With 13 beachfront luxury resorts across the Mediterranean and three new destinations under development in Greece, Spain, and Portugal, Sani/Ikos Group has spent the past fifteen years building a holistic sustainability model that integrates energy, circularity, biodiversity, culture, and community engagement into the guest experience. From resource management and the gradual elimination of single-use plastics to sustainable gastronomy and cultural initiatives, sustainability is embedded in the way Sani and Ikos Resorts operate, evolve, and grow.

This approach has been shaped in destinations of exceptional natural beauty and ecological significance – from Halkidiki, Corfu, Kos, and Crete to Mallorca and Andalusia -where the Group’s resorts are located alongside pine forests, wetlands, and coastlines of high environmental value. This close connection to nature has fundamentally influenced the Group’s understanding of luxury hospitality: not as an activity detached from its surroundings, but as part of a broader ecosystem that requires protection, respect, and long-term balance.

Towards a single-use-plastic-free hospitality experience

One of the most significant milestones in this journey has been the progressive elimination of single-use plastics across Sani and Ikos Resorts – a transition that has reshaped operations from the guest experience to the supply chain. Today, single-use plastics have been removed from all front-of-house operations, with reusable and biodegradable solutions fully integrated into the Sani/Ikos Group hospitality experience. In back-of-house operations, their use has been reduced to the absolute minimum, limited strictly to food safety requirements or to cases where supplier packaging cannot be avoided.

Plastic straws, cutlery, and individual packaging have been fully phased out from restaurants, bars, and public areas, while plastic water bottles have been replaced by glass bottles and refill systems supported by dedicated water stations, eliminating more than two million plastic bottles annually. In guest rooms, plastic bags have been replaced with reusable or biodegradable alternatives, room key cards are now made from wood, and personal care products are provided through refillable dispensers. Similar practices have been introduced across spas, kids’ clubs, kitchens, and significant parts of the supply chain.

Energy, circularity, and responsible growth

The elimination of single-use plastics marks the first of Sani/Ikos Group’s three major environmental commitments. Alongside this achievement, the Group continues to invest systematically in drastically reducing waste sent to landfill and reaching net zero carbon emissions by 2030.

All Sani and Ikos Resorts already operate on 100% renewable electricity backed by Guarantees of Origin, while new developments and major renovations – including the new Ikos Kissamos in Crete, which welcomed its first guests this April – are designed according to internationally recognised sustainable building standards such as LEED and BREEAM.

A key milestone in the Group’s decarbonisation strategy is the solar park operated by the Sani Energy Community in Halkidiki. Through virtual net metering, the project already covers approximately 40% of the annual electricity consumption of the Group’s Northern Greece properties, including Sani Resort, Ikos Olivia, and Ikos Oceania. Additional photovoltaic installations are already operating at Ikos Aria in Kos, Ikos Andalusia in Spain, and Ikos Porto Petro in Mallorca, further strengthening the resorts’ energy resilience.

The energy transition is supported by ongoing investments in resource efficiency. Smart energy monitoring and automation technologies help optimise operations across the resorts, while infrastructure for low-emission mobility continues to expand, with more than 110 electric vehicle charging stations now available across the Group’s properties.

At the same time, circular economy principles are integrated throughout resort operations. More than 24 separate recycling streams are implemented across Sani and Ikos Resorts, organic waste is diverted to composting or biogas production, artificial intelligence technologies help monitor food waste in kitchens, and treated water is reused for landscape irrigation.

The same philosophy extends to gastronomy. More than 60% of food products served across the resorts are sourced from producers located within a 100-mile radius, supporting local economies while reducing transport-related emissions. This commitment is equally reflected in the Sani Gourmet festival, where world-renowned chefs create exceptional culinary experiences with a strong focus on responsible sourcing and sustainable kitchen practices.

Investing in biodiversity research and community engagement

Sustainability at Sani/Ikos Group extends well beyond environmental performance metrics. The Group actively invests in the study and protection of the ecosystems surrounding its resorts through partnerships with scientific institutions and environmental organisations. Initiatives such as the Sani Environmental Observatory, which monitors the coastal forest and wetlands surrounding Sani, the Thermaikos Biodiversity Project focusing on marine life in the Aegean Sea, and The Parnitha BEEyond Project supporting post-wildfire regeneration through pollinator restoration, reflect a broader commitment to connecting scientific research with ecosystem protection and public awareness.

The same commitment is brought to life through immersive guest experiences designed for families and children. These include the Sani Bee Spot at Sani, the World of Insects gardens across Ikos Resorts, and the recently introduced Gardens of Life at Ikos Aria in Kos -drawing inspiration from the Hippocrates tradition – and at Ikos Oceania – inspired by the teachings of Aristotle. These initiatives encourage guests to engage with nature while raising awareness of environmental conservation.

Supporting local communities, Sani/Ikos Group partners every year with more than 60 NGOs and community initiatives across its destinations, with special focus on programmes benefiting vulnerable groups.

Culture and experiences in harmony with nature

The Group’s sustainability philosophy also extends into culture. Sani Festival, one of Greece’s leading cultural events, is hosted each summer on the historic Sani Hill overlooking the Aegean Sea. The festival is powered by 100% renewable electricity and incorporates sustainable event-management practices throughout its organisation – from eliminating single-use plastics and recycling all packaging materials to the use of electric vehicles and responsible resource management.

It is also the first music festival in Greece to commit to sustainable event management in alignment with the ISO 20121 standard, in collaboration with TÜV Austria Hellas.

For Sani/Ikos Group, sustainability is not a standalone initiative or a parallel programme. It is an ongoing process of adaptation and improvement that influences how hospitality experiences are designed, how resorts interact with their natural surroundings, and how they contribute to the long-term wellbeing of the destinations and communities they call home.