Beachside beds provide post-class respite

I know it sounds weird, but I’m not usually a fan of spa hotels. In the past, my pampering-inspired “mini-breaks” have taken me to places that, whilst very beautiful and luxurious (and expensive!), lacked real heart or warmth; which to me are essential ingredients for any chance of absolute relaxation. That said, a weekend at Ekies All Senses Resort in Halkidiki, Greece, has got me humming a completely different yogic tune – more on that later!

True to its name, Ekies is a five-course feast for the senses; in fact it embraces, indulges and delights every one. Just stepping out of the taxi into the sweet warm air, perfumed by brightly-coloured flowers and neighbouring pine trees, I felt the stress of the city starting to melt. I had only flown three hours from Gatwick, but London felt a world away.

I was staying at Ekies for a weekend yoga retreat, and looking forward to two days of intense practice to ease my guilt of skipping class at home. If only my studio in London was on a beach with views across glassy water to beautiful beach-bordered islands beyond, I might feel more compelled to attend. At six o‘clock, five eager students sat cross-legged facing a hazy red setting sun, for our first yoga session. Our teacher, Akrivi, is one of a team of instructors who work at the hotel, and teaches a specific style called Satyananda, a system that incorporates the yoga postures (asanas), breathing practises (pranayama) and deep relaxation (yoga nidra).

Being more used to dynamic yoga, my racing mind struggled with the much slower pace of Satyananda. We started with an exercise that focuses on the individual joints of the body, from the toes to the head; moving, bending and flexing for a few repetitions before sitting quietly to notice the effect on the body. Sensing our distraction, Akrivi warned that although it may seem gentle, this technique is actually very powerful. Satyananda teaches bringing awareness into the body, so that one is conscious of every movement and sensation, in turn naturally slowing the mind and its usual current of thoughts, and easing it into deep relaxation. So relaxed was I, that after just one hour I was asleep on my mat. This is no easy feat for a seasoned insomniac!

Pranayama helps calm the mind, as well as cleaning the lungs, through bringing awareness to the breath. It involves various exercises which include panting, shouting and humming, and though initially this made me horribly self-conscious, once I reminded my inner prude that I was on a deserted beach and no one was watching, it felt deeply cathartic. Each of the four classes over the weekend closed with yoga nidra or a guided meditation, and every time Akrivi’s hypnotic voice sent me drifting into a blissful state of relaxation. If you’re a stress head who thinks you can only unwind with an energetic gym workout, I urge you to try these techniques!

Aside from yoga, there’s plenty to entertain active types, and very comfortable ways of doing absolutely nothing at all. On the narrow white beach in front of the hotel you can lounge on beds, hammocks and piles of giant cushions, to the soundtrack of mellow tunes and hushed voices of fellow chill-seekers. The clear, shallow waters are perfect swimming conditions, and the unspoiled coastline, idyllic for walking. Motorboats are available to hire for 60€ a day; alternatively, Ekies can arrange a captained cruise around the nearby island of Diaporos, holiday home to the wealthy.

The pinnacle of this self-indulgent weekend was my visit to the open air spa. A “relaxation massage” came with dappled sunlight that warmed my skin, as a gentle breeze carried the scent of sweet citrus oils. Pure heaven! All products used at the resort are organic, in keeping with Ekies’ eco-friendly philosophy, and the bathrooms are well-stocked with lotions and potions from the Apivita range made with 100 per cent natural essential oils.

The food is also organic, and the menus devised by an award-winning chef, using locally-produced ingredients where possible. We dined on delicious fresh sea bass, sumptuous salads of figs, pine nuts and halloumi, and I made the dangerous discovery of baklava with pistachio ice-cream, thus removing any chance of returning to London slimmer than when I left.

My weekend at Ekies felt more like staying at a friend’s uber-cool beach house. So welcoming were the staff and homely the rooms, that were they not closing for the end of the season, I would’ve happily extended my stay another week. They seamlessly blend modern design into a natural setting, mixing funky furniture with traditional decoration, which results in a gorgeous boutique hotel without a trace pretentiousness. For me, what makes Ekies different to other spa hotels, is their flexibility and willingness to accommodate guests’ individual needs, essentially creating a bespoke stay for each one. This makes it a perfect escape whether you’re holidaying with friends, a partner or craving some time out by yourself.

Ekies All Senses Resort in Halkidiki blends nature and modern design for the ultimate luxury outdoor spa experience...