A feast for the senses, Sani Resort has gained somewhat of a legendary status amongst families seeking a holiday that blends child-friendly ease, yet still offers a luxury escape for sun-seeking adults in need of a recharge.
It’s the kind of place that guests return to year-after-year and where like-minded parents can slow down and reset, without ever having to set foot off the sprawling, all encompassing estate. Citizen Enfants checked in, to check out the resort’s ever-evolving culinary scene.
This summer (until August 22nd), Sani welcomes back the resort’s most anticipated culinary event: the Sani Gourmet Festival 2025. A celebration of fine dining, global cuisine, and world-renowned Michelin-starred chefs, that’s been transforming this coastal haven for families into a world-class gastronomic destination since it’s debut in 2006.
This year’s stellar line-up of internationally acclaimed chefs, collectively hold more than 20 Michelin stars between them. Throughout various summer dates, Yannick Alléno (Paris), Virgilio Martínez (Lima), Gaggan Anand (Bangkok), Daniel Boulud (New York), and Emma Bengtsson (Stockholm) will each host an exclusive one-night-only tasting event at Elia Restaurant in Porto Sani. Each crafting menus that reflect their unique culinary stories and cultural roots. We were lucky to dine at the festival’s opening night, where Yannick Alléno – one of the world’s most decorated chefs – created an exclusive tasting menu showcasing his signature techniques. It was almost surreal to think that, just hours earlier, the day had been spent splashing in the toddler pool and navigating a midday nap… Proof that, at Sani, gourmet and family-life can (and do) co-exist.
The Vibe
Spanning five distinct properties – Sani Beach, Sani Club, Sani Dunes, Porto Sani and Sani Asterias – across a pristine ecological reserve on the Halkidiki coast, the resort feels more like its own Mediterranean village: private sandy beaches, sleek pools that cater perfectly to little ones, fine dining restaurants, and boutique shops all framed by sea, forest, and immaculate landscaping. The resort is just that, immaculate, with meandering walkways and manicured gardens that are all very easy on the eye.
The place is buzzy with activity – as you’d expect from a resort of this scale and its popularity with families – and the choice of restaurants and bars is so vast (27 restaurants and 14 bars), that even a two-week stay wouldn’t be enough to explore them all. Each of the hotels has its own, very different appeal; it was evident from our stay at Sani Club that it’s an ideal choice for those who prefer an easy-to-reach beach and relish panoramic sea views. In contrast, Porto Sani offers a sleeker, more cosmopolitan feel. Situated right next to the Sani Marina, widely considered the jewel in the resort’s crown, and with boutiques, restaurants, and the buzz of super-yachts coming and going, it’s where the resort’s glitzier side shines through.
The Rooms
At the newly revamped Sani Club, rooms are tucked into the hillside with sweeping views over the Aegean and the resort’s ancient olive groves. The elevated location makes for breathtaking scenery, though the steep climbs can be a little challenging for tired little legs, so the complimentary buggy service often becomes a welcome part of the daily routine.
The rooms themselves are neutral and contemporary in style, blending muted tones with natural textures for a chic aesthetic inspired by the surrounding Greek landscape. Entry-level rooms, at 40 square metres, can feel a little tight – especially if you’re booking as a family of four. Once a pull-out bed for older kids, a cot, and luggage are factored in, floor space becomes limited, especially for active toddlers!
While most of your time will be spent outdoors exploring the beach, pool, and plethora of restaurants, it’s worth considering a family suite with a separate second bedroom to really relax into the stay. Particularly if you’re still working around naps, or hoping to enjoy a quiet evening together with a glass of wine once little ones are tucked up in bed. For the ultimate luxury escape, the private pool bungalow suites at Sani Club are ideal for seclusion and privacy.
Thoughtful touches like baby baths, bottle warmers, changing mats, and even sterilisers are available on request, taking the pressure off packing and making life that little bit easier – a win we all need when it comes to travelling with babies. Bathrooms at Sani Club (seen above) are spacious and well laid out, with a walk-in rain shower, as well as a bath – a game changer for little ones – plus plenty of shelf space to accommodate the mountain of family toiletries.
Food + Drink
With a staggering choice of 27 restaurants across the resort’s five properties and marina, there’s no shortage of options when it comes to dining at Sani. From fine-dining to laid back poolside bites, everyone is catered for here, with bespoke children’s menus created by Annabel Karmel. As the OG of tried and tested nutritious meals for little ones, Annabel’s trusted recipes can be found across the resort including baby purées, toddler meals, weaning food, and first solids.
The Dine Around programme gives guests access to a wide selection of the resort’s restaurants, allowing you to explore a variety of cuisines without ever leaving the grounds. The half-board and full-board packages come with a caveat, as not all of the restaurants are involved in the programme, and the 12 that are work around a smaller set menu to select from. For anything off-menu, or at any of the other non-participating restaurants, a small dining credit allowance per person is deducted from the bill. These dining credits can also be a little confusing: most restaurants aren’t fully covered meaning guests end up paying a large supplement – particularly at the more premium venues. Something to consider if you’re expecting a typical full-board experience. Booking well in advance (even before arrival) is highly recommended, particularly if you want to dine at popular spots like Katsu, Lima and Elia.
Fine print aside, food is of an exceptional standard. The traditional Greek taverna Ouzerie proved to be a favourite for traditional local cuisine, with a focus on seafood and freshly-caught fish. Standout dishes enjoyed over lunch with a sea-side vista include prawn saganaki with feta, courgette fritters with tzatziki and a variety of dips with perfectly leavened pitta breads. A night at Lima felt like stepping into a Latin-American restaurant-come-bar with its mix of live DJ music, plush seating, and open-air layout. Expect a fusion-forward menu with an authentic Peruvian twist, from citrus-cured ceviches to tacos and duck with an orange and tonkatsu sauce.
The star of the show, undoubtedly, was Yannick Alléno’s one-night-only tasting menu at Elia restaurant. Speaking exclusively to Citizen Femme, Yannick explained “I chose to open Sani Gourmet on July 11th because the festival brings together a global elite of chefs and embodies a genuine spirit of culinary exploration. Having cultivated a personal approach to extractions and refined sauces over the years, I found in Sani Gourmet the ideal platform to express this in a Mediterranean setting, blending tradition, innovation, and fresh local produce”. The six-course menu showcased some of Yannick’s most signature techniques including flavour extraction, using modern processes like cryo-concentration to extract purity and depth. Dishes such as langoustine with black truffle cream and a mille-feuille of Wagyu beef illustrated this philosophy, making for an evening that reflected scientific precision, haute cuisine and emotional storytelling merged.
The Child’s Play
The Kids’ Club at Sani Club is tucked conveniently within walking (or buggy) distance of the main reception and right by the beach – ideal for parents who are wanting to base themselves there for some quiet sun-lounger time, even if just for an hour or so. Complimentary for children aged four to 12, the club is open throughout the day in three relaxed sessions that operate on a drop-in basis, which is a game-changer for spontaneous couple time. The programme blends arts and crafts with sports and games. Here the kids can expect to enjoy treasure hunts, mini-Olympics, cookie-making, Lego stations and even the occasional themed party or mini disco, enough to make them feel like their holiday is theirs too – especially if they make a new friend while they’re at it.
Younger guests (from four months up to four years) are catered for in the dedicated Sani Crèche, which offers shorter, bookable sessions for a fee of €42 for three hours, or €32 for the shorter two-hour lunch-time session. It’s relatively small in size, with a separate indoor and shaded outdoor space, but feels calm and is run by qualified staff, who follow Ofsted ratios when it comes to childcare.
There’s also BabeWatch, Sani’s signature beachside childcare service, which allows parents to leave little ones in safe hands for up to 30 minutes while they swim or sip something cold under an umbrella. Babysitting and private nanny services can also be booked for the evening and for a maximum of three hours during the day.
Heated toddler pools, splash pads, and safe shallow areas can be found at Sani Club, Porto Sani, and Sani Beach, making it so easy to spend the days pool-side. The on-site boutiques are also conveniently stocked with inflatables and various other water-play toys that you can pick up if you didn’t have space in your luggage to pack your own.
The Spa
The Club Spa at Sani Club offers a calming retreat carved into the hillside, with its private garden and serene soundtrack instantly signalling it’s time to unwind. The treatment menu features results-focused rituals from Anne Semonin Paris, alongside ancient therapies rooted in global wellness traditions, including Thai massage, Indian Shirodhara, Oriental Reflex Therapy and Mediterranean Salt Exfoliation.
For teenagers aged 12 and over, there’s even a dedicated spa menu – a brilliant, age-appropriate way to introduce wellness and self-care for the whole family to enjoy together. Think mini facials, relaxing back massages, or a first-time manicure or pedicure using gentle products and simplified techniques. It’s a sweet bonding opportunity for parents and older children to share, with shorter spa treatments that are specifically designed with younger skin and bodies in mind.
The To-Do List
With a vibrant marina, and more than 1,000 acres of protected ecological reserve, Sani Resort offers an abundance of curated adventures to suit every kind of guest – the kind that make it difficult to leave once you’re there. And that almost feels part of the point of it. Guests who come to Sani aren’t looking for cultural experiences and city-tours, they’ve come here to make life easier for them – and it does.
Active guests can get stuck into complimentary fitness classes, guided running clubs, or forest walks, while thrill seekers can try everything from eFoiling and paddleboarding to sailing lessons at the Sani Marina Sailing Academy. The Rafa Nadal Tennis Centre and Chelsea FC Football Academy offer world-class coaching for both kids and adults, and wellness enthusiasts will love the dedicated yoga decks, spa sanctuaries, and sea-view jogging paths. Family activities like eco tours, e-bike rental, outdoor cinema nights, and live shows create those memorable shared moments that family trips are all about.
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