A Luxury Stay off the Aegean Coast in Halkidiki

Situated amidst the breath-taking beauty of the Chalkidiki region (the localised spelling of the area), renowned for its lush landscapes of crystalline waters, pine tree forests and natural springs of Agia Paraskevi, Ajul Luxury Hotel & Spa Resort blends 5* comfort and amenities with natural experiences. Wellness programmes and outdoor activities are a big part of the offering here, with guest rooms, bungalows and villas sheltering visitors from the large number of holidaymakers that arrive in the area in other parts of Halkidiki. To get even more focused, the closest town is Pallini – a small seaside escape which is about an hour from the international airport in Thessaloniki.

Many of the properties within the resort have private pools for additional seclusion but even the shared areas around the five outdoor pools within the main part of the central buildings allow guests enough space to fully relax. The villas sprawl out towards the coast and are considerably larger than you would expect with the option to host other guests if you would so wish. This makes for a great option if you’re travelling with a large group of friends or family as you can have time to yourself when required but also make the most of your holiday by sharing unforgettable memories. A sunset pool party in this glorious location becomes an attainable option with the helpful staff willing to meet any reasonable request.

Soaking in the Mediterranean sun, guests are invited to enjoy handcrafted signature cocktails poolside at the Ananas pool bar and for those looking to dine al fresco, the hotel’s charming Thimari restaurant overlooking the Aegean Sea offers sweet and savoury Mediterranean bites with breath-taking views and vantages of the natural landscape. What we didn’t expect was the wide variety of things to do on such a sophisticated and elegant property. Its easy for somewhere like Ajul Luxury Hotel & Spa Resort to only focus on the guest experience within the rooms and on the immediate grounds you’re staying on, but thankfully great care has been taken to make full use of the wider environment. It’s not an adrenaline-fuelled action holiday, but you will certainly get to stretch your legs if you want to!

A regular shuttle service will take you down to a private soft pebble beach area which also has a fully stocked bar and light snacks for ultimate carefree bliss. The waters a calm and suitable for any level of swimming, with more than enough shades and sun loungers for all guests. We weren’t tempted to explore beyond the resort, which is well hidden in the middle of the pine forest, but the nearby Pallini is full of authentic cuisine and lively bars if you have an extended period here.

At the Aurora Spa, the resort invites guests to rest under the experienced hands of its highly trained experts with treatments inspired by the natural elements. You can opt for the detoxifying Cretan Massage, complete with the use of local herbs such as sage, Black Lava treatment, designed to reinvigorate the mind and body, Shape Me Up massage, with its use of natural oils infused with red grape extract sourced from the Kavala region, or another original signature spa treatment.

There’s a calming indoor pool which overlooks the sea that serves as an extension of the treatment. The traditional relaxation room still exists for post-massage acclimatisation as does a jacuzzi for the full rejuvenation experience.

This season, Ajul invites guests to plunge into the ultimate relaxing holiday debuting all-new waterparks featuring high-speed slides, dynamic water tunnels, a pool and sun deck, and aquatic kids play space. Promising thrilling excitement for guests of all ages, the parks elevate the leisure experience to new heights of relaxation. ​

Greek resorts come in all shapes and sizes, but this one stands out thanks to a clever integration into the area. The food in exceptional, with the on-site options elevating local ingredients and techniques to serve up a variety of cuisines. With a blend of outdoor space, comfortable amenities, communal areas and private villas, you’ll find it hard to resist the temptation to call this a jewel of a find.