Eagles Palace ★★★★★

Halkidiki is a captivating place, where monks rub shoulders with partygoers and holidaymakers. At its core it’s split into two separate destinations that are worlds apart from each other but co-exist in absolute harmony. There is the lively nightlife that spans that coastal regions of the region, sitting side by side with the peaceful landscape that boasts pearlescent beaches, enchanting coves, dipping valleys, and tall, jutting peaks and the ancient monastic culture that harks back to a time when traditions were all-powerful and life was much, much simpler. And the simple life is why tourists flock here – they arrive on these sandy shoes for a certain kind of serenity and a chance to get away from it all.

So, it was with a heart full of hope that I arrived at Eagles Palace, and I was not disappointed. The resort itself sits snug against the surrounding backdrop, melting into the rich greenery and the ancient, undulating landscape, tucked away like a hidden present. It sits just four kilometres from Ouranoupolis, a tiny, traditional and beautiful village so typical of peaceful Halkidiki, and moments from the rising peak of Mount Athos with its all-seeing monastery and rich, monastic culture.

My superior room mirrored the calm beauty that surrounded the hotel, with crisp white walls and plenty of warm, natural light. There were pops of colour, too, in oranges and reds, for a dash of five-star luxury. And, from my balcony, I could cast my eyes across the open blue sea beyond.

Set right on the beach, I had access to a private stretch of sand where I could watch the tiny fishing boats bob on the water, or I could laze by the secluded pool, surrounded by palm trees and lush greenery. Seemingly tucked away out of sight from the rest of Halkidiki, I felt like I’d entered an alternate universe at Eagles Palace, where the carefree attitude of the nightlife and the peaceful charm of the monastic lifestyle are combined.

The most difficult decision I had to make was where I would eat for the evening – would it be at the Kamares restaurant overlooking the orange glow of the sunset or would it be the Vinum restaurant, serving flavours from India surrounded by the still pool and the fragrant gardens? The selection of in-house restaurants provided a taste for every occasion, and my evenings always ended with a cocktail on the terrace, soaking up the quiet, night atmosphere and the shimmering lights of towns in the distance.

In keeping with its spiritual ambiance, the luxury of Eagles Palace continues into the spa, which offers a sumptuous selection of services and facilities surrounded by dense greenery and the scent of natural beauty. Halkidiki might have many faces, but I found the perfect concoction of them all set against the sacred backdrop of Mount Athos at the Eagles Palace.