which ikos resort is best for couples which ikos resort is best for couples
They look VERY similar from the resort layout and accommodation decor through to the packages and products they offer. 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. My eldest also enjoyed going off exploring Sani by himself. Deluxe rooms come at a premium. As we are a family with two teenagers, I do think that Sani has the slight edge over Ikos. 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. 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. Unsubscribe anytime (but why would you want to?). Its a must-see. Best Resort for Staff & Service: For us, Sani. Its open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner and there is a really wide variety of food to sample. So, make sure you make use of this benefit if you are staying in a deluxe room. So, yet again the Ikos Aria impressed. Really appreciate everything you have said. Based on reviews and ratings by travellers, the resort also took Room rates are already available for both resorts, and you can book your 2023 or 2024 holiday now. Ikos hotels are outstanding for couples as well as families with children of all ages. 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. 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. Drive one of Ikos Oceanias fleet of MINI Coopers to investigate endless coves and unique architectural sites. After all, Ikos was acknowledged in TripAdvisor s 2020 awards as the best all-inclusive resort in the world. This wasn't a big deal, of course, but it was a little odd to have such a huge (and gorgeous!) Check-in is at 3pm, but if you arrive early the staff will check you in and you will be able to use the facilities at the resort and make the most of the all-inclusive food and drink. 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. One of the beds is a pull-out bed though, so it might not be the most spacious if there are three adults going. We did manage to get a massage booking for our second last day, but it was difficult. We will still need to pay extra for drinks, but I think we'll survive! All drinks at this resort are included in the price of the all-inclusive. The second resort for the Ikos family, Ikos Oceania is also in Halkidiki on another glorious stretch of Mediterranean coastline. Its effectively like a bus route that runs throughout the resort. All inclusive luxury resorts in Greece & Spain | Ikos Resorts We really enjoyed the food and the atmosphere here. And it goes without saying that there are bountiful options to keep children of all ages entertained. 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. 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. 1 in the world ranking for 2022 as the best All-Inclusive Resort (along with Hotels on the Water, Luxury Hotels). The choice of accommodation is outstanding. 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. You definitely wont get bored throughout your stay. TOGETHER TIME: 12 Best Vacation Spots for Couples in North America 1. We have booked into Sani Dunes for 5 nights, and this will be our second time staying at Dunes. The water was very clear and the Ikos provided the equipment needed for it. 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. I have seen a couple of posters have been to Ikos resorts and would love it if people fancy sharing their positive experiences of the Ikos hotels? We will say, however, for one and all there were really only a few staff that we connected with in terms of having conversation that lasted longer than a few minutes, but THIS IS OKAY FOR US. Both Ikos and Sani pride themselves on being 5* luxury brands, and are very family friendly. Having excellent facilities for children is one of the central pillars of both the Ikos and the Sani brand. Review of Ikos Dassia An Honest Review There is a relatively good drinks selection on offer too with the likes of Absolut Vodka, Bombay Gin, Havana Club, and Campari to name a few. Sani has been going a LONG time while when we were at Ikos Dassia the resort was only in its second season. There is still plenty of activities on offer, such as non motorised watersports, tennis, football, bike hire, gym, table tennis, kids clubs etc, and the best thing is that most activities are included at ikos. From an extensive kids and teens club, creche facilities, and kids menus. 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. The standard at this resort is top quality and the staff work incredibly hard to earn their tips. There are no all-inclusive options at Sani. To summarise we felt that Sani resort did the following things "better" than Ikos: And these are the things we think Ikos Dassia did better, in comparison to Sani resort. 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. The experience we had was very personal and had that luxury touch. 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. The best all inclusive hotels around the world - The 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. // How to "Teach" Travel to Kids // Best Books About Travel for Babies // Best Books About Travel for 2 - 6 Year Olds. This room comes with two separate bedrooms, a large separate living area, and two bathrooms. Best in the Maldives: LUX South Ari Atoll See Rates at TripAdvisor "The resort's private family villas offer plenty of space with outdoor terraces facing directly onto the beach." This meant our interior exit and entrance was down a hotel corridor. Ikos Resorts were named the best all-inclusive resorts in the world in the 2019 TripAdvisor Annual Travelers Choice Awards. 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. This was actually one of our favorite places to go for lunch where they have a nice selection of light dishes. 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. It's no surprise that both resorts are luxury. They have really optimized every area, by adding sensors to doors that open automatically, regular sanitization to door handles, and reduced points of access to name a few. 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. I'll be honest and say that the main reason Ikos has the edge here is because of the all-inclusive set-up. 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. It really does depend on what you are looking for in your holiday. This bungalow can cater to up to 4 adults and 2 kids. So, no matter where you need to be you can always hitch a lift. With five hotels in one complex, which one will you choose? We did our typical test of streaming Netflix in various parts of the resort and there were no performance issues. I hope this post has been useful, and if you have any further questions Ive not covered in the post, please email me. If you have arrived at my blog and would like to support me in buying a coffee - you can donate 3. We don't necessarily go on holiday to make friends with the staff or form long-lasting bonds. While our kids are so young and we are so tired, we really don't want to leave the resort much. This extends to the ability to request any baby accessories such as cots, booster seats. The best way to stay up to date with any travel restrictions due to coronavirus is to visit the UK Gov website. Ikos Resorts | Discover Ikos Resorts with British Airways There was more than enough room throughout the beach. Location: Mallorca, Balearics But did one of them deliver more luxury than the other? If you have been to an all-inclusive before in South America or a Sandals resort you would probably be expecting a whole slate of activities throughout the day. Open date: May 2018 Ikos Olivia - All Inclusive In short, kids clubs that run for three sessions a day - morning, lunch and afternoon - are complimentary from 4 upwards. 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. The Sani resort states that they have kept parts of the marshland in its original state and guests can explore it by walking, running and other activities like bird-spotting. Ikos all the way if having a great all-inclusive bar menu to choose from is a priority. So yep, Ikos Dassia wins just because it has SO many more options and being pedantic - more water to swim in! On average the sessions cost around 30 per child, but the price is dependent on the age range. 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. Sani's location is Halkidiki, Greece. Oh, and dont forget Ikos Andalusia, the first Spanish hotel for the group, and the brand new Mallorcan resort Ikos Porto Petro (opening in June 2023) are also a superb options if you want to half your flight time, particularly good for those travelling with very young children. It may sound difficult to decide what youre eating in two weeks time, but if you want to guarantee a table its a necessity. The Ikos resort has really thought about the physical touchpoints that guests go through on a day in the resort. Its open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner and has a lovely selection of food. Since discovering Ikos in 2016 and Sani the year after, I often get asked which do I prefer. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Ikos Aria A Comprehensive Review - InspoVacay 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. Theres even a football academy that runs over the summer holidays. 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. Everything about it was top class and the staff were great at keeping our glasses full. Located a short walk from the marina, theres plenty to see and do during your Spanish escape. 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. There are adult-only areas at some Ikos resorts including dedicated adult-only pools, however all resorts cater to children of all ages too. Families are as always a big part of Ikos Odisia, and theres plenty for children of all ages to fill their time with. Hello newness! Booking is advised before you go, and we tend to chose a mixture of restaurants around the marina and hotels. Best This hotel is elegant, charming, and despite being newly built has tonnes of character. Getting there: 35-minutes by car from Thessaloniki Airport Thank you Stephen for saying that and I am glad you found the post helpful, Really balanced and helpful . 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). WebAll inclusive couples holidays in Kos. Theyre all centered around making your vacation as enjoyable as possible. 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 best hotels for couples looking for a romantic getaway. Sani is in Halkidiki on the Greek mainland, and its a resort which is made up of five luxury hotels, and a stunning marina. I also run the Ikos Olivia group on Facebook which you are more than welcome to join. Location: Costa del Sol, Spain Meanwhile, Ikos is a brand with five different locations, and I would imagine more will be added in due course. You can book into restaurants on their app or by calling the reception. We found the quality of care, professionalism of staff, and range of activities and facilities to be excellent at both Sani and Ikos. It would be impossible to get bored of the swimming choices at either. There is no doubt that all the family will feel relaxed. On average for the most basic room, you can expect to pay around 2,500 for 7 days for two people in a double room in the off-season of September and October and up to 4,000 during the peak months. Best all-inclusive hotels in Greece - Times Travel one bedroom bungalow suites at Ikos Olivia. Some of my best memories are sitting in Sani having our evening meal, overlooking the stunning marina. This contemporary resort provides a welcoming ), 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. Frankie is the, Frances M. Thompson - Copyright 2011 - 2023, Luxury Family Travel: Ikos vs Sani - Which Resort is Better?, at Sani (in Halkidiki on mainland Greece), my review of Sani Resort (we stayed in Sani Club), revamped to be aligned with the style and offerings of Ikos Olivia, Sani Beach Club, a purpose built high-rise hotel, Sani resort does have an adults-only hotel - Sani Dunes, The Best Resorts for Families in the Maldives, World's Best Resorts for Luxury Family Travel, Tips for Helping a Baby or Toddler with Jet-Lag, 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! The room offering at the Ikos Aria is pretty refined, which is how we like it. They made our days so enjoyable as we spent most of our time there. All Inclusive Kos holidays 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. 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. It was our anniversary one of the nights we stayed and we had organized a private dinner by the beach. So going back to my original question of which luxury resort is better, I honestly cant give you an answer as I love them both equally. Youre greeted with a glass of bubbly and your bags are taken to meet you in your room on the other side. To give you an example, the bill on our last visit to Sani in October 2019 was 402. Ikos We prefer low rise accommodation, and our stays at Sani have been at Asterias and Dunes which offer this type of accommodation. Opening 19 May 2023. We really enjoyed our meal here and the surf and turf paella was top quality. While we only got to sample one of these restaurants while on an excursion one of the days it was well worth it. The resort exclusively has 600m of beachfront for you to enjoy, lined with comfortable loungers and umbrellas with plenty of room in between for sandcastle building. Ikos has five hotels, four of which are in Greece, and the fifth hotel opened in Spain in May 2021. 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. 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). Its the perfect resort for wannabe mermaids, with a private beach that spans 350m offering plenty of ocean to explore, alongside eight pools. Ikos Resorts: sit back and enjoy waiter service by the pool Ikos Resorts, Greece. Best 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. Ikos Aria in Greece takes its third No. This is probably the question I get asked the most, and the most difficult to answer. If youre staying in a Deluxe room, transfers are included regardless of where you booked. We had free airport transfers included in our accommodation package and actually they were both just as easy as the other, but Ikos Dassia at just under 40 minutes was perhaps a little shorter (and would have been much quicker if not for the traffic). 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. 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. couples 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. So yes, there's really no comparison here. Open between the hours of 10 am 6 pm there are multiple sessions that run throughout the day. 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). There is a fleet of golf carts that have routes that cover the whole resort. Ikos hotels offer Italian, Greek, Asian, French and also main buffet restaurants (though the buffet restaurant has been changed during the pandemic). And with two footpaths almost immediately at the end of the garden, it also just didn't feel as private. Getting there: 50-minutes by car from Thessaloniki Airport Check out our other five-minute read: 20 fun facts about Ikos Resorts we bet you didnt know. 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. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. They also have plans to open another four hotels over the next few years in Majorca, Portugal. There is always some sort of musical entertainment that is on in the evenings. Which Ikos Resort is right for me? | Winged Boots 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. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. 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. WebFamily fun. Best Resort For Couples In St. Lucia: Sandals Grande St. Lucian. Obviously the best way to compare costs is to contact Ikos and Sani direct, or use a travel agent if you wish. When booking you have the option to choose bed and breakfast, half board and full board. 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. I certainly did. There is yoga, volleyball, TRX to name a few of the activities. 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. The most basic room on the resort, the double room is actually a perfect offering. 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. Its a great place for families but isnt an ideal place if you want a quiet meal. 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 Ikos Andalusia currently is our top-rated Ikos resort, so check out the review. It may boast more than 400 rooms and suites, however it doesnt have a large resort feel. to do, lots of different dining options, and really exceptional facilities and service. 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. 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. 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. It can be a little intimidating to decide the right room for you. Ikos or Sani - Which luxury resort is better - The Williams Each of the restaurants has a set menu for guests from the Ikos resort. But I can also confidently say that the Anne Semonin spa at Ikos Dassia was also a 5-star experience. 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. We decided on Sani as we felt it has a slightly more grown up feel, and we love dining around the marina. However, if youd rather relax poolside youre spoilt for choice. But to date, there are no plans to launch any other Sani-branded resorts outside of what is already there. Honestly, there is not much need for the bigger rooms if youre a couple or two friends vacationing together. Ikos Porto Petro is the second Spanish resort for the hotel group and will open in June 2023. 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. Both resorts offer fantastic luxury family holidays with plenty of things for kids (and adults!) If you can decide on where you want to eat before your holiday its best to book them as early as possible. From local traditional to DJs its nice to have something playing in the background as you enjoy your evening. 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. We even saw one family with a cot on the beach. Oh, and a wellness spa thatll have you feeling like youre walking on clouds in no time. Getting there: 20-minutes by car from Kos Airport How they do this is with the complimentary Mini one rental and the three local restaurants that are included in your all-inclusive package. You will need to wait for your room, but most times you will get your room early too. Older teens can also use the gym in the hotels at Sani, and our eldest really enjoyed doing this last time we went. 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! The need for private areas is not as necessary compared to some of the other Ikos resorts where the space is a little bit limited. Here are our picks for where to check in in 2023. The staff does really go above and beyond to make it an enjoyable Vacay. Firstly, Sani resort is a one-off resort, albeit with five different hotels included in the resort. Enter your email address to subscribe and receive new posts by email. WebThe OKU Kos is one of the best hotels in Kos for couples to stay.