These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. FURTHER READING: Want more luxury family travel content? 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. There is always some sort of musical entertainment that is on in the evenings. A chance to eat at local restaurants, all of which are included in your all-inclusive. Its the perfect resort for wannabe mermaids, with a private beach that spans 350m offering plenty of ocean to explore, alongside eight pools. WebIkos hotels offer golden beaches, inviting pools and beautifully landscaped grounds, providing the perfect holiday setting for families and couples alike. Were here to arm you with the knowledge to make the right choice for your next vacation. Before booking its worth double-checking that these are still in place. Both resorts have pools in their spas too. 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. They look VERY similar from the resort layout and accommodation decor through to the packages and products they offer. Both Ikos and Sani are owned by the same company however the hotels do differ. Meanwhile, Ikos is a brand with five different locations, and I would imagine more will be added in due course. WebNew Opening: Ikos Odisia Updates 19 May 2023 Introducing the iconic Ikos Odisia. All of the meals that we had here from starter to dessert were really well executed. Once you arrive at the resort you will receive a complimentary antigen test to take. There's a good reason for this. Then this is the resort for you. 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. Since discovering Ikos in 2016 and Sani the year after, I often get asked which do I prefer. There are adult-only areas available. 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? Although you wont find an all-inclusive resort as nice as the Ikos Aria in those areas. This contemporary resort provides a welcoming Some of the differences are very subtle (or non-existent!) This is down to the activities on offer for teens, the resort is bigger which means there is more for them to do. 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. 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 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. 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. This resort delivers on the 5-star luxury vacation billing. Ikos Aria in Greece takes its third No. Theres even a football academy that runs over the summer holidays. One of the first things you will see from reception is the stunning view of the ocean with Kastri Island in your sights. 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. If you have arrived at my blog and would like to support me in buying a coffee - you can donate 3. Its a great place for families but isnt an ideal place if you want a quiet meal. The second resort for the Ikos family, Ikos Oceania is also in Halkidiki on another glorious stretch of Mediterranean coastline. Some of these rooms do come with a private garden area and the balcony area for the Junior suites is a good bit larger than the Double rooms. Shock horror! 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. It sounds obvious but you would be surprised how many so-called 5-star resorts don't do this. Best Resort For Couples In St. Lucia: Sandals Grande St. Lucian. We will still need to pay extra for drinks, but I think we'll survive! After all, Ikos was acknowledged in TripAdvisor s 2020 awards as the best all-inclusive resort in the world. Very luxurious, very calming colours, and both Ikos and Sani offer Anne Semonin toiletries in your bathroom. And dont worry about whether youll need to get up at 6am to secure a sunbed, there is plenty for everybody. ), 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. Each of the restaurants has a set menu for guests from the Ikos resort. TOGETHER TIME: 12 Best Vacation Spots for Couples in North America 1. Location: Corfu, Greece Open date: May 2023 A contemporary Greek offering with a menu that was crafted by Michelin starred chef Lefteris Lazarou. Families are as always a big part of Ikos Odisia, and theres plenty for children of all ages to fill their time with. In fact, all of the Greek Ikos resorts aren't all completely new buildings but rather existing hotels or developments that have been bought (or not if they were existing hotels owned by the group) re-developed, re-branded, and repurposed. We have booked into Sani Dunes for 5 nights, and this will be our second time staying at Dunes. Open for dinner only this spot provides a contemporary twist to Spanish cuisines. From an extensive kids and teens club to some great food and entertainment options for the kids. 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. 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. But I can also confidently say that the Anne Semonin spa at Ikos Dassia was also a 5-star experience. WebIkos Aria, Greece, named Best All-Inclusive Resort in the World at the 2022 TripAdvisor Travellers Choice Awards. 5 nights for 3 adults and 1 child (our eldest was classed as an adult). This gives you access to over 300 wines to choose from at no additional cost. 393 contemporary rooms and suites offer every modern comfort you could possibly need, alongside exceptional views of the resorts manicured gardens and pools. 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. 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. Before the Sani resort existed, it was a marshland and uninhabited. Pretty much everything you see is included. In fact, I wrote in my review of Ikos Dassia that the similarity was a bit disconcerting for me. 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. 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. Getting there: 50-minutes by car from Thessaloniki Airport So yep, Sani wins over Ikos in terms of the accommodation. Looking for individual reviews of our stays at Ikos and Sani you can find them all 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. 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. 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. Its a must-see. In other words, they are in hotels that were already built and the company bought them and then refurbished. 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. Getting there: 20-minutes by car from Corfu Airport 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. We ran into no issues with the Wi-Fi. Some of my best memories are sitting in Sani having our evening meal, overlooking the stunning marina. 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. You can book into restaurants on their app or by calling the reception. All Ikos resorts have or are being opened in the last two years with Andalusia opening in the coming season. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. However, if you have a bit more time and want to know how and why the two brands are different, and then use this to help you figure out if Ikos or Sani is the one for you, stick around because that's exactly what I'm going to do. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. But did one of them deliver more luxury than the other? Typically rooms cost on average 30% more than the standard rooms, but for that premium, there are a host of benefits that come with it. 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. Older teens can also use the gym in the hotels at Sani, and our eldest really enjoyed doing this last time we went. Ikos Resorts were named the best all-inclusive resorts in the world in the 2019 TripAdvisor Annual Travelers Choice Awards. 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 did our typical test of streaming Netflix in various parts of the resort and there were no performance issues. 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. 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. When we visited they were basically booked out for the whole week ahead. Things such as water sports, the items in the mini-mart, and treatments at the spa come at an additional cost. Unsubscribe anytime (but why would you want to?). This meant our interior exit and entrance was down a hotel corridor. 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. And yep, it was even better ordering wine, beer, cocktails, and even Champagne and not worrying about having to pay that too! Throughout the stay, the service was really impeccable. Ikos all the way if having a great all-inclusive bar menu to choose from is a priority. Check out our other five-minute read: 20 fun facts about Ikos Resorts we bet you didnt know. Just a 20-minute drive from Kos International airport you wont have to travel too far once you arrive on your vacay. Honestly, I can't answer that for you and your family. There are also Michelin-starred menus available at the seven dining destinations which are all included within the cost of your stay, alongside dining at a range of local eateries. This mountainside village has some stunning views and has a wealth of local tavernas and some nice local shops. The staff that worked by the pool and beachside had to get a special shoutout. over a year ago Reviewed this property Kent, United Kingdom 1 Vote No, it's for everyone. apartment but to then exit and enter the property down a hotel corridor. // How to "Teach" Travel to Kids // Best Books About Travel for Babies // Best Books About Travel for 2 - 6 Year Olds. Best in Europe: Ikos Oceania See Rates at TripAdvisor "Appeals to couples and adult travelers but also to younger guests." 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 While we only got to sample one of these restaurants while on an excursion one of the days it was well worth it. So, yet again the Ikos Aria impressed. This was for 5 nights and we went with our 2 teenagers. one bedroom bungalow suites at Ikos Olivia. 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. Although you do pay a premium for the treatments. We did manage to get a massage booking for our second last day, but it was difficult. If youre in need of a coastal escape with an exceptional difference, Ikos Andalusia is a great choice. WebFind the best offers for the best holidays at Ikos Resorts Offers Explore Special Offers Take advantage of the best summer deals. Ikos Oceania 1. I am glad the post was helpful. The second you walk into the resort you will notice its stunning design and decor choices. 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. As you can see they are roughly the same cost. This hotel is elegant, charming, and despite being newly built has tonnes of character. With five hotels in one complex, which one will you choose? Alternatively, to dial up the restful levels, visit the spa where a menu of holistic treatments is available from 8am until 8pm daily. We really enjoyed the food and the atmosphere here. 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). The main difference with Ikos and Sani is the board options available. Like an omelet station for breakfast. 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. It's no surprise that both resorts are luxury. See all the winners here. The current CEO Dr. Andrea A. Andreadis is the son of one of two men who purchased the land that the Sani resort in Halkidiki now stands on. Here are our picks for where to check in in 2023. Our expertise, worldwide connections, and the way we do things with a relentless drive means whatever your travels needs are, we can make it happen for you whenever, however, wherever and every time. We found that the pasta dishes were a little bland and the pizzas lacked that authentic Italian cook. When there are dozens of categories of rooms. 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. 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. Honestly, there is not much need for the bigger rooms if youre a couple or two friends vacationing together. On average the sessions cost around 30 per child, but the price is dependent on the age range. 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. Ikos has five hotels, four of which are in Greece, and the fifth hotel opened in Spain in May 2021. Surrounded by the beaches of Aghios Fokas, the five-star Dimitra Beach Hotel & Suites sets the scene for romantic escapes. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. If youre staying in a Deluxe room, transfers are included regardless of where you booked. So, make sure you make use of this benefit if you are staying in a deluxe room. We have recently returned from our 4th visit to Sani (October 2022) and I have written a seperate post about the best restaurants at Sani. The best way to stay up to date with any travel restrictions due to coronavirus is to visit the UK Gov website. Open date: May 2018 The entertainment at the Ikos Aria is a little limited. With this room, you can have three adults or two adults and a child stay in it. 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. 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. Serious luxury. The largest suite on the resort. We have to give a specific shout-out to Michail at Provence. Close-up details of the room at the Ikos Andalusia The 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. 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 Ikos Aria is definitely on the premium side. The design of all of the rooms is really nicely done following the modern Greek aesthetic that is seen throughout the resort. So you really cant go wrong vacationing here, Our review is based on our stay at the resort in a Deluxe room. The value that you get for that price is really good though. Sani also has a huge outdoor theatre, and the show we watched back in 2019 was excellent. We got room service a few times for breakfast and dinner. Location: Halkidiki, Greece I'll be honest and say that the main reason Ikos has the edge here is because of the all-inclusive set-up. 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. 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. Plus, you have free entry to a range of museums too. So if you know you want all-inclusive then I suspect Ikos is going to be a better option for you. We definitely recommend booking in for treatments before you travel to secure a booking. The resort has 20 or so minis that guests can use, but as with everything in this resort. Having teenagers we do find that Sani offers more for older children. 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. Hotel child prices apply to children aged between 211 years. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Located a short walk from the marina, theres plenty to see and do during your Spanish escape. 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. Read More New Opening: Ikos Porto Petro Updates 16 June 2023 Discover We don't necessarily go on holiday to make friends with the staff or form long-lasting bonds. Open date: March 2015 It is a 5-star resort, so its not really a surprise that its pricey. The Ikos chain of hotels has a number of procedures and protections in place to make sure that you have a safe and enjoyable vacation. The food, service, and overall experience were luxurious. It may sound difficult to decide what youre eating in two weeks time, but if you want to guarantee a table its a necessity. Its definitely worth a visit as this is a quant island. Its interesting how other cultures perceive how you should be if you are an American. 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. 3 Jun 2021, 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. The best hotels for couples looking for a romantic getaway. If you enjoyed this read, why not share it with your friends? For us Ikos is a more chilled holiday. So, no matter where you need to be you can always hitch a lift. Opening date: June 2023 This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. So, if you want peak relaxation the private areas are quite nice. 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. Ikos hotels are outstanding for couples as well as families with children of all ages. 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. Best Resort for Location: Ikos (but only just!). Ikos Olivia has 3 pools plus a spa pool, and last year they introduced a childrens splash pad. 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. Or not really if you've stayed in both and/or looked at each brand's website. 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. WebBest for couples: Island hop in style by combining stays at both Grace Santorini and Grace Mykonos in one trip. There is no doubt that all the family will feel relaxed. They are all about taking care of the children so the adults can relax too. For children, theres a schedule of indoor and outdoor pursuits suitable for all ages from tots to teens spanning sports, cooking and crafting. 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. It took eight years to drain the water and make the land habitable. The majority of activities are included in the cost of the all-inclusive. 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.
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