The five-star Eagles Palace Hotel & Resort, a member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World, enjoys a spectacularly unique location near Mount Athos, "The Holy Mountain" and the picturesque fishing village of Ouranoupolis in Halkidiki. Mount Athos was mentioned by Homer as being the first home of Zeus and Apollo before they moved to Mt. Olympus but I be they would have stayed if Eagles had been opened then!
So much more than just a hotel, Eagles Palace Hotel & Resort is a destination in its own right, particularly if you're looking to go off-grid while still enjoying the highest level of creature comforts. As I wandered through with lush gardens, overflowing with fragrant frangipani, olive, palm and pine groves, and golden sandy private beaches showcasing crystalline water, I felt like I had found a little slice of Eden.
Since your every wish seems to be the hotel's staff dream to grant, you can easily stay put, happily cocooned in stylish seclusion, nestled in one of the comfy beach loungers stirring only to extend a finger to push the call button to order another drink, fresh fruit, and a chilled towel. Or you can leave paradise for the 15-minute walk (or a complimentary hotel shuttle ride) to Ouranoupolis, whose cobble-stoned streets are sprinkled with authentic seafood tavernas and specialty shops.
To further perfect your relaxing skills, the award-winning Elemis Spa offers three treatment rooms, a sauna, hammam, mud baths, salt room, and a spa pool. An adequate workout can be had in the small fitness center stocked with TechnoGym equipment or join one of the complimentary yoga, pilates or water aerobics classes.
For a truly magical afternoon, the hotel has a sleek new, skippered speedboat that's available for hire. We had a blast, zipping across the waves as our able (and extremely cute) Captain Vasilis took us to his favorite villages and hidden beaches including the uninhabited island of Drenia. To our surprise, Vasilis turns off the motor, reaches behind his chair and whips out a picnic basket filled with Greek mezze and sparkling wine for us to enjoy while taking in the sunset.
Eagles Palace has 170 spacious rooms, suites and bungalows, some with private pools and palatial balconies. They're all elegantly decked-out in soothing white on white with bright sea-tone accents, luxurious marbled bathrooms, satellite LCD TV, Nespresso machine, safe and fridge.
Explore the flavors of Greece, beginning with a bountiful breakfast buffet at Melathron. For scrumptious Greek tapas, local farm produce and fresh grilled fish, head to Armyra, Eagle's casual barbie-on-the-beach.
Both are most satisfying, but any serious gastronome will be in Hellenic heaven once they experience two-star Michelin Chef Arnaud Bignon's modern Greek degustation menu, at Kamares by Spondi. Mouthwatering dishes might include the grilled red mullet with saffron or the ravioli with a rocket/cheese/pine-seed filling.
But wait, there's more…
While I certainly had no complaints about my suite at the Eagles Palace, on my next visit I'm definitely 'moving on up' to one of their new Eagles Villas, which opened in 2017. This beautifully designed extension consists of 42 villas which range in size from a Junior Pool Suite up to a two-story, three- bedroom Villa.
The villas are cleverly staggered across the hilltop to ensure not only the utmost privacy but also out-of-this world views of the Aegean Sea backed by Mount Athos, which are in full view from your outdoor shower!
The wow-factor of these stylishly-designed villas, with a spacious terrace, personal plunge pool, rooftop garden, marble-clad bathrooms, kitchenette (and wine cooler!) was tempered by a comfy, livability factor.
Additional dining choices at Eagles Villas include Lofos, their relaxed fine-dining restaurant feature Mediterranean cuisine with live cooking stations is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Eleonas by Fuga, an Italian themed restaurant, also gets rave reviews for the freshly made pasta and traditional pizzas utilizing Italian P.D.O products. If you're not ready to face the world, you can order private dining in your villa paired with a selection of local and international wines from their extensive wine cellar.
Villa guests are free to partake of all luxury facilities provided at big sister, Eagles Palace. There's even a fleet of gold-carts at the ready to zip you over to any of the six restaurants or down to the beach.
For help in planning your trip contact Doucas Tours & Travel Northern Greece’s leading luxury travel company, carrying on a 135-year-old family tradition.
