“Working where others go on holiday – frequently doesn’t work out everywhere because you often have no quiet place to work, constant noise or simply just poor Wi-Fi. However I have found the perfect place for me in Greece. Plus a family connection.“ Kai Boecking
“Kai, you absolutely have to go there,“ a journalist colleague said to me, and he was right. About an hour’s drive from Thessaloniki Airport, The Danai Beach Resort in Nikiti on Halkidiki is located on the middle peninsula of the three headlands, in a dreamlike bay, surrounded by trees and vines. The love between the Greek Danai and the German Otto Riefenstahl has grown from four guest rooms in 1975 to 56 suites and villas today. Mama Danai has personally designed each one, lovingly renovating them during the winter breaks. On the beach, there are snow-white loungers, day beds or beach cabanas with a minimum of 5 metres between each one.
Is the resort geared towards guests who want or need to work everywhere? Definitely. My suite, with a large bathroom, private pool and sea view, offers the best WiFi, as well as plug sockets and desks outside. If I wanted to take advantage of the 24-hour room service, I wouldn’t have to leave at all. That would be a shame, though, because Danai is an oasis with family connections. Kimon, the founder’s son, is the hotel manager; his sisters Julia and Angelika manage the gardens and back of house, and the rest of the family and the superbly attentive staff are always present and approachable.
What do I look for when I work remotely? Flexibility of the hotel and quiet places outside of my room. The Danai adapts to its guests, not the other way around. I have to make a call early in the morning? No problem, the opulent à la carte breakfast is normally available until noon, additionally there is also a small bakery at the resort. And also boat trips or excursions into the surrounding area accompanied by the Danai crew – everything is individually organised.
Everything is possible, nothing is compulsory
If you want to go to the new gym, you can absolutely do so around the clock. Spa treatments are also available on the beach. The Philosophy Bar, with a view of the Aegean Sea, is open from morning till evening and has become one of my favourite workplaces.
I love the sea and I love swimming. While the hotels WiFi usually reaches its limits in these areas, not a byte is lost at the Danai – whether on the most distant sun lounger on the beach or at the gigantic pool. When I make a video call on the beach, the person on the other end thinks I’m sitting in front of a green screen wallpaper.. And when the computer battery runs out, the staff comes with mobile batteries.
After work, the wine cellar beckons. The Danai has one of the most extensive ones in Greece. If you wish, the head sommelier will give you a private tour of the 130-metre-long underground passageway, where 1,700 varieties from all around the world are stored on shelves lining the walls. The wines are transported ready to drink to the three restaurants of the 5-star resort: the elegant Greek taverna Anithos, the modern Mediterranean restaurant Andromeda and the high-end restaurant The Squirrel, which only has five tables in total. Here the focus mainly lies on local products, vegetables and fruit which are grown in their own garden.
And suddenly it’s already time to leave: Because my suite has already been booked again, I am allowed to move into another suite for a few hours free of charge before my airport transfer. Amazing!
Kai Böcking …
… has been taken in awe by Hellas fever! The passionate long-distance traveller would never have thought that the more accessible holiday classic could lead to so much workation.
Bleisure Tips
The UNESCO World Heritage Site of Mount Athos can be reached by ferry from Ouranoupoli. Unfortunately, only men require a visa to visit the Orthodox monastic state and its monasteries.
A lot more colourful are the islands where the cult film “MAMMA MIA!” was shot: Skiathos, Skopelos and Pilio. The Danai offers a three-day yacht trip around the islands, complete with Abba soundtrack.
Info Destination
Nikiti is characterised by narrow lanes, small Greek tavernas and lots of cats. Typical Greece.
Location: on Chalkidiki, the middle peninsula of the three headlands, north-east of Athens
Currency: Euro
Arrival: Flights from Athens are available daily. The nearest airport is Thessaloniki, which Lufthansa, Aegean and some charter airlines fly to directly from Germany, Austria and Switzerland. From the airport it takes about an hour by car to the hotel.
Photos:© The Danai, Kai Böcking
