ADVERTORIAL • April 2019
The Greek hotels adding glamour to your getaway
Whether you’re after a luxury beach hotel with a side of romance or a family-friendly coastal resort, Greece never disappoints. The best bit about your Grecian odyssey? Club members can benefit from up to €200 worth of credit at any one of these waterfront havens...
A family affair
Hugging the island’s quiet southeast coast, five-star MarBella Corfu Hotel is all about sweeping Ionian Sea views, landscaped gardens, and a Blue Flag beach right on the doorstep. Seductive setting aside, this is a family-friendly resort which everyone can enjoy. Spend laidback days on the pristine sands or poolside – there’s a seawater and freshwater pool (heated in low season) not to mention private plunge pools in many of the resort rooms, while the serene spa is a holistic heaven. For those looking to up their BPM, there’s everything from sea-kayaking to aerial yoga, with ten restaurants and bars to choose from for when all those healthy exertions leave you feeling hungry.
Top tip: Younger residents will appreciate the splash pool and kids club – an ideal spot for tots and tweens to burn off excess energy – while mums and dads can make the most of the resort’s all-inclusive package for total, stress-free relaxation.
New romantics
If serenity is up there with sunshine on your holiday checklist, Corfu’s MarBella Nido Suite Hotel & Villas is the place for you, thanks to its adults-only policy. Built on a hillside in the style of a traditional Corfiot village, the bougainvillea-clad suites all have sea views, tasteful interiors, and often their own pool. Guests have access to the pretty pebbled beach, though the hotel’s pool overlooking the emerald Ionian is also a draw. The spa, small but perfectly formed, offers treatments using Parisian beauty brand Cinq Mondes, or for more energetic pastimes, guests can use the extensive facilities of the Marbella Corfu Hotel next door.
Top tip: After a day exploring secluded coves in a pedalo, order a crisp glass of wine at the Heritage Bar before bagging a table at Apaggio, one of the hotel’s three restaurants, where you will find the degustation menu ready to take you deep into Corfu's gastronomic delights.
The big blue
The Royal Blue, in Rethymonon, Crete, certainly lives up to its name – everywhere you look there’s sparkling azure water, from the waterfront suites and villas (many of which come with their own pool) to the glittering Cretan Sea. The resort’s minimalist, all-white decor is pure laidback luxe, the sheltered beach is ideal for families and the two pools are equally enticing (one is adults-only). To balance the resort's hedonist side, try the Pure Senses spa – with a jetted Thalassotherapy pool and steam room – tennis courts and fitness centre. Meanwhile, the resort is the perfect jumping off point to explore the island’s many picturesque harbours and villages.
Top tip: Worked up an appetite? Multiple dining and bar options include Elia, an à la carte Cretan restaurant, and Sunset Lounge bar – the place to kick back with an icy Mojito, listen to the DJ’s chilled beats and watch the sun sink into the horizon.
Paradise found
Perched on a peninsula in Halkidiki, Eagles Palace & Eagles Villas certainly has location on its side. But this five-star fabulous resort offers more than stunning vistas. The main hotel (the Palace) sprawls across a verdant hillside, with rooms, suites and bungalows spread out amongst gardens of fragrant frangipani, olive and pine trees. The Blue Flag beach is delightfully uncrowded, and offers myriad water sports; afterwards, soothe weary muscles with an Elemis treatment at the spa. Six restaurants have a range of menus, but for a memory-maker try Kamares by Spondi, set on a balcony overlooking the island of Ammouliani.
Top tip: Parents will be grateful for the Explorers Club for 4-month to 13-year-olds, plus there’s a shallow kids’ pool, a playground, and dedicated watersports activities and spa treatments for teens. Not to mention the ‘Eagles Island Club’ – the hotel’s own desert island available for the little ones to explore.
Greek chic
Just next door is Eagles Villas – a discreet complex offering the chance to unwind in privacy. The 42 self-contained stone villas blend seamlessly into their surroundings, with thoughtful design touches and Insta-worthy Aegean seascapes. Available in a selection of sizes, each has a private pool (also heated in low season), terrace, outdoor shower and wooden sunbeds – and some, private gardens. For a cappuccino with a view, the resort’s hilltop restaurant Lofos serves an impressive buffet breakfast (think fresh figs, homemade bread, local goat’s cheese) and dinner with emphasis on fresh Mediterranean fare.
Top tip: Guests are welcome to use all the amenities at sister property Eagles Palace, which is reached via a short walk. These include the private Blue Flag beach – one of the finest in Halkidiki – plus its spa, eateries, beach bars and kids club.
Executive Club Members can enjoy up to €200 worth of exclusive credit at the listed resorts by showing proof of Club Membership at reception. Valid for travel between 18 April and 31 October 2019 on stays of five nights or more.
This article has been tagged Advertorial, Hotels
More from previous issues
How to be... Irish
When he’s not filling stadiums or selling million of records, you'll find singer Ronan Keating heading back to his Irish homeland for a trip down memory lane
Feast your eyes: the UK’s best restaurants with sensational views
Elevated eating: Financial Times food columnist Bill Knott clues us in on the most coveted tables in the UK, where glorious menus come with cracking views
My Club: the wellness entrepreneur
Wellness guru and Executive Club Member Adiba Osmani on exploring London, meditating in the air and staring at trees
Safari with kids: an expert’s guide
Running wild: taking your kids on safari is a dream come true – but it’s important to get it right. Our experts show you how