In a picture perfect location in the North East corner of Zakynthos – one of the largest and the most Southerly of Greece’s Ionian islands – is the Peligoni Club; a family friendly club house, restaurant and spa which acts as a social hub for the area’s villas – providing fun on and off the water in a truly relaxing setting.
A dusty, winding forty-five minute drive from Zakynthos airport takes you away from the tourist traps of the island’s main town and up to the largely untouched North Eastern corner of the island. Pulling up to the hand painted arch announcing your arrival to the Peligoni club, you’re immediately transported to holiday mode as you’re ushered through the beautifully maintained gardens to the reception area, checked in quickly by your smiling receptionist and handed a glass of ice cold fizz to announce the start of your break.
Beautifully colour coordinated in harmony with it’s surroundings, the club is decorated in a laid back palette of white, blue and natural tones. Steps lead down from the informal dining area to a series of sunbathing areas, where small clusters of loungers are arranged at different levels, to give you privacy while still affording fabulous views of the sea and watersports. Closer to the main areas are a sofa strewn adults only area and a teen hangout complete with hanging chairs, beanbags, a ping-pong table and not an embarrassing parent in sight.
Another teenage haven can be found closer to the sea, where the beach crew is happy to teach and encourage novice watersports enthusiasts of any age. There are always safety boats out in the quiet waters around the club, so even the most nervous of parents are happy to let their kids out paddle boarding, windsurfing, or just messing about jumping off the pontoon set out in the water.
The club also boasts a pool of its own, the gorgeously relaxing Goat Shed spa – home to seriously good Swedish massages and Dermalogica facials – and even an outdoor gym, for those who feel the need to work off that extra Eggs Benedict.
The villas at the Peligoni are all individually owned, but booked via the club, so every one is individual in style, build and character. The gorgeous Anna’s House, which sleeps eight, is a riot of terraces, local planting and flowers, with a truly rustic charm and a private pool set deep into the gardens, overlooking the sea. For more glitz and glamour, Figari is a stunning villa belonging to the club’s owners, with an infinity pool and fabulous design touches, including carved wooden furniture and doors from India.
While there are several excellent restaurants locally – a short boat trip will take you to the wonderful Micro Nisi in nearby Stoufis – there’s also no need to leave the club, or even your own villa for a foodie treat. The hotel serves simple brasserie-style food throughout the day, with the emphasis on quality, fresh ingredients. They can also provide a chef to cook at your villa, for those nights when you just can’t tear yourself away from the terrace and even provide staff to help with drinks, serving and – phew – the clearing up.
But you should drag yourself away from the lure of your pool for one of the club’s organized walks with Sheila: guide and personality extraordinaire. The monastery tour is rightly popular – starting an hour or so before sunset, it’s a gently rambling walk, suitable for all ages, through the local countryside. Sheila will talk you through the history, flora and fauna of the area, before you end at a beautifully tumbledown 16th Century cliff top monastery and settle down for drinks and nibbles as the sun sets, before being driven on to dinner in a nearby village. Bliss – and a spectacle that’s guaranteed to silence even the most truculent of teenagers.
But, however much your head may be turned by the other activities, at The Peligoni club you always return to the beach. The sea and getting out on it are the main focus here. And whether it’s a gentle spot of paddle boarding, or taking part in one of the club’s hilariously disorganized-looking kids’ watersport competitions, this is the perfect holiday for older kids. They’ll come home tanned, grinning from ear to ear and regaling their friends with tales of waterborne exploits and you’ll have had a relaxing, boutique break into the bargain. Perfect.
Peligoni (www.peligoni.com; 020 8740 3001) offer a range of accommodation including farmhouses, villas, simple studios and boutique rooms sleeping 2 – 20. Anna’s House (sleeps 8) is available for 2014 bookings from £3,125 for the week (accommodation only). A selection of other villas are still available to book for travel this September including Askos Villa (sleeps 4) from £1,875 and Maistrali (sleeps 8-9) from £2,150. During September membership to the club along with use of all watersports facilities is available from £130 (£60 without watersports).
easyJet, Thompson and flythomascook fly from most UK airports to Zakynthos.
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