Nestled in the verdant oasis of northern Greece, the family-run Eagles Palace is fringed by one of the best beaches on the Athos peninsula. It’s not just the surrounding area that's spectacular, the hotel itself is pure luxury. The beach here is long, golden and sandy, and if you're busy lounging the day away on a sun bed and need refreshments, simply press a button on your parasol and your drinks will be delivered. For some welcome shade, stroll through the wonderfully fragrant gardens with scents of olives, pines and herbs. Eagles Palace cleverly caters for couples and families. For adults looking to indulge and unwind, there's an award-winning spa. And children will be entertained with their own playground, pool and age-group-based Explorers Club, which runs excellent activities and a regular six-day introductory watersports programme. There's plenty of choice for dining, with gourmet and à la carte restaurants as well as the laid-back main buffet restaurant, Melathron. Rooms are light and bright with splashes of colour, and all have a balcony or terrace. Family Suites have a bedroom plus a lounge/second sleeping area separated by a sliding door.
Part of Sani Resort, Sani Club sits within the 1000-acre family-owned ecological reserve of pine forest, olive groves and golden beaches. It’s a low-rise hotel with views over Mount Olympus and the Aegean Sea and has a great range of facilities, including a new area with a pool and welcome lounge. Alongside the Sani Resort's exisiting sports academies, which are run in partnership with the likes of Chelsea Football Club and Rafael Nadal, there's a new addition for guests over 6 years old. At the Bear Grylls Survival Academy you can learn about - and put into practice - the famous adventurer's survival techniques in the resort's thousand-acre eco-reserve. This fun and active programme is a great way of getting the kids (and the whole family if you want to join in) out into the wild and learning skills such as tieing knots, picking wild food and fire lighting. This is one of the best resorts for families in all of Greece. The white-sand beach has Blue Flag status, and the Sani Waterpark has some excellent inflatable water activities for under 14s. There are plenty of dining options to suit all tastes. The new Pines restaurant relishes in the farm-to-table concept served with local produce, and for authentic Greek food and drink, head to Ouzerie, a chic taverna where you can dine on classic dishes washed down with local wine. The Olympos Restaurant offers casual all-day buffet dining in a contemporary setting and the relaxed beachside setting of Cabana is perfect for its Mediterranean menu. Rooms are in bungalow-style blocks built into the hillside, each with a fresh blue and white colour scheme and garden or sea views. For private outdoor space, opt for a Deluxe Double Room with Private Garden. The Family Suite Grand Balcony here has plenty of space as it consists of two interconnecting rooms.
The IKOS Olivia has a fabulous location, in 22 acres of beachfront landscaped gardens on the pretty Halkidiki peninsula. With an all-inclusive package that includes meals prepared by Michelin-starred chefs, room service, a Dine Out experience at a local restaurant and non-motorised watersports, it brings the concept of affordable luxury to Halkidiki. There’s plenty going on here, with everything from watersports to mountain biking. Children are well looked after with their own pool and playground, as well as dedicated kids’ meals at all restaurants – it’s no wonder that IKOS Olivia is popular with families. Dining is an exciting venture here too; there are buffet and à la carte options at restaurants overseen by Michelin-starred chefs. Three of the resort’s restaurants are open throughout the day, serving Mediterranean, traditional Greek and French fare, while at dinner there’s the choice of Italian and Asian cuisine too. There's also round-the-clock complimentary room service. Wine lovers will be pleased to learn that the Cava wine cellar stocks local and international labels, and for a taste of local flavours the innovative Ikos Dine Out service invites guests to dine out in a restaurant in the nearby coastal village of Gerakini. Contemporary rooms such as the Promo Double Rooms and the larger Superior Double Rooms are located in the main building, while the Double Bungalow Garden View Rooms are housed in bungalows. They all have a balcony or terrace with garden or sea views. Bungalow Suites are slightly larger, with a private garden or balcony. If you choose a Deluxe Collection suite you'll have access to an exclusive shared deluxe pool, a dedicated beach area and deluxe concierge service.
Combining the crisp upscale feel of sister hotel Eagles Palace with the indulgence of standalone accommodation, this all-villa, Small Luxury Hotel of the World offering is a stunning option for those who want intimacy with all the amenities. It has two on-site restaurants including Lofos – a relaxed dining venue with Mediterranean-meets-Scandinavian interior design – and guests are also welcome to use the facilities at the nearby Eagles Palace. Sink into an Elemis treatment at the spa (at Eagles Palace), choose from six restaurants for gourmet and al fresco dining, and drop off younger guests at the popular kids’ club where they can try out watersports (age restrictions apply) – all just a short walk away. While it’s hard to pick just one, a winning feature here has to be the Blue Flag beach; it’s exclusively for Eagles Palace and Eagles Villas guests and the gentle slope of golden sand into the Aegean Sea makes it child-friendly too. If you’re more adventurous, you’ll love the watersports on offer including PADI diving courses, stand-up paddleboarding and canoeing. The staff are worth a mention too – there’s a warm, personal vibe that has carried through to the new Eagles Villas and it’s something that often receives glowing praise from guests. The villas here are gorgeous. Each has been positioned in a way as to offer amazing sea views and there’s a selection of sizes to choose from to suit your needs. Junior Pool Villas are just the right size for a chic and comfortable hideaway for two, while larger villas include options to add an extra bed, like the Ocean One Bedroom Pool Villa. If you like to have some additional outdoor space, opt for an Ocean Pool Villa with Private Garden which has one or two bedrooms and a living area that can be converted to a further sleeping space.
Set in a 1920s’ Art Deco building with huge windows and wrought-iron balconies, The Excelsior Hotel is an elegant addition to the 2000-year-old city of Thessaloniki. Luxury service and comfort are at the forefront and there’s a stylish, energetic vibe throughout. Eye-popping art from up-and-coming Greek designers decorate the warm, contemporary interiors and the classically-cool Charlie D, Brasserie is a buzzing hot spot for locals and guests, serving outstanding food and famously strong cocktails from lunch to late evening. The hotel's exquisite glass enclosed Roof Garden is the perfect starting point for a walk to the waterfront promenade just a block away and on to the White Tower for panoramic views of Mount Olympus. Located close to Tsimiski Street, you’re in prime position for designer boutiques and high-end cafés and bars. A grand marble staircase takes you to the 34 rooms and suites. Rooms aren’t large but they are soundproofed and kitted out with all the comforts you need for a city retreat, including luxury toiletries, Nespresso machines, bathrobes and gold-panelled blackout blinds. Nearly all feature Juliet balconies. Classic Rooms are bright and airy, decorated with contemporary art and hand-picked furniture. Junior Suites are slightly larger and have a leather daybed and coffee area with a television swivelling towards your bed or to the chaise longue.
From the moment you step into the lobby, you’ll get to feel that typical Greek cool, breezy and bright vibe and take in those Aegean Sea views. Sani Dunes is a haven between ancient olive groves, the glistening Aegean Sea and the cosmopolitan Sani Marina where you’ll find lively bars and restaurants. The hotel is centred around one of the largest heated pool in the Mediterranean which is surrounded by plush sun loungers and crisscrossed by wooden bridges. Head down to Sani Dunes beach where there are sub beds and umbrellas. This is also the setting of the gloriously chic Beach House which is open at breakfast, lunch and dinner. Up at the state-of-the-art D Spa, you can pick from a wide range of Anne Semonin treatments, work out in the fitness studio, join a yoga class or soothe your muscles in the thermal suite and Jacuzzi. Around Sani Resort, there are plenty of facilities like a selection of sporting academies (must be prebooked); younger guests can learn how to play tennis in classes at the new Rafael Nadal Tennis Centre, or learn some new skills at the football centre which is run in association with Chelsea Football Club Foundation. The other academies include Scuba Diving – certified by PADI, Biking by KTM Bike Club, water skiing by British Water Ski & Wakeboard, and the sailing academy which is run in association with Thessaloniki Nautical Club. A new addition for 2020 is the Bear Grylls Survival Academy where guests over 6 years old can learn the famous adventurer's survival techniques in the resort's thousand-acre eco-reserve. The rooms and suites have an understated beach chic vibe with natural tones and subtle sky-blue elements. There are plenty of rooms that are perfect for couples, like the Double Rooms with a Private Garden and the Deluxe Junior Suites with a garden and views of the pool and sea. If you’re travelling with kids, there are Family Rooms and Deluxe Family Suites with are made up of two interconnecting Double Rooms or Deluxe Junior Suites respectively.
Eagles Palace
Sani Club
Eagles Villas
The Excelsior Hotel Thessaloniki
Sani Dunes
