Greece’s second-largest island rivals Crete for natural beauty, yet is far less known. For Athenians, Thalatta’s 2-and-a-half-hour proximity but remote position are the attraction: dense forest behind, the scent of pines, the infinity of the Aegean sea. Constructed of wood, glass and polished stone, its low-slung buildings stand in harmony with their surroundings and are as serene as can be. Earth tones blend with natural finishes, rustic canopies are slung between trees.
Experience the simple pleasures that this place offers: clear sea water and sunbeds on smooth pebbles, fresh seafood from the restaurant, indulgent spa treatments. Best of all though, parents can relax here as little ones have a ball. No question, Thalatta is a dream for families. There are daily events, movie nights and games organised by the unfailingly kind and caring team. And, once the kids are in bed, dinner is served on the stunning upper deck, gazing on the distant scatter of lights from the Sporades.
Highs
- An idyllic location on the sea shore, and a lovely base for natural pursuits: sea swimming, horse riding, biking and hiking
- Bedrooms are spacious and special, especially those with full ocean views
- Run by a young and friendly team
- Just a 2.5-hour drive from Athens via a bridge, so no need for ferries
- Asado restaurant serves up authentic Greek flavours that the whole family will enjoy
Lows
- The surrounding forests were badly affected by the 2021 fires so are in a period of regeneration
- The beach has pebbles rather than sand, and is hit by seasonal winds (especially in August)
- Some find the pool area too kid-friendly (although the children's pool is partly separated from the main one)
- The nearest life (a village with shops, cafes and bars) is a 30-minute walk away, but there is a great restaurant on site
- If here outside peak season (Jun-Aug) you might find that some services are closed
Best time to go
May, June and September offer pleasant temperatures (25-29C) and fewer crowds, and the sea is warm in September. In July and August midday temperatures will hit the low 30s – but one of the pleasures of forested Evia is that nights are cooler than elsewhere in Greece. Be aware, it can get very windy in August. The hotel is closed October-March every year.
Our top tips
If you're coming with kids, aim for the school holidays; lots of families come in the summer, so your children will easily make friends. If you're coming without kids, avoid the school holidays! Out of season, this is a serene place, with a back-to-nature vibe. Note Greek school holidays start earlier than English ones, typically the end of June or early July.
- Boutique Hotel
- 50 rooms
- Restaurant and bar open daily
- All ages welcome
- Open all year
- Outdoor Pool
- Spa Treatments
- Beach Nearby
- Pet Friendly
- Disabled Access
- Car recommended
- Parking
- Restaurants Nearby
- WiFi
- Air Conditioning
- Guest Lounge
- Terrace
- Garden
- Gym
- Bicycles Available
- Personal trainer
- Beach library
Rooms
There are 50 rooms at Thalatta, all stylish, sleek and spacious, with cool stone floors and sliding glass doors. There's space for sofabeds and tables, the bed linen is excellent quality and toiletries are Geneva Guild. Rooms on the south side of the hotel have uninterrupted sea and mountain views.
The Junior Suites on the ground or upper floor are the quietest. Ours was perfect for our small family, with plenty of space inside and a lovely terrace with table and chairs overlooking the sea and mountains in the distance. If your clan is a little bigger, there are 3 Family Suites, located on the lower ground floor, which have private gardens.
For added luxury, the Executive Suite, set on the ground floor, boasts 2 private balconies with forest and sea views.
Features include:
- Hairdryer
- Minibar
- Safe box
- WiFi
Eating
A generous breakfast is included in the room rate. Choose from daily-changing fresh Greek staples, and enjoy at your leisure on the stylish decked terrace alongside the pool.
For other meals, the all-day Asado restaurant offers a fresh take on classic Greek and Mediterranean dishes, with an emphasis on seasonal, nutritional ingredients. We tucked into fresh-caught sea bream, grilled to perfection, while our kids devoured healthy salad-snacks along with fruit smoothies. The poolside bar provides refreshments throughout the day, too.
If you're after a change of scenery, the closest village is a half-hour walk or short drive from the hotel, and has plenty of dining options. Be sure to ask the staff for their recommendations.
Features include:
- Bar
- Kids' meals
- Restaurant
- Room service
Activities
- Bask by the pool, then amble down to the beach - the 2 are linked by a boardwalk that’s lined by flares at night
- Bikes are for hire and there’s horse riding in the surrounding hills. Complimentary activities include jogs along the beach to the village
- From its fertile north to its mountainous south, Evia is a beautiful and unexploited island. Drive to the 15th-century Galataki Monastery, now a nuns’ convent, 200m above sea level with breathtaking views. Or Saint David's monastery in Rovies, founded in 1540 on the site of a church destroyed by the Turks
- 25km south is the pretty fishing village of Limni: steep cobbled streets and a waterfront lined with cafes
- Bring walking boots: the ravine of Boulovinenas is a 3km walk away; hardy hikers can continue along the river
- Relax in the hotel’s spa; their range of massages, facials and aromatherapy products are excellent
- There are weekly movie nights for families, with giant beanbags under the stars
Activities on site or nearby include:
- Boat trips
- Canyoning
- Cycling
- Hiking
- Historical sites
- Horse riding
- Kayaking
- Mountain biking
- Plantlife / flora
- Private guided tours
- Sailing
- Swimming
- Well being
- Wine tasting
Kids
Thalatta warmly welcomes children of all ages. Various equipment is available to borrow and babysitters can be booked. There are special mealtimes for kids, healthy dining options, and a nightly kids’ movie enables parents to eat on their own. The children’s pool is large and shallow, and during peak season is monitored by a lifeguard from 8am onwards. There’s also a daily kids' club staffed by a team of 'animators' for kids over 4, a games room and a ‘Magic Forest’ play area. Older kids can learn how to sail and horse ride.
Best for:
Babies (0-1 years), Toddlers (1-4 years), Children (4-12 years)
Family friendly accommodation:
Double Rooms have space for a baby cot. Junior Suites have L-shaped sofas, which can be made up as 2 extra beds for kids, or there is space for baby cots. Executive Suites have double sofabeds for 1-2 kids, or space for baby cots. Note that all of these rooms have shower bathrooms and are open-plan.
Family Suites have a double bedroom, a twin bedroom, a separate living area with a sofabed for 1-2 kids or space for a baby cot.
Cots Available, Family Rooms
Babysitting:
On request
Baby equipment:
- Baby cots
- High chairs
- Night lights
- Baby baths
Remember baby and child equipment may be limited or need pre-booking
Creche/Kid's Club:
A fabulous daily kids’ club for 4+ year olds, supervised by a dedicated ‘animation team’. There are 4 scheduled activities every day based on that week's theme, such as the Greek myths. Expect pool and beach games, cooking, game playing, story telling, puppet shows, arts, crafts, visits to the horses, and evening cartoons and movies. Greek and English-speaking staff are well-organised and exceptionally kind and caring.
Children's meals:
There are early meals for children and a children’s dinner buffet that includes healthy options, from grilled vegetables to smoothies. The Snow White kitchen is where they dine, enjoy cooking classes and is also a space for the animator team to stage plays, puppet performances and tell stories.
Kids Activities on site:
- Kids pool
- Dedicated Magic Forest space (an eco-friendly playground) among pine trees with wooden tables, a playground, organised team activities
- Kids pool
- Games room
- Kids DVDs
- Kids books / toys
- Cartoon and movie nights
- Art lab
Kids Activities nearby:
- Beaches
- Sailing lessons
- Horse riding
- Cycling
- Boat trips
Families Should Know:
The pools are not fenced. The beach is pebbly, not sandy. The last hour of the drive from Athens is on extremely winding roads and is best driven in daylight.
Distances:
- Airport: 2.5-3 hours (Athens 157km)
- Hospital: 20 minutes (Mantoudi)
- Shop: 5 minutes
For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection
Location
Thalatta Seaside Hotel is on Agia Anna Beach at the northeast end of Evia island, on the Aegean Sea in Greece. It's a 2.5-hour drive from Athens.
By Air:
Fly into Athens (157km). It's a 2.5-hour journey from the airport to the hotel. No need for a ferry: there are 2 bridges to the mainland. The hotel offers a private taxi service for max 3-4 people, but you'll want a car, as it's 2km to the nearest village Agkali, and this island is well worth exploring. See our car rental recommendations.
Detailed directions will be set to you when you book through i-escape.
Airports:
- Athens 157.0 km ATH
Other:
- Beach 0.1 km
- Shops 2.0 km
- Restaurant 2.0 km