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. If you are staying in a deluxe room you will have access to more premium top-shelf options like Taittinger champagne on tap. We found that the pasta dishes were a little bland and the pizzas lacked that authentic Italian cook. Best All-Inclusive Resort In St. Lucia: Coconut Bay Beach Resort. Best Spa & Wellness Resort In St. Lucia: BodyHoliday. 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!) Some of the differences are very subtle (or non-existent!) Meanwhile, Ikos is a brand with five different locations, and I would imagine more will be added in due course. 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. I certainly did. Best Overall All-Inclusive Resort In Tulum: Barcel Maya Riviera. And now the same is happening in 2020 when the group will open its fifth Ikos resort Ikos Andalusia, in Spain, the first resort of the group to be outside of Greece. The occupancy of these rooms is also listed as three adults and one child and it offers plenty of room for families or a group of friends. Meanwhile, Ikos is a brand with five different locations, and I would imagine more will be added in due course. The staff were really good and collected empties once you were finished. There are a few caveats to that. If youre staying in a Deluxe room, transfers are included regardless of where you booked. Review of Ikos Dassia An Honest Review 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. You name it and they will have it. Getting there: 50-minutes by car from Thessaloniki Airport Just a 20-minute drive from Kos International airport you wont have to travel too far once you arrive on your vacay. There is always some sort of musical entertainment that is on in the evenings. 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. You can also discover the local area with help from Ikos Andalusia. WebAt ikos Oceania there is a totally separate adult pool which is better. The beach at the Ikos Aria was really long and spacious. 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. Its interesting how other cultures perceive how you should be if you are an American. It was truly spectacular. couples But I can also confidently say that the Anne Semonin spa at Ikos Dassia was also a 5-star experience. In short, and in my opinion, there are two key differences you should know about at the outset, and then there are other smaller differences that are more "nice to know" rather than essential to the way the resort is set up. FURTHER READING: Want more luxury family travel content? Sani Club has two large swimming pools and a kiddy pool, and then an indoor pool too. Although the resort has a load of features and things to do in the complex. The food also arrived hot, which is another bug bearer when we order room service. We prefer low rise accommodation, and our stays at Sani have been at Asterias and Dunes which offer this type of accommodation. The beach at the Ikos Aria is really stunning, so if chilling by the beach is your vibe. In a secluded bay opposite sister resort Ikos Dassia, Ikos Odisia offers a wealth of low-rise buildings that blend harmoniously within its hillside setting. Really appreciate everything you have said. So if you know you want all-inclusive then I suspect Ikos is going to be a better option for you. Does the Ikos Aria offer a shuttle service from the Airport. Whichever room or suite you choose, the furnishings are very similar across both brands. 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! 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. It would be impossible to get bored of the swimming choices at either. Enough about cushions and trimmings, let's actually talk about the type of accommodation that is available and why Sani wins. Although you do pay a premium for the treatments. Located on Kos southwest coast, it spans 47-acres and offers access to the islands silk-soft sand beach. This is the main buffet at the resort and one of the more casual places to dine. Food & Dinning: Pretty much the same in terms of quality, but Ikos is the winner for other reasons! 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. Which Ikos Resort is right for me? | Winged Boots The worlds most romantic all-inclusive resorts, right in Spas promote soothing treatments with products by Anne Semonin, and activities range from yoga to water sports. Sani and Ikos both offer a great range of accommodation to suit peoples needs, and for us personally we love staying in the one bedroom bungalow suites at Ikos Olivia. Shock horror! Join our email to receive exclusive offers and airline sales direct to your inbox. The personal concierge service has a certain amount of tables that they can access, so by booking through them you can get priority, which is a great benefit. The only main callout we had about the spa was that it was a little difficult getting a reservation. 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. Its a serious add-on. A contemporary Greek offering with a menu that was crafted by Michelin starred chef Lefteris Lazarou. We were staying in a deluxe room, so they also went through all of the additional features that you could make use of too. Open for dinner only this spot provides a contemporary twist to Spanish cuisines. 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. 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. 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. Luxury Family Travel: Ikos vs Sani - Which Resort is Better? I would describe the entertainment at Ikos and Sani as low key, and in our 5 visits Ive never had to partake in a cheesy holiday dance, thank goodness. 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. Just for teens is suitable for teens aged 12+, (Ratio: Ages 423 months: 1 adult: 3 children / Ages 23 years: 1 adult: 4 children). 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. BUT this does NOT bother us. Ikos Olivia has 3 pools plus a spa pool, and last year they introduced a childrens splash pad. This Italian restaurants menu is inspired by Michelin-starred chef Ettore Botrini. There are 9 bars throughout the resort. 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. Of course, a guide is also on hand to point you in the right direction. You really cant go wrong booking your next vacation here. And both brands deliver. The Ikos resort has really thought about the physical touchpoints that guests go through on a day in the resort. 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. Best Resort for Staff & Service: For us, Sani. 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! Oh, and a wellness spa thatll have you feeling like youre walking on clouds in no time. Q. There is also a massive patio and private garden area here that is perfect for the kids to play in for the day. These areas have stayed protected and are cornered off and its nice to be able to soak up the history of the place. The rooms are broken down into four main categories. My eldest also enjoyed going off exploring Sani by himself. 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. Getting there: 35-minutes by car from Corfu Airport The Ikos Dassia is a family-friendly resort, with a wide range of features to make your familys vacation run as smooth as possible. So yes, there's really no comparison here. Each of the restaurants has a set menu for guests from the Ikos resort. Honestly, there is not much need for the bigger rooms if youre a couple or two friends vacationing together. The experience we had was very personal and had that luxury touch. Ikos all the way if having a great all-inclusive bar menu to choose from is a priority. Firstly, Sani resort is a one-off resort, albeit with five different hotels included in the resort. Here are our picks for where to check in in 2023. It may boast more than 400 rooms and suites, however it doesnt have a large resort feel. Best Resort for Kid's Clubs & Family-Friendly Facilities: Same. The one thing that you will not find is a decent golf course. There are plenty of things to What you will find are white night parties on the beach (do not miss this as they are brilliant), singers and musicians in the bars, and entertainment on selected evenings. 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) They both felt very authentic. Serving up Mediterranean cuisine this spot is only available to Deluxe guests. Best Resort for Location: Ikos (but only just!). but others are quite significant and may help you decide which of the two resorts you will want to stay at. The Ikos Andalusia currently is our top-rated Ikos resort, so check out the review. This button will take you to a short form where we'll ask about your destination and preferences. 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. One of the great things about the Ikos resorts is that most of the restaurants have outdoor dining options as well as doors that open out to bring the outside in. Open between the hours of 10 am 6 pm there are multiple sessions that run throughout the day. ), Best Books About Travel for 2 - 6 Year Olds, Amsterdam Travel: The Best Things to do in Amsterdam in Winter, On Writing: Tips for Writing a First Draft, Both hotels had pamphlets and promotional material about, If you hadn't yet got the message, if you want to eat and drink as much as you want and not pay any extra, the. We have to give a specific shout-out to Michail at Provence. Plus, you have free entry to a range of museums too. 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. It may sound difficult to decide what youre eating in two weeks time, but if you want to guarantee a table its a necessity. 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. But I also know that different things matter more for some people than others. Ikos or Sani - Which luxury resort is better - The Williams Like an omelet station for breakfast. But be aware I am most often comparing only Ikos Dassia in Corfu to Sani rather than all of the Ikos resorts. There are 5 pools to choose from, the main pool, one adult, one kid, the spa pool, and a deluxe guest-only pool. Deluxe rooms come at a premium. Best All-Inclusive Resort In St. Lucia: Coconut Bay Beach Resort. 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. Alternatively, to dial up the restful levels, visit the spa where a menu of holistic treatments is available from 8am until 8pm daily. We are not beach people so please do not consider me the oracle on this topic, at all! Best Overall All-Inclusive Resort In Tulum: Barcel Maya Riviera. The best hotels for couples looking for a romantic getaway. Best Walking the sleepy streets of Kos Town will introduce you to Venetian and Ottoman architecture, traditional tavernas and bustling bars. Its also worth mentioning that three of these pools are infinity edged, the ideal spot to take a new pic for the gram. Edited to add that we had another fantastic holiday at Sani Dunes in October 2021, and we both felt that Dunes was perfect for couples. 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. We had our own private entrance and exit to the outside. The standard of food at the Ikos Aria was really good. Within a few minutes, we had gone through the check-in experience and were on our way to our room. Currently, for stays in 2021, there are free cancellations up to 2 weeks prior to arrival as well as the full deposit refund too. And dont worry about whether youll need to get up at 6am to secure a sunbed, there is plenty for everybody. This adult-only hotel is located directly on a private sandy beach, 2.5 miles away from Marmari Village in Kos. We found the quality of care, professionalism of staff, and range of activities and facilities to be excellent at both Sani and Ikos. The best thing about the pools at Ikos and Sani, are that they are heated. 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 two one-week-long stays at Sani and one week at Ikos Dassia, we did notice quite a big difference in the level of service. The best way to stay up to date with any travel restrictions due to coronavirus is to visit the UK Gov website. Where the cosmopolitan glamour of Marbella merges with the relaxed nature of the Mediterranean, Ikos Andalusia proudly emerges as one of the best family-friendly resorts on the Costa del Sol. WebFamily fun. Although this is not unique to this resort, Fresco again has some stunning views overlooking the pool and the ocean. For example, in Sani our two-bedroom private pool suite was in a short row of villas all next to each other but with privacy walls and no footpaths close to the gardens. Sani Beach as its now known followed in 1984 and by the early 2017 with the opening of Sani Dunes, following the earlier launch of Sani Asteria and Porto Sani, these five 5-star hotels plus the Sani Marina area (with several shops, restaurants, apartments, and a marina for boats and luxury yachts) now comprises the award-winning Sani resort. Sani's location in a bay in Halkidiki is easy to get to by car in around 50 minutes, but to be honest it's not very accessible by any other means, and actually walking to and from each hotel in the resort from Sani Club isn't easy. As we are a family with two teenagers, I do think that Sani has the slight edge over Ikos. For meals, we tend to tip between 5 10 euro depending on the meal and quality of the service. WebIkos Olivia - All Inclusive Gerakini, Polygyros, Central Macedonia 63100 Hotel Amenities Property Details 295 rooms 4 stories with elevator access Mediterranean architecture Smoke-free property Hotel Services Babysitting (fees apply) and kid's club (fees apply) Front-desk safe and ATM Gift shop Onsite concierge Luggage storage It's no surprise that both resorts are luxury. These cookies do not store any personal information. Macdonald Villacana Resort View Hotel 387 reviews 0.6 miles from Ikos Andalusia Free parking Pool All Inclusive Hotel Costa del Sol View Hotel 1,464 reviews 0.8 miles from Ikos Andalusia 2022 Exe Estepona Thalasso & Spa - Adults only View Hotel 1,162 reviews 1.1 miles from Ikos Andalusia Free Wifi Pool Hacienda Beach View Hotel 42 reviews 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. It has a large king-sized bed and a nice small seating area that opens out to a balcony. Its pretty much like a sample of dishes from all of the a la carte restaurants on the resort, as well as some of the staples that you will find at any buffet. 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. Staying in a low rise suite meant we also had a private garden, complete with comfy chairs, luxury padded loungers, and a parasol incase the sun gets too much. As are a range of sports, games and activities; nightly entertainment; and dedicated age-appropriate kids clubs that have a schedule of daily fun to suit all. Having teenagers we do find that Sani offers more for older children. All Ikos resorts have or are being opened in the last two years with Andalusia opening in the coming season. The food here was also really good, it was very traditional and the Michelin starred menu was executed to a very impressive level. The check-in staff was really good at explaining the layout of the resort, as well as all of the features of the resort. 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. Hello newness! 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. All Ikos resorts welcome adults as well as children with a range of activities to suit all ages. The largest suite on the resort. However, if youd rather relax poolside youre spoilt for choice. One of them is reserved for deluxe guests and there is another adult-only bar offering. Likewise, it's more important to us that the food is good and varied than it is we have an extensive drinks menu (because we're generally happy with beer and wine most of the time). We don't necessarily go on holiday to make friends with the staff or form long-lasting bonds. Open date: May 2018 If you enjoyed this read, why not share it with your friends? resorts News - Ikos Resorts Booking is advised before you go, and we tend to chose a mixture of restaurants around the marina and hotels. There were very few areas where we could fault our experience. 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). Either way, we plan on having another Ikos holiday again in the future, for certain! Dummy textThanks for sharing your experience with this. The food, service, and overall experience were luxurious. The menus at the restaurants were devised by Michelin-starred chefs and although they dont work in the restaurants. Location: Mallorca, Balearics Although there are ways to put your best foot forward in securing the tables you want. Speaking of food, there are eight dining destinations to choose from, each providing a different culinary sensation. Best Luxury All-Inclusive Resort In Tulum: Unico We always budget a certain amount of money towards tipping. 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. For us Ikos is a more chilled holiday. one bedroom bungalow suites at Ikos Olivia. 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. 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. Ikos Resorts | Discover Ikos Resorts with British Airways Theyre all centered around making your vacation as enjoyable as possible. Sprawling across 47 green acres, Ikos Aria promises a laidback, beach chic ambience on the Greek island of Kos. Pretty much everything you see is included. Ikos offers ONLY all-inclusive board for all guests with no exceptions, and this includes all your dining, room service and drinks, ALL OF THEM. Ikos has the huge advantage of you holidaying there, and knowing that your food and drink has all been paid for. Kos is one of the best places in Greece for couples to visit as it combines incredible beaches with picturesque towns and unique architecture. 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. In short, kids clubs that run for three sessions a day - morning, lunch and afternoon - are complimentary from 4 upwards. Opened in May 2019, the Ikos Aria is a 5-star all-inclusive resort that is one of the premium options in Europe. 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. 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. So for direct access and a more "traditional" beach, Ikos Dassia is the one and from the photos I would say it's the same story at Ikos Aria on Kos. Corfu and Crete. Drive one of Ikos Oceanias fleet of MINI Coopers to investigate endless coves and unique architectural sites. WebBest for couples: Island hop in style by combining stays at both Grace Santorini and Grace Mykonos in one trip. They offer luxury accommodation, all-inclusive, and the option to book deluxe if you want even more luxury on your holiday. Ikos Aria in Greece takes its third No. 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 One Bedroom Bungalow Suite with balcony and sea view. Location: Kos, Greece Honestly, I can't answer that for you and your family. In fact, I wrote in my review of Ikos Dassia that the similarity was a bit disconcerting for me. Open date: May 2020 As part of the dine-out feature, there are three restaurants that you can choose from that are included in your all-inclusive package. 24/7 room service is also included and has a great varied menu. They made our days so enjoyable as we spent most of our time there. 22 acres of perfectly landscaped gardens on the Gulf of Toroneos in beautiful Halkidiki sits Ikos Olivia. Surrounded by the beaches of Aghios Fokas, the five-star Dimitra Beach Hotel & Suites sets the scene for romantic escapes. If youre looking for a decent location to golf while you vacation we recommend looking at resorts in the south of Spain or the Algarve. The resort really lives up to its 5-star billing in the look and feel of it. The resort has 20 or so minis that guests can use, but as with everything in this resort. This was our first time staying in any Ikos resort and although we had received strong recommendations from friends, we weren't sure what to expect from a luxury all-inclusive
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