If we know we are going to be drinking a few rounds at the bar we would try to tip 1 euro per drink. Best Spa & Wellness Resort In St. Lucia: BodyHoliday. 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. 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. 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! This bungalow can cater to up to 4 adults and 2 kids. This resort is very spacious and there is more than enough room for all of the guests at the pools and beach. The Ikos chain of resorts has become the standout chain We enjoyed it so much that we also booked for October 2022. If you are going half or full board, you will be using their dine around option, which gives you the flexibility of either dining from a set menu at certain restaurants, or using your half/full board allowance which is currently set at 20 euros per adult (Beach) 25 euros (Porto, Club, Dunes) and 40 euros for Asterias. We got room service a few times for breakfast and dinner. Shock horror! Its definitely worth a visit as this is a quant island. Then this is the resort for you. 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. Ideal for couples without smaller travelling companions, this itinerary You name it and they will have it. There's a good reason for this. Meanwhile, Ikos is a brand with five different locations, and I would imagine more will be added in due course. 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. They made our days so enjoyable as we spent most of our time there. 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 is actually one of the strongest benefits. If you book directly through their website and youre staying for 5 or more days, then transfers are usually included. Open date: May 2023 Add to this a 24 hour room service and a fully stocked mini bar, all-inclusive really does mean all-inclusive at Ikos. 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 hotels for couples looking for a romantic getaway. So, if you want peak relaxation the private areas are quite nice. Yes, parking is available for guests and it is complimentary. 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. Location: Costa del Sol, Spain We are not beach people so please do not consider me the oracle on this topic, at all! The housekeeping service was also very consistent. If you have been to an all-inclusive before in South America or a Sandals resort you would probably be expecting a whole slate of activities throughout the day. 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. If you are a wine lover then the Ikos resorts are for you. Oh, and a wellness spa thatll have you feeling like youre walking on clouds in no time. Ikos and Sani are actually the same, as in they are owned by the same company. When there are dozens of categories of rooms. I'll be honest and say that the main reason Ikos has the edge here is because of the all-inclusive set-up. The Ikos Andalusia currently is our top-rated Ikos resort, so check out the review. Once we arrive at the resort, the feeling of luxury and relaxation hits you on the way in. Best Overall All-Inclusive Resort In Tulum: Barcel Maya Riviera. 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. Ikos Resorts were named the best all-inclusive resorts in the world in the 2019 TripAdvisor Annual Travelers Choice Awards. Just to add in another variable to think through. The food here was a little disappointing. As Ikos are stand-alone hotels, the restaurant choice is smaller, but you still get a great variety of places to dine at. It really does depend on what you are looking for in your holiday. 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. We found the quality of care, professionalism of staff, and range of activities and facilities to be excellent at both Sani and Ikos. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Getting there: 20-minutes by car from Kos Airport This year we were due to holiday at both Ikos and Sani again, but unfortunately our stay at Ikos Andalusia has been cancelled. At InspoVacay we believe that Tipping should be considered mandatory. After all, Ikos was acknowledged in TripAdvisor s 2020 awards as the best all-inclusive resort in the world. 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. The spa menu is also very large, so no matter what type of treatment you would like they most likely have it. Either way, we plan on having another Ikos holiday again in the future, for certain! 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. Does the Ikos Aria offer a shuttle service from the Airport. Families are as always a big part of Ikos Odisia, and theres plenty for children of all ages to fill their time with. 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 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. 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. 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. 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. We prefer low rise accommodation, and our stays at Sani have been at Asterias and Dunes which offer this type of accommodation. Although you wont find an all-inclusive resort as nice as the Ikos Aria in those areas. Like with all other Ikos Resorts, Michelin-starred menus are on offer at the five onsite restaurants, and you can also enjoy cherished family recipes at selected local eateries, all included within the cost of your stay. There was more than enough room throughout the beach. The resort really lives up to its 5-star billing in the look and feel of it. Coming in at 40sq.m you get that extra little bit of space compared to the double room. Theres a host of amenities that you can use throughout the resort. It would be impossible to get bored of the swimming choices at either. Location: Halkidiki, Greece to do, lots of different dining options, and really exceptional facilities and service. Throughout the stay, the service was really impeccable. We ran into no issues with the Wi-Fi. 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. Getting there: 1-hour by car from Mlaga-Costa del Sol Airport 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. If you have arrived at my blog and would like to support me in buying a coffee - you can donate 3. Dimitra Beach Hotel & Suites. 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. Kos is a foodie town and there are loads of great options for restaurants in the area. 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. 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. Sani offers no all-inclusive options, and instead offers bed and breakfast in some hotels, half and full board. A chance to eat at local restaurants, all of which are included in your all-inclusive. It was definitely our favorite restaurant at the resort. While Sani offers different boards from full-board to half-board, but with both of these you still have to pay for your drinks. Coming in at 31sq.m its comparable to a well-sized hotel room. Their Covid policy is called the Infinite Care policy and has a host of features. 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. All the staff did their jobs well and that's more than enough for us! Just for teens is suitable for teens aged 12+, (Ratio: Ages 423 months: 1 adult: 3 children / Ages 23 years: 1 adult: 4 children). So, make sure you make use of this benefit if you are staying in a deluxe room. Open date: May 2018 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. Both times we have visited Sani we have booked the half board option. In Europe this is fairly unique, so you need to make sure you make the most of it. Though if you prefer to know that everything is paid for beforehand, Ikos would be the best holiday. This means the company have had slightly more control on the layout and logistics of Sani resort. The choice of accommodation is outstanding. Sani Club has two large swimming pools and a kiddy pool, and then an indoor pool too. 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. Although there are some pockets of Greece that have decent Golf courses. Plus, theres a splash pad for little ones. 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. 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) We did go to Sani for 2 less nights, though we did have an extra child holidaying with us. This Asian fusion restaurant had dishes from throughout Asia, with Japanese, Indian, Chinese, and Thai dishes on offer. 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 Ikos Resorts: sit back and enjoy waiter service by the pool Ikos Resorts, Greece. Having teenagers we do find that Sani offers more for older children. The room offering at the Ikos Aria is pretty refined, which is how we like it. This Italian restaurants menu is inspired by Michelin-starred chef Ettore Botrini. They came at the same time each day and did a really thorough clean. The most basic room on the resort, the double room is actually a perfect offering. 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. 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. Both resorts have pools in their spas too. There is also a massive patio and private garden area here that is perfect for the kids to play in for the day. Best Overall All-Inclusive Resort In Tulum: Barcel Maya Riviera. Serving up Mediterranean cuisine this spot is only available to Deluxe guests. There is yoga, volleyball, TRX to name a few of the activities. If flights permit, try to leave in the afternoon/evening as you can still use the facilities and eat and drink at the resort on the day of your departure. Best in Europe: Ikos Oceania See Rates at TripAdvisor "Appeals to couples and adult travelers but also to younger guests." 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. In other words, they are in hotels that were already built and the company bought them and then refurbished. We had our own private entrance and exit to the outside. Ikos Porto Petro is the second Spanish resort for the hotel group and will open in June 2023. 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. 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. Here are our picks for where to check in in 2023. 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. 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. We were staying in a deluxe room, so they also went through all of the additional features that you could make use of too. Every member of staff that we had interactions with was keen to help us make our stay run as smoothly as possible. The majority of activities are included in the cost of the all-inclusive. Currently based in Amsterdam, Frankie was nomadic for two years before starting a family with her Australian partner. He went above and beyond to make sure we had the most complete dining experience. There are a few caveats to that. 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. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. The kids pool and play areas are also really nice. 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. Youre greeted with a glass of bubbly and your bags are taken to meet you in your room on the other side. 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." Ikos too is also an award-winning brand. 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. Honestly, I can't answer that for you and your family. This is one of those features that really distinguishes the Ikos as a premium spot for vacations. In order to maximize the length of your stay we recommend that you try to arrive in the morning of your first day and go for an evening flight for your last day. While Ikos Dassia's facilities and decor was a bit fresher because it was newer, you really couldn't for a second say that Sani is a tired resort. 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. 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. Before the Sani resort existed, it was a marshland and uninhabited. Sprawling across 47 green acres, Ikos Aria promises a laidback, beach chic ambience on the Greek island of Kos. 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. 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. TOGETHER TIME: 12 Best Vacation Spots for Couples in North America 1. 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. 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. Ikos has five hotels, four of which are in Greece, and the fifth hotel opened in Spain in May 2021. The main difference with Ikos and Sani is the board options available. Its a serious add-on. The beach at the Ikos Aria is really stunning, so if chilling by the beach is your vibe. Ikos has the huge advantage of you holidaying there, and knowing that your food and drink has all been paid for. Yes, everyone is friendly. 24/7 room service is also included and has a great varied menu. Very luxurious, very calming colours, and both Ikos and Sani offer Anne Semonin toiletries in your bathroom. Its effectively like a bus route that runs throughout the resort. 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. Although guests arent required to perform an antigen test, its highly recommended from the Ikos that guests do use them. On our last visit in 2019, we spent an extra 52 euros over the 7 days we were there. 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. 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. Kos is one of the best places in Greece for couples to visit as it combines incredible beaches with picturesque towns and unique architecture. 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. Just like its six sister resorts, Ikos Porto Petro allows guests to discover the local area, at no additional charge, from the comfort of the resorts fleet of Teslas. 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!) Getting there: 35-minutes by car from Corfu Airport The Sani resort states that they have kept parts of the marshland in its original state and guests can explore it by walking, running and other activities like bird-spotting. There is a nice hike for those of you that are adventurers and a small church to see if you just want to have a quick mosey. With a classic French menu, the dishes being served were carefully curated by Michelin-starred chef Anthony Jehanno. Best Spa & Wellness Resort In St. Lucia: BodyHoliday. All Ikos resorts welcome adults as well as children with a range of activities to suit all ages. Hotel child prices apply to children aged between 211 years. Although Greece is a truly wonderful tourist destination. 1 in the world ranking for 2022 as the best All-Inclusive Resort (along with Hotels on the Water, Luxury Hotels). Were here to arm you with the knowledge to make the right choice for your next vacation. This gives you access to over 300 wines to choose from at no additional cost. In fact, I wrote in my review of Ikos Dassia that the similarity was a bit disconcerting for me. by Adrian updated February 4, 2023, 10:21 am, by Emma updated January 30, 2023, 8:40 pm. 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. 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. Voted the number one all-inclusive hotel in the world in the 2021 Travellers Choice Awards by Tripadvisor, a stay here is certainly going to be one for the holiday hall of fame. Both resorts offer brilliant activities, and at Ikos everything will be included apart from motorised sports. Opened in May 2019, the Ikos Aria is a 5-star all-inclusive resort that is one of the premium options in Europe. The largest suite on the resort. 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. Best Luxury All-Inclusive Resort In Tulum: Unico Oh, and while I have your attention, from now on all the photos will alternate from Sani to Ikos, Sani then Ikos and so on, starting with Sani resort. There was so much room for the size of the resort. 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. Opening 19 May 2023. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. However, to begin with you may want to read my individual reviews for Sani and Ikos. It can be a little intimidating to decide the right room for you. 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. Speaking of food, there are eight dining destinations to choose from, each providing a different culinary sensation. The perfect place for teenagers to chill out for the day with an arcade and a host of things for them to do. 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. 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! To summarise we felt that Sani resort did the following things "better" than Ikos: And these are the things we think Ikos Dassia did better, in comparison to Sani resort. Room rates are already available for both resorts, and you can book your 2023 or 2024 holiday now. 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. The best thing about the pools at Ikos and Sani, are that they are heated. So yes, there's really no comparison here. 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. 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.

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