Ekies All Sense Resort, a secret address a few steps from the water

When I think back to the holidays our family has experienced, our time at the Ekies All Sense Resort in 2014 has to be one of the best. Having visited only the Greek Islands before, I did not know what to expect from the mainland. However, the beautiful coastline of the Halkidiki region was something else.

The flight from the U.K. to Thessaloniki is short, making it ideal for families with young children. At the airport, we collected our hire car. We generally prefer to do this over airport transfers as it gives the freedom to explore the local area. Driving along the coastline revealed stunning rock formations and azure waters – it was like a dream!

We arrived at Ekies late in the afternoon. The beautiful resort instantly wowed us. The hotel is very stylishly designed but in a very informal manner that complements the natural environment – there was even a treehouse which became a favourite spot to relax.

We enjoyed one night in one of the hotel’s smaller rooms in the main block, but the following morning, we upgraded to one of the suites. I’m so glad we did as it changed the feel of the holiday for us. We were much closer to the beach and had an outside seating area with direct access to the garden and a jacuzzi bath. Inside, our room was large and benefitted from a separate sleeping area for our 4-year-old daughter. We felt instantly at home!

As part of our stay, we all received (my daughter included) a complimentary foot massage treatment. It was a lovely way to start the holiday and set the relaxing pace for the rest of our time there – we may have gone back for a few more treatments!

One of the main things that struck me about the hotel and its neighbouring beaches was how perfect they were for younger children. The sea was as warm as a bath and very shallow. It felt very safe. My daughter played happily in the gentle surf, building sandcastles without fear of being knocked over by waves. She also loved the swimming pool, spending hours jumping in with my husband and me catching her each time.

There is plenty to do around the whole area if you want to explore. We discovered some incredible beaches just a short drive along the coast and plenty of great places to eat the delicious Greek food. The hotel had a dinner buffet although most evenings, we went out to sample the local restaurants. One of the most memorable adventures we had was hiring a small speed boat with the help of the hotel and, with a picnic they also provided, sailed across the bay to a deserted beach.

We made so many special memories like that during our time in Halkidiki that we’d go back at the drop of a hat. I would recommend it to couples and families with younger children looking for a relaxing break.

Jess