Top 10 reasons to choose Ikos Resorts

Dazzling beachside settings, gourmet dining and local adventures with a sustainable flavour: when it comes to luxury all-inclusives, Ikos Resorts has the perfect formula.

Since the brand debuted with Ikos Oceania in 2015, its seven stylish properties in Greece and Spain have won fans of all ages, and it’s easy to see why. Whether you’re looking for family-friendly luxury or a romantic all-inclusive getaway, we share our top 10 reasons to pick Ikos Resorts, along with insights from Jared Brown, Personal Travel Expert at Kuoni Norwich.

Ikos Andalusia

Award-winning luxury

We’re far from being Ikos Resorts’ only admirers, as an ever-growing list of accolades confirms. To mention just a few, Ikos Andalusia won Best Family Hotel in the World in the 2023 Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards, while other properties were named Best All-Inclusive Resort in the World four years in a row. Several Ikos Resorts are recent recipients of Condé Nast Travellers' Readers Choice Awards, and new arrival Ikos Odisia became the World Travel Awards’ Leading All-Inclusive Resort in Europe 2024.

All-inclusive elevated

The all-inclusive concept gets a next-level reset at Ikos Resorts, where everything from signature premium cocktails to a day in a self-drive Tesla comes as standard. Their mantra is Unconditional Luxury, and they more than live up to it. Expect gourmet à la carte dining with menus conjured up by Michelin-starred chefs, featuring flavours from the Mediterranean and beyond, paired with vintages from a sommelier-selected list of more than 300 wine labels. The other top-drawer inclusions are just as gratifying: think pool and beach service, branded spirits and a fully stocked minibar. 

For Jared, one of his standout dining experiences was at Ikos Andalusia: “My partner and I enjoyed a mouthwatering lunch at the authentic Spanish restaurant, Chiringuito. Sitting right on the beach, we savoured freshly made tapas and sangria while taking in the stunning sea views.”

Ikos Porto Petro

Breathtaking locations

Special holidays deserve a dreamy setting, and every Ikos Resort has a sublime seaside location. Take sophisticated Ikos Porto Petro on Mallorca’s southeast coast, close to Mondragó Natural Park, where forested mountains provide an impressive backdrop to the resort’s bookending duo of sandy coves – and add a pine-scented tang to the soft sea-salty breeze. Or you could immerse yourself in Corfu’s glorious scenery at Ikos Odisia, tucked away on a verdant east-coast peninsula with velvety golden sand on either side.  

Family fun for all

Quality family time is a rare commodity in the busy modern world, but you’ll find it in spades at all Ikos Resorts. Kids’ clubs run to Ofsted standards cover all ages from 6 months to 17 years, so while the toddlers are face painting at Heroes Crèche, the older children can be having singalongs or photographing wildlife. There are together times to be relished, from laidback meals by the sea – all the restaurants have kids’ menus – to outdoor games and family-friendly live shows. And when the grown-ups need a short break, there’s even a beach childcare service, with no charge for the first half hour.  

Relaxation & romance

With impeccable designs which incorporate tranquil adult-only spaces, Ikos Resorts are just as appealing to honeymooners as families. For such a special occasion, it’s worth upgrading to the Deluxe Collection, which adds an extra dose of pampering to your holiday. It starts with your accommodation – a glamorous suite with dazzling sea views and a private pool –  but doesn’t end there. You’ll have a concierge to help plan your day, a cabana in a dedicated beach zone, complimentary spa treatments and upgraded dining experiences from a private dinner by the sea to access to exclusive restaurants.

Reflecting on his favourite spot to unwind, Jared recommends the adults-only Cocktail Bar at Ikos Andalusia, describing it as the perfect spot for an evening sundowner: “The bar was the ideal place to enjoy a ‘Femme Fatale,’ a vermouth and gin-based cocktail with fig jam. It was my go-to golden hour drink.”

Spa & serenity: Fitness and wellness

'Human flourishing' is an ancient Greek philosophy with health and well-being at its core. Boost yours with endorphin-pumping HIIT and TRX sessions in a state-of-the-art fitness centre, soothing sunset yoga classes on the beach or a stress-melting spell in a sleek thermal suite, all at no extra cost. Each resort has an Ikos Spa by Anne Semonin Paris, which means expert therapists and personalised treatments featuring the highest-quality products. Splash out on relaxing massages, pampering facials and rituals that combine the two.

Discovery

Exploration is included at every Ikos Resort, thanks to the imaginative Local Discovery programme. Spend a day your way, steering a complimentary Tesla Model 3 to quaint mountain villages, ancient temples or desert-island beaches, depending on the destination. The Ikos Culture Pass gives free entry to fascinating local museums, historical sites and even wineries if you’re staying at Ikos Aria, Olivia or Oceania, while the Dine Out adventure allows you to savour traditional cuisine in carefully chosen tavernas, tapas bars and waterfront eateries.

Jared shared his story of Ikos’ complimentary adventures: “We took advantage of the Local Drive Adventure and explored Andalucia in a Tesla, winding our way up to the beautiful town of Ronda – where we actually got engaged! The timeless beauty of the town was an incredible backdrop to such a special moment.”

Active adventures: Outdoor experiences

Cloudless blue skies provide the perfect backdrop to outdoor adventures, from steering a paddleboard along scenic shores to an energetic session of tennis on a floodlit court. This is your chance to have a go at scuba diving with an introductory lesson in the pool, hurl yourself into energetic family games of volleyball on the beach or take advantage of the complimentary mountain bikes to get out into classic Mediterranean landscapes.

Entertainment

The fun needn’t stop at sunset. You could bring the day to a close with a family-friendly musical, a vibrant flamenco show, or a live performance of traditional Greek music or mellow jazz. You might prefer to wind down with bespoke cocktails and sea views in a glossy bar or an al fresco screening of a favourite film. Or round off the night dancing under the stars to the latest beats at one of the regular beach parties.

Sustainable stays

The Ikos Green Programme means you can enjoy your holiday knowing sustainability is taken seriously. All the resorts have heat pumps, solar panels, recycling initiatives and more; there’s a real focus on sourcing from nearby producers and cooperatives; and they work with everyone from marine conservation groups to local hospitals. At Marie Claire’s Sustainability Awards 2021, Ikos Dassia was named the best zero-waste venue for its efforts in recycling and reducing waste in Corfu; catch up with other projects and successes through the Eco Journal in your room.

This feature was created on 15th October 2024. The information within this feature is correct to the best of our knowledge at the time of print.