A Luxury Holiday at Eagles Palace: Jess’ Mother-Daughter Trip

From the snowy landscapes of Lapland to the family-friendly pathways of Sani Resort and the polished calm of One&Only Le Saint Géran – Jess, our Customer Experience Manager, has experienced quite the range of luxury travel in recent years. But this luxury holiday at Eagles Palace Resort in Halkidiki was a little different. This time, she brought her mum along for three nights of sunshine, good food and some much-deserved mother-daughter time.

It was also her mum’s first ever Destinology holiday, making this something of a family test drive: could Eagles Palace deliver the kind of easy luxury that works for two generations of traveller? And, crucially, would a self-confessed foodie and avid gym-goer approve of everything the resort has to offer? We caught up with her to find out what the pair made of the hotel, the destination and their time together – and who Jess thinks Eagles Palace Resort is right for.

You’ve experienced some very varied destinations and five-star hotels in recent years, from Lapland to Mauritius, Crete to Tenerife. What was your first impression of Eagles Palace when you arrived?

My first impression was just how beautiful the resort is. Eagles Palace Resort is around a two-hour transfer from Thessaloniki Airport, and we were lucky enough to be staying in one of the Eagles Villas.

When we arrived, we went to the main reception before taking a buggy up to the dedicated Villas reception. We were welcomed with drinks while our villa was prepared, and one of the concierge team talked us through everything we needed to know for our stay.

We were given details of the restaurants, activity programme and everything included within our all-inclusive package, so from the outset everything felt very organised and easy. We only waited around 20 minutes for our room, which passed really quickly with our welcome drinks and the surroundings to enjoy. It was a reassuringly smooth start to our luxury holiday at Eagles Palace.

This trip was particularly special because you brought your mum with you, and it was her first Destinology holiday. How did you find travelling together, and was Eagles Palace a good setting for some proper mother-daughter time?

It was such a wonderful trip and really special to spend time with just my mum. It's actually something we'd never done before, so having that dedicated mother-daughter time made it even more amazing.

It was also lovely for her to experience a true luxury holiday and five-star resort for the first time. The flight from Manchester was only around three hours and 15 minutes, and then once we arrived, the resort provided the perfect setting to relax and enjoy some quality time together.

We visited at the end of September into the beginning of October, and unfortunately the weather wasn't always on our side. However, there was still so much for us to enjoy together in the resort. We spent time in the spa, had some really delicious meals, relaxed by the beach whenever we could and just embraced the slower pace really. In many ways, that made the trip even better – there was no rush to get out and explore. It showed how a luxury holiday at Eagles Palace Resort can be just as rewarding when the focus is on quality time as it is on sunshine.

Your mum loves a holiday, so what did she make of the experience? Was there anything she particularly loved or that surprised her?

My mum was incredibly excited about the trip. In fact, she'd only recently returned from another holiday before flying out with me a week later.

One of my favourite memories will always be her reaction when she first walked into our room. We were staying in a Junior Villa with a private pool, and she was just absolutely blown away. She started filming videos to send to her friends back home straight away and she couldn't wait to show off the villa on the group chat.

Another thing she absolutely loved was the service on the beach. The call buttons by the loungers amazed her. She couldn't believe that she could simply press a button and have drinks and snacks delivered directly to her sunbed. It was lovely watching her discover those little luxury touches that we perhaps take a little bit for granted working in this industry.

You’re also both self-confessed foodies – always an important judge on a holiday! How did you both rate the dining at Eagles Palace? Were there any restaurants or dishes that became favourites?

The dining experience was excellent and definitely one of the highlights of our stay.

Our all-inclusive package gave us access to a few different restaurants, so we could easily enjoy something different every evening. On our first night we visited the main buffet restaurant called Melathron, and on that night there was an Asian-themed evening. There were fresh sushi stations, noodles, bao buns and lots of other dishes to choose from. It was a fantastic start to the holiday!

The following evening we booked a table at the Italian restaurant Lofos. I had a steak which was cooked perfectly. And the staff were wonderful and took the time to recommend a Greek wine similar to my favourite Malbec for my mum. It turned out to be a great recommendation, so that was a lovely personal touch.

On our final evening we visited the Greek restaurant Vinum, which puts a more modern spin on traditional Greek cuisine. I had a deconstructed-style kebab dish, while my mum chose a rich lamb dish. Both were fantastic! 

As food lovers, we really did appreciate the quality and variety throughout the resort, although my mum's personal highlight was without a doubt being able to enjoy dessert at breakfast, lunch and dinner! For anyone planning a luxury holiday at Eagles Palace, the variety of restaurants adds another reason to look forward to the stay.

After staying at some of the world’s most celebrated five-star resorts, including Sani Resort and One&Only Le Saint Géran, how did Eagles Palace compare from a luxury perspective?

Eagles Palace offers a very different style of luxury. It's quieter and more relaxed and has a really laid-back atmosphere. Unfortunately as the weather wasn't at its best during our stay, we weren't able to make full use of the outdoor facilities – that was a shame. 

What really stood out though was the service. Every member of staff we encountered was so warm, welcoming and attentive. The room was beautiful, the views were stunning and the entire experience felt effortless, just what you’d want from your holiday.

What did you make of the hotel itself? Were there any particular spaces, facilities or details that stood out to you during your three-night stay?

We stayed in a Junior Villa with a private pool, which was absolutely beautiful and provided plenty of space and privacy.

Eagles Palace is built into the hillside, so buggies are available to transport guests around the property. We never had to wait long for one at all, whether we were heading down to the beach or back up to the villas after dinner. It's a thoughtful touch and it makes navigating the resort incredibly easy. The resort itself offers an impressive range of facilities, including two gyms, a children's club, teenage club, spa and a few different outdoor entertainment spaces. Although the weather meant we didn't get to experience every single thing, there was still plenty available.

The spa treatments were excellent. My mum and I both enjoyed massages, and they gave us a chance to relax and unwind properly that we might not have had if the weather had been gloriously sunny everyday! 

One of my personal highlights was lunch at Armyra. The food was outstanding, particularly a dish of the day which was a modern, deconstructed version of moussaka. The quality of the food and wine throughout the resort was easily comparable to other luxury properties I've visited across Europe and beyond. 

Was there anything you did during your stay that you’d particularly recommend to a first-time visitor to Eagles Palace?

I'd definitely recommend taking some time on your first day to explore the resort and get your bearings. We spent our arrival afternoon relaxing and making the most of the sunshine before exploring the following day. Walking around helped us discover the different restaurants, facilities and viewpoints across the property.

I'd also strongly recommend visiting the spa. While the spa facilities themselves may not be the most extensive I've experienced in luxury resorts, the treatments were excellent and were a real highlight of the trip.

For a three-night stay, did you feel that was enough time to get a proper feel for the hotel, or would you recommend staying longer?

Three nights gave us a good introduction, but personally I'd recommend four nights if possible. Because the transfer from the airport is around two hours each way, your first and last days are naturally shorter. We arrived mid-afternoon on our first day and left shortly after breakfast on our final morning, which meant we effectively had two full days to enjoy the resort, so I’d suggest a few more! An extra night would allow you to settle into the relaxed pace of Eagles Palace and fully appreciate everything the resort has to offer.

Thinking about the Destinology client, who do you think Eagles Palace would suit particularly well? Families, couples, multi-generational trips, foodies, those looking for somewhere to properly switch off, or a mixture?

Eagles Palace is ideal for guests looking for a quieter and more relaxed luxury escape. During our stay we saw a mix of couples, younger families and multi-generational groups travelling together. It was lovely to see grandparents spending time with their children and grandchildren, and that also really highlighted the resort's broad appeal.

Because it's slightly more remote, everything you need is available within the resort itself, so it’s perfect for anyone wanting to truly switch off – you don’t have to think about much at all while you’re there! Whether you're travelling as a family, a couple or, like us, on a mother-daughter getaway, it's a fantastic choice. A luxury holiday at Eagles Palace is particularly well suited to those who value attentive service, excellent food and the freedom to settle into resort life at their own pace.

Was there a particular moment from the trip that you know you and your mum will remember?

Without question, it was seeing my mum's face when she first walked into our villa. She genuinely gasped when she saw the room, so that expression is something I'll never forget. Watching somebody you love experience something completely new and special is very rewarding.

More than anything, though, it was the opportunity to spend uninterrupted time together. We created memories that we'll both look back on for years to come, and that's ultimately what made the trip so amazing.

And finally, would you go back to Eagles Palace? 

Absolutely. If I returned, I'd probably stay for four nights rather than three as I’ve already mentioned, and I think I’d also visit slightly earlier in September – just for the best chance of sunshine. For anyone looking for a peaceful escape with fantastic dining, beautiful accommodation and genuinely warm hospitality, Eagles Palace is certainly a resort I'd happily recommend and revisit myself.

Jess's Top Recommendations for a Luxury Holiday at Eagles Palace

• Consider the Timing of Your Visit: Greece can enjoy the most beautiful weather right into October, but it's never a given! For the best chance of sunshine, visit a little earlier in the summer. 
• Book a Spa Treatment: Both myself and my mum can vouch for the skills of the therapists at this hotel! We walked in expecting a lovely massage, and left feeling healed! In fact, I think we might've floated out. 
• Choose a Longer Stay: As I've mentioned, my three night luxury holiday at Eagles Palace just wasn't long enough! I felt there was so much more to explore, and with the transfer taking 2 hours from the airport, you have to feel like you've enough time in the resort. If you're island hopping or making it part of a multi-stop trip in Halkidiki, I'd suggest a four night minimum stay.
• Get Ready to EAT: Both myself and my mum are foodies, and we were in our element here. The all-inclusive option gives you so much variety that you won't ever get bored. And the beachfront settings are the perfect spot for tucking into delicious Greek cuisine. 

Three nights at Eagles Palace may have been a relatively short escape, but it seems to have ticked a lot of boxes for Jess – particularly when the travelling companion was her mum, and the holiday needed to appeal to two generations at once.

With good food, a beautiful Halkidiki setting and plenty of opportunities to slow down and enjoy each other’s company, it proved to be more than just another hotel stay. And perhaps the best review of all? Her mum, a seasoned holiday-lover but Destinology first-timer, got to experience exactly what a carefully chosen Destinology escape can look like – with her daughter right beside her. For anyone dreaming of a luxury holiday at Eagles Palace, Jess’s experience makes a compelling case for this relaxed Greek escape.

Book a stay at Eagles Palace or Eagles Villas now on our online booking platform.