Why Neilson Messini Beach Club is the perfect destination for families
I’d never considered an activity-based holiday like Neilson's Messini Beachclub before. I’m not especially sporty, and my idea of a holiday previously involved more lying comatose after a bowl of pasta and too many negronis, less aqua sports. But having kids and growing older means my husband and I now want different things from a break: to feel rested and good in our bodies. Frankly, it’s rare to find time to be active in our working lives, so a holiday has become a precious chance for physical exercise that feels pleasurable. And that’s exactly what we find on our first Neilson Beach Club holiday.
The details
The short transfer from Kalamata airport in Greece (just twenty minutes!), is the first reason Messini Beachclub is a no brainer for families. Next there's the incredible kids club facilities for babies, toddlers, kids and teens (who seem to be loving life playing volleyball and attending pizza nights). With a one- and three-year-old in tow, the sandy playground and shallow kids’ pool are also a blessing, especially because the pool’s canopy means it always provides shade (and thus fewer tantrums over suncream application!).
If you prefer the sea, that's an option too: the hotel sits alongside a beautiful, long, sandy stretch of beach where all the water-sports take place. As we visit in August, it's too hot to sunbathe with kids there in the day, but we love strolling along the sea edge as the sun goes down and it gets a little cooler. Having a pool and beach so close together is the best of both worlds.
The activities
Whether you're an activity holiday amateur like me or more of a pro, there are experiences for every level and taste: from the fun (disco spin and social pickleball) to the more hardcore (circuits and abs and core) to the family-friendly (like family paddle and the ‘parent and toddler splash’ session, which our kids love and giggle their way through).
For me, the morning Vinyasa Flow yoga on the fitness deck, stretching with warm sun on my skin, is a blissful way to start the day. For my husband, a dingy sailing course and water-skiing classes provide opportunities for adventure and learning that he wouldn’t get to explore back home (he’s thrilled to leave with a level 1 RYA accredited sailing certificate).
The dining
Then there’s the inclusive buffet, a word that tends to fill people with dread but doesn’t do justice to the selection of traditional Greek classics, BBQs, and hot and cold salads on offer here. There are plenty of crowd pleasers for the kids, too - the ice cream cart is always a hit! We are particularly grateful for the diligent, clear allergen guides - which highlight everything from sulphites to soy - making this the best dining experience we’ve ever had with our daughter’s allergies.
When we're not sipping frozen margaritas at the pool bar, for something different, we book a table at one of the 'non-inclusive' evenings: a BBQ night, where everyone starts to socialise and the kids make friends with other guests for long enough to give us a little break - bliss!
It's easy to see why almost every guest we strike up a conversation with has stayed in a Neilson Beach Club before. They are repeat customers for a reason; the thoughtful – and social — mix of activities keeps the kids happy while offering the adults hassle-free opportunities to boost their endorphins…and enjoy a little peace. It’s a win-win situation that doesn’t go unnoticed by my daughter, who asks on the way home, ‘Mummy, can we come again next year?’
A stay at Neilson Messini Beach Club in a Garden Double (which includes a double bed, a double sofa bed, bathroom, balcony or terrace), with return flights from Gatwick, costs from £4508 for 7 nights for a family. For more information visit Neilson.co.uk
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