Sani Resort

Set across 1,000 acres of pine forest and protected wetland on the Kassandra peninsula, Sani Resort runs down to a long stretch of the Aegean coast in Halkidiki. Pine woods reach almost to the sand in places, and the shoreline carries Blue Flag status along its length. The resort is built as five separate hotels — Sani Beach, Porto Sani, Sani Club, Sani Dunes and Sani Asterias — each with its own pool, spa and rhythm, linked by a working marina at the centre. It is a compact universe rather than a single hotel. Guests can walk pine-forest trails that run for 10 kilometres, or join a guided bird walk through the wetlands, home to close to half of Greece's bird species. Tennis is taught at an eight-court academy run with Rafa Nadal's name attached, football at a Chelsea FC centre, and survival skills at a Bear Grylls academy. Across the five hotels there are 25 restaurants and five spas, from a private-garden spa at Sani Club to a residence-only retreat at Sani Asterias. Evening cruises leave from the marina, weather allowing. Free transfers run from Thessaloniki airport for stays of five nights or more, and children under 12 stay free at several of the hotels.