Best family friendly resort in Greece

This post was updated on October 23, 2017 with photographs from Sani Resort, used by written permission.

“A special place where nature and man exist in harmony. A family-owned ecological reserve stretching across 1,000 acres, with endless golden beaches enchantingly framed by the crystal clear waters of the Aegean and the magnificent pine forests of the Kassandra peninsula.”

— sani-resort.com

aerial of Sani Resort / photo credit: Sani Resort

Award winning vacation destination

Having bragged about this place for over a decade, it's time I tell you about this fantastic family friendly resort in Greece.  My flashback pictures won't do it justice; seeing is believing.

If I could get my hands on the wheel of the DeLorean time machine, do you know where I’d whisk my family back to?

Sani Resort in Halkidiki, Greece

A decade since our second visit there, this gorgeous Greek resort remains fresh in my mind.  The resort has changed over the past decade and rest assured, for the better.  Sani Resort now offers five places stretched out one long beach meeting the Aegean Sea: Sani Beach, Sani Club, Sani Dunes, Porto Sani, and Sani Asterias. 

Trip Advisor Travelers' Choice Award 2017

Sani Beach #1 hotel for Families in Greece

Sani Beach was announced as number one of “Top Hotel for Families in Greece”, Sani Club was proclaimed number three, and Porto Sani as number four in the same category in 2017.

TripAdvisor’s awards are based on millions of authentic, honest reviews and opinions from travelers all over the world.  Outstanding service, great value and top quality are hallmarks of this award, and Sani Beach is proud to have this recognition as one of the world's most outstanding hotels.

13 Reasons why we'd go again in a heartbeat

1.  Kids up to the age of 12  stay free. Yes. A thousand times yes.

2.  Sani Resort sits on a 1,000 acre family-owned reserve on the Kassandra peninsula.   Immersed in clear blue water, endless sandy beaches, and magnificent pine trees, here luxury and nature collide.

3.  Low off-season room reservations.  We pinched ourselves the first time we walked into the grand lobby.   We looked at each other and couldn’t believe our good fortune.  We had lucked out on cheap plane tickets, and nearly half-price lodging at the time.

4.  Literally 50 steps from the beach, our room was a well appointed, gorgeous junior ocean-side suite at the Sani Beach Hotel.  Fit our family perfectly.  Beach chairs and umbrellas overlooking Mount Olympus and the Aegean Sea.  Breath-taking.

Below gives an idea of how Sani Resort rooms are gorgeously decorated across the board. 

family suite Porto Sani Resort Greece

photo credit: Sani Resort

Sani Dune Resort bathroom

photo credit: Sani Resort

Room Sani Dunes Resort

photo credit: Sani Resort

Room 2 Sani Dune Resort

photo credit: Sani Resort

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5.  Beautiful pools available when you’re looking for a break from the sand and waves.  Inviting lounge chairs and umbrellas available everywhere.

6. The most friendly, available, accommodating staff.  And they LOVE children.  Enough said.

7.  The half-board option.  Upgrading to half-board made perfect sense, especially with small children in tow.   Delicious breakfast and scrumptious dinner options for our week long stay.  At the time, we could eat at four different restaurants using vouchers around the resort.  Kid friendly options too. 

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8. No need to leave the resort if you don’t want to.  There is so much to do at Sani.  Various pools, the beach, and top-notch evening entertainment.  Sports and water activities too. 

9.  We were able to hire a babysitter, that happened to be a hotel staff person willing to care for little ones during her off hours.  Our kids loved her and we enjoyed a fantastic dinner out as adults only.  If this is an important amenity for you, check before you go.

photo credit: Sani Resort

Sani Beach is #1 of “Top Hotel for Families in Greece” in 2017. One of the best in the world, Sani Resort prides itself on outstanding service, great value and top quality. We can't wait to get back for a third visit.

10.  Free shuttle from the airport for online bookings of 5 nights or more.

11.  The beach stretches on forever.  We loved exploring the entire resort all along the beach.  Use the resort shuttle to reach to far end of the beach and then meander back. 

12.  The marina.  Ooh and ahh over fancy yachts and imagine sailing the Aegean.  The marina shops are great for souvenirs and there are some fantastic restaurants located there too.

13.  Lots of choices.  With hotel rooms, suites, 2 bedroom family suites, and condos, Sani Resort offers all kinds of staying options and restaurants at their five hotels, depending on your tastes.

Tips for traveling there

Travel in the shoulder season for cheaper rates!*  Consider April, the first part of May, or September into October.   Less people, significant discounts, lots of sunshine with slightly cooler yet enjoyable temps.

Choose which part of the resort would be best suited for you: Sani Beach (kids club), Sani Club (especially designed for families), Porto Sani, Sani Asterias, and the new Sani Dunes that opened June 2017.

*Note: Sani Resort is open April through October of each year.

Take the cheap shuttle bus into different nearby towns, like the one above, for the farmers market or even more genuine local Greek flavor. 

Consider an excursion away from the hotel, offered by different tour guides in the lobby.  Our family loved spending a day on a huge pirate ship and jumping off into a cove!

Fly into Thessaloniki (free shuttle to the hotel with 5 nights stay or more).

Schedule a massage at the spa or on the beach.

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photo credit: Sani Resort

One of the best family friendly resorts in Europe

Thinking back to some of our most favorite vacations while we lived in Europe, I could have easily written about the hilltop towns sitting above Nice, France, playing in Costa del Sol, Spain, or biking through vineyards of Germany’s Mosel Valley. 

But Sani Resort was the very first place that popped into mind as our favorite family spot.  With beautiful surroundings, amazing dining options, and family-friendly accommodations, Sani is tough to beat.

 What are you waiting for?  Let me know what’s new at Sani when you go - I would love to hear!

Photos courtesy of Sani Resort are designated when you hover over their photos (used by written permission). Other photographs belong to Tanya Raedeke, with the exception of two photos in the opening top collage, courtesy of pixabay.com