Let’s talk about Halkidiki and its hotels, a perennial hit on travel hot lists for years. It’s not just sun and sea, it’s also a culinary and wine paradise. Think Porto Carras wines, a trophy cabinet of international acclaim. There are more Blue Flag beaches than anywhere else in Greece, and for golf addicts, Northern Greece’s only course is in Porto Carras. Luxury hotels? They’re not just places to sleep, they’re playgrounds for every sport under the sun and wellness sanctuaries oozing with opulence.
It’s clear that these luxury hotels, with their smorgasbord of indulgences, are a big (but not the only) draw for the global visitors who flock here. This article’s hotel picks aren’t meant to be the be-all and end-all of your plans, but a valuable tried and tested guide for both local and foreign visitors who choose Halkidiki as their holiday destination.
Ajul Luxury Hotel & Spa Resort
A brand new, ultra-all-inclusive luxury resort embraced by a pine forest with a path to the almost unspoilt beach of Agia Paraskevi. Famous for its natural springs, these waters aren’t just for swimming. The Spa & Fitness Centre uses them for everything from heated pools, saunas, whirlpools, massages and treatments using olive oil, shea butter, herbs and wild flowers.
The culinary scene at Ajul Luxury Hotel & Spa Resort is a tribute to Greek flavours. The trio of restaurants – Infinity, Thimari and Ambrosia – are a celebration of local produce. Ingredients are sourced from the bounty of Halkidiki and the hotel’s own accessible gardens. As for activities, this place is a sports fanatic’s dream. Tennis, basketball, beach volleyball, an adventure park, mini football pitches and even archery. But wait, there’s more – stargazing (astro-tourism is a thing here) and an open-air cinema set in the countryside.
Address: Halkidiki, Kassandra, Agia Paraskevi, Phone: +30 23740, 47600, Website
Sani Resort
Sani Resort isn’t just a luxury hotel complex; it’s an entire seaside ‘town’ set in 4,000 acres of greenery and wetlands. With 10 kilometres of forest trails, it’s surrounded by seven sandy Blue Flag beaches. The resort has five buildings, 10 lavish pools, five spas and over 35 restaurants and bars to suit all tastes.
At the heart of the complex is the cosmopolitan Sani Marina, a nautical haven that can accommodate over 200 boats. This almost self-contained hub within the resort has it all: a stunning promenade for strolling and gawping, upmarket boutiques for a touch of luxury shopping, pastry shops, ice-cream parlours, delicatessens, supermarkets, a newsstand with Greek and international press, cafes, bars and a range of restaurants. From Greek tavernas and meze to culinary trips to Japan and Italy, not forgetting the award-winning fine dining restaurants.
Sani Resort’s Hotels
Sani Beach stands as the flagship and largest of the five hotels in the resort. Standing on Bousoulas beach with its white sands, it caters to the whole family with a range of offerings from water sports and mountain biking to spa pampering. Then there’s Porto Sani, a paradise for families with specially designed children and baby pools and lagoon-style pools for adults, not to mention a collection of restaurants with an international culinary flair.
The stunning Sani Dunes harmonises its interior and exterior spaces in a continuous architectural flow. Here, Fresco restaurant, under the guidance of Michelin-starred chef Ettore Botrini, offers an exceptional menu, while The Market embraces a farm-to-table philosophy, sourcing daily from local producers. Perched on the edge of the resort, Sani Club nestles in a forested landscape surrounded by ancient pines, offering panoramic sea views, privacy, and splendid nature. For an elegant and luxurious experience, Sani Asterias offers suites with private pools, and its Over Water restaurant serves a menu curated by two-Michelin-starred French chef Stephanie Le Quellec.
Sani Resort isn’t just about luxurious stays; it’s a cultural hotspot too. Two major events really put it on the map. First up, the Sani Festival – a high-end music celebration featuring international stars from various genres, marking its 30th anniversary this year. Then there’s the Sani Gourmet Festival, a gathering for the culinary elite, now in its 16th year. These events underscore the resort’s commitment to not just hospitality, but also to arts and culture, enriching the experience of every visitor.
Address: Kassandra, Sani, Phone: +30 2374099400, Website
IKOS
Ikos Resorts, part of the Sani/Ikos Group, is the epitome of all-inclusive luxury in stunning Mediterranean locations. They redefine the luxury holiday lifestyle. In Halkidiki you’ll find Ikos Oceania in Nea Moudania, Kassandra and Ikos Olivia in Gerakini, Polygyros. These places are at the cutting edge of hospitality – think state-of-the-art design, first-class amenities and services that make guests feel like rock stars.
Phone: +30 23741 10750, Website
Porto Carras Grand Resort
This historic, iconic resort has been a pioneer of luxury tourism in Halkidiki for 50 years. It is set in 17,630 acres of stunningly beautiful, verdant countryside and boasts nine kilometres of sandy beach. The crown jewel of Porto Carras Grand Resort is the tour of Greece’s largest organic vineyard, Domaine Porto Carras New Era, with breathtaking views of the Aegean, the sweeping cultivated slopes of Mount Meliton and the picturesque bays that frame the resort. Daily wine tastings are held in the Melissanthi Room.
The golf course, the only one in northern Greece, covers 450 acres and attracts players from around the world, while the Porto Carras Casino Meliton Privé is a hot spot for those fancy a flutter. The outstanding Meliton 5* Spa Centre boasts one of the largest thalassotherapy centres in Southeastern Europe in a luxurious 4,700m2 space. The iconic, luxurious Meliton 5* Porto Carras Hotel, with its breathtaking views of the Toroneos Gulf, the marina and the golf course, features rooms decorated in earthy tones with wood and marble finishes, preserving the resort’s timeless character.
Address: Halkidiki, Sithonia, Neos Marmaras, Phone: +30 2375077000, Website
Miraggio Thermal Spa Resort
Imagine a place where sprawling gardens, three lagoon-style pools and amphitheatre-style architecture provide breathtaking sea views. That’s Miraggio Thermal Spa Resort for you, with the Marina Miraggio, which can accommodate up to 80 boats, setting the tone for this luxurious retreat. The real showstopper is the Myrthia Thermal Spa, which covers 3,000 square metres over two floors. At its heart is the ancient Kanistro thermal spring, recognised as a warm natural source by the National Committee for the Protection of Water Resources. Myrthia Thermal Spa makes the most of this unique feature, especially in its hydrotherapy area with three pools, offering breathtaking views of the Aegean Sea and Mount Athos.
The all-suite Miraggio Club offers the ultimate in privacy and personalised services. Families with children will be delighted with the Kids’ Planet – a wonderland of entertainment for children from four months to teens. Culinary? A sumptuous array of eight restaurants and five bars, using mainly local ingredients. From classic Greek to Asian and gourmet international cuisine, the resort’s executive chef, Lefteris Soultatos, is the maestro behind the flavours.
Address: Halkidiki, Kassandra, Kanistro, Paliouri, Phone: +30 23744 40000, Website
Domes Noruz Kassandra
Domes Noruz Kassandra could be described as a ‘beach club with rooms’. It has 182 rooms and suites and a large pool just steps from the ‘golden’ beach, where the beach club and beach bar – the beating heart of the resort – are located. Surrounded by crystal turquoise waters and lush greenery, the resort is also home to the exclusive Haute Living Selection Lounge, reserved for guests in certain room categories.
Executive Chef Dionysis Pliatsikas draws inspiration from the culinary traditions of the group’s resorts in Crete, Milos, Corfu, Zakynthos, Portugal and Halkidiki, creating menus that reflect the cosmopolitan yet deeply Greek ethos of the space.
At the Topos Beach Bar Restaurant (open to external guests), he proposes a menu in the vein of New Greek Cuisine, fusing Cretan culinary styles with the distinctive flavours of the Aegean islands. Another highlight is the evening cocktail & champagne Raw Gastro Bar, where mixologists from Thessaloniki’s renowned Apallou Bar add their inventive touch to raw seafood dishes (ceviche, tartar), finger foods and oysters.
Address: Halkidiki, Kassandra, Hanioti, Phone: +30 2374 051794, Website
Eagles Palace
Eagles Palace in Ouranoupolis, Halkidiki is not just a hotel, it’s an experience. As it prepares to celebrate its 50th anniversary, this luxurious resort boasts a unique gastronomic offering, a stunning location opposite Mount Athos, a magical beach and first-class family-friendly facilities.
The culinary scene, always a strong point, is now under the direction of Executive Chef Dimitris Tasioulas of the TOR Group. He’s creating modern Greek dishes with a contemporary twist, using the finest local ingredients. For an unforgettable experience, don’t miss the wine tasting and private dining with wine pairing in the restaurant’s exclusive 500-label Vinum wine cellar.
For accommodation, you’ll have two choices: the supremely elegant oceanfront rooms, suites and bungalows at Eagles Palace or, for ultimate privacy, the luxurious Eagles Villas with private pools and exclusive services including 24-hour butler service. The resort’s luxurious spa and well-organised Kids Club – with age-appropriate activities and special baby and children’s meals – ensure a stay that’s as relaxing for parents as it is fun for children.
Address: Halkidiki, Ouranoupolis, Phone: +30 2377440050, Website
AMMOA Luxury Hotel & Spa Resort
Opened last year on the exotic beach of Agios Ioannis near Nikiti, the new luxury AMMOA resort is set in vast, lush gardens that extend to an endless sandy beach and a spectacular oval pool. The marble bathrooms in the rooms are a testament to the quality of the materials used.
The impressive spa and fitness centre has a heated pool with garden and sea views through large windows. The hotel’s strength lies in its sports facilities, which include floodlit hard tennis courts, a beach volleyball court, mini football and handball pitches, a padel court and a golf course 20km away. The Kids Club and playground offer a wide range of activities.
A special feature is the Kyma Fish Restaurant, which is open to external guests. Located by the sea with a romantic and summery atmosphere, it offers a variety of raw fish dishes (tataki, sashimi, tartar, carpaccio) and fresh shellfish, among other delicacies.
Address: Halkidiki, Sithonia, Nikiti, Agios Ioannis Beach, Phone: +30 2375022200, Website
Ekies All Senses Resort
Ekies All Senses Resort is where design, humour and surprises come together on an almost private sandy beach. Surrounded by a pine forest that reaches the sea, with gardens full of flowers and minimalist design, it nods to the philosophy of Feng Shui and ecological sensitivity, evident in the abundance of natural materials. The common areas and rooms exude a relaxed intimacy, with cool décor that blends childlike innocence with design pieces by Arad, Starck, O’Ghery and Castiglioni.
Hotel owner Alexandra Efstathiadou, in collaboration with Athens-based Agarch+ Architects and architect Rania Stamataki, has redesigned 12 suites to reflect the natural surroundings. Decorated with works by Greek and international artists, the floor is a veritable gallery.
With Executive Chef Dimitris Pamporis at the helm, the resort’s two award-winning restaurants are a magnet for culinary travellers. The fine-dining Tree House, nestled in a giant pine tree with endless sea views, and Bubo Restaurant offer modern interpretations of Greek cuisine right on the beach. In partnership with organic farm The Chill Factor, the resort embraces the farm-to-fork approach, supplying its restaurants with naturally grown vegetables and edible flowers.
Address: Halkidiki, Sithonia, Vourvourou, Phone: +30 2375091000, Website
Avaton Luxury Hotel & Villas
Avaton Luxury Hotel & Villas, a member of Relais & Châteaux, is the epitome of elegance and luxury on the beautiful turquoise beach of Komitsa Bay. It offers privacy, exclusivity and extensive gardens cascading down to the sea. The rooms, suites and villas are amphitheatrically designed with contemporary, tasteful décor, fully equipped kitchens and all modern facilities. The resort offers guests unique experiences: sleeping on a pool bed under the stars, enjoying a floating breakfast or massage in the sea, watching films in your private pool or dining by candlelight overlooking the waves. VIP services such as yacht or helicopter tours of Mount Athos are also available.
The romantic and sophisticated outdoor restaurant Atelier, set on a lush hilltop with views of Mount Athos, serves inventive Greek cuisine, while the Champagne Bar offers signature cocktails made with fruit and herbal extracts. Executive chef is Panos Papadopoulos.
Address: Halkidiki, Mount Athos Peninsula, Komitsa Beach, Nea Roda, Phone: +30 6932 390252, Website www.avaton.com
Danai Beach Resort & Villas
Imagine a small, family-run, ultra-luxury resort, part of The Leading Hotels of the World, where absolute privacy for guests is not only promised – it’s a given. Situated in an idyllic pine-studded setting, the resort sits on a pristine sandy beach and is surrounded by lush gardens full of flowers and trees.
Here, food is not just part of the experience, it’s at the heart of it. The multi-award-winning, five-table Squirrel restaurant is a culinary destination in itself. Expect a menu of creative French and Mediterranean cuisine with unparalleled taste, exclusively for adults. Just a few steps away, Andromeda Restaurant serves modern Mediterranean cuisine with a fusion twist under the direction of Executive Chef Vasilis Mouratidis.
The resort’s wine cellar, The Cellar, is one of the finest and most comprehensive in Europe, with 1700 wine labels from around the world, including the owners’ private collection. A team of expert sommeliers, led by Apostolos Plachouras, offer guided tours, tastings or dinners with impeccable wine pairings. And for a truly enchanting experience, there’s the brand new The Noble House, where you can dine in the middle of the vineyards, right next to The Cellar.
Address: Halkidiki, Sithonia, Nikiti, Phone: +30 23750 20400 – 2, Website www.danairesort.com
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