Kos is a foodie town and there are loads of great options for restaurants in the area. 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. There were very few areas where we could fault our experience. All Ikos resorts welcome adults as well as children with a range of activities to suit all ages. Which Ikos resort The best places to stay in Greece - cntraveller.com 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. Hello newness! Five inviting swimming pools are complemented by charming sandy coves offering you the best of the Mediterranean on Mallorcas beautiful coast. This is one of those features that really distinguishes the Ikos as a premium spot for vacations. 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. WebAt ikos Oceania there is a totally separate adult pool which is better. Both have a large presence in Greece and are fantastic for families. So yep, Sani wins over Ikos in terms of the accommodation. Best 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. Location: Corfu, Greece WebFind the best offers for the best holidays at Ikos Resorts Offers Explore Special Offers Take advantage of the best summer deals. Obviously the best way to compare costs is to contact Ikos and Sani direct, or use a travel agent if you wish. Book your holidays for summer 2023 at Ikos We will still need to pay extra for drinks, but I think we'll survive! 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. All of the restaurants also do a great job at catering for different dietary requirements as well as having separate menus for kids and toddlers. Walking the sleepy streets of Kos Town will introduce you to Venetian and Ottoman architecture, traditional tavernas and bustling bars. 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. It still maintains a boutique energy and never feels crowded, mainly thanks to its masses of space. Best in the Maldives: LUX South Ari Atoll See Rates at TripAdvisor "The resort's private family villas offer plenty of space with outdoor terraces facing directly onto the beach." Both resorts have pools in their spas too. WebAll inclusive couples holidays in Kos. So if you know you want all-inclusive then I suspect Ikos is going to be a better option for you. 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. However, to begin with you may want to read my individual reviews for Sani and Ikos. Its interesting how other cultures perceive how you should be if you are an American. 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. Although you wont find an all-inclusive resort as nice as the Ikos Aria in those areas. Its a must-see. Frankie is the, Frances M. Thompson - Copyright 2011 - 2023, Luxury Family Travel: Ikos vs Sani - Which Resort is Better?, at Sani (in Halkidiki on mainland Greece), my review of Sani Resort (we stayed in Sani Club), revamped to be aligned with the style and offerings of Ikos Olivia, Sani Beach Club, a purpose built high-rise hotel, Sani resort does have an adults-only hotel - Sani Dunes, The Best Resorts for Families in the Maldives, World's Best Resorts for Luxury Family Travel, Tips for Helping a Baby or Toddler with Jet-Lag, Packing List for a Ski or Snowboard Holiday with a Toddler, Tips for Visiting Singapore with a Toddler, Travel Activities for Kids (to Do at Home! We found that the pasta dishes were a little bland and the pizzas lacked that authentic Italian cook. 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. 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 prefer low rise accommodation, and our stays at Sani have been at Asterias and Dunes which offer this type of accommodation. Opened in May 2019, the Ikos Aria is a 5-star all-inclusive resort that is one of the premium options in Europe. The water was very clear and the Ikos provided the equipment needed for it. All the staff did their jobs well and that's more than enough for us! And if you love the idea of staying in one of the Ikos resorts, you need to discover more about its sister hotel Sani Resort. 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. Alternatively, to dial up the restful levels, visit the spa where a menu of holistic treatments is available from 8am until 8pm daily. Just for teens is suitable for teens aged 12+, (Ratio: Ages 423 months: 1 adult: 3 children / Ages 23 years: 1 adult: 4 children). Getting there: 20-minutes by car from Corfu Airport 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. Open date: March 2015 Which Ikos resort is Best Resorts We ran into no issues with the Wi-Fi. One of the beds is a pull-out bed though, so it might not be the most spacious if there are three adults going. apartment but to then exit and enter the property down a hotel corridor. 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! 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. 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. The majority of activities are included in the cost of the all-inclusive. The buffet has similar offerings and variety, and while Sani has more options included in the Dine Out menu (read more about that in my Sani review), it's also true that we didn't really maximise this because we didn't want to venture too far away either with the kids or without them leaving them with a babysitter. The Ikos Andalusia currently is our top-rated Ikos resort, so check out the review. However you might prefer to soak up the sunset on your balcony, and both Ikos and Sani have the more traditional style of hotel accommodation. Getting there: 20-minutes by car from Kos Airport 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. Open for dinner only this spot provides a contemporary twist to Spanish cuisines. If you are staying in a deluxe room you will have access to more premium top-shelf options like Taittinger champagne on tap. It was our anniversary one of the nights we stayed and we had organized a private dinner by the beach. Best Resort For Couples In St. Lucia: Sandals Grande St. Lucian. Were here to arm you with the knowledge to make the right choice for your next vacation. 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. Best Resort for Kid's Clubs & Family-Friendly Facilities: Same. Although Greece is a truly wonderful tourist destination. Plus, theres a splash pad for little ones. Best Spa & Wellness Resort In St. Lucia: BodyHoliday. The one thing that you will not find is a decent golf course. The food, service, and overall experience were luxurious. 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. If youre staying in a Deluxe room, transfers are included regardless of where you booked. You can book into restaurants on their app or by calling the reception. These posts may be worth checking out: The Best Resorts for Families in the Maldives // World's Best Resorts for Luxury Family Travel // The Best Airlines for Flying with Kids // Best Toddler Travel Essentials // Tips for Flying with an 18-Month-Old // Tips for Helping a Baby or Toddler with Jet-Lag// The Best Pushchair/Stroller for Travel // Packing List for Travel with a Baby // Tips for Flying with a Baby // Packing List for a Ski or Snowboard Holiday with a Toddler // Tips for Visiting Singapore with a Toddler // Travel Activities for Kids (to Do at Home!) Theres even a football academy that runs over the summer holidays. 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. If you have arrived at my blog and would like to support me in buying a coffee - you can donate 3. My eldest also enjoyed going off exploring Sani by himself. 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. I also run the Ikos Olivia group on Facebook which you are more than welcome to join. If you enjoyed this read, why not share it with your friends? 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. One Bedroom Bungalow Suite with balcony and sea view. This alone is the main reason we will keep on returning to Sani and Ikos resorts! 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. 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. 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. Although you do pay a premium for the treatments. Older teens can also use the gym in the hotels at Sani, and our eldest really enjoyed doing this last time we went. We will say, however, for one and all there were really only a few staff that we connected with in terms of having conversation that lasted longer than a few minutes, but THIS IS OKAY FOR US. Theyre all centered around making your vacation as enjoyable as possible. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Booking is advised before you go, and we tend to chose a mixture of restaurants around the marina and hotels. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Yes and you can read more about Ikos green initiatives here. I certainly did. Which Ikos Resort is right for me? | Winged Boots We have to give a specific shout-out to Michail at Provence. This was for 5 nights and we went with our 2 teenagers. 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. Some of my best memories are sitting in Sani having our evening meal, overlooking the stunning marina. but others are quite significant and may help you decide which of the two resorts you will want to stay at. Ikos Andalusia hotel review: The all-inclusive luxury hotel 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? 20 Extraordinary Luxury Hotels in Greece 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 if you still wanted more restaurant options, they also offer the dine-out option. The only main callout we had about the spa was that it was a little difficult getting a reservation. Their Covid policy is called the Infinite Care policy and has a host of features. You definitely wont get bored throughout your stay. It may sound difficult to decide what youre eating in two weeks time, but if you want to guarantee a table its a necessity. 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. 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.