection, which keeps the water clear without harsh chemicals and is gentler on children's eyes and skin.
With young children, always supervise the pool area. Tell us their ages when you book and we will walk you through the terrace and the pool on arrival.
3. A real kitchen and a barbecue
Eating out every night with children gets tiring and expensive. A fully equipped kitchen, a dining room and an outdoor barbecue let you cook simple meals with fresh local products from Corfu and eat out when you feel like it. Every Castelia villa has a modern kitchen with dishwasher, microwave, kettle, Nespresso and filter coffee machines, toaster and sandwich maker, plus a Weber gas barbecue on the terrace.
4. The small things that make a family stay easy
- A baby cot and high chair, free on request
- Washing machine, iron, ironing board and hairdryer
- Air-conditioning (hot and cold) in every bedroom
- Fast Starlink Wi-Fi and Smart TVs for rainy afternoons
- Bed linen, bath towels and pool towels included
- A mid-week clean, so you are not on holiday with a mop
- Private parking right next to the villa
5. Location: close to the airport and the beaches
With children, a short transfer is priceless. Castelia is in Afra, about 8.2 km (10 minutes) from Corfu Airport. The sandy, shallow beach of Glyfada is 11.8 km away, and Ermones 9 km. Corfu Town is 8.5 km. A car is recommended, and we can arrange one ready for you at the airport.
Our local guide lists the beaches, tavernas and supermarkets we recommend to our own guests.
6. Travelling with another family? Book two villas
Two families often prefer two houses next to each other rather than one big house. Our three villas are neighbours on the same estate, so you can book two (16 guests) or all three (up to 24 guests) and still have your own space. Read more in our guide to villas in Corfu for large groups.
7. Book direct with the owners
When you book directly with us there are no platform fees and no commission, and you speak to the people who built and run the villas. Send us your dates and the ages of the children and we will reply within the day with a written quote.
