Ekies All Senses Resort

Rooms

The imaginative rooms and suites come in various styles and categories. Décor runs the style gamut - some are minimalist spaces, others have intricate mosaic floors and design-classic furniture. Even the smallest Standards are delightful - attic lofts with playful caricatures of local animals or bright murals of Greek mythology. Natural materials (pebbles, marble, wood) feature throughout all categories, a nod to the resort's eco-philosophy, and whichever you choose, comfort goes hand-in-hand with design: Coco-Mat mattresses and linens, a choice of pillows, great air con.

Our contemporary Junior Suite had a sea-facing balcony and a daybed for our 3-year-old daughter. We especially loved the luxurious 5-jet shower, and dangling retro pendant lights.

If you can splurge, the Pine Suites are incredible, inspired by the surrounding forest, with wicker designer chairs, large hammocks and a private garden and plunge pool. We have yet to see the fabulous two-storey Herbs Villa which has an outdoor living area with its own vegetable and herb garden.

Features include:

• Air conditioning
• Bathrobes
• Coffee / tea making
• Cots available
• DVD player
• Hairdryer
• Minibar
• Pillow menu
• Safe box
• Toiletries
• TV
• WiFi

Eating

The 2 restaurants and bar flank the sprawling beachfront deck. Breakfast is a mega-buffet served in Kuko, the Mediterranean half-board restaurant. Counters overflow with delicious traditional Greek fare - feta cheese, perfect tomatoes, creamy yoghurt, fresh and dried fruits - along with endless pastries and bread, homemade marmalades, even 3 kinds of honey.

During the day, the sea-facing bar is open for snacks, drinks and light lunches. As the sun sets, people drift here for cocktails before heading off to one of the restaurants for dinner. The waterfront restaurant, Bubo, has a stunning à la carte menu of seafood and traditional Greek dishes interpreted with gourmet flair. Everything about it feels special - the view, the delicious homemade bread with tomato compote, and the generosity of complimentary amuse bouches (a mushroom veloute was particularly divine).

As for the food itself, we were blown away by various dishes: delicate seabass with zucchini textures (including a lattice, a foam and a tiny macaron); slow-cooked Iberico pork with kale and black garlic; wheat risotto with monkfish cheeks and salami... even the homemade papardelle was a cut above the norm, served with a super-tender beef broth. As for desserts, for heaven's sake, leave room! The flexi chocolate with Maldon salt and a red pumpkin sorbet was extraordinary. Staff can also serve private meals anywhere, anytime. A romantic dinner in the tree house? Done. A picnic on nearby Diaporos Island? Just say when.

The half-board menu is served in Kuko. We were impressed by the Greek salad, and a lovely flaky salmon dish, but the moussaka was a bit bland.

If you fancy a change of scene one evening, there's a pizza restaurant within walking distance of Ekies, and a handful of casual restaurants dotted around the bay.

Features include:

• Bar
• Kids' meals
• Restaurant
• Restaurants nearby
• Room service
• Vegetarian options

Activities

• Just relax . Linger over a cappuccino at breakfast, sunbathe on the beach, curl up with a book by the pool, stretch your muscles with a yoga session (staff can arrange) and play pool or table tennis
  
• Stroll (or rent a bike) to Karidi Beach, one of the most beautiful in Chalkidiki and only 300m away. There’s also a chain of sandy coves just over a rocky headland at the eastern end of the bay
  
• Indulge yourself at the small spa. Treatments are based around local ingredients like olive oil, red wine, seaweed, bitter orange, wild juniper and lemon, and we were wowed by our deep-tissue massage. Or ask practitioners to assess health issues and recommend alternative therapies such as acupuncture, reflexology or cupping. Multi-day packages are also available
  
• Get out on the water. Rent a motorboat and cruise over to Diaporos, an uninhabited island 1500m offshore, for a private picnic and a swim
  
• Visit Mount Athos. All-day cruises to the oldest surviving monastic community in the world depart nearby. Sadly, women and children are not allowed in the grounds, but the rugged scenery of the Athos peninsula (including the snow-capped 'Holy Mountain') is worth the trip even if you can’t visit the enclave itself
  
• Day-trip to Thessaloniki. Stroll along the waterfront, visit the White Tower and legendary Church of Hagia Sophia, and browse art galleries and boutiques in converted Ottoman hammams

Activities on site or nearby include:

• Boat trips
• Cycling
• Hiking
• Historical sites
• Museums / galleries
• Sailing
• Shopping / markets
• Snorkelling
• Swimming
• Traditional cultures
• Well being
• Yoga

Kids

Ekies is a paradise for children and their parents - the grounds are safe, with few steps and no dangerous drops, and the sea is shallow. Common areas are compact, so you can easily keep an eye on kids playing while you relax on a lounger, or in the bar! Many of the design elements are colourful and playful, and there’s plenty to engage children on-site, including a playground with swings and a playhouse. A Montessori-influenced programme and Water Sports Kids Club run beginning June-beginning September, for an extra cost.

Best for:

Babies (0-1 years), Toddlers (1-4 years), Children (4-12 years)

Family friendly accommodation:

Family Suites can sleep up to 6 people (2 adults + 4 children). Interconnecting Suites can also sleep up to 6 in 2 bedrooms, each with 1 double bed and 1 sofabed. Pine Suites can host a family of 3 and have a private pool. Junior Suites each have a daybed which can be made up for a child (best for infants). Large Suites are larger and can accommodate families of 4 with kids of any age. Note that most rooms have showers only, and many bathrooms are open-plan.

Cots Available, Extra Beds Available

Distances:

• Airport: 80 minutes (Thessaloniki)
• Shop: 5 minutes

For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection

Location

Ekies All Senses Resort is located on secluded Vourvourou Bay on the peninsula of Sithonia, the 'second finger' of Chalkidiki (Halkidiki), mainland Greece. It’s about 80 minutes from Thessaloniki and its airport.

By Air:
Thessaloniki (110km away) is the nearest airport. It’s the hub for northern Greece and served by many international flights - click on the links below for a list of airlines. There’s also an airport at Kavala (211km away).

From the Airport
The hotel can arrange transfers or you can hire a car. The hotel has a small car park.

Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.com.

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