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Peligoni: A Family-Friendly Review

There are family holidays, and then there’s Peligoni. Combining all the best bits of a private villa with the advantages of a thought-of-everything resort, this seriously chic members-club-cum-summer-holiday-spot is nothing if not unique. Boasting activities spanning wellness to watersports, the coolest childcare around, and plenty of chilled soirees under the stars. here’s our family friendly review of Peligoni

Words by Becky Pennison-Bates

We’ve spent hours reading the hundreds of reviews you’ve shared with us, to produce the most detailed family focused guide to Peligoni possible. All of our intel comes directly from parents who have visited first hand, or from Peligoni themselves, so you can rest assured the information is accurate and honest before making an informed decision on whether Peligoni is right for you

Your most asked questions answered

Who are Peligoni, and what's all the hype about?

A clubhouse perched above the sparkling Zakynthos sea, Peligoni prove you can have your holiday cake & eat it too. Offering a pick’n’mix assortment of activities, childcare & dining options in and around the central ‘club’, guests stay in (gorgeous) privately owned villas dotting the surroundings, meaning families can dip in and out of club life at their leisure

And the hype? Well, that’s because it’s nothing short of stunning. Think accommodation from a glossy interiors mag, fitness facilities to rival any swanky city gym, and vistas straight off a postcard (take a look at the pics if you don’t believe us!)

Peligoni’s aim? To make sure no one (toddler, teen or parent) is bored – though if you want to just chill, sunbeds and quiet corners are never in short supply

What ballpark budget are we looking at?

For a full (thorough) breakdown, head to the bottom of the feature. For a week long holiday (for two adults & two kids) during peak season, set aside about £8-10k including flights, food, accommodation & extras

In a nutshell, this includes £5,000 – £6,000 on accommodation & club membership, but this varies according to your choice of villa. When we’re talking club membership, we mean access to a concierge service, daily fitness and yoga classes, sport facilities, children’s & teen activities, restaurant and bar access & events

And then creche spaces for tiny tots (from 4 months+),  full day childcare for bigger kids (as opposed to just activities), and watersports all incur addition costs (again, there’s more detail at the bottom of the page)

And lastly, food. You’ll find a range of restaurants serving up everything your heart desires – from laid back, lazy seafront brunches to social evening feasts served under twinkling fairy lights. As a rule of thumb, prices are pretty similar to London life (but again, there’s more detail further down the feature)

How do I know which villa to pick?

With over 70 villas around the club, there really are options to suit all group sizes. And as these are privately owned, each has it’s own distinct decor personality. The one uniting feature? They’re all absolutely gorgeous

The smallest sleeps 2, while the largest has room for  20 (!), making Peligoni a great option for group getaways & multi-gen escapes

If we *had* to pick, these would be our faves (but honestly, you’re best off giving their Sales Team a call. They know the individual ins-and-outs like the back of their hand):

  • The best villa within walking distance to The Club: Kallista
  • The best villa for families with babies: Maia
  • The best villa for families with toddlers: Meganisi
  • The best villa for families with children: Taygeta
  • The best villa for families with teens: Zephyros
  • The best entry-price villa: Elia

What makes Peligoni so good for kids?

To start with the basics, Petit Peligoni helps parents wave goodbye to suitcase stress! This clever packing service lets you pick and choose ‘boxes’ to hire for the week before you even board the plane, spanning Playtime, Changetime, Bedtime & Bathtime collections. All are tailored according to your tiny traveller’s age, and then there are some much loved ‘extras’ too, including Tommee Tippee Perfect Prep machines & sterilisers

And then, for the fun stuff. There’s more detailed info below in the ‘Kids’ section, but in a nutshell:

  • Tiny Tots from 4 months to 3 years can attend the (very cool) creche, plus in-villa babysitting is available
  • Tiny Travellers aged 4 & 5 are treated to morning and afternoon activities thanks to ‘Rugrats’ (which you can pay to upgrade to full day care if you wish, AKA ‘Rascals’)
  • Six to ten year olds are kept busy thanks to TARKA – Peligoni’s new childcare partners who have designed activities focused on movement, making friends & creating long lasting memories. These run throughout the day all week long (including party & film evenings so you can dine in peace should you wish!)
  • Inbetweens (11-13) and Teens (14-17) are treated to weekly social events, plus Leaders encourage them to roam with independence while making sure everyone is inspired and entertained

A real holiday haven for families, you can rest assured there will be plenty of tiny travellers of all ages around, so waving goodbye to new found friends is definitely the hardest bit of your trip!

And what about for adults?

The list is (almost) endless, but to reel off some highlights…

There are fitness classes & PT sessions, seafront yoga slots, tennis courts, cycling routes with bikes to borrow, pizza making, an *abundance* of watersports (from wing foiling and windsurfing to sailing, kayaking, paddleboarding, waterskiing & wakeboarding!), a gorgeous spa, vintage yacht to charter and Shipwreck & Blue Caves boat trips

And not to forget, the gorgeous seafront sundeck and pool too (perfect to flop with a cocktail once you’re all activity-ed out)

What is the food like?

In a word – fab. But to go into more detail…

There are two restaurants on site at Peligoni itself, which serve up delicious Mediterranean food and showcase different specials every single day

Then, there is also the Pop Up Kitchen, rustling up exciting lighter bites from fresh fish tacos to vibrant poke bowls. Not to mention countless bars, a cafe, and an Ice Cream Shack (which is where you’d find us!)

In the evenings, glorious feasts fill the courtyard with gorgeous cooking smells, laughter, and free-flowing drinks

Plus, beautiful Greek taverna Mikro Nisi is just over the water (Peligoni can organise a boat to get there and back which is  fun for all involved!). And The Deli and Kitchen is a short drive away, specialising in Italian-inspired brunch, lunch and dinner dishes as well as salads and other pre-made bits to take back to your villa

When is best to visit, and how do you get there?

Peligoni opens annually from May until October – meaning there really is no bad time to visit. Our only tip? Those lucky ones with pre-school tiny travellers should look to book in June, September or October to capitalise on lower costs while you still can!

Zakynthos is a 3 and a half hour flight from London, with direct routes leaving airports including Heathrow & Gatwick. Plus the drive at the other end is only 45 minutes, so it really couldn’t get much easier (they can even arrange transfers with age appropriate car seats!)

Accommodation

Picking your perfect villa

Whether your aesthetic is ‘effortless European chic’ or ‘rustic and artfully eclectic’,  the private villas nestled in the hills around Peligoni deliver dreamy decor in spades. Scratch below the surface, and you’ll find facilities carefully curated to make parent’s lives easier. From piles of fluffy towels and toiletries to washing machines and welcome hampers, there’s no need for a mad dash to the supermarket. Just kick off your sandals, and pour yourself a wine, cheers-ing the free taxi service to & from the club after 6pm (or if you’d rather, nab a bolthole in walking distance from all the action)

At a glance:

  • Figari, Kostas, Avlaki & Kallista are closest to the Club

  • Mimi’s & Elia are the best value options

  • Zepyhros, Kallista & Stouvega are best for groups

  • Maia, Taygeta, Meganisi & Emerald villas are best with babies and toddlers

  • Want to look at all of your options? Head here

Your reviews

‘The genius of Peligoni lies in the combination of villa independence and luxury hotel services (without fuss or fanfare – the atmosphere is v chilled). There’s a gorgeous collection of alfresco areas for reading and relaxing, and every kind of watersport imaginable as well as yoga, tennis and a peloton-filled gym. It’s such a great vibe!’ @sarah.corbettwinder

‘I’ve already recommended Peligoni to everyone I know! Our girls made such great friends on the holiday. We’ve rebooked to go again – due to popular demand from the whole family!’ @alizewilkinson

‘It’s hard to strike the golden holiday balance of fulfilling children’s endless entertainment needs in a space that truly allows parents to relax. Peligoni has hands down completely nailed this. It’s the first family holiday where I can honestly say all parties enjoyed every minute’ @aimeecroysdill

Kids

Keeping the kids busy

Peligoni was literally built *for* families, so no matter their age or interest, you’ll find something to entertain. Lots of care has been taken to make sure children are grouped into quite small age brackets, so you can be sure all activities are perfectly age-appropriate, and your tiny traveller will come away having made a *tonne* of new friends (it speaks volumes when families often return year after year at the request of their little ones, desperate to see their pals from last summer!). Striking the golden balance between safety & freedom, you can rest assured eyes are always on thanks to highly qualified staff, meaning all ages feel empowered to exercise a little independence – giving parents that much needed me time! If your tiny travellers are aged between 4 months – 10 years old, scroll a little further down for a total childcare 101

Travelling with teens? Peligoni is as close as it comes to their holiday heaven, with plenty of social soirees, casual competitions and watersports adventures (a whole weekly calendar of them, in fact)

And last but not least, what happens when the sun goes down and they’re starting to wane, but you’re craving a cocktail? In-villa babysitters can be booked from 7pm every night of the week, for a minimum of 3 hours, by speaking to Reception

Diving deeper

For 0, 1, 2 & 3s: You can reserve a weekly spot at the Peligoni creche for your tiny traveller, which is open from 9am until 6pm daily (you can dip in and out whenever you like between these hours). A calm space with a walled garden, playroom and sleeping area, a team of highly qualified nannies supervise a whole host of exciting activities from mini obstacle courses to pool parties, face painting & playdough – tailored to groups of either ‘under 2s’ or ‘over 2s’. Lunch, snacks and dinner can all be served in the creche, and booking in advance is recommended to avoid disappointment

For 4 & 5s: ‘Rugrats’ promises to excite (and exhaust!) your tiny travellers for four hours a day. Split across 2x two hour sessions, 9am-11am & 3pm-5pm, it’s music to our ears that it’s at no extra cost. Activities range from tennis tournaments and treasure hunts to team games and ice cream trips. Should you want to upgrade to full day care, it’s ‘Rascals’ you’ll need to ask for. We’d highly recommend booking in advance (though if your little one is desperate to join while away, you can try your chances at Reception). Fees work on a weekly basis, coming in at £300 per tiny traveller

For 6, 7, 8, 9, & 10s: From Aquatic Athletics to Beach Bench Ball & Pirates of Peligoni, childcare partners TARKA lead a riotous range of high octane activities, splitting children into 2 groups (ages 6-8, and 9-10s). These run for 3 hrs each morning (with the option to attend half sessions), and for 2hrs an afternoon, from Monday to Thursday. In a stroke of genius, evening ‘parties’ are also on offer – with 4 &5s invited to join the fun too. While daytime activities are covered by club membership, evening entertainment is a little extra (but can you put a price on dinner in peace?)

Dining

Tbe best of both worlds

Part of the Peligoni magic lies in its unique ability to offer guests both a relaxing retreat and a strong social scene. For nights you fancy one on one family time, it’s easy to cook up a storm in your fully equipped kitchen. Craving other adult company? Head on down to the club where you’ll find a spoiling range of restaurants (completely kitted out for kids), as well as fantastical feast nights

Weekly dining events:

  • Welcome BBQ every Monday
  • Dinner party every Wednesday
  • Food Festival every Friday
  • Pop Up Kitchen at lunchtime Monday to Friday
  • ‘Breakfast baps’ on weekends (trust us, you’ll need them!)

Our top restaurant picks

TASI: Beneath the dabbled shade of a bamboo roof, looking out over the sea, you’ll find TASI, a lively Mediterranean restaurant open all day long. Come evening, TASI turns into the buzzy, beating heart of the club. Expect colourful cocktails & small plates accompanied by an incredible view, music and lots of laughter

The Terraces: There’s no shortage of wow-factor at The Terraces, where amazing local ingredients are cooked over an open fire. The result? Beautifully bold flavours served up under the shade of a pine tree canopy. Bringing the tiny travellers along? Fear not – kids are treated to their own special menu (as is the case at all the Peligoni restaurants)

Mikro Nisi: A modern Greek taverna specialising in fresh-from-the-sea fish, Mikro Nisi is a short boat trip from the club – we can think of worse ways to start dinnertime! Designed to the motto ‘sharing is caring’, food is mezze in style (and delicious in taste). Be warned – it takes serious willpower not to order the entire menu…

Activities

Boredom is off the agenda

Adrenaline junkie or fly’and’flopper, part of Peligoni’s beauty lies in it’s easy breezy ambience. Want to find a quiet corner and dig into a good book? Be their guest. But rest assured, buzzy bars, high octane watersports & spa serenity are just as easy to find

Whole family fun:

  • Pool & seafront sundeck (with lots of loungers)
  • Private vintage yacht charter & boat trips
  • Watersports (motorised & non) and paddleboarding
  • Tennis courts
  • Cycling

Just for grown ups:

  • Spa & treatments
  • Gym & PT sessions
  • Yoga & fitness classes

Your reviews

‘The antidote to that ‘all inclusive family holiday’ you fear if you care at all about style as well as substance.  Peligoni totally lived up to the hype. It’s a unique proposition, chic and child friendly’ @sophieberesiner

‘Peligoni is famed as a paradise for tiny travellers. The club even offers childrens’ dinner tables and film nights whilst adults are eating – the dream! If you’re travelling with tots, make use of the packing service – where everything from potties to playpens can be provided’ @alizewilkinson

‘We’ve been going to Peligoni for years and love it just as much now we’re a family and have Willow with us. Whilst the creche offering is wonderful (such a great space and set up), we actually kept Willow with us, spending time at the pool (which is the most child-friendly sun & swim spot)’ @mediamarmalade

Prices

Breaking it down

There’s no denying Peligoni is a luxury holiday – but we aren’t talking ‘once in a lifetime’ prices. For a family of four, £8-10k would get you a showstopping summer holiday, all in (eating, drinking & playing until your heart is content). We’ll run you through our workings…

  • Accommodation: On average, this will set you back £3-6k per week but there are some more affordable options (plus group getaways, dividing the cost of a bigger villa, work out better value as well)
  • Club membership: Adult (13yrs +) weekly memberships range from £375 to £700 per person per week (depending on when you visit), while kids – age 4 to 12 inclusive – come in between £250-£600
  • Added extras: Creche & Rascals work on an unlimited weekly basis and range from £300 – £500 per week depending on age. Unlimited access to watersports kit and tuition come in the form of two upgrades, full watersports (Sailing, windsurfing, kayaking, stand up paddleboarding) or paddlesports only and are available for kids aged 7+ yrs
  • Food & drink: London prices, by which we mean £18 to £20 a main at dinner
  • Flights: Return to Zakynthos around £300 per person (during summer)

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