Zoe & Luis — Founders of Rowes Retreats
Rowes Retreats began with a simple belief: holiday homes should be run properly.
We saw too many properties managed remotely, with responsibility passed between call centres and contractors. Owners felt disconnected, guests felt like a number, and communities carried the cost. So we built something different. When we travelled, we experienced a different approach to tourism — one where guests were genuinely welcomed, standards were quietly high, and care was felt rather than promised. Those experiences showed us what’s possible when hospitality is done properly, and how powerful it can be when people feel truly looked after.
Rowes Retreats is hands‑on by design. We invest heavily in the service around each home — because owners invest heavily in their properties. We stay close to our team, our guests, and our communities, ensuring care shows up in the details and standards are consistently met.
Cornwall is our home. Protecting it, supporting local people, and ensuring tourism remains a positive presence here isn’t an add‑on — it’s part of how we operate every day.
OUR MISSION
TOURISM, DONE PROPERLY
At Rowes Retreats, we believe tourism should be a positive force.
We manage retreats carefully, balancing guest experience, owner outcomes, and community impact to create a model built to last.
WHO IS ROWES RETREATS FOR
Rowes Retreats is for people who value care, consistency, and accountability.
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We work with:
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• Owners who invest in their homes and want a management partner who invests just as heavily in the service around them
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• Guests who want stays that feel easy, well looked after, and genuinely special
• Communities who want tourism that contributes rather than extracts
Our role is to balance all three — thoughtfully and responsibly.
WHY PEOPLE CHOOSE ROWES RETREATS
• Fully in‑house cleaning, laundry, maintenance, and guest communication
• Local teams based in the communities we serve
• Proactive quality control after every changeover
• Hotel‑level guest care delivered through a holiday‑home experience
• No contracts — owners stay with us because the service delivers
For owners, this means fewer surprises and dependable performance. For guests, it means consistently high standards and calm, supported stays. For communities, it means responsibility stays local.
Hotel‑Level Care, Delivered In‑House - Having everything in‑house allows us to offer a level of service that most operators simply can’t.
A core part of this is our complimentary concierge service, which we fund as standard because going above and beyond shouldn’t be optional.
Our dedicated Guest Experience Coordinators come from hospitality and events backgrounds, meaning no request is too small, or too ambitious.
From restaurant recommendations and local experiences to special occasions, celebrations, and tailored stays, guests have a friendly, knowledgeable point of contact throughout their visit.
Guests staying with Rowes Retreats benefit from:
• Professionally prepared homes
• Fresh linen and in‑house laundry
• Homemade welcome hampers using local produce
• Complimentary, one‑to‑one concierge support
• A responsive local team available throughout their stay
Because we control the full end‑to‑end experience, we can reach further, respond faster, and maintain higher standards — without passing responsibility elsewhere. Service isn’t an add‑on for us. It’s the product. This approach is a key reason our guests return year after year and our portfolio maintains a 4.9/5 rating across thousands of reviews.
OUR STORY
In 2018, Zoe and Luis took their first steps into the world of holiday rentals by letting out their spare room in London. Before long, they extended this to their entire home while embarking on an adventure through Southeast Asia (Classic Millennials). During their travels, they experienced firsthand what made a holiday home truly exceptional-how thoughtful service and attention to detail could transform a stay and leave a lasting impression you can remember for a lifetime.
When they returned to the UK, they were inspired to create something similar and just as special-an experience that went beyond just a place to stay. They wanted to provide guests with a true sense of connection, offering local insights, insider tips, and tailored services to help them make the most of their trip.
Leaving behind their corporate careers, Zoe and Luis launched a business providing housekeeping and property management for a collection of five-star holiday homes. This gave them invaluable experience in the self-catering, short term accommodation industry, refining their expertise in delivering high-end stays.
Over time, they saw a gap in the market-there was a need for a holiday rental specialist that could not only market exclusive, handpicked homes but also provide a truly bespoke guest experience. And so, in 2023, Rowes Retreats was born.
THE STORY BEHIND ROWES RETREATS
Where It All Began
Rowes Retreats was founded in 2023 by schoolyard sweethearts Zoe and Luis, who shared a passion for travel and a love for exploring new places. Deciding to leave their corporate careers behind, they returned to the South West to embark on a new adventure.
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Their journey began with the launch of a holiday home service business, offering housekeeping and management for a collection of exclusive properties. This venture gave Zoe and Luis invaluable insight into the luxury accommodation industry, setting the foundation for what would become Rowes Retreats.
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After a few years of experience, Zoe and Luis saw an opportunity and need for a company that offered more than just beautiful homes. They envisioned a bespoke, high-end experience for every guest-not just a simple “book a house” service. With this concept in mind, Rowes Retreats was born. The overwhelming local support and appreciation for their fresh approach to the market convinced them it was the perfect time to create something truly unique. Their love for exploring the outdoors and their shared desire to travel the world inspired the concept. Together, they’ve explored over 30 countries before the age of 30, and this journey has shaped Rowes Retreats’ ethos.
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Over the years, they’ve taken on several renovation and restoration projects of our own, and it’s here that they really found their stride. They developed a genuine appreciation for the character and craftsmanship of Georgian and Victorian homes-restoring them with care, patience and a deep respect for their original features. Whether it’s reinstating ceiling roses or uncovering long-lost fireplaces, they love breathing new life into period properties while staying true to their history.
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Zoe has a natural eye for interiors and curating a space that feels thoughtful, inviting, and completely individual. She has a way of blending vintage finds with timeless pieces, creating rooms that are both beautifully cohesive and full of character. It’s this attention to detail, and a belief that every home should feel like its own escape, that sits at the heart of everything they do at Rowes Retreats.
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Founding Values & Our Unique Approach
From day one, Zoe and Luis were committed to finding high-quality holiday homes in the best local areas. They focused on quality over quantity, personally visiting every property to ensure consistent standards.
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They wanted to offer a personal and knowledgeable approach to short-term accommodation. Their goal was always to go above and beyond, treating every guest like they were the first and every property like it was their own. This dedication to providing exceptional service led to the creation of their inclusive concierge service, offering tailored itineraries based on each guest’s individual needs and preferences.
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Striving for Excellence, Always
The team at Rowes Retreats is dedicated to delivering the perfect stay for every guest. They are constantly open to improvement and growth, always seeking ways to enhance the experience. Whether welcoming new or returning guests, they work tirelessly to ensure each stay is memorable, and they will continue to do so for years to come.
