A. 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. 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. Best Overall All-Inclusive Resort In Tulum: Barcel Maya Riviera. Although you wont find an all-inclusive resort as nice as the Ikos Aria in those areas. Join our email to receive exclusive offers and airline sales direct to your inbox. Unlike All-inclusive resorts in South America where you tip for every drink, we normally tip after the first round. Location: Mallorca, Balearics You can also order these golf carts wherever you are in the resort. // How to "Teach" Travel to Kids // Best Books About Travel for Babies // Best Books About Travel for 2 - 6 Year Olds. The room offering at the Ikos Aria is pretty refined, which is how we like it. Best Resort For Couples In St. Lucia: Sandals Grande St. Lucian. Hello newness! 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. It may sound difficult to decide what youre eating in two weeks time, but if you want to guarantee a table its a necessity. 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! You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. You can book into restaurants on their app or by calling the reception. 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. Although this is not unique to this resort, Fresco again has some stunning views overlooking the pool and the ocean. Nope, not really. We really enjoyed the food and the atmosphere here. There were very few areas where we could fault our experience. Sani is in Halkidiki on the Greek mainland, and its a resort which is made up of five luxury hotels, and a stunning marina. Best Resort For Couples In St. Lucia: Sandals Grande St. Lucian. 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. Older teens can also use the gym in the hotels at Sani, and our eldest really enjoyed doing this last time we went. Although we were staying in a deluxe room and had a secluded area. 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. All-Inclusive Resorts: Resorts that have thought of everything so you don't have to. There are also Michelin-starred menus available at the seven dining destinations which are all included within the cost of your stay, alongside dining at a range of local eateries. In Europe this is fairly unique, so you need to make sure you make the most of it. WebIkos Aria, Greece, named Best All-Inclusive Resort in the World at the 2022 TripAdvisor Travellers Choice Awards. But to date, there are no plans to launch any other Sani-branded resorts outside of what is already there. This resort is very spacious and there is more than enough room for all of the guests at the pools and beach. Best resort for beaches: Ikos (although can only comment on Ikos Dassia!). Sani has been going a LONG time while when we were at Ikos Dassia the resort was only in its second season. In short, kids clubs that run for three sessions a day - morning, lunch and afternoon - are complimentary from 4 upwards. So yep, Sani wins over Ikos in terms of the accommodation. If youre staying in a Deluxe room, transfers are included regardless of where you booked. 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. If you book directly through their website and youre staying for 5 or more days, then transfers are usually included. How they do this is with the complimentary Mini one rental and the three local restaurants that are included in your all-inclusive package. This hotel is elegant, charming, and despite being newly built has tonnes of character. Although the resort has a load of features and things to do in the complex. 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! 393 contemporary rooms and suites offer every modern comfort you could possibly need, alongside exceptional views of the resorts manicured gardens and pools. The Ikos Dassia is a family-friendly resort, with a wide range of features to make your familys vacation run as smooth as possible. This meant our interior exit and entrance was down a hotel corridor. 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. However, to begin with you may want to read my individual reviews for Sani and Ikos. This is definitely the best beach in the Ikos chain of resorts. 22 acres of perfectly landscaped gardens on the Gulf of Toroneos in beautiful Halkidiki sits Ikos Olivia. Hotel child prices apply to children aged between 211 years. One of the first things you will see from reception is the stunning view of the ocean with Kastri Island in your sights. Ikos usual all-inclusive offerings are also included at this resort so you can explore the locale at leisure without spending a penny. 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. 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) Getting there: 1-hour by car from Mlaga-Costa del Sol Airport 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. 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. Does the Ikos Aria offer a shuttle service from the Airport. There are 5 pools to choose from, the main pool, one adult, one kid, the spa pool, and a deluxe guest-only pool. So since writing this comparison of the two brands, I've found out that most of the Ikos resorts (if not all) have been launched in buildings that already existed. The 136 guest rooms and suites are ideal for couples and families sleeping up to four, while the 155 bungalow suites sleep between five and six located either on the beachfront or further in the resort but with private pools. 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. Best in Europe: Ikos Oceania See Rates at TripAdvisor "Appeals to couples and adult travelers but also to younger guests." 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. Both times we have visited Sani we have booked the half board option. 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. Pretty much everything you see is included. 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. Just to add in another variable to think through. The only main callout we had about the spa was that it was a little difficult getting a reservation. The perfect place for teenagers to chill out for the day with an arcade and a host of things for them to do. They also have plans to open another four hotels over the next few years in Majorca, Portugal. Best Resort for Staff & Service: For us, Sani. Best Luxury All-Inclusive Resort In Tulum: Unico They look VERY similar from the resort layout and accommodation decor through to the packages and products they offer. In other words, they are in hotels that were already built and the company bought them and then refurbished. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. This wasn't a big deal, of course, but it was a little odd to have such a huge (and gorgeous!) Both resorts offer fantastic luxury family holidays with plenty of things for kids (and adults!) 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. The largest suite on the resort. As are a range of sports, games and activities; nightly entertainment; and dedicated age-appropriate kids clubs that have a schedule of daily fun to suit all. Located on Kos southwest coast, it spans 47-acres and offers access to the islands silk-soft sand beach. A. WebFamily fun. 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. 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. The staff does really go above and beyond to make it an enjoyable Vacay. 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. In fact, I wrote in my review of Ikos Dassia that the similarity was a bit disconcerting for me. 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. Ikos and Sani are actually the same, as in they are owned by the same company. Located a short walk from the marina, theres plenty to see and do during your Spanish escape. The Ikos resort has really thought about the physical touchpoints that guests go through on a day in the 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. 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. Sani and Ikos both offer a great range of accommodation to suit peoples needs, and for us personally we love staying in the one bedroom bungalow suites at Ikos Olivia. The rooms are broken down into four main categories. 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. 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!) The Ikos Aria is also conveniently located within close distance to the lovely local village of Zia. The wine menu was really very good, with tastefully chosen bottles from all over the world, as well as some excellent local wines and other Greek offerings. But did one of them deliver more luxury than the other? And with two footpaths almost immediately at the end of the garden, it also just didn't feel as private. 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. 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. This again is a unique thing to offer to premium room guests. Two of which are for babies, one designed specifically for families, two adult-only, one within the spa and one for Deluxe Collection guests as well as the main pool which welcomes all ages. Getting there: 20-minutes by car from Corfu Airport The choice of accommodation is outstanding. You will need to wait for your room, but most times you will get your room early too. Thank you Stephen for saying that and I am glad you found the post helpful, Really balanced and helpful . 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. 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. 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. 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. Surrounded by the beaches of Aghios Fokas, the five-star Dimitra Beach Hotel & Suites sets the scene for romantic escapes. If you have visited an Ikos resort before you will be familiar with the offering as all of the restaurants are the same throughout. A chance to eat at local restaurants, all of which are included in your all-inclusive. 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. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. With the Ikos resorts they have a feature as part of their all-inclusive package called the Wine Cave. From local traditional to DJs its nice to have something playing in the background as you enjoy your evening. Once we arrive at the resort, the feeling of luxury and relaxation hits you on the way in. We found that the pasta dishes were a little bland and the pizzas lacked that authentic Italian cook. 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. When we visited they were basically booked out for the whole week ahead. From an extensive kids and teens club, creche facilities, and kids menus. There is a very nice spa at the Ikos Aria. Things such as water sports, the items in the mini-mart, and treatments at the spa come at an additional cost. Free drinks, all day, every day for 7 days? For us Ikos is a more chilled holiday. TOGETHER TIME: 12 Best Vacation Spots for Couples in North America 1. The Ikos Andalusia currently is our top-rated Ikos resort, so check out the review. Getting there: 50 minutes by car from Palma De Mallorca Airport The experience we had was very personal and had that luxury touch. Choosing which of the six family-friendly all-inclusive beach hotels in the Ikos Resorts collection is no easy decision theyre all so appealing! The one thing that you will not find is a decent golf course. So you really cant go wrong vacationing here, Our review is based on our stay at the resort in a Deluxe room. Typically with all-inclusives resorts, there will be one or two house wine selections that will be included in the package and any other bottles of wine will come at a premium. 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. So, no matter where you need to be you can always hitch a lift. 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. Either way, we plan on having another Ikos holiday again in the future, for certain! 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. All Ikos resorts have or are being opened in the last two years with Andalusia opening in the coming season. 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. Man, it's hard to say that one resort is better than the other with swimming pools because honestly, both resorts have multiple excellent swimming pools. Here are our picks for where to check in in 2023. At Sani the hotels all have their own pools, and Dunes had the biggest outdoor pool in Greece when it opened in 2017. The menus at the restaurants were devised by Michelin-starred chefs and although they dont work in the restaurants. Sani Beach as its now known followed in 1984 and by the early 2017 with the opening of Sani Dunes, following the earlier launch of Sani Asteria and Porto Sani, these five 5-star hotels plus the Sani Marina area (with several shops, restaurants, apartments, and a marina for boats and luxury yachts) now comprises the award-winning Sani resort. All drinks, food, amenities, and entertainment are just a few of the elements that are included with the all-inclusive. Enter your email address to subscribe and receive new posts by email. 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. We also got to have a little drive around Corfu Town which has lots of historic monuments and a pretty old town.

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