I didn’t think I’d be ticking things off my bucket list when I stayed at Club Med Gregolimano on the Greek island of Evia, but that is exactly what happened.
It was just after breakfast and a small group of us were ‘saluting the sun’ in a yoga class on the beach, under a canopy of trees that shielded us from the warming rays. I took a deep breath in and out, gazed at the golden sand and listened to the waves lapping on to the shore. Pure bliss. Box ticked.
This was just one of the many activities holidaymakers can enjoy at this all-inclusive Club Med destination. But if yoga is not your thing then how about tennis, padel tennis, football, archery, water-skiing, sailing, beach volleyball, step, Pilates, boules, table tennis… this place has a lot to offer, and it’s not simply doing the activities that’s part of the all-inclusive package, tuition is also included so beginners can try something new.
Gregolimano has undergone something of a rebirth. Following an extension and renovation, there are now 58 new rooms/suites, meaning the resort now has a total of 497 rooms/suites. The new accommodation has been built into a pine forest, using materials and aesthetics to complement the natural surroundings.
The buildings and furnishings are high-end but understated—smart and stylish but not flash. The sea is on one side, and the stunning mountains are on the other. Very nice.
Also next to this wonderful mountain setting is the new Zen Pool. Surrounded by sun loungers and with the smell of fresh pine in the air – this adults-only area has a calming vibe. There is also a main pool on the resort – ideal for families and children to splash about. Indeed, Gregolimano has Mini Club Med too, where children can experience their own little holiday resort, within the resort, looked after by Club Med staff, with plenty of fun activities.
Aside from the yoga, I also tried my hand at sailing. It’s something I never thought I’d do but, looking at a calm, blue ocean and in 28C heat, it was hard to resist.
Along with my equally beginner-level companion, we donned our life jackets and boarded our small catamaran with our calm and patient teacher. I have to admit I felt nervous, especially when we were instructed to sit on the edge of the vessel to operate either the sail (jib) or the rudder, and we shimmied on our backsides to get from one end of the catamaran to the other, but our instructor settled my fears and showed us both what we needed to do. Soon, we were sailing for a good half-hour which felt exhilarating.However, if tranquil is what you’re after you should visit the new spa – Sothys. I did, and I opted for a quick facial, which involved more facial massage than products slathered on which left me feeling invigorated and fresher faced.
The spa treatments and any excursions cost extra. So if you fancy time away from resort life – go to reception and see what’s on offer. We took a boat trip to a secluded beach and then on to a little Greek fishing village where you can explore the shops, bars and more of the Greek culture. As Club Med is French, you don’t get a true flavour of Greece unless you venture out. That was something that surprised me when it came to the food. There are two restaurants – the Pleiades (the biggest, over two floors) and the smaller (and new) The Olea.
The Pleiades offers the all-you-can-eat buffet. From breakfast, through to lunch and then dinner, you can indulge in a feast of whatever takes your fancy from around the world.
You name it, they probably had it, but not much Greek. At breakfast, both the omelette and the pancake stations were particularly popular as everything was made fresh to order, and at lunch and dinner the pizza station was always a winner. In contrast, The Olea offered more of a local cuisine and table service. All in all, the food was of a high standard and the ambience more refined than The Pleiades.
There are also two bars on the resort – the Aphrodite and the Beach Bar. The gorgeous location of the Beach Bar was the ideal backdrop for daytime or early evening drinks made by the excellent and friendly staff.
Surrounded by sun loungers, round rocking chairs with huge squidgy cushions, beanbags and high stools – it’s a lovely spot to catch stunning sunsets. After dark, the Beach Bar closes, but the Aphrodite is alive and kicking. This is an all-day, evening and into the night bar with shows or DJs every night. At Club Med Gregolimano they like to theme each evening with an optional dress code – it’s good fun and you can party into the small hours.
However, if you prefer to be bright-eyed and bushy-tailed at breakfast, head back to your room which, for me, was well away from the hubbub of the Aphrodite on the other side of the resort in the Parthenon.
My Deluxe Sea View room was perfect with a wonderfully comfy double bed, bath, shower, toilet, towels, beach towels, toiletries, a huge TV, desk and chair, extra bedding, fridge, a huge L-shaped sofa, hairdryer, safe and floor-to-ceiling glass sliding doors that opened on to a balcony with a sea view.
On the last night of our trip, myself and a few others in our party decided on a sunset swim in the sea. Watching the orange glow of the sun across the water while bobbing about was something special. A warm sunset swim, off a Greek island – that’s another big bucket list tick for me.
Book the holiday
- Club Med offers seven nights on all-inclusive at the Club Med Gregolimano resort in Evia, Greece, from £1,571pp departing from Heathrow on September 20, with transfers. Without flights and transfers from £991pp. clubmed.co.uk/r/gregolimano/y
- More info at visitgreece.gr
