I’m a girl of two extremes when it comes to travel. I either want to be constantly on the move discovering new things, or laid on a beach doing.absolutley.nothing. Until now, I didn’t really think there was any in between, but after spending 7 nights at Sivota Bay The Retreat, I learnt the art of ‘relaxing as hard as you like’.
View from the pool bar: The stunning sunset over Sivota Bay overlooking the pool.
Sivota Bay The Retreat is a unique little find. Being a hotel where activity and relaxation are prioritised in equal measure, it appeals to many different walks of life. Gym bunnies, fitness freaks, adrenaline junkies, spa queens and sun worshipers are all catered for in perfect balance, and I had a go at being all 5!
Situated on the West coast of mainland Greece, clinging to the hillside of a secluded bay, The Retreat is first and foremost set apart for it’s stunning location. The gloriously Greek white washed buildings of the hotel spread across the hillside and guest garden villas are scattered around the hotel grounds. Beautifully paved leafy pathways wind around the vicinity, connecting hubs such as the pool bar, spa, restaurant and beach.
A room with a view: Swim across the bay to reach the hotels very own beach on a private island.
The biggest USP of Sivota Bay The Retreat was it’s unique, all-inclusive timetable of activities designed to keep you fit, healthy and trying new things during your stay. Now when I say activities I don’t mean chess, pottery and bad Karaoke (although a slightly more ‘classy’ Acousticoke did make an appearance). I mean expert-led watersports tuition, tennis coaching, extreme mountain biking and fitness classes to name a few.
The watersports was the thing that really did it for me during my week, as I set myself a goal to try and master the art of Water Skiing! As a snow skier, I figured I stood a better chance on skis than on a wake board. With the shelter of the adjacent Goat Island, the bay had beautifully calm waters perfect for trying out water sports. I booked myself in for a waterski tow every day of the week and by the end of my sessions I was up on my skis and crossing the wake like a pro!
Mastering the skis!
Whilst I work out regularly when in the UK, this was the first time I had ever gone away and really kept up my training. Over the week I did Yoga, Bootcamp, tennis fitness training, mountain biking and a cheeky bit of Zumba! I couldn’t believe how good it felt to combine the endorphins of exercise with the gorgeous sunshine and holiday vibes. Along with a blissful full body massage in the Bay View Spa and having acquired a pretty cracking sun tan (if I say so myself), the end result was feeling relaxed, energised and a million Euros.
Ready to get my skis on at the watersports pontoon
One other thing I have to mention about Sivota Bay The Retreat is the food, my oh my the food! I must admit, when I first discovered the hotel had a buffet restaurant, I was a little disappointed. The inner-snob in me has always associated buffets with shoddy food and a fixed menu. But I could not have been more wrong. The food was absolutely delicious and took you on a culinary tour of Greece. Each day authentic dishes from different regions of Greece were served and daily specials were cooked fresh right in front of you. As a lover of Greek food, I was in absolute heaven!
10/10 for food: I loved the mouth watering selection of Greek dishes at the buffet restaurant – changing every day
My stay at Sivota Bay opened my eyes to the beauty of an active beach holiday and made me find a perfect balance between activity and relaxation during a holiday. Thank you so much to general manager Lee and her wonderful team of staff at Sivota Bay for a blissful stay!
Find out what I got up to the follwing week on my Greek Sailing Adventure!
Sivota Bay The Retreat has The Travelista’s seal of approval !
Sivota Bay The Retreat is part of Neilson Active Holidays, which is a franchise of Thomas Cook. Club board packages start from £548pp inc flights.
All photos are original taken by me, The Travelista
I nearly feel off my chair when i saw your post on Sivota! This was one of the most magical and dreamy holidays I’ve had. I haven’t heard much about it for years.
I remember staying here in the days when they had apartments and we walked to the beach front and looked across to that picture perfect sandy beach glistening in the sunshine. Back then it was even more secluded surrounded by forest with only wild boar roaming it! The memories still stick in my mind.
You’ve taken me back to such a fun filled family holiday! x
It was an active paradise! If that sounds like your thing, i’d definitely recommend it. Thanks so much for reblogging 🙂
The Travelista x
Reblogged this on The Sunset Suite and commented:
Would love to be there right now! 🙂
Sounds amazing! 🙂