The antidote to an overbooked life? Space to think, freedom to do what you want when you want, and a peaceful place to come back to your senses. Ekies is that magical place. Growing up, owner Alexandra Efstathiadou spent her summer holidays here, overlooking the crystal-clear Vourvourou Bay on the peninsula of Sithonia, Chalkidiki's 'second finger'. She jumped at the chance to buy the hotel for herself, and her whimsical reinvention layers various design styles, ranging from minimalist to high-design, along with legendary Greek hospitality. Each of the 76 rooms and suites are different; all are stunning.
Everything you need to restore your stress-battered psyche is within these grounds. Follow a path across the landscaped lawn to the peaceful swimming pool, before continuing to the open-air spa, where staff can prescribe personalised treatments for whatever's ailing you. Claim a sun lounger on the beach, where the shallow water is safe for small children, then sip cocktails on the deck as you marvel at sunsets that bathe the sea and pine-forested mountains in a silvery glow. Irresistible extras - a romantic tree house, a hammock dangling above the water - take you beyond relaxation to the carefree days you knew as a kid. True rejuvenation!
Highs
- Truly fantastic gourmet food in the waterfront restaurant, Bubo Greek Fine Dining (some of the best we've ever eaten), plus the option of intimate fine dining meals in the treehouse
- Impeccable design with iconic furnishings and fun details - Acapulco and Panton chairs, oversized light bulbs, parasols that resemble lampshades
- Wonderful staff - everything is done with big smiles
- A picture-perfect location close to magnificent beaches and only 90 minutes from Thessaloniki airport
- Ideal for memorable family holidays, and a good option for couples during the quieter shoulder months
Lows
- The hotel beach is narrow with murky water and a limited number of loungers, and can get noisy during summer; there are plenty of others beaches nearby (which are more beautiful)
- The smallest rooms have low ceilings and poor storage
- Several rooms have open-plan bathrooms, which won’t suit everyone (separate loos, though)
- Mosquitoes are around but the hotel provides natural insect repellent and tabs
- Cots and bedding
- High chairs
- Plastic crockery and cutlery on request
- Blackout blinds
- Buckets and spades
Some equipment may need to be requested in advance
Available with a day's notice.
Baby monitors will work from the Junior or Loft Suites nearest the beach to the restaurant; you'll need to bring your own.
- Kids Club Water Sports daily programme run by qualified RYA instructors. Children learn the basics of paddle boarding, kayaking, snorkelling and sailing during 1hr sessions from 1030-1330
- Thurs-Sun Montessori-influenced programme, allows kids 4+ to choose what they want to do: maybe free play, sensory activities, physical activities, construction and crafts, musical activities, visit the greenhouse and tend plants, movie nights
A very good kids menu in both restaurants and at the bar (our 3 year old loved the Greek pasta). Picnics can be made up for you with 24 hours' notice. There's a mini-market 5 minutes' walk away if you need to buy baby food.
- Safe beach
- Swimming pool (unheated)
- Playground
- Toys, books and games to borrow
- E-bikes to rent (at extra charge)
- DVDs to borrow
- Boat trips
- Safe, sandy coves
- Beach Resort
- 76 rooms
- 2 restaurants and a bar (open daily)
- All ages welcome
- Closed: Late October - Mid April
- Outdoor Pool
- Spa Treatments
- Beach Nearby
- Babysitting
- Creche / Kids Club
- Car recommended
- Parking
- Pet Friendly
- Disabled Access
- Restaurants Nearby
- WiFi
- Air Conditioning
- Guest Lounge
- Terrace
- Garden
- Gym
- Concierge Service
- Bicycles Available
- Children's playground
- Yoga classes
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
Best Time to go
The hotel is open from April to October. It’s busiest during the summer months, which are particularly popular with families. Spring (late April-May) and autumn (September-October) are perhaps the best times in terms of weather - warm but not too hot - and are popular with couples. It's wise to book early, especially for Easter, July and August.
Our Top Tips
The passage between the islands of Diaporos and Agios Isidoros is known as the 'blue lagoon' for its tranquil blue-green water. Rent a motorboat and spend the afternoon exploring and swimming. Further down the coast, there are secret coves - accessible only by water - tucked into the pine-covered slopes.
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.
More on getting to Greece and getting around
Airports:
- Thessaloniki International 110.0 km SKG
- Kavala Alexander The Great International 211.0 km KVA
Other:
- Beach 0.1 km
- Shops 0.5 km
- Restaurant 0.5 km
Our guests' ratings...
Based on 9 independent reviews from i-escape guests
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