While most of us are familiar with the Greek Islands as a summer holiday destination, the mainland resorts of Greece are also home to an array of luxurious properties. One of the most renowned is Sani Resort, located on the unspoilt Kassandra peninsula – one of the three prongs of Halkidiki’s trident-shaped promontory that juts into the Aegean Sea.
Made up of five separate hotels, the most recent one added in 2017, Sani Resort is one of those places that comes by recommendation – families in the know regard it as a well-kept secret, so it should come as no surprise to discover that around 70 per cent of Sani’s bookings come from repeat business. So which Sani Hotel should you choose? Read our handy guide to find out which Sani Resort hotel is best (spoiler alert: all of them).
Why should you pick a Sani Resort hotel?
• Five different hotels, plus an array of restaurants, lots of pools and great facilities
• It’s part of a 1,000-acre ecological reserve, with wetlands and pine forests – lots to explore
• There’s a swish marina with a selection of upscale boutiques
• It’s right on the beach! The Aegean is just moments away
• The accommodation is top notch. No expense has been spared here
• It’s the perfect base for exploring Halkidiki’s beautiful, unspoilt coastline
• Great for families: English-speaking childcare, lots of clubs, child-friendly dining
I like: peace and quiet, natural design, fine dining
Sani Club is a tranquil space built into the hillside. Natural, unimposing bungalows are set amid the gardens and the lush vegetation, looking out over the resort and the sparkling waters of the Aegean beyond, backed by a dense pine forest that makes the hotel feel tucked away. Sani Club is further away from the main resort facilities and the marina than some of the other hotels, so you’ll find it very peaceful. It’s the setting for one of the resort’s best lunch restaurants, Cabana; set right on the beach, it’s a trendy spot with low-level rattan furniture and a Mediterranean menu.
I like: being close to the action, lots of space, contemporary design
A great choice if you have kids in tow, Sani Beach is close to the centre of the resort and feels buzzy and sociable, especially in high season. The six-storey building is the tallest and most traditional ‘hotel’ option, though it never feels impersonal and the levels of service are exceptionally high. The accommodation and communal spaces have been recently upgraded and the style is modern and very luxurious – think light and airy rooms, elegant furniture, lush fabrics, lots of glass. There are seven categories of family accommodation, plus three additional room and suite options; you’ll find the rooms exceptionally spacious and well kitted out for families. Plus most of the rooms offer amazing views of the azure Aegean.
I like: the finer things in life, private beaches, suite accommodation
Totally luxurious, Sani Asterias are for those who like the best of everything, but in a quiet, unpretentious manner. Think of it as a ‘boutique hotel option’ within the wider resort: you’re ensconced in an opulent bolthole of just 57 exclusive suites, but all the facilities are at your fingertips whenever you need them. The location of Sani Asterias is fabulous, next door to the marina so it’s great if you’re planning a sailing trip. There’s a private stretch of beach reserved just for guests of the suites, an Anne Semonin spa and all-suite accommodation in low-rise buildings which have recently seen a significant upgrade. The dining at Sani Asterias is really what sets the hotel apart from the rest: Water Restaurant is helmed by Michelin-starred chef Jacque Chibois, with a French focus, though if there’s something you’d particularly enjoy you can ask the chefs to create it for you.
I like: activities for all the family, kids’ clubs, slipping off for a spa treatment
Parents often tell us that the best Sani hotel for families is Porto Sani, which has a lively village feel and a sociable atmosphere. The main draw is the network of three swimming pools, set in beautiful landscaped gardens and connected by bridges and tunnels. There’s plenty of terrace space so you’ll never be without a sun lounger, and tiny tots will love the small shallow pool with its little rocky island. Accommodation is great for families, with lots of space – we particularly like the two- and three-bedroom family suites, which sleep up to seven people, with the three-bed suites also offering a complimentary babysitting service. Porto Sani’s spa is wonderful, and there are English-speaking nannies to look after your little ones if you want a blissful hour to yourself.
I like: staying close to a beach, exploring the local area, authentic experiences
Sani Dunes is the newest of Sani’s beautiful properties, a swish, luxurious hotel that has become the grown-up oasis of the resort. It’s ideal if you’re looking to relax but also want the knowledge that there’s plenty to do nearby; all the facilities at the resort are at your fingertips. Sani Dunes is blissfully laid-back, with an exclusive spa, on site restaurants and direct access to either the swimming pools or the beach from every one of the bedrooms. If you’re looking to get out and explore this is the hotel for you. Hire a car or use the hotel’s chauffeur-driven tour service (you’ll be taken via an air-conditioned Volvo – which accepts children – to Cape Posidi and Mount Olympus), or ask the concierge for maps of the area and walk around the pine forests, olive groves and along the shoreline.
Which Sani Resort hotel will you choose?
For more information please click the individual hotel links below:
