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. We got room service a few times for breakfast and dinner. This hotel is elegant, charming, and despite being newly built has tonnes of character. Double Bungalow with Garden View at Ikos Olivia. Best Resort For Couples In St. Lucia: Sandals Grande St. Lucian. Enough about cushions and trimmings, let's actually talk about the type of accommodation that is available and why Sani wins. WebFamily fun. The beach at the Ikos Aria was really long and spacious. 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. We have booked into Sani Dunes for 5 nights, and this will be our second time staying at Dunes. This is actually one of the strongest benefits. Book all inclusive Kos resorts with private balconies, ocean views and gourmet restaurants for romantic couples holidays. We ate at Mylotopi restaurant and the views from the outdoor terrace were unbelievable. The spa menu is also very large, so no matter what type of treatment you would like they most likely have it. In short, kids clubs that run for three sessions a day - morning, lunch and afternoon - are complimentary from 4 upwards. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. 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. There are adult-only areas at some Ikos resorts including dedicated adult-only pools, however all resorts cater to children of all ages too. 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. Yes, parking is available for guests and it is complimentary. But did one of them deliver more luxury than the other? I'll be honest and say that the main reason Ikos has the edge here is because of the all-inclusive set-up. 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. 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. 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. 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. Open date: March 2015 There was more than enough room throughout the beach. This Asian fusion restaurant had dishes from throughout Asia, with Japanese, Indian, Chinese, and Thai dishes on offer. Thank you Stephen for saying that and I am glad you found the post helpful, Really balanced and helpful . And speaking of the beach, both resorts have the Babewatch service where kids club/creche staff have a station on the beach or near a swimming pool and you can leave your kid there for up to 30 minutes for free while you go for a swim, a cocktail or a snooze on your sun lounger! It took eight years to drain the water and make the land habitable. From an extensive kids and teens club, creche facilities, and kids menus. Its a must-see. Both times we have visited Sani we have booked the half board option. Ikos too is also an award-winning brand. Our favorite dishes were definitely the Moussaka and the lamb kleftiko. The latest hotel opening for the brand, Ikos Odisia is set to fling open its shiny doors in May 2023 but the resorts front desk is already accepting bookings so you can start planning your 2023 luxury Greek holiday today. over a year ago Reviewed this property Kent, United Kingdom 1 Vote No, it's for everyone. Once we arrive at the resort, the feeling of luxury and relaxation hits you on the way in. How they do this is with the complimentary Mini one rental and the three local restaurants that are included in your all-inclusive package. WebFind the best offers for the best holidays at Ikos Resorts Offers Explore Special Offers Take advantage of the best summer deals. However, if youd rather relax poolside youre spoilt for choice. The check-in staff was really good at explaining the layout of the resort, as well as all of the features of the resort. 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. 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. 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. 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. We didnt really see any rubbish or empty glasses left lying around. Surrounded by the beaches of Aghios Fokas, the five-star Dimitra Beach Hotel & Suites sets the scene for romantic escapes. These are Mylotopi, Alis, and Limnionas. This gives you access to over 300 wines to choose from at no additional cost. ), Dummy text Join our email network to receive exclusive offers and notifications of airline sales direct to your inbox. Book ahead to make sure you arent disappointed. And with two footpaths almost immediately at the end of the garden, it also just didn't feel as private. 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. The one thing that you will not find is a decent golf course. Infinite Lifestyle is the name given to Ikos Resorts revolutionary all-inclusive concept. 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. Meanwhile, Ikos is a brand with five different locations, and I would imagine more will be added in due course. 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. Location: Corfu, Greece So, make sure you make use of this benefit if you are staying in a deluxe room. 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. Thanks for sharing your experience with this. It may boast more than 400 rooms and suites, however it doesnt have a large resort feel. 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. We really enjoyed the food and the atmosphere here. Just for teens is suitable for teens aged 12+, (Ratio: Ages 423 months: 1 adult: 3 children / Ages 23 years: 1 adult: 4 children). 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. 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. From these room types, there is the option to add the deluxe offering to most of them. This wasn't a big deal, of course, but it was a little odd to have such a huge (and gorgeous!) The resort is actually a great option for both couples and families as the Ikos really puts emphasis on giving different experiences to different demographics. One of them is reserved for deluxe guests and there is another adult-only bar offering. One of the first things you will see from reception is the stunning view of the ocean with Kastri Island in your sights. As you can see they are roughly the same cost. 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. Both resorts have pools in their spas too. The food was decent too but played second fiddle to the view. Free drinks, all day, every day for 7 days? 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. If you are staying in a deluxe room you will have access to more premium top-shelf options like Taittinger champagne on tap. Coming in at 31sq.m its comparable to a well-sized hotel room. Unsubscribe anytime (but why would you want to?). 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. The most basic room on the resort, the double room is actually a perfect offering. This resort is very spacious and there is more than enough room for all of the guests at the pools and beach. They cater very well for all ages, and part of me wishes that we had discovered Sani and Ikos when our children were little. 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. They both felt very authentic. In Europe this is fairly unique, so you need to make sure you make the most of it. WebBest for couples: Island hop in style by combining stays at both Grace Santorini and Grace Mykonos in one trip. The Ikos Dassia is a family-friendly resort, with a wide range of features to make your familys vacation run as smooth as possible. 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). 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. Everything about it was top class and the staff were great at keeping our glasses full. 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. It's no surprise that both resorts are luxury. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. apartment but to then exit and enter the property down a hotel corridor. Firstly, Sani resort is a one-off resort, albeit with five different hotels included in the resort. At InspoVacay we believe that Tipping should be considered mandatory. The reason this has the edge is because, to be very frank, the food at both Sani and Ikos is very similar. To give you an insight into pricing, Ive put below what we paid for our Ikos and Sani holiday, both of which were in 2019. Its the perfect resort for wannabe mermaids, with a private beach that spans 350m offering plenty of ocean to explore, alongside eight pools. 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. 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. Im keeping everything crossed we get to Sani later on in the year. The food, service, and overall experience were luxurious. 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. WebThe OKU Kos is one of the best hotels in Kos for couples to stay. We also got to have a little drive around Corfu Town which has lots of historic monuments and a pretty old town. Corfu and Crete. Before booking its worth double-checking that these are still in place. There is a large bedroom with a separated living area that has a sofa that converts into three beds, so this is a great room if youre traveling with kids or teens, and what that little bit of separation between your sleeping quarters. The good thing, as well, was that the drinks were really good, which is often not the case with all-inclusive resorts. You name it and they will have it. 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. The Ikos Aria is definitely on the premium side. 3 Jun 2021, 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. Is good to know the dishes have been put together by top chefs. 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. Ikos has five hotels, four of which are in Greece, and the fifth hotel opened in Spain in May 2021. 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. 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. 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. 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. Coming in at 40sq.m you get that extra little bit of space compared to the double room. There are adult-only areas available. Sani has been going a LONG time while when we were at Ikos Dassia the resort was only in its second season. A chance to eat at local restaurants, all of which are included in your all-inclusive. For example, for us, quiet and comfortable accommodation and a good swimming pool will always be more important to us than the beach because we never spend much time on beaches. 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? Older teens can also use the gym in the hotels at Sani, and our eldest really enjoyed doing this last time we went. Some of the differences are very subtle (or non-existent!) The food here was also really good, it was very traditional and the Michelin starred menu was executed to a very impressive level. You can book into restaurants on their app or by calling the reception. 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. 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 was SO nice not to have to think about money at any stage with food be it at the buffet, ordering cocktails, going out for dinner or ordering room service. 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. 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. While our kids are so young and we are so tired, we really don't want to leave the resort much. There is a nice hike for those of you that are adventurers and a small church to see if you just want to have a quick mosey. Very luxurious, very calming colours, and both Ikos and Sani offer Anne Semonin toiletries in your bathroom. 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. Dreams resorts All your questions answered! You can also discover the local area with help from Ikos Andalusia. This is probably the question I get asked the most, and the most difficult to answer. Open date: May 2018 At Sani the hotels all have their own pools, and Dunes had the biggest outdoor pool in Greece when it opened in 2017. There were very few areas where we could fault our experience. We don't necessarily go on holiday to make friends with the staff or form long-lasting bonds. The entertainment at the Ikos Aria is a little limited. Once you arrive at the resort you will receive a complimentary antigen test to take. The second difference is the board basis you stay on at each resort. We definitely recommend booking in for treatments before you travel to secure a booking. The room offering at the Ikos Aria is pretty refined, which is how we like it. This is the exact same room and set-up as the double room the only difference is the occupancy. This was for 5 nights and we went with our 2 teenagers. A Spanish restaurant whose menu is designed by acclaimed Chef David Ibarboure. Ikos all the way if having a great all-inclusive bar menu to choose from is a priority. 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. The housekeeping service was also very consistent. Ideal for couples without smaller travelling companions, this itinerary The standard at this resort is top quality and the staff work incredibly hard to earn their tips. 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. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. They offer luxury accommodation, all-inclusive, and the option to book deluxe if you want even more luxury on your holiday. 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. If you enjoyed this read, why not share it with your friends? Here are our picks for where to check in in 2023. And dont worry about whether youll need to get up at 6am to secure a sunbed, there is plenty for everybody. Yes, everyone is friendly. Yes, the Ikos is a family-friendly resort and there are a host of features that are specifically for families. Throughout the stay, the service was really impeccable. Yes, Wi-Fi is available to you in your suite as well as throughout the resort. There was so much room for the size of the resort. Providing dazzling views of the Ionian Sea and beyond, there are also 10 pools to choose from so you can relax under Greeces blazing sun. There is yoga, volleyball, TRX to name a few of the activities. The Ikos does incentivize you to get out of the resort and explore the local area. This means the company have had slightly more control on the layout and logistics of Sani resort. Theres a host of amenities that you can use throughout the resort. Were here to arm you with the knowledge to make the right choice for your next vacation. Opening date: June 2023 Our favorite dishes were definitely the Duck and the Pad Thai. 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 beach at the Ikos Aria is really stunning, so if chilling by the beach is your vibe. Ikos Porto Petro is the second Spanish resort for the hotel group and will open in June 2023. 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. The staff that worked by the pool and beachside had to get a special shoutout. 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. Yes, every staff member is very professional. So, no matter what time of day you went you would find a sun lounger on the beach. You will need to wait for your room, but most times you will get your room early too. This is the main buffet at the resort and one of the more casual places to dine. When there are dozens of categories of rooms. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the 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. Close-up details of the room at the Ikos Andalusia The All of the meals that we had here from starter to dessert were really well executed. 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. 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. 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) Although this is not unique to this resort, Fresco again has some stunning views overlooking the pool and the ocean. Its a serious add-on. A. The resort has 20 or so minis that guests can use, but as with everything in this resort. They look VERY similar from the resort layout and accommodation decor through to the packages and products they offer. 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. When booking you have the option to choose bed and breakfast, half board and full board. The Ikos chain of resorts has become the standout chain All the staff did their jobs well and that's more than enough for us! Room rates are already available for both resorts, and you can book your 2023 or 2024 holiday now. 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. We found that the pasta dishes were a little bland and the pizzas lacked that authentic Italian cook. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. It would be impossible to get bored of the swimming choices at either. We did our typical test of streaming Netflix in various parts of the resort and there were no performance issues. 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. Best Spa & Wellness Resort In St. Lucia: BodyHoliday. Honestly, there is not much need for the bigger rooms if youre a couple or two friends vacationing together. Honestly, I can't answer that for you and your family. Getting there: 20-minutes by car from Kos Airport // How to "Teach" Travel to Kids // Best Books About Travel for Babies // Best Books About Travel for 2 - 6 Year Olds. This adult-only hotel is located directly on a private sandy beach, 2.5 miles away from Marmari Village in Kos. 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). by Adrian updated February 4, 2023, 10:21 am, by Emma updated January 30, 2023, 8:40 pm. Ikos usual all-inclusive offerings are also included at this resort so you can explore the locale at leisure without spending a penny. The rooms are broken down into four main categories. So yes, there's really no comparison here. 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. If youre staying in a Deluxe room, transfers are included regardless of where you booked. 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. There are no all-inclusive options at Sani. This again is a unique thing to offer to premium room guests. This meant our interior exit and entrance was down a hotel corridor. Food & Dinning: Pretty much the same in terms of quality, but Ikos is the winner for other reasons! So yep, Sani wins over Ikos in terms of the accommodation. Every member of staff that we had interactions with was keen to help us make our stay run as smoothly as possible. 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. 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. 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. 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. Best Resort For Couples In St. Lucia: Sandals Grande St. Lucian. It is a 5-star resort, so its not really a surprise that its pricey. ), 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. Though if you prefer to know that everything is paid for beforehand, Ikos would be the best holiday. And it goes without saying that with the price you pay and the luxury they promise, the decor is high quality and very comfortable too. The best way to stay up to date with any travel restrictions due to coronavirus is to visit the UK Gov website. We really did feel very self-contained and like we had plenty of privacy. If you have visited an Ikos resort before you will be familiar with the offering as all of the restaurants are the same throughout. We found the quality of care, professionalism of staff, and range of activities and facilities to be excellent at both Sani and Ikos. So yep, Ikos Dassia wins just because it has SO many more options and being pedantic - more water to swim in! Best Spa & Wellness Resort In St. Lucia: BodyHoliday. This is definitely the best beach in the Ikos chain of resorts. Really appreciate everything you have said. With the Ikos resorts they have a feature as part of their all-inclusive package called the Wine Cave. This room comes with two separate bedrooms, a large separate living area, and two bathrooms. On average the sessions cost around 30 per child, but the price is dependent on the age range. Both Ikos and Sani are owned by the same company however the hotels do differ. 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. As part of the dine-out feature, there are three restaurants that you can choose from that are included in your all-inclusive package. We even saw one family with a cot on the beach. 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. Some of my best memories are sitting in Sani having our evening meal, overlooking the stunning marina. 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. We were staying in a deluxe room, so they also went through all of the additional features that you could make use of too. All Ikos resorts have or are being opened in the last two years with Andalusia opening in the coming season. 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!