This upmarket beach club and collection of villas on the Greek island of Zakynthos is ideal for families and multigenerational groups, catering to lovers of high-octane activities as well as fans of uninterrupted chill time
Location
The Peligoni Club is situated on a cliff above the Ionian Sea on the northern coast of the Greek island of Zakynthos, around 45 minutes from the airport along winding roads.
It is set far away from the island's nightlife, and while there’s enough to keep you entertained in situ, car hire is recommended for getting between your villa and the hotel’s club (some are up to a 15-minute drive away, while others are a five-minute walk).
Read more: Why The Odyssey film will make this secret Greek peninsula a holiday hotspot
The vibe
Peligoni is best described as an upmarket beach club with independently owned villas attached, and it has become a word of mouth hit among well-heeled families.
After booking accommodation, guests are required to pay for a week-long membership to access all of The Peligoni Club facilities and activities for the duration of their stay. Adult memberships start at £415 and kids’ membership (for four to 12 year olds) starts at £275.
Peligoni was founded in 1989 by British sailors Vanessa Goldie and Johnny Alexander, who bought the plot mid voyage. Today it is run by Ben and Anouska Shearer, whose father purchased the club in 2005 after spending family holidays there.
The main club is set on the seafront below rugged mountains and everything on site is walkable, but is spread out enough not to feel crowded. There is a central thatched-roof, open sided restaurant-lounge with sea views, and villas range from small to palatial; lots of families team up for group or multigenerational trips, and many return – so it can feel like everyone knows each other. The vibe is relaxed, with flip flops worn by all at all hours.
Service
Staff are high-energy and enthusiastic, ranging from English students working on their summer breaks to nomadic hospitality professionals. The kids' club leaders are pros at keeping children entertained with a packed schedule. Seeing my four-year-old being paddled out in a canoe (from my sun bed), experiencing a glimmer of independence under the caring eye of her supervisor was a highlight that will stay with me.
Each villa has a housekeeper who welcomes guests and is available on WhatsApp.
Bed and bath
Peligoni has a portfolio of over 60 villas, cottages and farmhouses to choose from, scattered across the surrounding hills and hamlets. All are privately owned (although booked through the club) and while they share a Greek island aesthetic (think honey-coloured stone and blue shutters, perhaps), no two are the same.
All of the properties have wifi and air-con in the bedrooms, and only several – which are within a few minutes’ walk of the club – come without a private pool. All can provide at least one cot and one highchair, and 24 have bathtubs.
Outdoor facilities at many of the houses include a wood-fired pizza oven, a charcoal BBQ, and fully equipped kitchens.
There are four properties with over seven bedrooms – ideal for multigenerational trips, and three properties even share access to a tennis court.
The four bedroom, four bathroom Athena Villa, set across three floors, is a standout option that is great for groups of up to 10, and is a five-minute drive from the club. The king room on the first floor has its own private balcony; two further double rooms sit below, and a bunk room on the lower ground floor has an additional single and trundle bed, along with kids’ toys and books to borrow for the stay.
Read more: I cruised around eight Greek islands last summer and this ancient gem was my favourite
Food and drink
You won’t go hungry at Peligoni. Tasi serves all-day a la carte Mediterranean food in a taverna-style setting, from breakfast baps to grilled prawns and pulled-lamb salads for lunch, plus evening meals and takeaway pizzas.
The Terraces does wood-fired pizzas and grilled fish under a canopy of trees, and twice a week guests can sign up for a communal feast at long tables in the courtyard, which rotates between barbecue nights, food festivals and guest chef takeovers; this year's cooks include Millie Tsukagoshi Lagares and James Holdsworth. Here, children can ditch their grown-ups to eat with new friends, supervised by kids' club staff.
Perhaps best of all, thanks to its views, is sister restaurant Mikro Nisi, a 10-minute drive down the coast or a short boat ride away (provided by Peligoni). On an open-air terrace above a small cove it serves classic Greek small plates and fresh fish.
The Peli Deli is a few minutes drive away from the club and has sea views. It stocks just-baked pastries, charcuterie and homemade brownies, and serves breakfast daily, as well as dinner several evenings a week. Then there are a plethora of places, including The Pool Bar and The Driftwood Bar, offering snacks and drinks at all times of day.
Across the site, dietaries are accommodated with labelled menus and dishes can be customised on request.
Facilities
The fitness programme at Peligoni includes three daily yoga classes in a shaded outdoor studio overlooking the sea, plus everything from HIIT to strength to recovery in the outdoor gym under the trees.
There are also bikes to borrow, tennis courts and a large pool, but the beachfront is where the main sporting action takes please, with kayaks, windsurfing gear and sailing boats to take out solo or with a guide.
Peligoni also organises a weekly sprint triathlon, starting with a sea swim. Guest fitness professionals visit throughout the season – Rebecca Adlington is offering swimming lessons this August. For three weeks a year, the PACE programme pairs guests with Olympic champions, including Sir Chris Hoy, who this October is offering intensive sport sessions alongside gong baths and breathwork.
If that all feels too frantic, there are cabanas perched on the cliffs to lie down in, and a tiny spa that offers massages and facials.
Read more: Eight Greek islands you may not have heard of – for crowd-free travel in 2026
Family-friendly?
Very much so. A creche for under-fours runs daily from 9am to 6pm, with lunch, snacks, nappies and a sleep room provided. Rascals and Rugrats covers four to five-year-olds; six to 11-year-olds join Tarka, which specialises in physical activities from kayaking to paddle board obstacle courses. Separate groups run for 11 to 13-year-olds and teenagers, with sailing, pool parties and evening socials laid on.
Activities run in morning and afternoon sessions, with long gaps for leisurely lunches or family time. Come the evening, babysitting can be arranged.
Accessibility
Five-bedroom Argo has one room that is accessible, and the Junior Sunrise Suite and Cave Suite are accessible.
Pet policy
The club is dog-friendly with no extra fees. Each villa has its own pet policy, with some allowing dogs for a fee.
Check-in/check-out
Check-in is 4pm, check-out is 10am.
At a glance
Best thing: The combination of structured childcare and adult programming running in parallel, so that every member of the family can enjoy themselves to the full.
Perfect for: Families with children of mixed ages, multigenerational groups, and friends sharing large villas.
Not right for: Those who prefer solitude over a sociable, community atmosphere.
Instagram from: The cabana on the cliff overlooking the Ionian Sea.
Address: Agios Nikolaos, Zakynthos, Greece
Phone: +44 (0)208 740 3001
Website: peligoni.com
Read more: This could be the very best Santorini hotel to watch sunsets from
Jessica was a guest of The Peligoni Club