The chic sleep: Eagles Villas, Halkidiki, Greece

Probably the best table for dinner at Eagles Palace sits at the end of a tiny boardwalk, where you can watch the moon rise over Mount Athos while dining on oregano-dusted sheep’s cheese and sipping a glass of crisp organic white wine. Of course, there is no guarantee against waves lapping over the hem of your dress, nor indeed soaking the waiters’ polished shoes, which really says everything about this luxurious resort’s bountiful and unpretentious approach to pleasure. “Come in, be our guest,” goes the ethos, “savor the very best in life (which includes superlative restaurants overseen by Greek gastro superstar Apostolos Trastelis).” And if that means the occasional trail of sandy footprints through the lobby… Needless to say, it is the perfect place to vacation with a family.

Perched on the northernmost ‘finger’ of the Halkidiki peninsula (in fact, it sits closer to Bulgarian capital Sofia than to Athens), Eagles Palace is an expansive ’70s treasure, boasting exactly the kind of boho-luxe, textured interiors and domed monastic architecture one would hope for – only Liz Taylor and Dick, sipping sundowners in matching kaftans, seem to be missing. Much newer are the 42 sleek and modernist private bungalows – Eagles Villas – steeply located up a beautifully landscaped hill, featuring bold contemporary plantings of fragrant lavender (and, consequently, clouds of butterflies). Slickly appointed with plunge pools, indoor/outdoor showers, and cool design touches (which update the laid-back ’70s feel with a dash of soothing Scandi minimalism), the villas are chic, discreet havens where you can retreat from the social – but never too social – buzz of the beach and enjoy the majestic coastal views in your own tiny paradise. And having stayed in one for a gloriously sybaritic retreat with my boys, it really is testament to the allure of the rest of the resort and its easy, inclusive glamour that we left the villa at all.

The beautiful Aegean is a positive invitation to indulge in the life aquatic, but arguably no stretch of sea is more translucent and glorious than the glassy turquoise waters at the nearby Drenia Islands (known locally as Donkey Islands). The hotel staff can arrange a speedboat and a picnic, allowing you to island hop and dip in and out of the blue to your heart’s content. Plus, the watersports club offers wakeboarding, waterskiing and scuba lessons.

Granted, there is meagre motivation to leave your lounger (whether besides your personal plunge pool, or listening to the gently lapping waves at the beach), however, a morning cruise to the base of Mount Athos (complete with Orthodox monks who come aboard via speedboat) is an old-school curiosity that could be straight out of a Wes Anderson movie. Afterwards, dine at Lemoniadis taverna (+30 2377 071355) in Ouranoupoli village and shop for gems at Notis (+30 2377 071186).

While Eagles Palace prides itself on its family-friendly inclusivity, sometimes a little bit of time off is precisely what the doctor ordered – for offspring and parents alike. The Explorers kids club lives up to its name with activities that make the most of the beautiful environment, overseen by energetic play-workers who clearly love their jobs (from four months to 13 years).