Eagles Palace

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.

Double and Deluxe 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 an Deluxe Junior Suite Sea Front - dreamy sea views and smarter décor (a 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 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. 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. Kamares is headed up by Michelin-starred chef Alexandros Tsiotinis, a renowned Greek chef and Ferrandi Paris graduate. You dine on a wooden platform under pine 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, and the peaceful lunch spot Patio Bistro 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 (for a fee)
  
• 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
  
• Start your day off smoothly with a complimentary beach yoga session
  
• 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:

• Boat trips
• Cooking classes
• Cycling
• Fishing
• Historical sites
• Museums / galleries
• Private guided tours
• Sailing
• Scuba diving
• Snorkelling
• Swimming
• Tennis
• Well being
• Windsurfing
• Yoga

Best Time to go

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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 (extra cost), 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.

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