The pace of life at Ekies All Senses Resort is delightfully languid with a barefoot approach to holiday relaxation. Celebrating its Greek roots and stunning natural location, the simple design lets the pure surroundings shine and embraces the notion that luxury should be measured by one’s ecological footprint.
On a narrow unspoiled beach in Vourvourou on the east side of Sithonia – one of three peninsulas in Halkidiki that reach out to the translucent waters of the Aegean Sea – the resort is surrounded by small rocky islands, caves, clean waters, sandy beaches and pine tree forests. With respect for these idyllic surroundings, the design blends harmoniously with the landscape through the use of natural, unrefined materials, such as solid wood and Greek grey marble. Organic forms, sustainability, metal-free Coco Mat mattresses and a minimal waste stance complete the resort’s eco-philosophy.
Ekies All Senses Resort has plenty on offer if you would like to relax or be active, or both. Such as:
There’s a choice of four different bedrooms / suites. All come with modern comforts and amenities including a hydro-massage shower, a flat screen LCD television and a relaxing sitting area in your bedroom. Greek traditional elements are cleverly combined with modern design, funky lighting, marble and colourful glass in the bathrooms. Choose a room with a sea, forest or garden from your balcony.
The closest airport is SKG Thessaloniki which is well served by British Airways and Easyjet from Gatwick. Flying time approx 3.5 hours, followed by an 80 minute transfer by car.
We spent six very relaxing nights at Ekies All Senses Resort in Halkidiki – a design hotel haven on a very natural and undeveloped stretch of Sithonia, which is the middle of the Halkidiki ‘fingers’.
The hotel is stylish and predominantly white with quirky splashes of colour and fun furniture and lighting concepts in the public areas. After checking-in at the spacious, welcoming hotel lobby, you’re shown to the large pool area in the gardens which contains a small children’s pool with large loungers, double day beds, cushioned arm chairs and colourful bean bags. Next to the pool is the little spa and yoga studio – both small, white, wooden structures shaded with wafting light drapes. All 62 rooms are different sizes, shapes and colours. Not many have direct sea views – most rooms are set back from the beach and look onto the pool or gardens. A little path takes you down to the restaurant – a large open area a few feet from the sea which doubles up for sumptuous breakfast buffets and evening a la carte dining. It’s perched over the small sandy stretch of beach and has beautiful panoramic sea views of the peninsular and across to the totally unspoilt Diaporos island. Next to the restaurant is a chilled bar area for drinks and snacks during the day with charming areas for small children including a ‘tree’ house’ , which then transforms into a more sophisticated ‘beach club’ scene for sunset cocktails and relaxed evening dining. Food at the resort, especially the a la carte dining options, is delicious and service is friendly and welcoming. Ekies soft sandy beach is fairly narrow, running in front of the restaurant and beach club area with very comfy loungers. The sea is crystal clear and very safely shallow with a little jetty serving local boat trips. The weather was perfect during our July visit– consistently warm and sunny with clear bright blue skies and the hotel offers lots of cool, shaded and air-conditioned areas.
It’s the perfect resort for families with young children – most of the guests while we were there were families enjoying the secure feeling of a small, personal resort and safety of very shallow sea waters. We were there at peak school holiday time, which meant the resort was full and very busy –we had to get used to some early sunbed claiming and some jostling for prime-time table space! Outside school holiday periods however the resort is far calmer with fewer families and then most of the guests are couples – young and older enjoying a calm, relaxing break.
We found time for some activity between long periods of relaxation, including long coastal walks and a couple of runs. I had a very gentle evening session (Satyananda yoga) session with Elina, who is offering 2 morning classes and afternoon yoga nidra (all at a charge), and enjoyed a blissful facial in the little spa. Other activity options are kayaking and a must-do short (1500m) speed boat trip across to the crystal waters and sandy coves of Diaporos island. You’re dropped off with picnic and parasol and picked up at the end of the day or half day. Outside the hotel, the undeveloped coastline means that there’s not a lot of choice for dining. There are a handful of simple tavernas or pizza restaurants along a small coastal road. It’s a very unsophisticated stretch – the plus side being that there are no noisy bars or nightclubs and the area attracts quiet, well-behaved holidaymakers.
Ekies is a pretty little hotel with soul and style for families and couples seeking a reasonably priced away-from-it-all beach break with options for gentle activities. It’s proud of its high level of repeat guests. We came back thoroughly relaxed and blissfully rested and can fully understand why many choose it as their destination of choice year after year.
Kathryn is a director of The Healthy Holiday Company.
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