Club Med is upping its all-inclusive game, so Travel Weekly heads to a refurbished beach resort in Greece to see how it’s shaping up
Stepping ashore at Club Med’s recently renovated Gregolimano resort, with drinks freely flowing from the pool bar and party tunes reverberating into the warm night air, felt like arriving into a world cocooned unto itself.
Having been on a Club Med holiday to Türkiye as a child some 30 years ago, I was curious about what to expect. The resort’s location on Evia, Greece’s second-largest island, added to the intrigue, as it was a destination I’d never considered before.
The journey involved a drive of more than two hours from Athens airport, before a waiting boat in the little town of Agios Konstantinos zipped us across to the resort’s jetty, making for a stylish way to arrive.
It immediately felt far plusher than the slightly spartan resort I remembered visiting. The main buffet restaurant, Pleiades, enjoys a spacious open-air setting, with a contemporary style and plenty of long benches creating a sociable atmosphere. An array of ever-changing options ranges from Greek delicacies such as kreatopites (meat pies) as well as tacos and other international dishes.
The new Olea à la carte restaurant, meanwhile, aims for a – literally – elevated experience. The slick lounge-style venue has impressive views of the Aegean from a high floor in the main building, though a rather limited menu meant the food didn’t quite match the calibre of the surroundings.
New facilities at Club Med Gregolimano
Catching up with Club Med’s Europe and Africa chief executive Anne Browaeys, it’s clear that the brand has been on a journey. April 2024 marked the completion of a two-decade-long transformation to upgrade all its resorts – the aim being to meet changing client aspirations.
“We’ve seen that after different crises, the upscale clientele is more resilient,” says Browaeys. It was just such a renovation that prompted our visit, with the inauguration of Gregolimano‘s Pine Grove extension following an investment of more than €30 million.
The 58 new rooms and suites are set in two-storey buildings that blend into their tree-covered surroundings, in contrast with the heftier eight-storey white block of the main hotel. The covering of pines provides dappled shade and a fresh, woody scent.
The renovations have also added a new beachfront bar, occasionally hosting DJs. It truly comes into its own as the sun dips below distant peaks. Likewise, the new adult-only Zen pool offers a backdrop of rugged green hills, best admired from its comfy sunloungers.
Activities in Evia
While these additions are focused on relaxation, activity remains at the heart of the brand’s all-inclusive appeal.
Waterskiing, sailing, tennis, yoga, fitness classes and padel are among the options included, with no need to book. An extensive children’s offering, including a revamped Mini Club, will keep kids and teens busy, letting everyone do as much or as little as they like.
The wide coastline is a natural setting for watersports, with an armada of Hobie Cat sailing boats at one end of the beach, where windier conditions prevail, and waterskiing in a calmer spot. I decide to take the plunge on the latter, finding the pontoon a hive of activity – although less busy than the height of summer, when more than 10 boats can be operating. After sliding on my skis and awaiting my turn, trepidation kicks in as the boat speeds off and the slack rope rapidly uncoils. Thankfully,
I hang on for a full arc of the course. UK and Nordics managing director Nicolas Bresch tells me that Club Med “has strong ambitions on sun” and aims to broaden its appeal to Britons more familiar with skiing on snow than water.
A greater trade focus is key to these efforts, via enhancements to its agent booking platform and a new WhatsApp channel of communication. After hosting 100 agents on fam trips in 2024, Bresch says the number of places could rise to 120 this year, with a focus on warm-weather destinations.
Slipping off my water skis and looking back at my stay, it’s clear to see both the resort and the all-inclusive concept are riding the crest of a wave.
Book it
Seven nights’ all-inclusive at Club Med’s Gregolimano resort costs from £1,579 per person, including flights and transfers, departing September 20, 2025.
clubmed.co.uk
Fast fact
Sales of Club Med Gregolimano for summer 2025 are 47% up year on year. The brand plans to open nine further resorts worldwide by the end of 2026 – including its first in South Africa – and to renovate others including Cancun in Mexico, Phuket in Thailand and Palmiye in Turkey.
Agents’ views
Jackie Steadman, owner, TravelTime World
“I’ve done lots of winter ski holidays with Club Med and I love the concept. This is my first stay at a summer resort and I’m really impressed. There are 60 activities available – you can’t possibly do everything.”
Peter Holmes, director, Classic Travel
“The resort is great for multigenerational families. There are plenty of young children around with their parents and grandparents. I’ve visited many Club Meds and what comes across is how it is moving upmarket.”
Jayne Johnston, operations manager, Holidaysplease
“The atmosphere was much livelier than I thought it was going to be. I’d recommend the resort to active couples and families who don’t want to be in a pool all day. The activities I tried were fantastic, including tennis and sailing lessons.”
PICTURES: Club Med
