Sani/Ikos Group: Setting a new standard for sustainable hospitality in the Mediterranean

Leading the way, the Sani/Ikos Group has emerged as a benchmark for sustainable luxury hospitality in the region. With 12 luxury beachfront resorts and four new properties under development across Greece, Spain and beyond, the Group combines exceptional guest experiences with a long-term commitment to environmental responsibility and community engagement.

The Group operates through two award-winning, industry-leading luxury brands: Sani Resort, a globally recognised destination resort known for its refined elegance and strong sustainability ethos; and Ikos Resorts, a pioneer of luxury all-inclusive hospitality in the Mediterranean. Together, the two brands exemplify the Group’s vision of delivering world-class luxury while setting new standards for responsible tourism.

The Sani Green and Ikos Green programmes are dedicated to continually improving performance across operations in each resort, in areas such as energy efficiency, renewable energy utilization, water conservation and waste reduction.

Forming the foundation for the Group’s sustainability strategy, these programmes are helping ensure the Group achieves its ambitious goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2030. In 2024 direct emissions (Scope 1) were reduced by 9.5%, indirect emissions (Scope 2) were almost eliminated and for the first time, Scope 3 emissions from the supply chain were also mapped.

All resorts were operating on 100% guaranteed-origin renewable electricity, while the Group’s energy transition includes investments in energy-saving systems, electrification of facilities and fleet, EV charging infrastructure, and CO₂ absorption and offsetting actions. A major milestone was the development of the Energy Community photovoltaic park in Halkidiki—providing clean solar electricity—already covering 40% of the energy needs of Sani and Ikos hotels in Northern Greece. Additional installations are also operating or under development in Kos and Mallorca.

The Group has embraced a circular economy model, aiming to support its ambitious goals of achieving zero-waste-to-landfill and eliminating single-use plastics. Practices embedded in daily operations include:

• 26 waste-separation streams
• Organic waste composting systems
• Complete water recycling for irrigation
• AI-driven food waste reduction
• Replacement of plastics with biodegradable and reusable materials

From the Natura wetlands and coastal pine forests to the marine life of the Aegean and the protection of bee populations, the Group’s conservation efforts are rooted in protecting local ecosystems and engaging guests in nature. Support for Mediterranean biodiversity is flourishing through collaborative programmes with scientific institutions and NGOs including iSea, Bee Camp, Action for Wildlife, and the Forest Research Institute of ELGO DIMITRA.

Over the last two years, the Sani Environmental Observatory and the Sani Wetlands Project have been strengthened with monitoring systems, wildfire-prevention infrastructure, and reforestation initiatives. While the creation of a hatchery for threatened ray species at Sani Resort in partnership with the Thermaikos Biodiversity Project has resulted in the first successful release of a Kalkanovatos skate in Greece. And the three-year SAVE THE BEE research programme released 1.5 million bees in fire-affected areas of Mount Parnitha boosting the recovery of insects and vegetation.

Guests at Sani/Ikos Group understand the importance of protecting the natural environments they return to year after year. Which is why more than 26,000 have joined in ecological and educational activities since 2013, with 3,700 in 2024 alone.

Activities such as the Sani Wetlands and Forest ecotrips, children’s educational programmes, and biodiversity protection schemes, are designed to engage guests in nature while preserving the natural world. While the “Hippocrates Garden of Life” at Ikos Aria in Kos is an enchanting educational initiative that introduces guests to the Mediterranean herbs and plants used in Hippocratic medicine.

For Sani/Ikos sustainability extends beyond the environment to connect to the wellbeing and development of its local communities. Through a range of social responsibility initiatives, the Group collaborates with more than 60 nonprofit organisations in Greece and Spain, to benefit thousands of children, families, and vulnerable groups.

In 2025, the partnership with The Smile of the Child, a leading Greek non-profit organization supporting children at risk, ensured carefree summer holidays for all children residing in the organization’s homes, while the long-standing collaboration with Doctors of the World expanded through the creation of the Open Children’s Centre and the Social Dental Clinic for children and young people in Thessaloniki, following the inauguration of the Social Polyclinic in 2024.

In Spain, the Group supported local communities through its collaboration with Aportem-Valencia, providing relief to those affected by devastating floods. In Greece, through the Library4All programme and the Mobile Library of the Network for Children’s Rights, hundreds of students gained access to books and learning — a simple yet vital step toward educational equality. Collaborations with organisations such as Diotima Centre and WHEN further promote physical and mental health, prevention, and women’s empowerment.

At every Sani and Ikos resort, hospitality begins with its people. The Group’s 7,000+ employees—projected to increase to more than 11,000 in the next five years—are the heart and driving force behind every guest experience. It’s a workplace culture where care, training, and personal growth go hand-in-hand with operational excellence.

More than 60% of employees come from surrounding communities, strengthening local economies and providing stable employment. Competitive salaries and benefits such as accommodation, meals, transportation offer a strong foundation, but it’s the overriding sense of care and purpose that makes the real difference. Equal opportunities remain a consistent priority for Sani/Ikos Group, with women representing 44% of the workforce and 21% of leadership roles, and a continued focus on strengthening female representation at senior levels.

Employee development is supported through ongoing e-learning programmes, masterclasses, and workshops that enhance skills and empathy. A partnership with Cornell University provides access to international professional development, while the pioneering Hospitality Forward programme is attracting and preparing Greece’s next generation of hospitality talent through a programme of education and immersive, hands-on training.

For the Sani/Ikos Group, sustainability is not simply an objective, it’s a way of life. From the daily operations at each of its resorts to ongoing collaborations, sustainability starts from within. With consistency, vision, and cooperation, the Group is shaping the future of sustainable hospitality in the Mediterranean, proving that the very highest levels of luxury can go hand-in-hand with respect for the environment, people, and places.

Sani Resorts | Ikos Resorts