The best villas in Greece for 2025

There’s the azure-lapped coves and herb-scented hills of the Greek Isle of Zakynthos’s northern stretches – and then there’s Essence, a palatial new addition to the island (and its beloved Peligoni Club) for 2025, loftily perched with blisteringly beautiful views across the glittering Ionian. Everything at Essence is about revelling in ease and stark modernism – treating oneself while being at one with the ocean. There’s a TV room for family film nights or sealing off raucous children, and a fully equipped gym and wine cellar too. Four of the six bedrooms have access to the infinity pool (one of two), and the master suite has its own outdoor bath (other outdoor treasures include a sunken seating zone with an outdoor hot tub and a roomy covered dining area).

Essence is an eight-minute roll down the hill to The Peligoni Club, a unique creation, because holidays here, confected for British tastes, combine the privacy and seclusion of the villa model with the service and conviviality of a resort (albeit one with a private-members, jolly extended family feel). Essence is part of Peligoni’s suite of bookable serviced villas, so that is a huge draw. They are best known for children’s programmes (catering to age ranges from babies to teenagers) with a focus on watersports, lolling and spa, plus evening parties and laid-back feasts by guest chefs (these might include Mediterranean-leaning chefs Horrell & Horrell, plant-based Palm Greens and meaty treats from barbeque experts Acme Fire Cult. There’s also a taverna-style all-day restaurant, Tasi; the Rock Café for milkshakes and coffee; and the Yard Bar, for cocktails; a pool bar, and an ice-cream shack. Teenagers are treated with social boat trips and pool parties and the chance to learn from sporting greats – like wakeboarding and wakesurfing with pro-rider Lee Debuse.

But it’s not all about families. The post-summer reset PACE Wellness Retreat weeks work with the health-focused and child-free, blending Chris Hoy-led bike rides, HIIT, breathwork, restorative yoga, physio and reflexology; whilst Gather, in late September, leans more into a festival spirit, with sunset jazz, artistic workshops and barn dances. Guests can, of course, spend as much or as little time as they want at Peligoni – the pristine beauty of North Zakynthos, its coves and tavernas and hills replete with olive groves, are also on tap. Lydia Bell

Sleeps: 12
Price: from £6,500 per week. Peligoni membership from £375 for adults (13+) and £300 for children ( 4-12). Under 3s go free. £5,400 per week (plus memberships) for September & October 2025