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Once one of the richest areas on the Greek island of Chios, the Kampos district today is still a special part of the island thanks to the former estates and manor houses built here. Many are hidden behind stone walls, reinforcing the air of exclusivity and affluence that persists to this day. At one time, Kampos was the centre of the island’s cultivation of citrus fruit, but many of the orchards have since been taken over by construction. One, however, remains as a special guesthouse. How many places offer an orange orchard as a hotel garden?

The fragrant scent of oranges wafts through the air at Perleas Mansion, a former home to an affluent family that now welcomes guests to spend a night or three in its lovely bedrooms. Built in 1640, the house still feels like a private home, staffed with friendly cooks and housekeepers who take pride in ensuring guest satisfaction. The grounds extend over 17 acres, most of them covered in a dense grove of orange trees with walking paths throughout. Lemons and mandarins are also grown here, as are olives used in the production of Perleas Mansion’s own oil. Breakfast is a special treat, too, where a bountiful table of fruits, cheese, and cakes is served alongside, of course, fresh orange juice.

: Perleas Mansion patio

: Perleas Mansion terrace

Although the eight lovely bedrooms and comfortable beds at Perleas Mansion are hard to leave, it is worth the effort to get up and go to the Perivoli citrus museum, an easy walk from the mansion. Perivoli is the passion project of the dedicated owners committed to retaining Kampos’ historical ties to citrus production. The museum features a series of exhibits that explain the development of orange and mandarin cultivation on Chios. Open late into the night, the café at Perivoli is one of the island’s popular venues for chic residents who enjoy the atmosphere as much as the food, served either indoors in the eclectic dining area or outdoors on the patio.

: Perleas Mansion interior

: Perleas Mansion bedroom

For exploring further afield, the bus to Chios Town passes right along the main road closest to Perleas Mansion. It is easier, however, to hire a car and driver to get around to the quaint Mastic villages for which Chios is famous. Dimitrios Kritikos is one of the most experienced guides on the island, a friendly gentleman who can take guests into town for a ride or spend the day showing them the sights of the Mastichochoria mastic villages south of Kampos, or take them anywhere else on the island. He can be contacted at +30 697 697 9385. Dimitrios is also very helpful with transfers to and from the ferry port or airport.

Tilos Travel offers a variety of services.

The ferry between Chios and Türkiye’s charming town of Çesme takes only about 20 minutes and is the most popular way to reach the island. The tour company Tilos Travel can arrange ferry tickets and day tours around the picturesque Çesme peninsula, including the town’s castle and other highlights such as the pretty town of Alaçati and the Urla winery. In fact, many travellers to Chios prefer to fly into Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport, served by Pegasus Airlines from many European cities, since the drive from the airport to the ferry port in Çesme is straightforward along a modern highway.