Danai Resort, Greece — Top with kids

A slightly distinct experience of a holiday between children and parents is quite normal we suppose. As enthusiastic as we are of the approach of staff around the Danai Beach Resort in Greece, our daughters are amazed by the lovely dog from the guard after they spoiled him a bit more.

A few more words about the staff. You’ll meet the first when you come to the main hotel lobby, which is housed in a lovely whitewashed villa. The team is really what makes this place amazing. We just love them... being so kind and friendly. If you’re here, speak with them, understand the rich Greek culture that they imbibe, which they are only too happy to impart. All the staff do as much as they can to please you and make your stay as great as possible. We are pleased to see how they service every customer around, always helping very promptly and smiling.

Even a short power nap is possible at the Beach bar

Yet, there’s much more to be thankful for. For example, our suite: it has connecting rooms, a large balcony with outdoor seating, two bathrooms, one with a separate shower and is very spacious, attractive and stylish decorated. It comfortably accommodates four people, making it an ideal choice for spacious living or for families. Other amenities include: fresh flowers, inlaid marble floors, individually controlled heating/air-conditioning, self-programmable safe, mini-bar, satellite TV, Bose Wi-Fi music system, direct-dial phone, hairdryer, Internet connection, Bulgari bathroom toiletries, plush bathrobes and slippers. Beware that some of the suites are quite a way back from the beach so with less of a sea view than some guests might expect at this price point. So, you might check this when booking your room. Nevertheless, it will be a hard choice by the way: they offer stunning Suites, De Luxe Suites, Pool Suites and Villas.

Our stay at the Danai beach resort in Sithonia is part of our visit to Halkidiki which consists of three finger-like peninsulas. Sithonia is the middle of them. The Kassandra Peninsula lies to the west of Sithonia and the Mount Athos peninsula to the east. Halkidiki is a top destination in Greece. It is a place of exceptional beauty, especially known for its sandy beaches boasting crystal clear turquoise water.

So, it won’t be a surprise that the beach at the Danai is also gorgeous with nice and smooth sand and the sea has a very large area of shallow water. It stretches more than 300 meter and it is beautiful. Do look down from the terraces upstairs, especially when you have your breakfast in the morning, as the see beneath you is clear blue and a sight to behold. It’s not only a suitable place to just lay down on one of the beach chairs or sun stretchers to read a book while sipping on a cocktail it also calls for endless walks. So, in search of sea treasures we head for the east side of the beach, a lovely adventure with the kids. If you’re fond of your privacy: rent a secluded beach cabana, including amenities, an isolated beach section, a sitting area and comfortable double bed including turn down service. Other features which may be combined range from lunch to a barbeque in front of the Cabana or spa treatments at the beach.

Danai Resort is perfect for a family as besides the beach and a generous size pool, they have a very comprehensive kids club for all ages up to 12 years with adventure and creativity in the afternoons all under the supervision of qualified, multilingual professionals. The hotel provides a 14-day schedule in summer season from a Pirate Day with exciting treasure hunts throughout the resort and authentic face painting to a Greek Day with Greek dancing as well as creating the very own Tzatziki. Each night the day will be completed by a playful Kids Club Mini Disco. Entertainment (and a bit of education) is not restricted to the kids though: there are language classes for all ages in Greek, English, French or German and instructors are there for dancing, painting and cooking lessons.

Cooking lessons are not needed for the chefs at the Danai Hotel as all meals are of a very high standard. Starting with breakfast with an excellent choice of tasty flavors. With kids we love having diner a bit early and small plates are available at the beach bar. And one night we take the opportunity to enjoy diner with the two of us in the restaurant. The food is very tasty, also a special thanks to the staff, always smiling and providing a tremendous service. The Danai offers three excellent eateries, each delivering finest cuisines while set in beautiful locations. In all the restaurants, exquisite food and selected wines and drinks mix seamlessly for an unforgettable dining experience. The multiple award-winning Gourmet Restaurant “The Squirrel” is considered one of the principle culinary addresses in Greece. As the open-air Andromeda Restaurant Sea serves Mediterranean-accented fare paired with modern cuisine and prepared with freshest local produce. An evening spent on our restaurant’s terrace surrounded by pine trees and with the unique view over the Aegean Sea, is a truly unforgettable dining experience. The Sea Horse Grill is the more laid-back option featuring a large outdoor seating area and a private terrace equipped with only few tables to add the extra bit of privacy when enjoying one’s meal directly by the beach.

The sommeliers of Danai Hotel know best how to select their wines at your dinner. In fact, they are proud to have their own wine cellar in a unique, old-world ambience with a minimum 1700 etiquettes of finest wines carefully collected over decades. It’s said its one of the best provided cellars in the country of Greece. Of course, they regularly offer tours and wine tastings. This does not only invite to seizing the opportunity of tasting most exclusive wines, but furthermore takes you on a voyage through the history, origins and production processes.

We are here early in the holiday season, so the kids club hasn’t started yet (never had a better reason to return one day), but it’s not a real problem seeing the wide range of other activities on offer. How about water sports, such as water skiing or wind surfing, going for a catamaran or enjoying the water on a canoe, banana or donut? Active guest can take their chances for mountain biking or yoga lessons. With ‘not-so-nice-weather’ there’s the gym with fitness instructors on-site. We also paid a visit to the tennis court which is on opposite of the resort. Also, if you can try and hire the boat, please do. The skipper is very knowledgeable about the sea and places of interest to visit and the views of the sea are simply spectacular.

If you have your own car or have the resort drop you off; you can opt for golf course, horse riding or try to catch some fishes. Scuba diving and snorkeling are also possible in the neighborhood. Most people come to Sithonia to enjoy the sea and the sun. However, there are other sights worth a visit. Nikiti old village is one of them, a gem hidden inside a ravine on the hills above Nikiti modern settlement. Or visit Sarti, it is the main tourist resort of the east part of Sithonia. It is located just before Sikia, about 140km from Thessaloniki. It is built on a long sandy beach which faces the tip of Athos peninsula. The place was named after the ancient city of “Sarti” which existed in the area during the classical period. Some fortification remains of the ancient city may be seen south of the modern Sarti and close to Sikia. Agios Nikolaos is another historic small town. The first inhabitants were probably people of the Bronze Age (3300–1200 BC). Remains of their settlement have been discovered on a hill called “Vetryno”, south west of the modern town.

History buffs should consider visiting Dion Archaeological Park. The site owes its name to the most important Macedonian sanctuary built in honour of Olympian Zeus (Dias). A sacred place for the ancient Macedonians it retained its prominence throughout antiquity as evidenced by the extensive variety of finds. It is the most impressive archaeological “park” in Greece; sanctuaries, Hellenistic and Roman theatres, paved pathways, baths with pools and mosaics, an auditorium, Roman houses, villas and Early Christian basilicas.

WOW

# The Danai Resort is one of the most relaxing resort we’ve been to. The location, the beach, the hotel, the staff everything is wonderful.

# Privacy, luxury on one side, but all this combined with a unique intimate feeling. Even the visitors, coming from all around the world, are very discrete and stylish. All of us feel right at home.

# In holiday season the kids club is promising, but the hotel offers lots of other activities on site and externally.