Great food. Gorgeous location right on the water’s edge. Endless watersports for children and a carnival party atmosphere for teens in the evenings — if you’re looking for a fun-for-all-ages family holiday that everyone will enjoy this summer and beyond, it’s hard to beat The Peligoni Club.
Set among the blissfully rugged and surprisingly undeveloped hills of northern Zakynthos and the glittering crystal-clear cerulean blue and emerald Ionian sea, the club is exquisitely pretty, highly accessible from London and the weather, as you can imagine, is heavenly, even when I went in late October.
The Peligoni Club is a unique concept in that everyone rents accommodation through the club, and you then pay a weekly membership fee for use of the club facilities, which include two restaurants, three bars, a pool, spa and sun loungers on the massive deck where everyone congregates. This works perfectly as you get the privacy and relaxation of a private villa with all the fun and activities of an action-packed hotel.
We had a watersports membership which meant that every morning we could wander down to the watersports hut and take out paddleboards or kayaks or toppers. My 11-year-old son spent the week on a sailing course which meant he was pleasingly occupied between 9am and 4pm every day with a break for lunch, while my five-year-old was entranced by the incredible kids’ club. Forget hanging around a boring nursery play area, this is more dress up as pirates and have a tour of the island on a speed boat searching for treasure type of vibe.
This year it’s run in association with TARKA kids club previously of Daylesford fame. Founded by Rufus Gordon-Dean on leaving the Household Cavalry in 2016, the creation of TARKA stems from his love of being active, which he believes is the key to a positive mental state and physical wellbeing. At a time when we’re all worried about children and smartphones, TARKA, with its focus on getting out there and having fun, creates the perfect opportunity for a highly physically active, screen-free session with their signature breathwork and stretching time at the end of every slot.
In the evenings there were endless fun events: a Halloween party with music, dancing and facepaints, a special dinner by London chef Nicholas Balfe, movie nights for teenagers — you name it, they put it on.
The club is exquisitely pretty, highly accessible from London and the weather is heavenly
The club also has a daily timetable of activities you can dip in and out of including yoga, gong baths, cardio and bike rides. Go for a daily 10k guided cycle around the hills if you’re fit enough (those hills are steep!).
We stayed at Villa Maia, a super-cool Californian-style beach house five minutes from the club with three en-suite bedrooms, a gorgeous pool and a collection of outdoor areas perfect for hosting an intimate dinner party including a BBQ area along with an outdoor living room and covered dining areas. There’s even a Jacuzzi to relax in while inspecting the beautiful views.
There are more than 60 cottages, villas and a B&B dotted around the sleepy hills and hamlets surrounding the club, most within walking distance. While they are all privately owned, Peligoni manages bookings and can sort transfers, car hire, cleaning, and food and water delivery. They can even arrange private chefs for you if you’d like them.
At the club there’s the chilled bohemian chic Tasi restaurant serving grilled fish, salads and Greek delicacies for lunch. Elsewhere, under a canopy of pine trees are the Terraces, where wood-fired pizzas are the name of the day. Behind the blooming bougainvillaea is the Goat Shed Spa where, in little stone cottages, therapists will pummel and smooth your city stresses away.
If you want to explore, the club runs a weekly tour where guests are whisked away on a chartered boat to the island’s famous Shipwreck Beach, a pristine white sand cove which features a huge wooden real-life shipwreck. Or to splash out, spend a day cruising the coastline on the club’s vintage yacht Odyssey, with lunch and drinks included.
Crowd-wise you’re in Rock in August territory, but everyone is super friendly and the atmosphere is so laidback and your children will be so, so happy.
And for those without children, the annual House Party in September transforms Peligoni into a hub of live music by the sea, comedy nights and feasts, featuring Sabor and Big Mamma. They also run two popular PACE wellness weeks in May and October with cycling with world champion Sir Chris Hoy, swimming with silver medallist Kerri-anne Payne, and racing with ultra-runners Nick Butter and Lewis Robling.
If all the activity gets too much for you there are plenty of recommended nearby tavernas, restaurants and places to explore too. You’ll leave having had the most wonderful holiday and already planning your next visit.
