So yep, Sani wins over Ikos in terms of the accommodation. One of them is reserved for deluxe guests and there is another adult-only bar offering. Ideal for couples without smaller travelling companions, this itinerary There are five restaurants, one buffet and four la carte, each with childrens menus as well as Ikos famous dine out programme at selected local dining destinations. 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. 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. 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. 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. There are adult-only areas at some Ikos resorts including dedicated adult-only pools, however all resorts cater to children of all ages too. All-Inclusive Resorts: Resorts that have thought of everything so you don't have to. A. A chance to eat at local restaurants, all of which are included in your all-inclusive. Sadly the area around the Ikos Aria there is none. We had our own private entrance and exit to the outside. FURTHER READING: Want more luxury family travel content? 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 is definitely the best beach in the Ikos chain of resorts. Its effectively like a bus route that runs throughout the resort. but that Kos would have been a longer flight, which is something we try to avoid with two young children. Within a few minutes, we had gone through the check-in experience and were on our way to our room. And it goes without saying that there are bountiful options to keep children of all ages entertained. All of the meals that we had here from starter to dessert were really well executed. One of the first things you will see from reception is the stunning view of the ocean with Kastri Island in your sights. There are plenty of things to Five inviting swimming pools are complemented by charming sandy coves offering you the best of the Mediterranean on Mallorcas beautiful coast. Based on reviews and ratings by travellers, the resort also took Experiences are also included at no extra cost throughout your stay under the Infinite Lifestyle concept including borrowing a MINI cooper to explore archaeological sites, hidden caves and more. We did go to Sani for 2 less nights, though we did have an extra child holidaying with us. 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. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. Dreams resorts All your questions answered! Sani's location is Halkidiki, Greece. 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! 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. The beach at the Ikos Aria is really stunning, so if chilling by the beach is your vibe. The food, service, and overall experience were luxurious. Sani offers no all-inclusive options, and instead offers bed and breakfast in some hotels, half and full board. Open between the hours of 10 am 6 pm there are multiple sessions that run throughout the day. Ikos too is also an award-winning brand. It was definitely our favorite restaurant at the resort. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. The entertainment at the Ikos Aria is a little limited. Both Ikos and Sani pride themselves on being 5* luxury brands, and are very family friendly. 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 also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. 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. Yes and you can read more about Ikos green initiatives here. These are Mylotopi, Alis, and Limnionas. 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. But did one of them deliver more luxury than the other? As you can see they are roughly the same cost. At the time of writing in January 2020 there are currently five Ikos resorts that are open, and a sixth opening in Andalusia in Spain (near Marbella) this May. The perfect place for teenagers to chill out for the day with an arcade and a host of things for them to do. One of the great features of Ikos resorts is local discovery. 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. You name it and they will have it. Both Ikos and Sani are owned by the same company however the hotels do differ. 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. With a classic French menu, the dishes being served were carefully curated by Michelin-starred chef Anthony Jehanno. 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 second you walk into the resort you will notice its stunning design and decor choices. Located a short walk from the marina, theres plenty to see and do during your Spanish escape. Shock horror! These areas have stayed protected and are cornered off and its nice to be able to soak up the history of the place. It really does depend on what you are looking for in your holiday. Oh, and a wellness spa thatll have you feeling like youre walking on clouds in no time. 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. Kos is one of the best places in Greece for couples to visit as it combines incredible beaches with picturesque towns and unique architecture. And dont worry about whether youll need to get up at 6am to secure a sunbed, there is plenty for everybody. As we are a family with two teenagers, I do think that Sani has the slight edge over Ikos. 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. In short, kids clubs that run for three sessions a day - morning, lunch and afternoon - are complimentary from 4 upwards. A. Book all inclusive Kos resorts with private balconies, ocean views and gourmet restaurants for romantic couples holidays. You can also discover age-old family recipes through the local gastronomy, all included within your all-inclusive dining package. Pretty much everything you see is included. 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. Drive one of Ikos Oceanias fleet of MINI Coopers to investigate endless coves and unique architectural sites. 5 nights for 3 adults and 1 child (our eldest was classed as an adult). 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. 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. Yes, every staff member is very professional. There are 5 pools to choose from, the main pool, one adult, one kid, the spa pool, and a deluxe guest-only pool. There were very few areas where we could fault our experience. If you book multiple sessions in a day then it only costs 50. The staff that worked by the pool and beachside had to get a special shoutout. 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. We also got to have a little drive around Corfu Town which has lots of historic monuments and a pretty old town. 3 Jun 2021, Sani Club has two large swimming pools and a kiddy pool, and then an indoor pool too. 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. Yes, the Ikos is a family-friendly resort and there are a host of features that are specifically for families. The standard of food at the Ikos Aria was really good. Although you wont find an all-inclusive resort as nice as the Ikos Aria in those areas. We decided on Sani as we felt it has a slightly more grown up feel, and we love dining around the marina. 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. As we're talking about getting a good deal, it's worth knowing each resort offers you a 10% returning discount BUT this is not interchangeable between the two resorts, sadly. The largest suite on the resort. The room offering at the Ikos Aria is pretty refined, which is how we like it. 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. 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. The resort has 20 or so minis that guests can use, but as with everything in this resort. Best All-Inclusive Resort In St. Lucia: Coconut Bay Beach Resort. In fact, I wrote in my review of Ikos Dassia that the similarity was a bit disconcerting for me. The good thing, as well, was that the drinks were really good, which is often not the case with all-inclusive resorts. This was our first time staying in any Ikos resort and although we had received strong recommendations from friends, we weren't sure what to expect from a luxury all-inclusive And both brands deliver. To be honest I was expecting the bill to be higher, so I was happy to pay just over 400. 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. 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. Room rates are already available for both resorts, and you can book your 2023 or 2024 holiday now. So yes, there's really no comparison here. Its a must-see. This seems to be a consistent offer that they run but double-check on the website before booking. 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. 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. Then this is the resort for you. It has a large king-sized bed and a nice small seating area that opens out to a balcony. Best Overall All-Inclusive Resort In Tulum: Barcel Maya Riviera. 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. We did a bit of research and found that the Ikos resorts in Kos and Halkidiki also would have been possible with direct flights (indeed Halkidiki is the same as Sani!) As this is one of Ikoss more popular resorts the prices are usually a good bit more expensive than some of the Ikoss newer offerings like Oceania. Sprawling across 47 green acres, Ikos Aria promises a laidback, beach chic ambience on the Greek island of Kos. Yes, parking is available for guests and it is complimentary. Theres a host of amenities that you can use throughout the resort. Its interesting how other cultures perceive how you should be if you are an American. There are a few caveats to that. 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. This is the exact same room and set-up as the double room the only difference is the occupancy. 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. If you don't like filling in forms simply give us a call on 0203 816 0985 and we'll be happy to help you. With five hotels in one complex, which one will you choose? If we know we are going to be drinking a few rounds at the bar we would try to tip 1 euro per drink. The food was decent too but played second fiddle to the view. 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. We are not beach people so please do not consider me the oracle on this topic, at all! The Ikos does incentivize you to get out of the resort and explore the local area. 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. Location: Kos, Greece On average the sessions cost around 30 per child, but the price is dependent on the age range. If you can decide on where you want to eat before your holiday its best to book them as early as possible. The staff does really go above and beyond to make it an enjoyable Vacay. to do, lots of different dining options, and really exceptional facilities and service. Alternatively, to dial up the restful levels, visit the spa where a menu of holistic treatments is available from 8am until 8pm daily. This is one of those features that really distinguishes the Ikos as a premium spot for vacations. 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. Best All-Inclusive Resort In St. Lucia: Coconut Bay Beach Resort. The kids pool and play areas are also really nice. Ikos has the huge advantage of you holidaying there, and knowing that your food and drink has all been paid for. Its the perfect resort for wannabe mermaids, with a private beach that spans 350m offering plenty of ocean to explore, alongside eight pools. 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. The Ikos resort has really thought about the physical touchpoints that guests go through on a day in the resort. 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. 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. ), Dummy text Join our email network to receive exclusive offers and notifications of airline sales direct to your inbox. If you enjoyed this read, why not share it with your friends? We ate at Mylotopi restaurant and the views from the outdoor terrace were unbelievable. There is a very nice spa at the Ikos Aria. It may boast more than 400 rooms and suites, however it doesnt have a large resort feel. Yes, Wi-Fi is available to you in your suite as well as throughout the resort. At InspoVacay we believe that Tipping should be considered mandatory. 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 Kid's Clubs & Family-Friendly Facilities: Same. Its open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner and has a lovely selection of food. Like an omelet station for breakfast. However, if you have a bit more time and want to know how and why the two brands are different, and then use this to help you figure out if Ikos or Sani is the one for you, stick around because that's exactly what I'm going to do. 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. Having excellent facilities for children is one of the central pillars of both the Ikos and the Sani brand. 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. Well, having stayed in both, I can tell you that they are different. 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. Opening date: June 2023 See all the winners here. This Asian fusion restaurant had dishes from throughout Asia, with Japanese, Indian, Chinese, and Thai dishes on offer. However, if youd rather relax poolside youre spoilt for choice. This meant our interior exit and entrance was down a hotel corridor. Were here to arm you with the knowledge to make the right choice for your next vacation. 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. Forest Holidays Delamere Our Anniversary Break, Accommodation in a one bedroom suite 1700, Accommodation at Sani Asterias in a one bedroom suite 1280, Extras which included our drinks, lunches, pedalo hire, room service 402. Getting there: 20-minutes by car from Corfu Airport 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 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. Dimitra Beach Hotel & Suites. There are 9 bars throughout the resort. The best hotels for couples looking for a romantic getaway. Sani has been going a LONG time while when we were at Ikos Dassia the resort was only in its second season. Ikos Aria in Greece takes its third No. I believe that during the closed winter season both Sani and Ikos plough lots of money and time into revamping whatever they need to to keep the resorts looking as good as new. Meanwhile, Ikos is a brand with five different locations, and I would imagine more will be added in due course. Absolutely brilliant advice. 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!