Janine Kelso heads to Greece to experience Mark Warner’s newly refurbished Paleros Beach Resort.
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The facts
Mark Warner reopened Paleros Beach Resort on June 1, following the multi-million pound facelift of an existing property. Set on the coast of mainland Greece near the sleepy town of Paleros, the beachfront property boasts 130 contemporary doubles, suites and family rooms, all of which have a balcony or terrace. Backed by rugged mountains, the resort has two restaurants, two bars, a small spa, a childcare centre and three pools, as well as a smattering of the allinclusive water and land sports for which Mark Warner is best known.
What’s new
Everything! Set within lush flower-filled gardens, the entire resort has been refurbished from top to bottom. The palm-studded main pool area is a real showstopper with floating islands of sunloungers, and there’s also an adult-only pool where you can laze around between activities, as well as a kids’ pool. Housed within one and two-storey buildings, accommodation has been carefully designed with families in mind, with a mix of interconnecting rooms and family ones with sliding doors to divide the sleeping areas for parents and children. Mediterranean-style rooms are bright, airy and spacious with huge, comfy beds.
Activities
Included in the price of a holiday, the resort’s host of watersports is its star attraction. Guests can enjoy sailing, windsurfing, kayaking and paddleboarding at the sheltered bay at the front of the hotel – accessed by crossing a quiet road from the resort. As a beginner at paddleboarding and sailing, I welcomed the glittering bay’s calm waters and light breezes, and the tuition was top-notch, with patient and friendly instructors. Wakeboarding, waterskiing and scuba diving lessons are available for an extra charge. Land sports, including tennis, cycling and a packed programme of fitness classes, are also included.
The verdict
Just a four-hour flight from London and a 25-minute transfer from Preveza airport, this resort is a hassle-free option for families who want to take advantage of childcare on tap but want more from a holiday than to just fly and flop. Built in a traditional style, the low-rise resort has an intimate village vibe and welcoming staff. I liked the fact that all facilities, including the beach, are within a short stroll of one another. The resort serves dinner only five nights a week, so guests are encouraged to visit Paleros, a 25-minute walk away. We hired bikes to cycle the coast-hugging path into the pretty town, with its waterfront bars and tavernas. I loved lofty cocktail bar Senso Mare, a hot pick for sundowners thanks to its epic views of the shimmering Ionian Sea.
Book it
Seven nights’ half-board starts at £2,646 for a family of four next summer, including flights, transfers, childcare and clubs for two to 17-year-olds, and activities.
markwarner.co.uk
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