Included in your stay is a local drive adventure as well as green fees at Los Naranjos golf course in Nueva Andaluca for budding McIlroys. but that Kos would have been a longer flight, which is something we try to avoid with two young children. It is one of the main selling points of the Ikos resorts. It was our anniversary one of the nights we stayed and we had organized a private dinner by the beach. Book ahead to make sure you arent disappointed. To be honest six restaurants, plus two buffet restaurants, plus an extensive in-room dining menu is MORE than enough choice for us for a week which is what Ikos Dassia offered, and I believe all the other Ikos resorts also offer this.. Again my reason for choosing Ikos as definitely having the edge over Sani is because of that all-inclusive element. WebIkos Olivia - All Inclusive Gerakini, Polygyros, Central Macedonia 63100 Hotel Amenities Property Details 295 rooms 4 stories with elevator access Mediterranean architecture Smoke-free property Hotel Services Babysitting (fees apply) and kid's club (fees apply) Front-desk safe and ATM Gift shop Onsite concierge Luggage storage 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. We didnt really see any rubbish or empty glasses left lying around. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. As part of the dine-out feature, there are three restaurants that you can choose from that are included in your all-inclusive package. 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. 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. Some of my best memories are sitting in Sani having our evening meal, overlooking the stunning marina. And both brands deliver. 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. There is no doubt that all the family will feel relaxed. The same goes for the day you are leaving. Unsubscribe anytime (but why would you want to? Book your holidays for summer 2023 at Ikos I hope this post has been useful, and if you have any further questions Ive not covered in the post, please email me. Best Resort for Location: Ikos (but only just!). We also got to have a little drive around Corfu Town which has lots of historic monuments and a pretty old town. Plus, theres a splash pad for little ones. Babysitters were charged at 10 an hour and you had to pay this in case to the babysitter who was nearly always a member of creche staff. Really appreciate everything you have said. Yes, the Ikos Oceania is a great spot for families to vacation with a host of features that are aimed at making your familys vacation run as smoothly as possible. Is good to know the dishes have been put together by top chefs. 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. While Sani offers different boards from full-board to half-board, but with both of these you still have to pay for your drinks. On average the sessions cost around 30 per child, but the price is dependent on the age range. If you have arrived at my blog and would like to support me in buying a coffee - you can donate 3. Opening 19 May 2023. 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. With this room, you can have three adults or two adults and a child stay in it. 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. Best Resort For Couples In St. Lucia: Sandals Grande St. Lucian. There are also events like white parties, kids discos to keep you entertained. 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. Although the resort has a load of features and things to do in the complex. Older teens can also use the gym in the hotels at Sani, and our eldest really enjoyed doing this last time we went. 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? WebIkos Aria, Greece, named Best All-Inclusive Resort in the World at the 2022 TripAdvisor Travellers Choice Awards. 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. Open date: May 2020 The staff that worked by the pool and beachside had to get a special shoutout. Plus, all of the restaurants provide healthy childrens menus. So yep, Ikos Dassia wins just because it has SO many more options and being pedantic - more water to swim in! 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. We also can't compare the spa as for some reason we have never used the spa Sani, but we hope to change that when we return! The activities are very much centered around fitness at the Aria and all of the Ikos resorts. Im keeping everything crossed we get to Sani later on in the year. Here are our picks for where to check in in 2023. Theres even a football academy that runs over the summer holidays. 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. 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). 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. 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. If you are a wine lover then the Ikos resorts are for you. Open for dinner only this spot provides a contemporary twist to Spanish cuisines. For meals, we tend to tip between 5 10 euro depending on the meal and quality of the service. 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. 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. From these room types, there is the option to add the deluxe offering to most of them. Oh, and five la carte restaurants and one buffet will give you all the energy you need to enjoy this brand-new resort to the fullest. Everything about it was top class and the staff were great at keeping our glasses full. It may sound difficult to decide what youre eating in two weeks time, but if you want to guarantee a table its a necessity. Based on reviews and ratings by travellers, the resort also took One of the beds is a pull-out bed though, so it might not be the most spacious if there are three adults going. My eldest also enjoyed going off exploring Sani by himself. I would avoid 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? Its open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner and has a lovely selection of food. Sadly the area around the Ikos Aria there is none. 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. There are 9 bars throughout the resort. There is also a massive patio and private garden area here that is perfect for the kids to play in for the day. 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. 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. 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. 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. And yep, it was even better ordering wine, beer, cocktails, and even Champagne and not worrying about having to pay that too! The resort was really clean throughout. We really did feel very self-contained and like we had plenty of privacy. How they do this is with the complimentary Mini one rental and the three local restaurants that are included in your all-inclusive package. The standard at this resort is top quality and the staff work incredibly hard to earn their tips. As Ikos are stand-alone hotels, the restaurant choice is smaller, but you still get a great variety of places to dine at. There are no all-inclusive options at Sani. Each of the restaurants has a set menu for guests from the Ikos resort. So you really cant go wrong vacationing here, Our review is based on our stay at the resort in a Deluxe room. Double Bungalow with Garden View at Ikos Olivia. The design of all of the rooms is really nicely done following the modern Greek aesthetic that is seen throughout the resort. In short, kids clubs that run for three sessions a day - morning, lunch and afternoon - are complimentary from 4 upwards. 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. It sounds obvious but you would be surprised how many so-called 5-star resorts don't do this. 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. 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. Although some extra activities may incur an additional charge, such as for water sports or ice cream trips. Ideal for couples without smaller travelling companions, this itinerary 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 one thing that you will not find is a decent golf course. One of the issues we heard multiple guests run into before we travelled was getting reservations for restaurants. But I also know that different things matter more for some people than others. Yes, the Ikos is a family-friendly resort and there are a host of features that are specifically for families. The award-winning hotel group has redefined all-inclusive family holidays by extending complimentary food and beverages within the resort to local eateries too, helping to boost the areas economy and support small businesses and the local community. Just a 20-minute drive from Kos International airport you wont have to travel too far once you arrive on your vacay. Although you do pay a premium for the treatments. Sprawling across 47 green acres, Ikos Aria promises a laidback, beach chic ambience on the Greek island of Kos. Spas promote soothing treatments with products by Anne Semonin, and activities range from yoga to water sports. Best Overall All-Inclusive Resort In Tulum: Barcel Maya Riviera. As we are a family with two teenagers, I do think that Sani has the slight edge over Ikos. We had our own private entrance and exit to the outside. 3 Jun 2021, 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. Throughout the stay, the service was really impeccable. The housekeeping service was also very consistent. Hotel child prices apply to children aged between 211 years. There was no hanging about for a check-in desk. We ate at Mylotopi restaurant and the views from the outdoor terrace were unbelievable. You definitely wont get bored throughout your stay. It has a large king-sized bed and a nice small seating area that opens out to a balcony. We did manage to get a massage booking for our second last day, but it was difficult. We are returning to Sani in October to celebrate our 20th wedding anniversary, and this will be our very first trip abroad without our children. Best in Europe: Ikos Oceania See Rates at TripAdvisor "Appeals to couples and adult travelers but also to younger guests." Both resorts have pools in their spas too. The rooms are broken down into four main categories. One of the great features of Ikos resorts is local discovery. BUT this does NOT bother us. There is a creche with the same sessions available for 3 months - 4 year olds, but this is not included in the board price you pay. Thank you Stephen for saying that and I am glad you found the post helpful, Really balanced and helpful . Dimitra Beach Hotel & Suites. Coming in at 40sq.m you get that extra little bit of space compared to the double room. Plus, you have free entry to a range of museums too. We ran into no issues with the Wi-Fi. 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! WebThe OKU Kos is one of the best hotels in Kos for couples to stay. Meanwhile, Ikos is a brand with five different locations, and I would imagine more will be added in due course. The locations are two in Halkidiki ( Oceania and Olivia) on mainland Greece, a resort each on the Greek islands of Kos and Corfu, and the fifth resort which opens this year, is the first outside of Greece, in Andalusia in Spain. The spa menu is also very large, so no matter what type of treatment you would like they most likely have it. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. The Ikos resort has really thought about the physical touchpoints that guests go through on a day in the resort. I certainly did. Walking the sleepy streets of Kos Town will introduce you to Venetian and Ottoman architecture, traditional tavernas and bustling bars. The second difference is the board basis you stay on at each resort. Their Covid policy is called the Infinite Care policy and has a host of features. One of the first things you will see from reception is the stunning view of the ocean with Kastri Island in your sights. Location: Costa del Sol, Spain 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. Speaking of food, there are eight dining destinations to choose from, each providing a different culinary sensation. Currently, for stays in 2021, there are free cancellations up to 2 weeks prior to arrival as well as the full deposit refund too. 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. Here are our picks for where to check in in 2023. Best Resort For Couples In St. Lucia: Sandals Grande St. Lucian. WebI am looking at booking either of the following IKOS hotels - Olivia, Dassia or Oceania for the beginning of Oct and just wondered which was the best or all very similar. So, yet again the Ikos Aria impressed. The occupancy of these rooms is also listed as three adults and one child and it offers plenty of room for families or a group of friends. Whichever room or suite you choose, the furnishings are very similar across both brands. Oh, and a wellness spa thatll have you feeling like youre walking on clouds in no time. Its definitely worth a visit as this is a quant island. I know for some people this will feel a bit impersonal and I'm also confident that for other people when they return to either resort again and again then yes, firmer bonds may be formed. Getting there: 35-minutes by car from Thessaloniki Airport Firstly, Sani resort is a one-off resort, albeit with five different hotels included in the resort. Although this is not unique to this resort, Fresco again has some stunning views overlooking the pool and the ocean. Getting there: 1-hour by car from Mlaga-Costa del Sol Airport The majority of activities are included in the cost of the all-inclusive. If you book directly through their website and youre staying for 5 or more days, then transfers are usually included. Some of the differences are very subtle (or non-existent!) Both have a large presence in Greece and are fantastic for families. Our favorite dishes were definitely the Duck and the Pad Thai. This is the exact same room and set-up as the double room the only difference is the occupancy. So, make sure you make use of this benefit if you are staying in a deluxe room. Sani has been going a LONG time while when we were at Ikos Dassia the resort was only in its second season. There are adult-only areas available. The Ikos chain of resorts has become the standout chain 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. Although we were staying in a deluxe room and had a secluded area. 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. 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. ), 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. The blue-flag awarded beach beckons sunworshippers of all ages with loungers and umbrellas aplenty alongside beach childcare if youd like to take a few moments of me time. Enter your email address to subscribe and receive new posts by email. You really cant go wrong booking your next vacation here. 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) You can also order these golf carts wherever you are in the resort. 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. As always make sure you shop around and think about the time of year that you are traveling if you want to bag yourself a bargain. 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. Ikos Dassia (pictured above) also has two large swimming pools (both bigger in size than those at Sani if you want to be detail-specific) for all, two adults-only swimming pools, one Deluxe Collection and a kiddy's splash area too. Sani, however, has grown from being one main building with some villas as Sani Club to purpose-built villas, bungalows, and in the case of Sani Beach Club, a purpose built high-rise hotel. If you've got this far, you'll know that comparing the two resorts is a bit like comparing two of your favourite films; it doesn't really matter which ones is best overall - they're both good! The food here was also really good, it was very traditional and the Michelin starred menu was executed to a very impressive level. 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. I'll be honest and say that the main reason Ikos has the edge here is because of the all-inclusive set-up. Blogging our travels and family life since 2013. 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. Click here to submit your Ikos Odisia holiday enquiry. The beach at the Ikos Aria was really long and spacious. There are currently five different Ikos hotels, four in Greece (with two in Halkidiki where Sani resort is and one each on the Greek islands of Kos and Corfu) and one near Marbella in Andalusia, Spain. If you only have five minutes to make a decision on whether you should go to Sani Resort or an Ikos Resort, then let me say this; go to any of them and you will have a fantastic holiday! This is actually one of the strongest benefits. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Best resort for beaches: Ikos (although can only comment on Ikos Dassia!). 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. Looking for individual reviews of our stays at Ikos and Sani you can find them all here. The only main callout we had about the spa was that it was a little difficult getting a reservation. To discover more on how Ikos Resorts has reimagined traditional all-inclusive beach holidays, read our dedicated article. 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. So, no matter where you need to be you can always hitch a lift. 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. Hello newness! All Ikos resorts have or are being opened in the last two years with Andalusia opening in the coming season. The good thing, as well, was that the drinks were really good, which is often not the case with all-inclusive resorts. Alternatively, if you want to have more flexibility and think it will save you more money or give you more options, so would prefer a half-board option, Sani is the one. This bungalow can cater to up to 4 adults and 2 kids. When there are dozens of categories of rooms. A. Best All-Inclusive Resort In St. Lucia: Coconut Bay Beach Resort. Kos is a foodie town and there are loads of great options for restaurants in the area. 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. There is yoga, volleyball, TRX to name a few of the activities. The check-in staff was really good at explaining the layout of the resort, as well as all of the features of the resort. 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! We enjoyed it so much that we also booked for October 2022. So if you know you want all-inclusive then I suspect Ikos is going to be a better option for you. 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. 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. 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. Location: Kos, Greece Here are our picks for where to check in in 2023. 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. Corfu and Crete. WebAt ikos Oceania there is a totally separate adult pool which is better. The Ikos is the perfect spot for families. 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. 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. Free drinks, all day, every day for 7 days? Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Both resorts offer fantastic luxury family holidays with plenty of things for kids (and adults!) They both felt very authentic. We have booked into Sani Dunes for 5 nights, and this will be our second time staying at Dunes. 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. 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. It was definitely our favorite restaurant at the resort. But be aware I am most often comparing only Ikos Dassia in Corfu to Sani rather than all of the Ikos resorts. It still maintains a boutique energy and never feels crowded, mainly thanks to its masses of space. This is the main buffet at the resort and one of the more casual places to dine. 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. This was for 5 nights and we went with our 2 teenagers. This hotel is elegant, charming, and despite being newly built has tonnes of character. Serious luxury. 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. We always budget a certain amount of money towards tipping. A. Here is my review of Sani Resort (we stayed in Sani Club), and here is my review of Ikos Dassia, which is on the Greek island of Corfu. A Spanish restaurant whose menu is designed by acclaimed Chef David Ibarboure. We don't necessarily go on holiday to make friends with the staff or form long-lasting bonds. WebFind the best offers for the best holidays at Ikos Resorts Offers Explore Special Offers Take advantage of the best summer deals. We really enjoyed the food and the atmosphere here. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. 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 // How to "Teach" Travel to Kids // Best Books About Travel for Babies // Best Books About Travel for 2 - 6 Year Olds. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. All the staff did their jobs well and that's more than enough for us! to do, lots of different dining options, and really exceptional facilities and service. 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.
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