This year we were due to holiday at both Ikos and Sani again, but unfortunately our stay at Ikos Andalusia has been cancelled. The housekeeping service was also very consistent. We really enjoyed the food and the atmosphere here. There are a few caveats to that. Our Best All-Inclusive Resorts In Puerto Vallarta for Food, Our Best All-Inclusive Resorts in Los Cabos for Food. There is no information regarding vacations in 2022, so be sure to double-check with the Ikos, to see if this benefit is still available. In fact, I wrote in my review of Ikos Dassia that the similarity was a bit disconcerting for me. At Ikos Dassia, our room was also a two-bedroom private pool villa and it had an almost identical layout, and plenty of space, but it wasn't independent from the main hotel building. The Ikos Andalusia currently is our top-rated Ikos resort, so check out the review. 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. He went above and beyond to make sure we had the most complete dining experience. 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. Serious luxury. Plus, you have free entry to a range of museums too. We did our typical test of streaming Netflix in various parts of the resort and there were no performance issues. 22 acres of perfectly landscaped gardens on the Gulf of Toroneos in beautiful Halkidiki sits Ikos Olivia. It took eight years to drain the water and make the land habitable. We got room service a few times for breakfast and dinner. 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. This resort is very spacious and there is more than enough room for all of the guests at the pools and beach. Our favorite dishes were definitely the Duck and the Pad Thai. This suite caters to up to three adults and two kids. 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. But did one of them deliver more luxury than the other? It may boast more than 400 rooms and suites, however it doesnt have a large resort feel. The staff were really good and collected empties once you were finished. Here are our picks for where to check in in 2023. If youre staying in a Deluxe room, transfers are included regardless of where you booked. 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. There are also events like white parties, kids discos to keep you entertained. Best resort for beaches: Ikos (although can only comment on Ikos Dassia!). By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. 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. This was actually one of our favorite places to go for lunch where they have a nice selection of light dishes. Once we arrive at the resort, the feeling of luxury and relaxation hits you on the way in. Open date: March 2015 There is a fleet of golf carts that have routes that cover the whole resort. We don't necessarily go on holiday to make friends with the staff or form long-lasting bonds. You don't need to look at many photos of our accommodation in Sani and our suite in Ikos Dassia to realise that it all looks VERY similar. 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. Honestly, there is not much need for the bigger rooms if youre a couple or two friends vacationing together. 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. In other words, they are in hotels that were already built and the company bought them and then refurbished. 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. We have to give a specific shout-out to Michail at Provence. Opened in May 2019, the Ikos Aria is a 5-star all-inclusive resort that is one of the premium options in Europe. What I do hope this comparison of Sani and Ikos has done is help you decide which one is going to be the best fit. If you only have five minutes to make a decision on whether you should go to Sani Resort or an Ikos Resort, then let me say this; go to any of them and you will have a fantastic holiday! The food, service, and overall experience were luxurious. Some of the differences are very subtle (or non-existent!) If you book directly through their website and youre staying for 5 or more days, then transfers are usually included. The standard at this resort is top quality and the staff work incredibly hard to earn their tips. 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. The second resort for the Ikos family, Ikos Oceania is also in Halkidiki on another glorious stretch of Mediterranean coastline. Just to add in another variable to think through. 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. 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. 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. On our last visit in 2019, we spent an extra 52 euros over the 7 days we were there. 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. But if you require a little extra help planning your 2023 or 2024 Ikos holiday our expert personal travel managers have condensed the highlights for each of the resorts into a short and handy guide to help you decide. 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. 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. 24/7 room service is also included and has a great varied menu. There are 9 bars throughout the resort. My eldest also enjoyed going off exploring Sani by himself. A chance to eat at local restaurants, all of which are included in your all-inclusive. There is always some sort of musical entertainment that is on in the evenings. Sadly the area around the Ikos Aria there is none. It was definitely our favorite restaurant at the resort. For children, theres a schedule of indoor and outdoor pursuits suitable for all ages from tots to teens spanning sports, cooking and crafting. Throughout the stay, the service was really impeccable. 393 contemporary rooms and suites offer every modern comfort you could possibly need, alongside exceptional views of the resorts manicured gardens and pools. This resort delivers on the 5-star luxury vacation billing. At InspoVacay we believe that Tipping should be considered mandatory. But the service at Sani was just a bit slicker, and our personal concierge was much more professional than the one we had at Ikos Dassia, although he was very friendly and helpful. We always budget a certain amount of money towards tipping. The rooms are broken down into four main categories. The spa menu is also very large, so no matter what type of treatment you would like they most likely have it. This hotel is elegant, charming, and despite being newly built has tonnes of character. 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. Add to this a 24 hour room service and a fully stocked mini bar, all-inclusive really does mean all-inclusive at Ikos. The Ikos Aria is also conveniently located within close distance to the lovely local village of Zia. I certainly did. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. over a year ago Reviewed this property Kent, United Kingdom 1 Vote No, it's for everyone. Although you do pay a premium for the treatments. 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. 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 we are a family with two teenagers, I do think that Sani has the slight edge over Ikos. 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? Kos is a foodie town and there are loads of great options for restaurants in the area. Firstly, Sani resort is a one-off resort, albeit with five different hotels included in the resort. We even saw one family with a cot on the beach. Both resorts have pools in their spas too. Ikos all the way if having a great all-inclusive bar menu to choose from is a priority. If you enjoyed this read, why not share it with your friends? Getting there: 35-minutes by car from Thessaloniki Airport 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. 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. This was for 5 nights and we went with our 2 teenagers. Join our email to receive exclusive offers and airline sales direct to your inbox. WebIkos Dassia, Corfu Perfect for couples and families, with parts of its secluded sandy beach and two of the five swimming pools reserved for adults, the resort is also It is one of the main selling points of the Ikos resorts. The land was owned by monks and two men - a public contractor and a civil engineer - bought the land from the monastery in the 1960s after seeing the bay from a boat on the water. Before booking its worth double-checking that these are still in place. Book ahead to make sure you arent disappointed. 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? 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. 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. You will need to wait for your room, but most times you will get your room early too. Getting there: 1-hour by car from Mlaga-Costa del Sol Airport Notify me of follow-up comments by email. 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. There were very few areas where we could fault our experience. Although we were staying in a deluxe room and had a secluded area. We ran into no issues with the Wi-Fi. 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. One of the great features of Ikos resorts is local discovery. The check-in staff was really good at explaining the layout of the resort, as well as all of the features of the resort. 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. 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. Best All-Inclusive Resort In St. Lucia: Coconut Bay Beach Resort. View Foreign Travel Advice for Greece The features that you get with Deluxe status are the following. 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. For us Ikos is a more chilled holiday. The personal concierge at Sani was more experienced and in general, Sani's reception and customer service staff were quicker to respond to our requests and seemed more knowledgeable. 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. 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. Families are as always a big part of Ikos Odisia, and theres plenty for children of all ages to fill their time with. The best thing about the pools at Ikos and Sani, are that they are heated. The choice of accommodation is outstanding. From an extensive kids and teens club, creche facilities, and kids menus. Best Luxury All-Inclusive Resort In Tulum: Unico Ikos Olivia has 3 pools plus a spa pool, and last year they introduced a childrens splash pad. There was no hanging about for a check-in desk. I'll be honest and say that the main reason Ikos has the edge here is because of the all-inclusive set-up. 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. If you are staying in a deluxe room you will have access to more premium top-shelf options like Taittinger champagne on tap. Ikos Oceania, Halkidiki Best for redefining resorts The small Ikos groups aim is to reimagine the all-inclusive experience, and it certainly achieves that Currently based in Amsterdam, Frankie was nomadic for two years before starting a family with her Australian partner. Location: Halkidiki, Greece 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. Location: Kos, Greece 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. There was so much room for the size of the resort. Book your holidays for summer 2023 at Ikos A Spanish restaurant whose menu is designed by acclaimed Chef David Ibarboure. Both Ikos and Sani are owned by the same company however the hotels do differ. apartment but to then exit and enter the property down a hotel corridor. Best Resort for Staff & Service: For us, Sani. 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. 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. There are adult-only areas available. 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. by Adrian updated February 4, 2023, 10:21 am, by Emma updated January 30, 2023, 8:40 pm. Unsubscribe anytime (but why would you want to?). Location: Corfu, Greece Having excellent facilities for children is one of the central pillars of both the Ikos and the Sani brand. The design of all of the rooms is really nicely done following the modern Greek aesthetic that is seen throughout the resort. Getting there: 20-minutes by car from Kos Airport In Europe this is fairly unique, so you need to make sure you make the most of it. WebThe OKU Kos is one of the best hotels in Kos for couples to stay. 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. You can also discover the local area with help from Ikos Andalusia. This is the perfect option if you want to drop off the kids and have a few hours by the adults pool or to go for a nice meal in the evening. The food here was a little disappointing. On average the sessions cost around 30 per child, but the price is dependent on the age range. The Ikos chain of resorts has become the standout chain 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. If you want to feel like you're getting A LOT for your money, and let's be honest, neither a holiday at an Ikos resort or at Sani is going to be cheap, then I think you'll get this feeling easier and quicker at an Ikos resort. Both resorts offer brilliant activities, and at Ikos everything will be included apart from motorised sports. We are not beach people so please do not consider me the oracle on this topic, at all! While Sani offers different boards from full-board to half-board, but with both of these you still have to pay for your drinks. Both times we have visited Sani we have booked the half board option. It's no surprise that both resorts are luxury. Open between the hours of 10 am 6 pm there are multiple sessions that run throughout the day. 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. 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. One of the first things you will see from reception is the stunning view of the ocean with Kastri Island in your sights. 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. We did go to Sani for 2 less nights, though we did have an extra child holidaying with us. There are plenty of things to I am SO excited! Meanwhile, Ikos is a brand with five different locations, and I would imagine more will be added in due course. Thanks for sharing your experience with this. 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. The question is do the benefits outweigh the premium cost you need to be. The Ikos is the perfect spot for families. 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. Ideal for couples without smaller travelling companions, this itinerary All of the meals that we had here from starter to dessert were really well executed. Whichever room or suite you choose, the furnishings are very similar across both brands. Although some extra activities may incur an additional charge, such as for water sports or ice cream trips. Although you wont find an all-inclusive resort as nice as the Ikos Aria in those areas. So I thought it was time to put my thoughts and comparisons into a blog post, based on the seven holidays we have had at Ikos and Sani. Food & Dinning: Pretty much the same in terms of quality, but Ikos is the winner for other reasons! Drive one of Ikos Oceanias fleet of MINI Coopers to investigate endless coves and unique architectural sites. They are all about taking care of the children so the adults can relax too. The staff that worked by the pool and beachside had to get a special shoutout. In short, kids clubs that run for three sessions a day - morning, lunch and afternoon - are complimentary from 4 upwards. 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. 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. Exception couples holiday at Ikos Dassia Review of Ikos Dassia Reviewed November 26, 2021 We had an excellent overall experience at Ikos Dassia in October this year. Things such as water sports, the items in the mini-mart, and treatments at the spa come at an additional cost. From an extensive kids and teens club to some great food and entertainment options for the kids. Sani offers no all-inclusive options, and instead offers bed and breakfast in some hotels, half and full board. A coastal colour palette, expansive balconies or terraces, separate bedrooms and deluxe bathrooms ensure that these havens offer a warm hug after a busy day soaking up everything Greece and Ikos have to offer. These areas have stayed protected and are cornered off and its nice to be able to soak up the history of the place. This adult-only hotel is located directly on a private sandy beach, 2.5 miles away from Marmari Village in Kos. 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. In 2018, two more Ikos resorts opened, Ikos Aria on the Greek island of Kos, and Ikos Dassia on the island of Corfu (where we stayed last September ).

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