Imagine being close to Rafa Nadal, training on dreamy clay courts, jogging through pine forests, exploring the coast by bike, and choosing from countless restaurants in the evening. The Sani on the Greek peninsula of Halkidiki is a holiday paradise of superlatives. We stayed at the Sani Club and discovered a resort that impressed us not only with its sporting opportunities but also with its sheer luxury and scale. Sometimes you just have to think a little bigger. Or rather, much bigger! Because when you vacation at the Sani Resort in Halkidiki, you're not just booking a beautiful five-star hotel, but an entire holiday world. Over 400 hectares, five luxury hotels, seven kilometers of beach, a private marina, a huge selection of restaurants, and endless sporting opportunities. Wow, where do you even begin? For us, of course, it was tennis! With the Rafa Nadal Tennis Center, the Sani Resort offers a true highlight for all racket sports fans. But there is so much to discover away from the tennis court that even a longer holiday would hardly be enough to try everything.
The Sani Resort is located on the Kassandra peninsula in Halkidiki, about 70 kilometers from Thessaloniki Airport. Nestled in pine forests, surrounded by nature, and boasting stunning sandy beaches along the Aegean Sea, its location is already a major draw. What makes it special: The resort comprises five independent five-star hotels, which together form a vast holiday paradise.
Sani Beach is the vibrant heart of the resort, situated directly on the seafront. Sani Dunes combines elegant resort living with immediate beach access. Porto Sani is located near the marina and is especially geared towards families. And Sani Asterias is the most exclusive option, offering spacious suites and ample privacy. Each hotel has its own distinct character and provides different retreats. Guests at all three hotels, however, share the many amenities of the entire resort.
The Sani Club, where we stayed, is located somewhat secluded amidst olive groves and nature. Completely renovated, spacious rooms are arranged in terraces overlooking the sea. The furnishings in our room were fantastic, the bathroom simply superb, and the terrace, with its seating and loungers and breathtaking sea view, was simply stunning.
We felt very comfortable at the Sani Club. The location, slightly removed from the hustle and bustle, the spacious layout, and the beautiful surrounding nature create a relaxed atmosphere. The view of the Aegean Sea is a constant highlight.
Sani Club - newly renovated
Our room
And the spacious bathroom
However, anyone planning to spend a lot of time at the marina or on the tennis courts shouldn't underestimate the distances. The resort is truly enormous! Fortunately, there are shuttle and transfer options, so you don't have to constantly explore on your own. Or, like us, you can simply walk, but that takes a good 20 minutes.
Now, let's get to the sporting highlight of our stay! The Rafa Nadal Tennis Center is, of course, one of the main reasons for us tennis players to take a closer look at the Sani Resort.
Here, training takes place on a total of eight clay courts, following the methods and concept of the Rafa Nadal Academy . And this isn't just for ambitious team players or tournament athletes, but for all skill levels and age groups. Whether beginner, returning player, ambitious recreational player, or up-and-coming talent: the program is diverse. In addition to individual coaching, there are various training packages and group courses for adults and children. The coaches work with the Rafa Nadal Academy's training concept, which, alongside technique and tactics, also emphasizes athleticism, mental strength, and personal attitude towards the sport.
What I find particularly appealing is that you don't just rent a court here and play a bit of tennis. If you want, you can really make your tennis holiday a sporting one and work specifically on your game. And of course, there's something special about training in a place that bears the name of one of the most successful tennis players of all time. Rafa Nadal has even visited the tennis center himself; Uncle Toni comes by at least once a year.
Training is in full swing
Shop and Rafa everywhere
Incredibly, the courts were extremely well booked, both by coaches and groups holding camps there. We actually only managed to get an hour slot at 7 a.m. (!) twice, but unfortunately, both times it was rained out. So, you should definitely the courts in advance to secure your preferred time. At €40, the court rental isn't exactly cheap, but it's reasonable considering the resort's high prices. You can book courts either centrally through reception or directly on-site. It would be great if the courts could be booked online or via the Sani app.
After the match, a small outdoor lounge invites you to relax with a cool drink and enjoy the end of the tennis day, or simply to watch the training or matches.
Anyone who thinks that tennis is the only sporting activity at the resort is quite mistaken. The Sani Resort is a true paradise for those who like to stay active on vacation and are open to trying new things. The various fitness studios offer modern equipment for individual workouts. I also appreciated that, in addition to state-of-the-art TechnoGym equipment, there was always a fitness coach on hand to explain how to use the machines, help with adjustments, suggest exercises, and ensure proper form. Furthermore, there's a comprehensive program of classes with a variety of fitness options. Yoga, Pilates, and meditation provide more relaxed workouts, while other classes are designed to get you sweating.
A roughly five-kilometer running track, partly through pine forests, invites you to go jogging and leads through the resort's beautiful natural surroundings. Cyclists will also find plenty to enjoy. The Biking Academy collaborates with the KTM Bike Club, where mountain bikes, fat bikes, and e-bikes can be rented for a fee, and guided tours and training sessions can be booked. The trails wind through the pine forests, along the coast, and through the resort's diverse landscape. It's a great way to experience the vast resort from a different perspective. There are three bike trails, but unfortunately, they were all closed due to rain during our stay. Nevertheless, many guests rented bikes to get around the resort more quickly.
And for those seeking even more variety, there are options including water skiing, sailing, diving, football, beach volleyball, and archery. There's also a dedicated climbing park with various courses.
After so much activity, some relaxation is definitely in order. And here, too, the Sani Resort is in a league of its own.
The culinary offerings are simply enormous. In the restaurants of the five hotels and the marina, you'll find pretty much everything a gourmet could desire, from traditional Greek cuisine to Italian classics and Spanish specialties, as well as Asian and international dishes.
The Dine-Around concept, offered to guests with half-board or full-board, is particularly convenient. Instead of eating at your hotel's restaurant every evening, you can sample the various restaurants within the resort. Twelve participating restaurants offer specially curated three-course Dine-Around menus at no extra charge. Those who prefer à la carte dining can use their meal credit at other participating restaurants. Reservations are essential, especially for dinner, and can be made easily and conveniently via the Sani app. It's advisable to book early, as your preferred dining time can fill up quickly. Buffet restaurants are also available, where you can dine without prior reservation.
Breakfast in the Olympus Restaurant with sea view
Restaurant Lima - very chic!
Incredibly delicious food
During our stay, we always had breakfast at the Olympus Restaurant and tried four very different restaurants in the evenings: on the first evening, we went to Restaurant Lima, which offers exciting Peruvian cuisine of the highest quality. On day two, we went to Pines Restaurant, located directly in the Sani Club, which focuses on modern Greek cuisine with regional products. On day three, Greek cuisine was on the menu at Ergon Deli , as it was on day four at Vosporos Grill House.
My conclusion about the Dine Around program: A fantastic opportunity to discover the resort's culinary diversity. However, you should definitely plan your restaurant reservations well in advance. After all, with such a wide selection, you'll want to try as much as possible! The drink prices are also quite steep: a small beer costs €9 and an eighth of a liter of wine starts at €15.
A truly special place within the resort is the Sani Marina. Here, Mediterranean holiday flair meets a generous dose of luxury and an international jet-set feel. The marina is truly impressive. Large and small yachts lie side by side, chic restaurants and bars line the marina, and international brands are lined up in the boutiques – most of them without price tags. Add to that the beautiful plaza, which becomes a popular meeting place, especially in the evenings. We were quite impressed by this atmosphere. You can stroll leisurely along the waterfront, admire the yachts, discover new restaurants, and inevitably end up in one of the many bars. Add a cocktail, a lovely evening, and the feeling of being in a truly special holiday destination. A vibrant scene that was lively even when the weather wasn't perfect.
To be honest: Here you can feel a bit like you're on holiday for the rich and famous.
One thing's for sure about the Sani Resort: when it comes to luxury, they really go all out. The expansive grounds, the manicured gardens, the beautiful beaches, the pools, the restaurants, the boutiques, and of course the marina – everything appears exceptionally high-quality and well-designed.
The service and the many small details also contribute to making guests feel completely pampered.
But – and this is of course part of any personal travelogue – luxury comes at a price. And it's quite impressive. Not only the accommodation, but also certain extras, restaurant visits, and additional sports activities can add up considerably.
Therefore, you should carefully check in advance which services are included in the booked catering package and which activities cost extra.
Our tip: Take a closer look at the dine-around offer and the included sports facilities before booking. This will help you plan your stay better and avoid any unpleasant surprises on site.
The Sani Resort is a holiday destination that's truly hard to categorize. It's a luxurious beach resort, a vast sports paradise, a culinary adventure, and with the Sani Marina, also a small hotspot for those who appreciate something special.
For us tennis players, the Rafa Nadal Tennis Center is undoubtedly the highlight. Eight clay courts and professional training facilities based on the Rafa Nadal Academy concept make the resort an exceptional tennis destination. In addition, there are numerous other sporting opportunities, including fitness classes, gyms, jogging, cycling, and water sports.
What impressed me most, however, was the sheer size and expansiveness of the entire resort. You constantly discover new corners, new restaurants, and new ways to spend your vacation. I honestly don't know how many times we got lost during those four days!
Culinary delights abound. The dine-around concept is fantastic and makes you want to try a different restaurant every evening. And yes, the prices are definitely something to behold. The Sani Resort is certainly not a budget destination. But for those seeking a luxurious holiday with an exceptionally wide range of sports and leisure activities, this resort sets standards in many areas.
My personal conclusion:
The Sani Resort is its own little holiday world – with Rafa Nadal on the tennis court, Greek joie de vivre in the evenings, and a generous dose of luxury all around. A resort you have to experience to truly understand its scale!
Then feel free to check out our detailed resort description!
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