I’ve never met Leonardo DiCaprio. I know shocker. But I’ve come close, in a mega-tenuous- connection-kind-of-way, twice.
Once I was on a flight to Cannes (that sounds way more glam than it was) the day before the Cannes film festival began. Great Gatsby was opening the festival and on my transfer bus to the plane actresses Isla Fisher and Elizabeth Debicki were casually talking about Cannes, Baz, Tobey, and – wait for it Leo. No goss to report just that Tobey (Maguire) is pretty short and Leo is THE BEST. At passport control I spied Carey Mulligan and husband Marcus Mumford too but sadly Leo wasn’t waiting in arrivals to carry his castmates’ baggage.
The second ‘connection’ is from when I stayed at the 5 star resort Grand Resort Lagonissi, a 72-acre private peninsula on the Athenian Riviera (exactly as glamorous as it sounds) and learnt that Leo (by association I’m on first name terms now) had once stayed at Grand Resort Lagonissi too. Just a case of unfortunate timing I guess.
Still, as I swam in my own infinity pool, sunbathed on my private beach and sat back in my own mini steam room, I belt suitably consoled. Grand Resort Lagonissi is like Disneyland for adults with seven gourmet restaurants instead of crap junk food and private beaches and watersports instead of theme park rides and Mickey and Minnie.
Lagonissi is so big it guarantees every guest a sea view, the sea bungalow that I stayed in has access to a private beach that is shared with just a handful of other bungalow guests. My mini infinity swimming pool overlooks the sea and even from my plush bathroom, the sunken bath and large windows mean I can still see the shoreline.
Lagonissi is 40km from Greek capital Athens but the pull of the Parthenon, Acropolis and Mars Hill, where the apostle Paul is said to have first spoken of One God, wanes when you realise it will take well over an hour to battle the capital’s traffic to see these ancient wonders. Stay in Athens for a few days and then finish off your holiday at Lagonissi – it’s got more than enough to keep you entertained, fed and relaxed and you wouldn’t want to cut short that precious time.
If you feel the need to go slightly further afield, head out to the surrounding suburb Glyfada. There’s a golf course, restaurants, shops and markets. Nearby stunning lake Vouliagmeni, surrounded by rocky walls, is a perfect way to spend the day swimming and relaxing in its thermal spas.
Back to the resort and with seven restaurants, from Polynesia restaurant and sushi bar Kohylia to more typical Greek fare at Greek tavern Poseidon and seafood restaurant Ouzeri Aegeon. We have lunch at Mediterraneo, gorging on juicy kofta, fresh bread, olives and Greek salad and indulgent cheesecake to finish. It’s not light, it’s decadent and indulgent – but that’s what you do at Lagonissi. Indulge. With a private helipad, spa, wedding chapel and some suites costing upwards of 6,000 euros, the resort caters to guests who are used to everything being just so. I am told of an instance where one elite guest, who stayed in the Royal Villa (price on request, this is also where Leo stayed), requesting trees to be planted around the garden to give more privacy, the day after they left all of the plants were removed because the next guest wanted an unrestricted view.
Kylie and J-Lo have stayed here too in the Dream suite, which includes a part-retractable roof/portal that opens up above the bed. But for all the walk in wardrobes, stocked kitchens, butler’s quarters (yes really), jumbo TVs and private jetties, what makes Lagonissi’s luxury all the more tantalising is that it’s attainable to all the non- Di Caprios and Minoques of the world too. Room rates start at 279 euros and it’s also possible to visit the resort as a day guest.
Walking down to the Captain’s House restaurant (having been driven to it from my room in a golf buggy) I am spellbound by the beauty. I’m in the middle of a blue lagoon. The Italian restaurant has indoor seating but all the guests vye for an outdoor spot. The wooden decking is built out over the seawaters edge and lights underwater illuminate the seafloor, creating a beautiful blue glow. I could have eaten a Macdonalds here and the meal would have been magical – as it was I ate tuna fillet with a rich tomato chutney, a divine portobello and parmesan souffle, beef tagliata and – giving lunchtimes cheesecake a run for its calories, chocolate Tiramisu.
I am full, content and happy. Who needs the Parthenon hey?
Starting rates for 2015: Luxury Room with bay view from 279 euros per night. Nathalie stayed in a Deluxe Bungalow with sharing pool 240 euros per room per night (480 euros per bungalow). Buy a day’s guest pass and use the communal pool and beach facilities for 25 euros a day weekdays, 50 euros at the weekend.
For more information, visit www.grandresort.gr.
