Having booked a garden room, we had an additional living area which made a perfect bedroom for the kids. The room was very spacious, with patio doors leading out onto a private terrace and lush green gardens. Before we had even had a chance to unpack the cases, the kids had found a beach ball and were playing together in the garden outside our room - the thoughts of having been woken in the middle of the night a distant memory! Rather than one big pool, Parga Beach resort has four smaller pools nestled within their verdant gardens, which are all well maintained.
Family Luxury in the Autumn Sun
Hand-crafted, luxury experiences curated by our team—speak to our concierge to learn more
Speak to Our Concierge"The smell of jasmine fills the air as we walk through the lush and plentiful grounds; it is hard to comprehend that there are over a hundred beautiful rooms hidden away in this captivating Greek resort."
The balance between a fun-filled, family holiday and a relaxing, luxury resort is often quite hard to find... but our luxury lifestyle expert, Kerene Barefield, has found the perfect, child-friendly place to whiz away to on the off-season!
Having decided to treat the family to a little autumn sun, I booked five nights at Parga Beach Resort on the idyllic west coast of Greece - and I was not disappointed! After booking an early flight from London and dragging the kids out of bed at 3:45am; we arrived at Preveza airport by nine o’clock GMT. Greeted by our friendly chauffeur from the resort, he drove us along the beautiful coastline for a 45 minute journey to the hotel. On arrival we received a very warm welcome from Katerina and her team, and were shown promptly to our room. The extensive grounds of the hotel are stunning, all the rooms and suites are scattered between vibrantly blooming flora and centuries old olive trees. The smell of jasmine fills the air as we walk through the lush and plentiful grounds; it is hard to comprehend that there are over a hundred beautiful rooms hidden away in this captivating Greek resort
We were booked on the Authentic Ultra All Inclusive Experience, which meant that all our food & beverages were included (perfect for a family getaway!). Having unpacked, we headed down to the hotel's restaurants, which all sit beautifully on the beachfront. For our first taste of the local cuisine we dined at the Thalasso restaurant; I particularly enjoyed the shrimp spaghetti & a cheeky cocktail. I normally avoid all inclusive resorts, but because this resort is a mixture of those on B&B, half board and Ultra All Inclusive, the food is of a very high quality and the service top notch - plus there is no buffet at lunchtime, just al la carte, (or you can choose to dine in the beach bar when it is a little more casual).
The afternoon was a little rainy, but this didn’t stop the kids from enjoying the heated outdoor pool closest to our room as I relaxed on a sun lounger, sipping on an iced coffee (or a Greek frappé). After freshening up for dinner, we then headed back to Thalasso restaurants for the weekly BBQ buffet, which the kids thoroughly enjoyed as they could choose their own meals, as well as trying lots of new Greek foods. Each evening in the restaurant we enjoyed live music by a local musician, which really added to the overall ambience!
The hotel sits directly on the desirable blue flag awarded Valtos beach, where you’ll find comfortable sun loungers, crystal clear waters and golden sands. Each day after breakfast, we headed to the beach where the children built sandcastles, went on their own little adventures and swam in the sea. The sky was blue and the sun was warm - I was actually surprised just how good the weather was so late in the year, the temperature in the day never dropped below 23 degrees, and after our first day of drizzle, I don’t think we saw a cloud!
The hotel also has its own app, where you can order food and drinks directly to wherever you are within the resort, making the whole experience stress free! And the resort is not shy of things to do with your little ones - my children, who are just 4 and 7, felt a sense of freedom and absolutely loved taking themselves off to the playground, kids club and games room where they made friends and enjoyed time without the prying eyes of mum and dad.
The other great thing about this resort is it’s very close to the town and old castle on the hill! Parga is beautifully quaint, with a treasure trove of craft shops hidden along cobbled streets. Plus, there’s a plethora of tavernas in the harbour for those who don’t take up the all inclusive offering! You can also book tourist excursions up into the mountains or take a boat trip from the harbour. One of our favourite moments during the holiday was visiting the castle which is only about a 20 minute walk from the hotel. The kids adored exploring all the different rooms of the old ruin - and the picturesque views from the top are stunning, soaring across the bay and melting into the sea.
The resort also has a beautiful wellbeing spa where my husband and I both enjoyed a back massage (included in our ultra inclusive booking). Inspired by the serene, fragrant gardens of the resort and by the region’s long, rich history, the Blossom Wellness Centre was created for people who wish to attain the perfect mind-body balance. My therapist was very knowledgeable and experienced, noting straight away that I was having a little trouble with my shoulder, so naturally following the treatment the muscles felt more relaxed, and so did I.
During our stay we also enjoyed two nights at the beach front restaurant Alselea, with an a la carte menu focusing on premium modern Greek cuisine. The food here was a step up from the buffet, with the lobster and tuna ceviche really invigorating my tastebuds! It truly was a lovely setting, and as the evening temperatures dropped, the attentive staff brought over blankets for the children.
This was the perfect family holiday with no compromise on luxury. The staff were friendly, always remembering our names and second guessing what drinks we wanted to start each meal with (for me this was normally a Mia Tai as they were totally gorgeous). The grounds of the hotel are dazzlingly beautiful, and the food was of a very high standard. Parga Beach Resort is the quintessential place to relax & enjoy sun-drenched days on the beach. I would definitely recommend this hotel to anyone who fancies a little trip with the family out of season. For me the hotel, which was only half full, was at perfect occupancy, and the autumn sun was such a treat. It was five days of incredible family memories, and I loved every moment. I can't wait to return when it reopens in February next year!
https://www.pargabeachresort.gr/
@pargabeachresort (instagram)
Share this Article
You Might Also Like
-
The Upper House - An Upwards Journey
A home away from home, a luxury yet subtle residential feel, a contemplative getaway, an ideal family accommodation - these are just some of the ways that best describe our Upper House experience.
-
The Ultimate Sydney Travel Guide
Your ultimate guide of where to stay, eat and what to see in Sydney to avoid the tourists.
-
Staying at The Murray, Hong Kong
The Murray is an impressive architectural hotel centrally located in the heart of Hong Kong on the famous Cotton Tree Drive which once housed Hong Kong’s most influential government offices. Today, this grand exterior welcomes international business and leisure travellers alike who appreciate the luxury and lifestyle standard of hospitality and modern aesthetic.
-
Why you should visit Noku Phuket this Summer
Contributor Rubina A. Khan recently visited Noku Phuket, a luxury resort on Thailand's most endearing of islands.
-
Review of The Grande Dame of The Far East
To experience The Peninsula is to experience its flagship hotel in Hong Kong. A stay here is remarkable and truly exceptional beyond comparison. This Grande Dame of The Far East inhabits a spirit of proud history and hospitality so authentic that it's not an easy one to replicate.
-
Women Who Launch: Juliana Chies of Let's GoDo
Originally from Brazil, Chies travelled extensively throughout South America before setting roots in London, and her love for connecting with locals on her travels sparked the idea for Let’s GoDo. “Our experiences are authentic and accessible, and our booking platform is designed to be simple and easy. Guests trust us and enjoy the fact that we create a community, which is key to standing out in the travel space.” she says. On this edition of Women Who Launch, The Sybarite speaks with Chies about how she stands out in a crowded market and where her dream destination is.
-
Puente Romano: 5-star luxury on the Golden Mile
"The luxury resort of Puente Romano is more than just a hotel, more than just a charming Andalusian beachfront village; it is a way of life."
-
The Ultimate Dublin Itinerary
With St Patrick’s Day just around the corner, we’ve put together your itinerary for a rousing weekend of culture, cuisine and craic in Dublin.
-
The Valentine's Travel Edit: Budapest
Budapest; a city famed for it's rich and historic culture, flowing Danube River and local delicacies. But it should also be known as a city of Romance. The capital is endowed with a bounty of art nouveau architecture, eccentric ruin bars and soporific bathhouses - making it the perfect travel date destination for you and your loved one.
-
The Valentine's Travel Edit: The Cotswolds
Niamh Walsh is here to convince you to visit the Cotswolds with your beau this V-day.
-
The Nobu Philosophy on the Golden Mile
Nobu Hotel Marbella is more than just a hotel, it's a lifestyle choice.
-
Bringing Back Boujis: Get Ready for B London
Just around the corner from where the infamous Boujis once stood, B London is expected to put a bang into Kensington and Chelsea’s nightlife scene.
Learn more about luxury lifestyle by signing up for free
For our latest experiences and editorials, be the first in the know. You'll learn about upcoming experiences happening worldwide and the secrets and lifestyle of a sybarite.