Greek holiday resorts

[elvisola]

I am going round and round in circles and boring myself so I wondered if anyone could shed any light?

I fancy Greece next August, family of four, kids aged 7 and 4. Last holiday was a couple of years ago and we went to Puerto Pollensca in Majorca which we loved and I am looking for a similar resort in Greece.

Ideally, lots of restaurants for eating out lots, nice hotels close to the beach, a promenade or something along the seafront for walks, nice white sandy beach with shallow-ish water the kids can play in - the kind of thing everyone is probably looking for I guess.

Has anyone been anywhere like this? The closest I have found is Alykanas in Zante but the nicest looking hotel doesn't get great reviews really and we need a 4 star hotel with pools, kids stuff etc preferably bookable with Thomas Cook or Thomson. We aren't brave enough for booking our own bits separately.

you don't get white sand in Greece on sheltered beaches, yellow (usually artificial beach) or black on the volcanic islands, but neither an issue.

what was the problem that came across in the reviews you saw?

there are some lovely mainland spots but it will probably be too long a transfer for your kids. So an island with an airport will solve that one.

I don't know about hotels because we self-cater in villas/apartments, but have you looked at Kefalonia? We have stayed twice in the resort of Lassi which is not a beautiful little Greek village but does have the kind of beaches you're looking for. Lassi itself is built around one road which is lined with a variety of restaurants and little shops. One way, the road leads to the airport (about twenty minutes transfer), the other way it leads to the island's capital, Argostoli, which has a big harbour and pretty promenade. We have seen turtles in the harbour - they come up to the fishing boats which are docked there.

We went to Zakynthos this summer and had a lovely time but the town of Laganas is an ugly, ugly blot on it. I'd prefer to go back to Kefalonia next time, tbh.

Thomson link to Lassi

Ooh Lassi looks really, really nice! I think I had discounted it because I thought it was an 18-30 style place, in fact it looks ideal so thanks for that

White beaches was the wrong description really, I am just looking for a really clean, wide sweep of sand. Lots of places look lovely but have a tiny shingle strip of beach. Nothing wrong with that but the 6 year old is planning the sand castles already.

We've been to Lassi and had a lovely holiday with our kids when they were little. I can also recommend Troulos (Skiathos), Arillas, San Stefanos and Ag Gordios (Corfu) and Kefalos (Kos). All are quietish resorts with good beaches.

Ooh yes, Skiathos also gorgeous but DH and I went pre-DS so no idea whether it's good with kids in tow

You don't say what your budget is but have a look at the Sani Beach Club in Halkidiki. We went this summer and was amazing and everything you want. Quite expensive though is only drawback. Strikes perfect balance between being very very child friendly and somehow remaining a treat for adults too.

Sani Beach Club

Ask you can book it through Thomas Cook

I would love to go to Sani but school holiday prices are so expensive!! I will see what we can stretch too though as friends have been and said it was amazing.

Have looked at Skiathos, Skala and Lassi and they all look really nice, exactly what I was looking for, now we are trying to find hotels that don't only have 2x twin rooms left - the resorts are obviously popular with families, all the double/family rooms are gone. We are going to have to make a decision and book quick.

Thanks for the help

Ah yes of course - we went with our then 13 month old so out of school holidays and blissfully unaware of holiday prices!