If it's good enough for Leo... Stunning luxury beach resort that has hosted the cast of Mamma Mia and a string of A-listers including DiCaprio is the place to stay when visiting Athens

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If it's good enough for Leo DiCaprio and Jennifer Lopez, it's good enough for me.

Nestled on the edge of the Athenian Riviera, the plush Grand Lagonissi Resort is the place to stay when visiting Athens.

Having hosted the likes of the Titanic actor himself, JLo and her former husband Marc Anthony - as well as the full cast of Mamma Mia, including Pierce Brosnan – this five-star haven is well-accustomed to catering for the rich and famous.

Yet despite being used to dealing with the often high demands of A-listers, this lavish resort couldn't be any more welcoming or accommodating.

Nestled on the edge of the Athenian Riviera, the plush Grand Lagonissi Resort is a five-star haven that's hosted dozens of A-listers including Leonardo DiCaprio - who stayed in this Royal Villa suite which comes with its own heated private swimming pool and outdoor hammock

Leonardo Dicaprio stayed in the Royal Villa at the Lagonissi, while JLo had the dream suite

Couples can enjoy a romantic dinner at Captain's House - one of the resort's seven restaurants

Hollywood actor Leonardo DiCaprio (left) and Mamma Mia star Pierce Brosnan (right) have both enjoyed stays at the Grand Lagonissi - which is less than one hour's drive from Athens

Situated less than an hour's drive from Athens and surrounded by the azure blue of the Aegean Sea, the beachfront resort is a great location to use as a base to both explore the mainland but also indulge in some serious R&R.

With countless villas, suites and rooms to choose from, the Grand Lagonissi caters for everyone - from couples and newlyweds to families and business trips.

Set upon 72 acres, the sprawling peninsula resort feels a million miles away from the hubbub of city life - and upon arrival, it's easy to see why it's loved by A-listers around the world.

Lush greenery lines the pathways and grand white-washed villas perch atop the private pebbled beach overlooking the Saronic Gulf.

Each villa is beautifully laid out - spacious, plush and the perfect place to spend as much time as you need kicking back and relaxing.

We stayed in a Mediterranean suite (starting prices from £299B&B per night) and it quickly became one of the best rooms I have ever stayed in. Forget room, it was the size of an apartment.

With sliding French doors opening out onto a stunning veranda, the suite oozes luxury.

Jennifer Lopez and her former husband Marc Anthony (pictured) have also stayed at the resort

The suites at the five-star Grand Lagonissi are plush, spacious and beautifully decorated

Emma stayed in a Mediterranean suite, which comes with its own private gym and Jacuzzi bath

The pool area at Grand Lagonissi is stunning and comes with a delightful outdoor restaurant

I particularly enjoyed waking up with a fresh coffee each morning, padding out across the patio and sitting on the sunloungers in the suite's very own front garden – which overlooks the private beach.

With a view to rival any, I felt particularly serene watching the sun rise above the ocean as I sipped my morning latte.

But it's not just the view that makes the Mediterranean suite delightful. The apartment is vast and spacious, with finishing touches that only add to the sense of extravagance.

From a swish three-seated cream sofa in the living area – the perfect place to relax with a glass of red – to a private hot tub in the bathroom, the suite offers an abundance of leisure fun.

It also comes with its own private gym and shower/steam room, as well as huge walk-in 'his and hers' wardrobes, a large flat-screen TV and a fancy coffee-maker.

And that's only in the suite. Step outside and just beyond the front garden is a large private beach - which only Grand Lagonissi guests have access to. We barely saw another soul on the beach during our entire stay there. It was utter bliss.

When we weren't topping up our tans, sipping wine in the hot tub or catching 40 winks in the gigantic king-size bed, we were feasting on some the best cuisine around. 

The resort boasts a whopping seven restaurants and two lounge bars, including the the Greek-themed eatery Ouzeri Aegeon, Italian favourite Captain's House and the outdoor Mediterranean offerings from Galazia Akti and Mediterraneo.

It also has one of the best restaurants in the area - the Kohylia. Not only does it offer deliciously tasty passionfruit gin cocktails and the finest sushi on the peninsula - but it also boasts a captivating giant fishtank in the middle of the restaurant.

The suites at Grand Lagonissi ooze luxury and come with flat-screen TVs, giant beds and a relaxing lounge area. Several also come with their own private pool and underfloor heating

Enjoy a romantic meal for two at the Italian Captain's House restaurant overlooking the bay

Taking centre stage as a backdrop to the dining tables, I couldn't help but watch the fish dart around behind me as we tucked into our Polynesian delights.

For those looking for a more romantic evening - it's worth booking a table at the chic and elegant Captain's House, where tables for two overlook the dreamy lagoon.

Listening to soft waves lap the shore while enjoying a candlelit dinner of some of the finest Italian cuisine couldn't be a more perfect ending to a Greek getaway, could it?

We certainly didn't think so as we tucked into our highly-recommended caprese, freshly-made tagliatelle and chilled bottle of bubbly. Cheers to that indeed.

Recognised as a leading hotel in the world since 2001, the five-star resort is one of the most prestigious gems in Athens. It caters for holidays, business trips, weddings and honeymoons

The Grand Lagonissi is a great base to explore Athens from but also a true haven