The Merchants House

Deep in the hills of northeast Corfu, The Merchants House occupies three beautifully restored stone houses in Old Perítheia, the island's oldest village and a protected heritage settlement surrounded by mountain countryside and ancient olive groves.

There is real history behind this small guesthouse. The three adjoining houses were built by hand as part of a village that once offered Corfiots protection from pirate raids, high enough to watch the coast while remaining unseen from the sea. Their restoration began in 2010 under the supervision of the Archaeological Society, preserving the stonework, proportions and architectural character that connect them so closely to Old Perítheia.

Today the atmosphere remains wonderfully evocative. Wrought iron beds, handmade furniture, antiques and traditional details recall an earlier Corfu, while little paths, gardens and terraces open towards the mountains and surrounding countryside. Once the daytime visitors have left the village, evenings become particularly peaceful, with clear skies, fresh mountain air and the handful of old tavernas bringing life to the stone lanes.

Rooms & Suites

The six rooms and suites each have their own identity, with names including The Weavers Suite, The Doctor's Suite and The Carpenters Suite reflecting the history of the village itself. The original buildings dictate their individual layouts, giving each accommodation a character that could never be replicated in a purpose built hotel.

Private entrances and patios or terraces add to the feeling of independence, with views towards gardens, mountains and the surrounding landscape. Inside, period inspired furnishings and handcrafted pieces sit alongside contemporary comforts, creating rooms that remain firmly connected to the history of the houses while being genuinely comfortable places to stay.

Dining

Breakfast suits the intimate nature of The Merchants House beautifully, with continental and vegetarian choices prepared from carefully selected ingredients and the option of enjoying breakfast privately. On warm mornings, the gardens and terraces are particularly lovely places to begin the day before the village starts to stir.

Old Perítheia itself provides the rest of the culinary experience. Traditional tavernas sit among the historic houses within a short stroll of the guesthouse, making dinner part of village life and offering the opportunity to linger over straightforward Corfiot cooking as the mountains settle into evening.

Experience

The Corfu Trail passes directly through Old Perítheia, placing some of the island's finest walking country immediately outside the door. Hiking and cycling routes lead through olive groves and mountain landscapes, while guided walks, bike tours and cultural experiences offer a deeper introduction to this lesser seen side of Corfu.

The Merchants House is also particularly well placed for the final section of the Corfu Trail towards Agios Spyridon. Days can just as easily be spent travelling down from the hills to explore the beaches and villages of the northeast coast before returning to the cooler air and extraordinary tranquillity of Old Perítheia.

Wellness

Wellbeing here comes naturally from the setting. Gardens and sun terraces provide quiet places to read or simply sit outside, while walking through the mountains brings its own wonderfully uncomplicated form of restoration. After dark, the stillness of the village and clear mountain skies become part of the experience in a way that feels increasingly precious.

Where

Old Perítheia lies beneath Mount Pantokrator in the northeast of Corfu, removed from the island's busier coastal resorts yet within reach of its northern beaches and Ionian shoreline. The Merchants House makes the village itself the destination, offering a chance to experience an older Corfu through its architecture, landscape, food and remarkably peaceful evenings.

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