I am always so happy returning to Halkidiki. A lot of it has to do with the fact that I was born in the near town of Thessaloniki and I have so many summer childhood memories there, but other than that the area has undeniably the best beaches in Greece. (and you know how much I love me a beach day!) A couple of months ago I visited the Ikos Oceania in Nea Moudania (located in the first peninsula of Chalkidiki) and had such a great time there that I decided to come back for the summer, but this time to the second peninsula.
The Hotel
Ekies Resort, in the bay of Vourvourou, is a family-friendly resort that embraces fully the all-natural, barefoot luxury. The hotel encourages its guests to feel free and allow all their senses to take in the beauty that Greece has to offer. From the clear sea water to the bleached-white sand to the glorious sunshine, you can relax in a hammock over the sea or sip a few cocktails at the beach bar. Ekies Resort is also a member of the Design hotels so expect a lot of modern-quirky touches around the premises. My favorite has to be the umbrellas by the pool which are inspired by vintage lampshades (check out the pictures below).
Facilities
Nearby the pool area (which by the way also houses a jacuzzi area and a raised pool for toddlers), there is a small hut where the spa is based. On our arrival, we were offered a 20-minute Detox Foot Bath which was fantastic and really a great way to immerse into the barefoot philosophy. An outdoor gym with exercise bikes and boxing gear is also just a minute walk from the reception area. If you are up for the real thing, the hotel offers bikes to borrow free of charge for a ride among the pine forest.
However, to really appreciate the beauty of the second peninsula you can book in advance a boat trip around the bay of Vourvourou for a day of exploration. Have a picnic in one of the uninhabited islands or drop an anchor at the deserted coves and take a dive into the turquoise water. Whatever you choose to do, I am sure you are going to have an unforgettable experience!
Rooms
The hotel is quite small in size with only 69 rooms, but they are cleverly divided into 11 categories which give you many options to choose from for your stay. In addition, they are all created by different designers and therefore vary in design, style, and size. I stayed on the top floor of the main building, in a loft which sounds much fancier than it sounds as in reality it was quite small in size and had low ceilings. However, it had great views of the hotel’s pool and its surroundings and the toiletries were from Apivita which is a brand I love. The design of the room was minimalistic with white being the dominant color.
Other rooms include the Cabana suite, a 45sqm space with blue and white tiles and a private veranda and the new Pine and Evergreen suites which are perfect for those looking for more privacy. These top-tier suites offer plunge pools in secluded private terraces overlooking the forest. Make sure to have a look at the different types of rooms before you book and see which one is more suitable for your taste and needs.
Food
The food was one of my favorite parts of my stay at the Ekies Resort. The breakfast had a nice selection of pastries, cereals, and many greek delicacies to try. Pancakes and eggs are also available and made to order. Dinner at Bubo, their main seaside restaurant, is an incredible experience and really worth splurging for. The award-winning restaurant operates on an a-la-carte menu and serves Greek classics but with a twist. Dishes that really stood out to me are the Greek Salad (served with a feta mousse), the scallops Savoro and the braised beef served with truffled mashed potato (so much truffle!). Desserts were light and a perfect excuse to share a few with your dinner date.
Overall
I really enjoyed the barefoot bohemian luxury atmosphere that Ekies Resort is promoting and I felt like they are doing a great job running on that style with the size of the hotel. My experience was very different from my previous stay in Chalkidiki which was operating on a much larger scale but Ekies really felt like a small heaven on earth. I really enjoyed exploring all the little corners and different styles of the resort and I am very glad I passed by here.
Rooms starting from 140 EUR | Book online here