Ikos Oceania, Halkidiki Best for redefining resorts The small Ikos groups aim is to reimagine the all-inclusive experience, and it certainly achieves that This suite caters to up to three adults and two kids. This room comes with two separate bedrooms, a large separate living area, and two bathrooms. View Foreign Travel Advice for Spain, To discover more on Ikos six resorts or to book your 2023 or 2024Ikos holiday, contact our team of personal travel managers today on 0203 816 0985 or click here to submit an online enquiry. After all, Ikos was acknowledged in TripAdvisor s 2020 awards as the best all-inclusive resort in the world. I also run the Ikos Olivia group on Facebook which you are more than welcome to join. It can be a little intimidating to decide the right room for you. Dreams resorts All your questions answered! If flights permit, try to leave in the afternoon/evening as you can still use the facilities and eat and drink at the resort on the day of your departure. If youre in need of a coastal escape with an exceptional difference, Ikos Andalusia is a great choice. When booking you have the option to choose bed and breakfast, half board and full board. The perfect place for teenagers to chill out for the day with an arcade and a host of things for them to do. Although you do pay a premium for the treatments. You can go there and not worry that youll be charged over 9 euros for a bottle of water, yes that did happen to me in one of the restaurants at Sani. The food also arrived hot, which is another bug bearer when we order room service. Deluxe three-bedroom bungalow suite with private pool at Ikos Porto Petro, Ikos Odisia is the latest addition to the Greek Ikos family and is set to open in May 2023. It may sound difficult to decide what youre eating in two weeks time, but if you want to guarantee a table its a necessity. WebI am looking at booking either of the following IKOS hotels - Olivia, Dassia or Oceania for the beginning of Oct and just wondered which was the best or all very similar. There are a few caveats to that. Here are our picks for where to check in in 2023. Shock horror! Voted number one all-inclusive in the world and in Europe at the 2020 Tripadvisor Travellers Choice awards, Ikos Dassia has a fantastic position on Corfus coast. The service was really prompt and we waited no longer than 30 minutes either time, which is good going. We ran into no issues with the Wi-Fi. For the active visitor, youll be thrilled to hear you have access to four tennis courts, a five-a-side football pitch, yoga lessons, Pilates and a range of fitness classes and games available and included with your stay. You can discover more on Sani Resorts here. FURTHER READING: Want more luxury family travel content? The same goes for the day you are leaving. Although guests arent required to perform an antigen test, its highly recommended from the Ikos that guests do use them. We had our own private entrance and exit to the outside. The beach at the Ikos Aria was really long and spacious. It may boast more than 400 rooms and suites, however it doesnt have a large resort feel. The water was very clear and the Ikos provided the equipment needed for it. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. The menus at the restaurants were devised by Michelin-starred chefs and although they dont work in the restaurants. Everything about it was top class and the staff were great at keeping our glasses full. Is good to know the dishes have been put together by top chefs. WebIkos Aria, Greece, named Best All-Inclusive Resort in the World at the 2022 TripAdvisor Travellers Choice Awards. Our favorite dishes were definitely the Duck and the Pad Thai. The buffet has similar offerings and variety, and while Sani has more options included in the Dine Out menu (read more about that in my Sani review), it's also true that we didn't really maximise this because we didn't want to venture too far away either with the kids or without them leaving them with a babysitter. Ikos hotels are outstanding for couples as well as families with children of all ages. Theyre multi award-winning and together the brand has held the number one spot for all-inclusive holidays in the world for the past four consecutive years. Which Ikos resort is best for adults? one bedroom bungalow suites at Ikos Olivia. The Ikos chain of resorts has become the standout chain Ikos Porto Petro is the second Spanish resort for the hotel group and will open in June 2023. This resort is very spacious and there is more than enough room for all of the guests at the pools and beach. So looking at all the above, you would think that Ikos "wins" for us in any Ikos vs Sani comparison, however, this is not the case! They cater very well for all ages, and part of me wishes that we had discovered Sani and Ikos when our children were little. to do, lots of different dining options, and really exceptional facilities and service. This bungalow can cater to up to 4 adults and 2 kids. The main difference with Ikos and Sani is the board options available. We will still need to pay extra for drinks, but I think we'll survive! In fact, most days we didn't venture further than the kids club or a restaurant in both Sani and Ikos resorts, but if location is important to you in terms of getting there, getting out and about, and having easy ways to explore, then yes, Ikos has the edge. For us Ikos is a more chilled holiday. Join the WB club to receive our latest news and luxury holiday offers direct to your inbox, Beachside all-inclusive resort located in sunny Spains Costa del Sol, Seven restaurants with Michelin-starred menus provide a feast for the senses, A kids club and entertainment programme will entertain all ages, Brilliant leisure facilities including a theatre, spa and various watersports to indulge in, Award-winning cuisine found at all five restaurants, catering for even the youngest guest, Wonderful bars to relax in, offering signature cocktails overlooking the Aegean Sea, Relax on the 420m stretch of beach just footsteps from the resort on the coast of Corfu, Enjoy all inclusive luxury dining at five la carte restaurants and a buffet, Enjoy impressive on-site facilities and included activities plus 10 pools, Discover Europe with Scenic Eclipse II this summer, Six alternative destinations to visit on your next European break. Walking the sleepy streets of Kos Town will introduce you to Venetian and Ottoman architecture, traditional tavernas and bustling bars. As always make sure you shop around and think about the time of year that you are traveling if you want to bag yourself a bargain. As we are a family with two teenagers, I do think that Sani has the slight edge over Ikos. A contemporary Greek offering with a menu that was crafted by Michelin starred chef Lefteris Lazarou. We also got to have a little drive around Corfu Town which has lots of historic monuments and a pretty old town. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Thank you Stephen for saying that and I am glad you found the post helpful, Really balanced and helpful . Ikos has five hotels, four of which are in Greece, and the fifth hotel opened in Spain in May 2021. Ikos or Sani - Which luxury resort is better - The Williams Best Overall All-Inclusive Resort In Tulum: Barcel Maya Riviera. The second you walk into the resort you will notice its stunning design and decor choices. In fact, I wrote in my review of Ikos Dassia that the similarity was a bit disconcerting for me. They are 100% confidently 5-star resorts, and to achieve this when you have several if not hundreds of kids, running around all the time, is definitely something to shout about for them and for parents to fall in love with when they travel to Sani or Ikos. There was so much room for the size of the resort. Within a few minutes, we had gone through the check-in experience and were on our way to our room. Although some extra activities may incur an additional charge, such as for water sports or ice cream trips. Both times we have visited Sani we have booked the half board option. It was much more relaxing than I actually expected, and to be honest when we go back to Sani next, we have decided to go full-board during our stay. In 2018, two more Ikos resorts opened, Ikos Aria on the Greek island of Kos, and Ikos Dassia on the island of Corfu (where we stayed last September). This is the perfect option if you want to drop off the kids and have a few hours by the adults pool or to go for a nice meal in the evening. The sand is softer and whiter at Ikos Dassia and during our first stay at Sani Club, there was a storm and we saw actually just how much of an operation it is creating the beach at Sani Club with trucks and tractors moving and spreading sand that had been displaced in the storm. The Ikos chain of resorts has become the standout chain of resorts over the last number of years in the luxury all-inclusive market and the Ikos Aria lives up to the hype. The second you walk into the resort you will notice its stunning design and decor choices. Unlike All-inclusive resorts in South America where you tip for every drink, we normally tip after the first round. Best Overall All-Inclusive Resort In Tulum: Barcel Maya Riviera. We did manage to get a massage booking for our second last day, but it was difficult. Were here to arm you with the knowledge to make the right choice for your next vacation. Whichever room or suite you choose, the furnishings are very similar across both brands. Just for teens is suitable for teens aged 12+, (Ratio: Ages 423 months: 1 adult: 3 children / Ages 23 years: 1 adult: 4 children). 1 in the world ranking for 2022 as the best All-Inclusive Resort (along with Hotels on the Water, Luxury Hotels). The food, service, and overall experience were luxurious. As you can see they are roughly the same cost. There is no doubt that all the family will feel relaxed. Typically premium room guests will just get access to the hydrotherapy run at the spa, but actually getting massages included in your package is kind of unheard of in all-inclusive. The standard at this resort is top quality and the staff work incredibly hard to earn their tips. Yes, parking is available for guests and it is complimentary. Coming in at 40sq.m you get that extra little bit of space compared to the double room. If you book directly through their website and youre staying for 5 or more days, then transfers are usually included. The island of Kastri is a short distance away from the beach and can be reached by swimming or using a canoe/pedalo that the resort provides. WebThe OKU Kos is one of the best hotels in Kos for couples to stay. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Having teenagers we do find that Sani offers more for older children. Its also worth mentioning that three of these pools are infinity edged, the ideal spot to take a new pic for the gram. This Asian fusion restaurant had dishes from throughout Asia, with Japanese, Indian, Chinese, and Thai dishes on offer. WebIkos Dassia, Corfu Perfect for couples and families, with parts of its secluded sandy beach and two of the five swimming pools reserved for adults, the resort is also They are owned by the Greek registered company Sani / Ikos Group which is ultimately owned by the family company that began the Sani resort back in the 1970s. If you can decide on where you want to eat before your holiday its best to book them as early as possible. Opening 19 May 2023. This mountainside village has some stunning views and has a wealth of local tavernas and some nice local shops. And it goes without saying that there are bountiful options to keep children of all ages entertained. The majority of activities are included in the cost of the all-inclusive. Both Ikos and Sani are owned by the same company however the hotels do differ. And yep, it was even better ordering wine, beer, cocktails, and even Champagne and not worrying about having to pay that too! There was more than enough room throughout the beach. At The Point, you can spend the day together as a couple boating on Upper Saranac Lake, playing croquet on the lawn, or (in the winter months) cross-country skiing. So, no matter where you need to be you can always hitch a lift. If you are staying in a deluxe room you will have access to more premium top-shelf options like Taittinger champagne on tap. But it was also nice and familiar and those blue and neutral tones are so calming, and so Greek, and now so iconic for the two Sani brands. In other words, they are in hotels that were already built and the company bought them and then refurbished. Voted the number one all-inclusive hotel in the world in the 2021 Travellers Choice Awards by Tripadvisor, a stay here is certainly going to be one for the holiday hall of fame. These cookies do not store any personal information. The second resort for the Ikos family, Ikos Oceania is also in Halkidiki on another glorious stretch of Mediterranean coastline. On our last visit in 2019, we spent an extra 52 euros over the 7 days we were there. Pretty much everything you see is included. Does the Ikos Aria offer a shuttle service from the Airport. The rooms are broken down into four main categories. The personal concierge at Sani was more experienced and in general, Sani's reception and customer service staff were quicker to respond to our requests and seemed more knowledgeable. They have the high rope course which is complimentary, the teen zone which is open all season, and they also offer the football and tennis academy. The resort itself has a really large footprint, so in some cases walking to specific areas can take quite long, but the Ikos has you covered for this as well. Ikos Resorts were named the best all-inclusive resorts in the world in the 2019 TripAdvisor Annual Travelers Choice Awards. How they do this is with the complimentary Mini one rental and the three local restaurants that are included in your all-inclusive package. This wasn't a big deal, of course, but it was a little odd to have such a huge (and gorgeous!) ALL this being said, Sani Club (and other Sani hotels in the resort) had a large indoor swimming pool just in case the weather turned nasty, while Ikos didn't aside from the small half-in and half-out swimming pool in the spa. The staff does really go above and beyond to make it an enjoyable Vacay. But to date, there are no plans to launch any other Sani-branded resorts outside of what is already there. WebFamily fun. In fact, my one big bug bear with Sani was that I really begrudged paying for water because it's actually essential to drink only bottled water in Greece and yet they charged us for any bottled water we drank in the restaurants, but they did thankfully give us plenty for our room. This contemporary resort provides a welcoming Best Luxury All-Inclusive Resort In Tulum: Unico At Sani the hotels all have their own pools, and Dunes had the biggest outdoor pool in Greece when it opened in 2017. Its a must-see. Ikos Arias on-trend Boho beach vibes are apparent through its facilities, namely the rattan egg chairs that are peppered throughout the resort as well as Provence restaurant thats helmed by Michelin-starred chef, Anthony Jehanno. Unsubscribe anytime (but why would you want to? Supervised age-appropriate kids clubs provide a schedule of daily activities, theres evening entertainment thats aimed towards all ages from tots to granny, as well as a wealth of local experiences you can discover under the brands Local Discover offering. Here are our picks for where to check in in 2023. We have recently returned from our 4th visit to Sani (October 2022) and I have written a seperate post about the best restaurants at Sani. Ikos usual all-inclusive offerings are also included at this resort so you can explore the locale at leisure without spending a penny. We did a bit of research and found that the Ikos resorts in Kos and Halkidiki also would have been possible with direct flights (indeed Halkidiki is the same as Sani!) Best Spa & Wellness Resort In St. Lucia: BodyHoliday. This Italian restaurants menu is inspired by Michelin-starred chef Ettore Botrini. Add to this a 24 hour room service and a fully stocked mini bar, all-inclusive really does mean all-inclusive at Ikos. There were very few areas where we could fault our experience. The locations are two in Halkidiki (Oceania and Olivia) on mainland Greece, a resort each on the Greek islands of Kos and Corfu, and the fifth resort which opens this year, is the first outside of Greece, in Andalusia in Spain. So let's dig a bit deeper in our comparison of Ikos and Sani resorts and actually compare what they offer, like for like, so you can make your own decision which would be better for you. We always budget a certain amount of money towards tipping. Typically rooms cost on average 30% more than the standard rooms, but for that premium, there are a host of benefits that come with it. We also can't compare the spa as for some reason we have never used the spa Sani, but we hope to change that when we return! There are also events like white parties, kids discos to keep you entertained. You can book into restaurants on their app or by calling the reception. Before we go any further, SPOILER ALERT! Located on Kos southwest coast, it spans 47-acres and offers access to the islands silk-soft sand beach. apartment but to then exit and enter the property down a hotel corridor. They are all about taking care of the children so the adults can relax too. Living in Amsterdam we were able to easily get direct flights to Thessaloniki airport for Sani and to Corfu airport for Ikos Dassia with one of our favourite airlines for kids, Transavia. Close-up details of the room at the Ikos Andalusia The They look VERY similar from the resort layout and accommodation decor through to the packages and products they offer. Location: Halkidiki, Greece The water is beautiful and warm in both resorts, but at Sani Club it's not possible to swim at all points on the beach, and in fact one of the "beach" sections with loungers is actually a raised up area. The best thing about the pools at Ikos and Sani, are that they are heated. Our favorite dishes were definitely the courgette risotto and the slow-cooked beef. If you are going half or full board, you will be using their dine around option, which gives you the flexibility of either dining from a set menu at certain restaurants, or using your half/full board allowance which is currently set at 20 euros per adult (Beach) 25 euros (Porto, Club, Dunes) and 40 euros for Asterias. From these room types, there is the option to add the deluxe offering to most of them. Then they began to build the luxury resort they had envisioned when they sailed past, and the Sani Beach Club - which is now incorporated into Sani Club where we stayed - their first hotel was opened in 1971. In Europe this is fairly unique, so you need to make sure you make the most of it. And if you love the idea of staying in one of the Ikos resorts, you need to discover more about its sister hotel Sani Resort. A Spanish restaurant whose menu is designed by acclaimed Chef David Ibarboure. The locations are two in Halkidiki ( Oceania and Olivia) on mainland Greece, a resort each on the Greek islands of Kos and Corfu, and the fifth resort which opens this I also hope, perhaps most importantly of all, that regardless of which resort you choose - Sani or Ikos - you now feel reassured you are investing in a wonderful luxury family holiday for you and your family! Ikos Aria in Greece takes its third No. Join our email to receive exclusive offers and airline sales direct to your inbox. The only main callout we had about the spa was that it was a little difficult getting a reservation. If you don't like filling in forms simply give us a call on 0203 816 0985 and we'll be happy to help you. So if you want more choice of locations - or flying to Thessaloniki (the nearest airport to Halkidiki) is not possible this may mean that an Ikos resort is the best option for you. Open date: May 2018 Oh, and while I have your attention, from now on all the photos will alternate from Sani to Ikos, Sani then Ikos and so on, starting with Sani resort. Serving up Mediterranean cuisine this spot is only available to Deluxe guests. You can also order these golf carts wherever you are in the resort. Typically with all-inclusives resorts, there will be one or two house wine selections that will be included in the package and any other bottles of wine will come at a premium. But the service at Sani was just a bit slicker, and our personal concierge was much more professional than the one we had at Ikos Dassia, although he was very friendly and helpful. However you might prefer to soak up the sunset on your balcony, and both Ikos and Sani have the more traditional style of hotel accommodation. The experience we had was very personal and had that luxury touch. The question is do the benefits outweigh the premium cost you need to be. I know for some people this will feel a bit impersonal and I'm also confident that for other people when they return to either resort again and again then yes, firmer bonds may be formed. We really did feel very self-contained and like we had plenty of privacy. He went above and beyond to make sure we had the most complete dining experience. The entertainment at the Ikos Aria is a little limited. At InspoVacay we believe that Tipping should be considered mandatory. Ikos Oceania 1. Plus, theres a splash pad for little ones. Yes, the Ikos is a family-friendly resort and there are a host of features that are specifically for families. This is the exact same room and set-up as the double room the only difference is the occupancy. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. However, if youd rather relax poolside youre spoilt for choice. Every member of staff that we had interactions with was keen to help us make our stay run as smoothly as possible. We prefer low rise accommodation, and our stays at Sani have been at Asterias and Dunes which offer this type of accommodation. Before the Sani resort existed, it was a marshland and uninhabited. Best resort for beaches: Ikos (although can only comment on Ikos Dassia!). The standout element of the Ikos Aria compared to the other Ikos resorts is definitely the beach. The best thing about swimming pools at all Ikos and Sani resorts is that they are heated, all year long - another good reason to go to an Ikos resort or to Sani in low season like we did (May and September). There are no all-inclusive options at Sani. After staying at Ikos Dassia in Corfu, Greeceonce and at Sani (in Halkidiki on mainland Greece) twice (and our third visit booked for later this year) I thought it would be useful to do a comparison of Ikos vs Sani Resorts. At The Point, you can spend the day together as a couple boating on Upper Saranac Lake, playing croquet on the lawn, or (in the winter months) cross-country skiing. Very luxurious, very calming colours, and both Ikos and Sani offer Anne Semonin toiletries in your bathroom. Older teens can also use the gym in the hotels at Sani, and our eldest really enjoyed doing this last time we went. We didnt really see any rubbish or empty glasses left lying around. As this is one of Ikoss more popular resorts the prices are usually a good bit more expensive than some of the Ikoss newer offerings like Oceania. In other words, none of the Ikos resorts were purpose-built, albeit lots of intentional re-development and construction has occurred with some new buildings added on. Drive one of Ikos Oceanias fleet of MINI Coopers to investigate endless coves and unique architectural sites. All of the restaurants also do a great job at catering for different dietary requirements as well as having separate menus for kids and toddlers. We really enjoyed our meal here and the surf and turf paella was top quality. WebIkos Aria All of our holidays are tailor-made to your requirements by an expert Travel Specialist 01244 435 177 Enquire Now The Inspiring Difference Personal to you We get to know you personally Tailor-made holidays that are unique to you Enhancing your escape with personal touches Experts in luxury However, we did prefer the beach at Ikos, and most likely this is because it's a natural beach with lots of space, while Sani is man-made and much smaller. Its interesting how other cultures perceive how you should be if you are an American. The Ikos is the perfect spot for families. Sani Club has two large swimming pools and a kiddy pool, and then an indoor pool too. Our Best All-Inclusive Resorts In Puerto Vallarta for Food, Our Best All-Inclusive Resorts in Los Cabos for Food. The award-winning hotel group has redefined all-inclusive family holidays by extending complimentary food and beverages within the resort to local eateries too, helping to boost the areas economy and support small businesses and the local community. There are five restaurants, one buffet and four la carte, each with childrens menus as well as Ikos famous dine out programme at selected local dining destinations. Although there are some pockets of Greece that have decent Golf courses. You'll note from the introduction that we're planning our third visit to Sani, although I have to say that this is partly because the accommodation we wanted for the dates we need wasn't available at any of the Ikos resorts. TOGETHER TIME: 12 Best Vacation Spots for Couples in North America 1. Each of the restaurants has a set menu for guests from the Ikos resort. Location: Corfu, Greece Ikos has the huge advantage of you holidaying there, and knowing that your food and drink has all been paid for. Youre greeted with a glass of bubbly and your bags are taken to meet you in your room on the other side. There was no hanging about for a check-in desk. At the time of writing in January 2020 there are currently five Ikos resorts that are open, and a sixth opening in Andalusia in Spain (near Marbella) this May. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. So, yet again the Ikos Aria impressed. Location: Halkidiki, Greece This does give it a slightly better feel in terms of how well it works practically and also how much more private and elegant some of the rooms were. Although Greece is a truly wonderful tourist destination. Babysitters were charged at 10 an hour and you had to pay this in case to the babysitter who was nearly always a member of creche staff. Alternatively, to dial up the restful levels, visit the spa where a menu of holistic treatments is available from 8am until 8pm daily. Open date: March 2015 This was a close second as our favorite place in the resort. Sani has been going a LONG time while when we were at Ikos Dassia the resort was only in its second season. Both Ikos and Sani pride themselves on being 5* luxury brands, and are very family friendly. There's just something so relaxing not worrying or even thinking about how much your hotel bill is going up with each room service order or sundowner drinks session, not to mention all the extras our kids enjoyed. This is down to the activities on offer for teens, the resort is bigger which means there is more for them to do. If you want to feel like you're getting A LOT for your money, and let's be honest, neither a holiday at an Ikos resort or at Sani is going to be cheap, then I think you'll get this feeling easier and quicker at an Ikos resort. Unsubscribe anytime (but why would you want to?). There are also seven delicious restaurants to take you on a culinary journey of Europes best cuisine including French, Italian and of course Greek as well as Anaya that offers top tier Asian flavours influenced by traditional dishes from Thailand, China and India. Castle Hot Springs Morristown, Arizona This boutique all-inclusive U.S. resort for couples is a true desert oasis in Arizona (Photo: Castle Hot Springs) Ikos Resorts: sit back and enjoy waiter service by the pool Ikos Resorts, Greece. The reason this has the edge is because, to be very frank, the food at both Sani and Ikos is very similar. Expect a choice of rooms and suites - some with individual pools - and all with contemporary dcor that provide the best of indoor and outdoor living at Ikos Aria. This button will take you to a short form where we'll ask about your destination and preferences. If we know we are going to be drinking a few rounds at the bar we would try to tip 1 euro per drink. The kids pool and play areas are also really nice. We were staying in a deluxe room, so they also went through all of the additional features that you could make use of too. Grecotel Eva Palaces Aphrodite-inspired Elixir Rooftop Love Spa is one of the finest on Corfu: geared towards couples, it offers private treatment rooms overlooking the Ionians turquoise waters, as well as a sauna, beauty salon and high-tech fitness centre. Surrounded by the beaches of Aghios Fokas, the five-star Dimitra Beach Hotel & Suites sets the scene for romantic escapes. With 375 rooms on this resort it can be considered a mid to large range offering, but dont let the size of the resort put you off. We did our typical test of streaming Netflix in various parts of the resort and there were no performance issues. The food here was also really good, it was very traditional and the Michelin starred menu was executed to a very impressive level. With 8 restaurants on the resort and the option to eat in local restaurants with the Dine out benefit there will always be a new place to try each night. Or not really if you've stayed in both and/or looked at each brand's website. Fast forward to September 2019 and we were looking for a last minute luxury family break and so we checked out the different Ikos resorts that were open.
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