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. The Ikos Andalusia currently is our top-rated Ikos resort, so check out the review. Just a 20-minute drive from Kos International airport you wont have to travel too far once you arrive on your vacay. Sadly the area around the Ikos Aria there is none. Honestly, I can't answer that for you and your family. Location: Corfu, Greece From these room types, there is the option to add the deluxe offering to most of them. You will need to wait for your room, but most times you will get your room early too. There are also events like white parties, kids discos to keep you entertained. Location: Costa del Sol, Spain Speaking of food, there are eight dining destinations to choose from, each providing a different culinary sensation. Included in your stay is a local drive adventure as well as green fees at Los Naranjos golf course in Nueva Andaluca for budding McIlroys. Theyre all centered around making your vacation as enjoyable as possible. The service was really prompt and we waited no longer than 30 minutes either time, which is good going. To give you an example, the bill on our last visit to Sani in October 2019 was 402. The second you walk into the resort you will notice its stunning design and decor choices. This suite caters to up to three adults and two kids. Open date: May 2020 Thank you Tracey, Hi Karen thank you for saying that. one bedroom bungalow suites at Ikos Olivia. See all the winners here. I also talk a bit about how the beach isn't anywhere near as good as Ikos Dassia's beach, so yes, all in all, it's fair to say that Ikos Dassia was in a slightly better location from this angle too. This contemporary resort provides a welcoming 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. The Ikos resort has really thought about the physical touchpoints that guests go through on a day in the resort. This was for 5 nights and we went with our 2 teenagers. but others are quite significant and may help you decide which of the two resorts you will want to stay at. All of the meals that we had here from starter to dessert were really well executed. There were very few areas where we could fault our experience. You can discover more on Sani Resorts here. Well, having stayed in both, I can tell you that they are different. The features that you get with Deluxe status are the following. Open date: May 2018 Whether youre looking for the perfect hotel to host your three-generational trip or an award-winning all-inclusive concept, were here to help plan your luxury Greece holiday today. If we know we are going to be drinking a few rounds at the bar we would try to tip 1 euro per drink. This obviously means you will get a bill at the end of your holiday, and if you havent been to Sani before, drinks and food are not cheap, as of course this is a luxury 5* resort. Serving up Mediterranean cuisine this spot is only available to Deluxe guests. They made our days so enjoyable as we spent most of our time there. And with two footpaths almost immediately at the end of the garden, it also just didn't feel as private. Dreams resorts All your questions answered! In short, we think that the premium is worth it if youre celebrating a special occasion and looking to treat yourself, but its not 100% necessary as the standard rooms have a great level of luxury to them. The food also arrived hot, which is another bug bearer when we order room service. So book your accommodation, get some great flights, and then all you have to do is start thinking about what you're going to pack and get excited. The land was owned by monks and two men - a public contractor and a civil engineer - bought the land from the monastery in the 1960s after seeing the bay from a boat on the water. The outdoor terrace at Ouzo was our favorite place to eat as the view of the ocean, mountain range, and the island in the backdrop. Ikos has the huge advantage of you holidaying there, and knowing that your food and drink has all been paid for. The only thing we had to add up during our stay at Ikos Dassia was the kids club fees for our under-4-year-old and the babysitting fees, which we paid in cash anyway. 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. We are going as a couple (leaving the kids with family) so would like to make the most of relaxing, beach, great food and some sightseeing/walking etc too. There was no hanging about for a check-in desk. ), Dummy text Join our email network to receive exclusive offers and notifications of airline sales direct to your inbox. This is actually one of the strongest benefits. There are 9 bars throughout the resort. Open date: May 2018 WebIkos Aria, Greece, named Best All-Inclusive Resort in the World at the 2022 TripAdvisor Travellers Choice Awards. Infinite Lifestyle is the name given to Ikos Resorts revolutionary all-inclusive concept. PCR tests can also be organized if you need one before returning to your home country, but this does come at an additional cost. As we're talking about getting a good deal, it's worth knowing each resort offers you a 10% returning discount BUT this is not interchangeable between the two resorts, sadly. Although there are ways to put your best foot forward in securing the tables you want. It was nice to be able to plan out the day ahead and to know when to be out of the room for the cleaning. Ikos Resorts: sit back and enjoy waiter service by the pool Ikos Resorts, Greece. 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. 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! One of the really interesting things about where this resort is located is that there are a number of historical ruins of times gone by throughout the resort. 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. 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. Sprawling across 47 green acres, Ikos Aria promises a laidback, beach chic ambience on the Greek island of Kos. 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. Plans to develop and launch Ikos as the brand we now know it to be were announced in the early 2010s and in 2015 the first Ikos all-inclusive resort, Ikos Olivia, also located in Halkidiki near Sani, was opened. In 2018 and 2019 at both Ikos and Sani, we paid 30 for a session (which were 3 hours in the morning or afternoon and shorter for lunch), or 45 for two sessions a day. And if you'd like to save this post, here are some images you can pin: Londoner turned wanderer, Frankie is an author, freelance writer and blogger. As Sani is made up of five hotels and a large marina, this has the best choice of restaurants to dine at (currently 22 at the Sani resort). At InspoVacay we believe that Tipping should be considered mandatory. 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. Honestly, there is not much need for the bigger rooms if youre a couple or two friends vacationing together. Firstly, Sani resort is a one-off resort, albeit with five different hotels included in the resort. The facilities were slightly bigger at Ikos Dassia (and quite a bit newer because they were only in their second season) but we actually preferred the proximity of the Sani resort as it was close to the beach and very central to the whole resort, while the Ikos Dassia kids club location was on the other side of the resort to our accommodation. Plus, theres a splash pad for little ones. It may boast more than 400 rooms and suites, however it doesnt have a large resort feel. 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. It is one of the main selling points of the Ikos resorts. Ikos Oceania 1. The same goes for the day you are leaving. There is also a massive patio and private garden area here that is perfect for the kids to play in for the day. Youre greeted with a glass of bubbly and your bags are taken to meet you in your room on the other side. 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. If youre in need of a coastal escape with an exceptional difference, Ikos Andalusia is a great choice. One of the negatives about the Ikos Aria is that the restaurants can be quite difficult to get bookings in when the resort is at full capacity. Corfu and Crete. Experiences are also included at no extra cost throughout your stay under the Infinite Lifestyle concept including borrowing a MINI cooper to explore archaeological sites, hidden caves and more. 5 nights for 3 adults and 1 child (our eldest was classed as an adult). Both have a large presence in Greece and are fantastic for families. The best hotels for couples looking for a romantic getaway. 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. There are no all-inclusive options at Sani. There is a very nice spa at the Ikos Aria. The second difference is the board basis you stay on at each resort. Ikos too is also an award-winning brand. 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. My eldest also enjoyed going off exploring Sani by himself. Their Covid policy is called the Infinite Care policy and has a host of features. While Ikos Dassia's facilities and decor was a bit fresher because it was newer, you really couldn't for a second say that Sani is a tired resort. Asserting the brands new roots in Spain, just like its dominance in the family hotel world of Greece, Ikos Porto Petro is the second Spanish resort for Ikos which is set to open in June 2023. 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 beach at the Ikos Aria was really long and spacious. Best All-Inclusive Resort In St. Lucia: Coconut Bay Beach Resort. This was the one restaurant that we didnt get to visit during our stay so we have excluded this from the rankings, but this Greek restaurant serves up authentic local food with a focus on fresh seafood. The reason this has the edge is because, to be very frank, the food at both Sani and Ikos is very similar. Best Overall All-Inclusive Resort In Tulum: Barcel Maya Riviera. Nope, not really. Just like its six sister resorts, Ikos Porto Petro allows guests to discover the local area, at no additional charge, from the comfort of the resorts fleet of Teslas. If you are staying in a deluxe room you will have access to more premium top-shelf options like Taittinger champagne on tap. 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. We found the quality of care, professionalism of staff, and range of activities and facilities to be excellent at both Sani and Ikos. Once we arrive at the resort, the feeling of luxury and relaxation hits you on the way in. The activities are very much centered around fitness at the Aria and all of the Ikos resorts. You definitely wont get bored throughout your stay. Location: Mallorca, Balearics So since writing this comparison of the two brands, I've found out that most of the Ikos resorts (if not all) have been launched in buildings that already existed. Opening 19 May 2023. Although some extra activities may incur an additional charge, such as for water sports or ice cream trips. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. Best Luxury All-Inclusive Resort In Tulum: Unico 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 Our Best All-Inclusive Resorts In Puerto Vallarta for Food, Our Best All-Inclusive Resorts in Los Cabos for Food. Double Bungalow with Garden View at Ikos Olivia. Ikos Oceania, Halkidiki Best for redefining resorts The small Ikos groups aim is to reimagine the all-inclusive experience, and it certainly achieves that We didnt really see any rubbish or empty glasses left lying around. One of the great features of Ikos resorts is local discovery. The staff were really good and collected empties once you were finished. You can also order these golf carts wherever you are in the resort. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Forest Holidays Delamere Our Anniversary Break, Accommodation in a one bedroom suite 1700, Accommodation at Sani Asterias in a one bedroom suite 1280, Extras which included our drinks, lunches, pedalo hire, room service 402. They both felt very authentic. Alcoholic drinks at Sani were expensive (10 - 20 for cocktails, for example), and weren't any better or any worse than those poured at Ikos Dassia, And furthermore, Ikos had a much more extensive wine list, including a wine bar that you could go spend an evening in and do some tasting, featuring a menu of up to 300 different wines. all inclusive! 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. The resort was really clean throughout. Room rates are already available for both resorts, and you can book your 2023 or 2024 holiday now. There are currently five different Ikos hotels, four in Greece (with two in Halkidiki where Sani resort is and one each on the Greek islands of Kos and Corfu) and one near Marbella in Andalusia, Spain. Like an omelet station for breakfast. Ikos are a fully all-inclusive brand, nothing is extra, all premium drink is included, and you can literally go to Ikos and not spend anything. Oh, and five la carte restaurants and one buffet will give you all the energy you need to enjoy this brand-new resort to the fullest. 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. But to date, there are no plans to launch any other Sani-branded resorts outside of what is already there. The wine menu was really very good, with tastefully chosen bottles from all over the world, as well as some excellent local wines and other Greek offerings. Sani also has a huge outdoor theatre, and the show we watched back in 2019 was excellent. Because they offer such a similar product, I know that many people may like to know which of these luxury family resorts are going to be better for their family; Ikos or Sani? To discover more on how Ikos Resorts has reimagined traditional all-inclusive beach holidays, read our dedicated article. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); I am Tracey and together with my husband and two teenagers we are The Williams World. 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. Although we were staying in a deluxe room and had a secluded area. One of the first things you will see from reception is the stunning view of the ocean with Kastri Island in your sights. Getting there: 20-minutes by car from Corfu Airport Located on Kos southwest coast, it spans 47-acres and offers access to the islands silk-soft sand beach. Like with all other Ikos Resorts, Michelin-starred menus are on offer at the five onsite restaurants, and you can also enjoy cherished family recipes at selected local eateries, all included within the cost of your stay. Its definitely worth a visit as this is a quant island. Man, it's hard to say that one resort is better than the other with swimming pools because honestly, both resorts have multiple excellent swimming pools. The second Ikos resort is also in Halkidiki, Ikos Oceania, opened in 2017, but it wasn't a new property or asset, it was just revamped to be aligned with the style and offerings of Ikos Olivia. The water was very clear and the Ikos provided the equipment needed for it. It was our anniversary one of the nights we stayed and we had organized a private dinner by the beach. View Foreign Travel Advice for Greece I would avoid It can be a little intimidating to decide the right room for you. It may sound difficult to decide what youre eating in two weeks time, but if you want to guarantee a table its a necessity. Currently, for stays in 2021, there are free cancellations up to 2 weeks prior to arrival as well as the full deposit refund too. The food here was also really good, it was very traditional and the Michelin starred menu was executed to a very impressive level. Before we go any further, SPOILER ALERT! The resort has 20 or so minis that guests can use, but as with everything in this resort. As we tend to travel in April and October, it means we can still jump in the pool, even when the temperature is a little cooler. There is a fleet of golf carts that have routes that cover the whole resort. The 136 guest rooms and suites are ideal for couples and families sleeping up to four, while the 155 bungalow suites sleep between five and six located either on the beachfront or further in the resort but with private pools. The Ikos does incentivize you to get out of the resort and explore the local area. Both resorts have pools in their spas too. This hotel is elegant, charming, and despite being newly built has tonnes of character. 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. Q. So, yet again the Ikos Aria impressed. If the concepts are so similar and they are actually the same company, then it's a good question to ask how Sani and Ikos resorts are different. It was definitely our favorite restaurant at the resort. Spas promote soothing treatments with products by Anne Semonin, and activities range from yoga to water sports. Its a serious add-on. Surrounded by the beaches of Aghios Fokas, the five-star Dimitra Beach Hotel & Suites sets the scene for romantic escapes. But be aware I am most often comparing only Ikos Dassia in Corfu to Sani rather than all of the Ikos resorts. 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 adult-only hotel is located directly on a private sandy beach, 2.5 miles away from Marmari Village in Kos. Our favorite thing to do and we were not sure if you can categorize this as an amenity, but we really enjoyed the snorkeling that you could do just off the beach. Just to add in another variable to think through. Kos is one of the best places in Greece for couples to visit as it combines incredible beaches with picturesque towns and unique architecture. Best Overall All-Inclusive Resort In Tulum: Barcel Maya Riviera. We ate at Mylotopi restaurant and the views from the outdoor terrace were unbelievable. The rooms are broken down into four main categories. If you have visited an Ikos resort before you will be familiar with the offering as all of the restaurants are the same throughout. Location: Halkidiki, Greece At Ikos Dassia, our room was also a two-bedroom private pool villa and it had an almost identical layout, and plenty of space, but it wasn't independent from the main hotel building. The seabass was a light and refreshing dish and coupled with a glass of Taittinger you really feel like you are in the lap of luxury. These posts may be worth checking out: The Best Resorts for Families in the Maldives // World's Best Resorts for Luxury Family Travel // The Best Airlines for Flying with Kids // Best Toddler Travel Essentials // Tips for Flying with an 18-Month-Old // Tips for Helping a Baby or Toddler with Jet-Lag// The Best Pushchair/Stroller for Travel // Packing List for Travel with a Baby // Tips for Flying with a Baby // Packing List for a Ski or Snowboard Holiday with a Toddler // Tips for Visiting Singapore with a Toddler // Travel Activities for Kids (to Do at Home!) WebFamily fun. Pretty much everything you see is included. This is further complemented by the hotels Local Discovery programme where you can explore the areas heritage on a range of experiences all included within your stay. Though if you prefer to know that everything is paid for beforehand, Ikos would be the best holiday. It is a 5-star resort, so its not really a surprise that its pricey. There are adult-only areas available. He went above and beyond to make sure we had the most complete dining experience. 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 The Ikos Aria on Kos is the latest addition to the portfolio, created following the wholesale reconstruction of the facilities of the islands Club Med, which had been closed for years. What I do hope this comparison of Sani and Ikos has done is help you decide which one is going to be the best fit. The food here was a little disappointing. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. // How to "Teach" Travel to Kids // Best Books About Travel for Babies // Best Books About Travel for 2 - 6 Year Olds. Ikos Dassia (pictured above) also has two large swimming pools (both bigger in size than those at Sani if you want to be detail-specific) for all, two adults-only swimming pools, one Deluxe Collection and a kiddy's splash area too. Hotel child prices apply to children aged between 211 years. Although the resort has a load of features and things to do in the complex. 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. They came at the same time each day and did a really thorough clean. If you only have five minutes to make a decision on whether you should go to Sani Resort or an Ikos Resort, then let me say this; go to any of them and you will have a fantastic holiday! 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. 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. All-Inclusive Resorts: Resorts that have thought of everything so you don't have to. If you've got this far, you'll know that comparing the two resorts is a bit like comparing two of your favourite films; it doesn't really matter which ones is best overall - they're both good! Yes, the Ikos Oceania is a great spot for families to vacation with a host of features that are aimed at making your familys vacation run as smoothly as possible. So if you know you want all-inclusive then I suspect Ikos is going to be a better option for you.