Halkidiki haven: Inside Sani Resort’s summer revival

Greek glamour

As well as Vosporos, Sani Marina is home to a collection of chic restaurants, bars and boutiques, attracting both resort guests and locals, who flock here to indulge in a spot of shopping, sip on an Aperol spritz as the sun goes down or head out to sea on one of the fully crewed yachts. It’s an undeniably glamorous spot and serves as Sani’s beating heart, encircled by the five hotels that comprise the resort. Our home for a four-night stay is Sani Club, a stylish property on the far side of the resort surrounded by ancient olive groves and vast expanses of pine trees. Snuggled into the hillside are 148 suites, each of which has been renovated for 2025 to pay homage to the hotel’s glorious natural surroundings – think clean decor with a colour palette of browns and greens complemented by rustic stone accents. It’s hard not to feel at peace when wandering around Sani Club, winding along stone paths flanked by olive trees and rows of lavender, with the glorious stretch of sand on the hotel’s doorstep beckoning beyond.

Spoilt for choice

Although lying by the hotel’s sun-drenched infinity pool and sampling the best of the cocktail menu (for research purposes, of course) seems a perfectly adequate use of my time, it would be wrong not to see what the other four hotels at Sani have to offer. Each of the properties is distinctly different, possessing its own unique charm (see box). If clients are finding it hard to pick between them, they need not worry. Guests can of course use the pool or beach area at their own hotel, but can also flit between the others and sample all the dining venues on offer if they wish. This gives an epic total of 39 restaurants, cafes and bars for guests to sink their teeth into – and their taste buds won’t be disappointed. Breakfast, lunch and dinner at Sani are more than just mealtimes: they’re whole experiences. Some of the most mouthwatering highlights include the freshest houmous at Sani Dunes’ Beach House, paella straight from the pan at Porto Sani’s El Puerto and feta-strewn Greek salad at Sani Club’s Cabana.

Great expectations

It’s not just the food that has earned Sani a special place in my heart. This is a resort that strikes the perfect balance not only between being family-friendly yet stylish, but also having attentive staff on hand without them being in your face, and endorsing relaxation while still offering plenty of things to do. And when it comes to things to do, we’re talking watersports, bike hire, a Go Ape-style treetop adventure, archery lessons and guided forest hikes, not to mention the on-site academies that offer football, tennis and sailing tuition. Four days simply wasn’t enough for me to sample everything on offer, but whizzing along a zipline with the Aegean sparkling in the distance and traversing on two wheels the winding, pine-studded lanes that encircle the property are experiences that I won’t forget in a hurry. Sani has long been a favourite among affluent travellers and, ahead of my stay, I’d built up an idealistic image of the resort. When I finally got the chance to visit, I was excited but also somewhat nervous – what if it turned out to be not as good as everyone said? I need not have worried. Sani lived up to its billing – and more.

Hotel low-down

How to choose between Sani Resort’s five hotels

Sani Dunes

Ideal for: Couples

Must-know: Originally an adult-only property, this stylish spot retains a grown-up vibe. While it now hosts guests of all ages, there are still dedicated poolside and beachfront areas for those aged 16 and over.

Sani Asterias

Ideal for: Exclusivity

Must-know: Sani’s most boutique property has just 59 beachfront suites and is best suited to your most well-heeled clients. Each of the suites has had a makeover ahead of the 2025 season.

Sani Club

Ideal for: Nature lovers

Must-know: Sani Club is perfectly located for exploring the surrounding forest, either on foot or by bike. It’s also situated slightly farther away from the main resort hub, adding an element of seclusion.

Sani Beach

Ideal for: Active holidays

Must-know: Not only is this property located right on the beach (which stretches for four-and-a-half miles), it’s also just a stone’s throw from most of the resort’s outdoor activities and sporting academies.

Porto Sani

Ideal for: Young families

Must-know: There are multiple pools, including dedicated children’s options with a splash zone, as well as the resort’s biggest kids’ club, a dedicated teens’ space and a crèche.

Book it: Caribtours offers seven nights’ half-board in a Double Room Garden View at Sani Club for £1,749. The price includes return flights from Heathrow, based on a September 23 departure.
caribtours.co.uk