But the best thing about Eagles Palace is the tranquility and sense of space – there are over 150 rooms, but you'd never know it. Thanks to oodles of communal space, nowhere feels crowded, and the resort actually feels quite compact to stroll around. Staff are faultless – everything is done with big smiles. And whilst you can tear yourself away to visit the Mount Athos monasteries and Amouliani island, don't feel that you should. Take advantage of the superb childcare so you can slip off for a hot-stone massage or go wake-boarding, then have dinner as the sun descends into a blazing orange sky.
Highs
- A stunning natural location, but just 2 hours from Thessaloniki (direct flights from Europe)
- Wonderful staff run a tight ship and constantly surprise with sweet little gestures
- Gourmet-Greek flavours in the upmarket Kamares restaurant; think fish roe with carob-bread, shrimps and sea fennel
- A long, beautiful beach with calm clear waters and tiki-shaded loungers – there are lots more loungers than guests
- The awesome Kids Clubs: paddle-boarding and water-skiing for older children, cooking and collage for toddlers, and film nights for all at the open air theatre
Lows
- Larger than most i-escape hotels, with over 150 rooms – though they're nicely set amongst olive and pine trees; for more privacy, head up the hill to smaller sister resort Eagles Villas
- The cheapest rooms are quite small; for longer stays, we'd recommend a Suite or a Bungalow
- We found the food at Melathron, where you eat if you book half-board, less good than the other restaurants
- Drinks are expensive by Greek standards
Baby cots and high chairs
Some equipment may need to be requested in advance
On request
An excellent indoor littlies club with games, toys, arts and crafts for younger children (Globetrotters 4mo-2yrs, Adventurers 3-4 yrs). A sheltered garden area and playhouse combo for older kids, plus an Aqua Explorer\'s Club with daily watersports classes (Voyagers 5-7 yrs, Pioneers 8-13yrs). A varied activity schedule provided for all age groups. All open April-October, 10am-6pm Tuesday-Sunday, half day (10am-2pm/2-6pm) or full day sessions available, pre-booking essential
- Heated pool and kids\' splash pool
- Playground
- Beach
- Eagles Spa has family spa treatment menu, including princess/prince facials and body massages; spa hours 9-11 am Tuesdays and Wednesdays
- Kayaking, windsurfing and pedalos
- Snorkelling and diving
- Sailing and boat trips
- Movie nights
- Disco nights
- Tennis
- Boutique Palace
- 157 rooms
- Restaurants & bar (open daily)
- All ages welcome
- Open all year
- Pools
- Spa Treatments
- Beach Nearby
- Babysitting
- Creche / Kids Club
- Car recommended
- Parking
- Pet Friendly
- Disabled Access
- Restaurants Nearby
- WiFi
- Air Conditioning
- Guest Lounge
- Terrace
- Garden
- Gym
- Tennis Court
- Bicycles Available
- Open air theatre
Rooms
The rooms are spread over several wings of the building, and as you'd expect, the more you pay, the better they get in terms of space, location and view. As a general rule, expect whitewashed walls, oak furniture, and dashes of colour through geometric-design cushions and curtains: aquamarine, teal, mustard and mauve.
Superior rooms are comfortable enough for 2-3 nights, but if coming for longer we'd go for something larger. Junior Suites have almost double the space, plus a sofa area. Family Suites are similar, but with the bedroom and living area (with its double sofabed) separated by a sliding door. We were lucky enough to stay in a Junior Suite Sea Front - dreamy sea views and smarter decor (a peacock-blue or white leather sofa and contemporary lighting), plus a big balcony, so we were able to sit out and read then watch superb sunsets. Suites are even larger, and many have private pools. Bungalows are standalone rooms looking out to sea, with white louvered shutters and generous balconies - some have two bedrooms, some have private pools.
All have the same facilities, including air con, 2 types of bathrobe (yes - waffle and towelling!), fragrant olive-based toiletries and (apart from Standard Rooms) a Nespresso machine.
Features include:
- Air conditioning
- Bathrobes
- In-room treatments available
- Minibar
- Radio
- Safe box
- Toiletries
- TV
- WiFi
Eating
There are several restaurants on-site, all of which are headed up by Michelin star chef Apostolos Trastelis. We loved Armyra, a gorgeous casual bistro with white wicker chairs and candle lanterns. Tables spill out down towards the seafront, and are romantically lit at night. There's a daily seaside buffet, which includes huge fillets of seabass, plump king prawns and seafood paellas. Of the a la carte selections, we especially liked an asparagus risotto, and homemade bread served with local olives.
The other restaurants are much smarter. At Kamares you dine on a wooden platform under cedar trees, gazing out to sea - especially fabulous as the sun sets. Their gourmet Greek flavours are divine: stuffed squid with fennel and gruyere; cuttlefish ink pasta, then crispy baklava with pistachio ice cream. There's also an Italian restaurant, Vinum which, sadly, we didn't manage to try.
If you book half-board, breakfast and dinner are served buffet-style in Melathron. The food is themed daily (Greek, Asian, Mediterranean), which provides variety; but we found it disappointing by comparison with the other restaurants, and there can be queues in high season, so we wouldn't recommend paying extra for half-board.
Wherever you eat, don't miss the local Mount Athos wines, whose grapes are grown, picked, stamped and bottled by monks. Ammos Beach Bar and Eagles Cafe both serve up snack food - souvlaki, burgers and sandwiches.
Features include:
- Bar
- Beach Club
- Coffee maker
- Restaurant
- Room service
- Vegetarian options
Activities
- Laze on the beach. There are 3 different sections and all have a different vibe - one quiet, one with background music, and one with Ammos Beach Bar and the watersports centre
- Active types can go diving, sailing, kayaking, wake-boarding, water-skiing and on pedalos
- Catch the boat to the secluded island of Drenia, where the Eagles Palace Island Club invites you to recline on a sun lounger on the stunning beach
- Book a sailing excursion to Amouliani Island or hire a motor boat and find your own sandy cove. Keep your eyes peeled for wild dolphins as you cruise
- Play tennis or take cookery lessons
- Complimentary exercise classes include paddle-board yoga, sea aqua-aerobics, hill runs and beach yoga
- Have a massage by the sea, or head to the Elemis spa for some dedicated pampering. The 5-hour 'Day of Tranquility' should do the trick
- Catch the free shuttle or hire bikes and cycle into Ouranoupolis, a charming village with a fishing harbour and fortified Byzantine tower. Traditional shops sell locally produced goods
- Day trip to the spectacular monasteries of Mount Athos - the men-only monastic republic established in 963, a Unesco site
- Sit back and relax at the open air theatre, which hosts movie nights, plays, kids' discos, and champagne nights at the pop-up bar
Activities on site or nearby include:
- Cycling
Best Time to go
Our Top Tips
Location
Eagles Palace is just outside the village of Ouranoupolis (gateway to the monastic community of Mount Athos) on the 3rd peninsula of Chalkidiki (Halkidiki), mainland Greece. It’s about 2 hours' drive from Thessaloniki and its airport.
By Air:
Thessaloniki (129km away) is the nearest airport. It’s the hub for northern Greece and served by many international flights - click on the links below for a list of airlines. There’s also an airport at Kavala (211km away).
From the Airport
The hotel can arrange transfers (free if you're staying 5+ nights, extra cost otherwise), or you can hire a car. The hotel has a car park.
Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.com.
More on getting to Greece and getting around
Airports:
- Thessaloniki International 129.0 km SKG
- Thessaloniki International 221.0 km KVA
Other:
- Beach 0.1 km
- Shops 1.5 km
- Restaurant 1.5 km