Discovering Domes Noruz Kassandra

Complimentary food when you order wine is such a thing of the past now that it made the freshly baked bread, oils, olives and selection of unctious Greek dips even sweeter. Welcome to early season in Halkidiki where the restaurants are quiet and eager owners wait to lure you in with jugs of cut-price local sweet wine at a table Shirley Valentine would be thrilled with.

Our jaunt to Greece was on account of the opening of the new Domes Noruz Kassandra, an as boujee-as-they-come hideout on one of Halkidiki's trio of peninsulas. Domes is a collection of 5* hotels located across Greece, and slowly spreading to the rest of the Med with the opening of their first one on the Algarve. Ours was a Domes Noruz, shorthand for uber-trendy interiors, an adult-only guest list and a series of extra highlights (think a DJ appearing from mid-air to play ambient beats, attentive staff floating round in slouchy pyjama garms to cater to your every whim and a choice of coffee beans at breakfast allowing you to curate your very own caffeine hit) that can only feasibly be described as a vibe.

Set along the sand and shingle beachfront at Hanioti, the hotel overlooks a millpond-like sea with the neighbouring peninsula providing sheltered conditions and stunning scenery in one fell swoop. The great thing about Domes was the absolute nailed-it balance of glorious escapism in the resort (a stunning tiered rectangular pool with inset loungers, sunrise and sunset yoga, a scrumptious breakfast inspired by all the Greek eats) but the ability to easily dip into life outside the hotel too. Of course, the restaurants (and their ever-so-tempting wines...) but also the option to hire bikes and cycle along back routes alive with cicada chirping to neighbouring towns, poke around nice boutiques with treats ranging from olive oil soaps and local herbs and spices to rails of colourful silky clothes and handmade jewellery befitting of a beach club.

And, if you're feeling inclined, there's plenty of options for that too.

While our hotel undoubtedly had that 'vibe' (there, I said it), it can be hard to conjure up the party atmosphere when the hotel is at about 30% capacity with a medley of Instagrammers and travel agents in a pre-season sneak peek. But, a quick amble in to the town, or along the beach, yielded bars, clubs and sunset-perched soiree spots for when a wilder time beckoned.

For me though, by the time I'd gorged myself on breakfast, lingered over lunch and finally worked up some hunger for an evening meal, I was mercifully happy to simply roll back to my bungalow, sink in to the sumptuous bedding of my king size and drift off to sleep with a slow loop of chilled Ibiza drifting round in my head...

I was lucky enough to sneak off here for a girls' trip with my bestie. But it's equally great for luxury loving couples seeking an escape in super stylish surrounds too.