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Laid-back luxury at Sani Resort, Greece

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Why go?

Sani Resort is a beautiful 1000-acre, family-owned ecological reserve on Halkidiki’s Kassandra Peninsula, overlooking Mount Olympus in Greece and offering exceptional service.

This is the kind of place where you know you’ll be looked after as soon as you arrive, charming staff ready to assist your every whim – but this is no stuffy adults-only hotel.

Who is it good for? There are four hotels on this five-star resort, all offering different experiences and surrounded by lush gardens, pine forest and olive groves – and, crucially, it’s perfect for children of any age. 

Activities

Outside, the private beach with its calm, crystal-clear water, or the beautiful pool with its dedicated children’s area, make for perfect splashing and sunbathing spots, while the hotel will also organise dolphin-spotting in the azure Aegean Sea, there are watersports for older children, walking trails, a sports centre, sailing trips, scuba diving and tennis courts. 

sani resort pool
The Sani Resort is now offering baby swimming lessons as well. When you’re ready to head to the chic Club Spa, offering everything from Thai massage to Oriental reflexology (the Anne Semonin facial is a hit), check the kids into the brilliant kids clubs.
sani resort marina boats

Food

The resort operates an innovative ‘Dine Around’ policy, allowing half- and full-board customers to eat at 10 of the on-site restaurants, meaning you’ll never be faced with the same food day after day.

Food quality is exceptional – they run an annual gourmet festival here – and you’ll find international choices from local fare to Japanese fusion. 

Psaroyannos Ouzerie is particularly special. It’s a traditional taverna with all white furniture and trailing vines, which will serve up lip-smacking mezze (including some of the best calamari ever tasted) on its sea-view terrace. If you want a romantic evening for two, just call one of the hotel’s babysitters and head to Dunes bar for a seaside cocktail. 

Dine on an à la carte menu created by Michelin-starred chefs at the Water Restaurant, or head to the Sani Marina for sushi and sashimi at Sea You Up. Then you can dance the night away while sipping cocktails in the chilled but glamorous Sea You Bar next to the yacht-filled marina. 

Accommodation

Book a suite in the Sani Beach Club. It’s all geared towards families, from its interconnecting Deluxe Family rooms to its bungalow suites with their private gardens and pools. All cloud-like white linen and soft blues echo what you’ll find outside, and little touches like in-room espresso machines and Jacuzzi-baths will make the adults as happy as the kids.

Kids Clubs: There are three – a crèche for the under-threes, a mini club for 4-11 year olds, and a teenagers club – all operated by multilingual childcare specialists Worldwide Kids Company. The kids will be kept occupied, and probably exhausted, by a programme of mini Olympics, water polo, mini discos, and archery, beach volleyball and hip hop classes for teens.

family two bedroom room sani resort

The lowdown: Sani Resort

Travel time: Flights from London to Thessaloniki take 3 hours and 10 minutes, it is then a 30-minute drive to the hotel. 

How to get there: From April to October, British Airways flies from London Gatwick to Thessaloniki Airport; from £120 return. easyJet flies from London Gatwick to Thessaloniki Airport all year; from £38.24 one way.

Best time to go: From April to September. 

Top tip: At Sani Beach Club, Sani Beach Hotel and Porto Sani Village children under 12 stay for free, while at Sani Asterias Suites and Sani Dunes there are discounts for the first two children.

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