Is Ikos really worth the price tag?

As a Travel Counsellor and as a mum, I have stayed with Ikos multiple times as a paying guest with my two young children. I have also stayed in some fantastic luxury hotels across Europe that I regularly recommend to clients. Many of these have a lower price point than Ikos and offer a wonderful experience in their own right, but in terms of what is included and how consistently it is delivered, they are not in quite the same league.

I have also seen Ikos from the inside: meeting their sales teams, touring properties and room types, and understanding how the concept has evolved.

This is not a brochure rewrite. It is my honest view on whether Ikos justifies the cost, what it does brilliantly, and how to choose the right resort for you

The Ikos Collection: 8 Unique Resorts, 6 Destinations

At the time of writing, the Ikos portfolio includes eight resorts in six destinations:

Spain

• Ikos Porto Petro, Mallorca
• Ikos Andalusia, Marbella–Estepona

Greece

• Ikos Aria, Kos
• Ikos Odisia, Corfu
• Ikos Dassia, Corfu
• Ikos Olivia, Halkidiki
• Ikos Oceania, Halkidiki
• Ikos Kissamos, Crete

The brand has gained worldwide recognition for its elevated take on all inclusive, with a strong focus on exceptional guest experience and a consistently high standard across its properties. It regularly features in “best in the world” style lists and has won multiple awards, which is impressive for a concept that, on paper, could be dismissed as “just another all inclusive”.

So far, I have personally:

• Stayed at Ikos Dassia in Corfu
• Stayed at Ikos Olivia in Halkidiki
• Stayed twice at Ikos Andalusia in Spain, including getting a behind the scenes tour as a Travel Counsellor to experience their private villas and Deluxe Collection
• Visited Ikos Oceania in Halkidiki for lunch and an afternoon

That means I can look at Ikos in two ways:

• Professionally: with access to training, reps, site inspections and product detail that is not always obvious online.
• Personally: as a parent asking real life questions like “Is this easy with a buggy?”, “Will my children actually eat here?” and “Does this feel worth what we have paid?”

For me, the real question is less “Is Ikos good?” and more “Which is the right Ikos for you?!"

What All Ikos Resorts Do Brilliantly

There is a strong Ikos “DNA” you can feel in every property.

Elevated All Inclusive, Not “Buffet Plus”

This is not the classic model of one huge buffet and a couple of token extras. Ikos is built around an elevated all inclusive concept:

• Multiple à la carte restaurants with distinct personalities and menus
• A seriously considered wine list. My husband is a committed wine lover and has been repeatedly impressed by both the quality and the choice
• Premium spirits, cocktails and coffees that you would happily order at home
• A minibar restocked daily, and you can phone and ask for extras at any time
• The choice of breakfast at either buffet or à la carte restaurants

You pay once, and genuinely do not have to think about the bill again unless you choose to book spa treatments or very specific extras.

Calm, Natural Aesthetic

Every resort shares a similar design language:

• Soft neutrals, natural textures and a soothing, almost beach house feel
• High end finishes that are stylish but never flashy or ostentatious

It is the kind of environment where you feel comfortable in linen and sandals, not obliged to dress up to the nines every evening. But you absolutely can if you want to.

Service That Quietly Over Delivers

Ikos is very guest experience focused:

• Staff are warm, proactive and brilliant with children
• They remember your coffee order, your children’s quirks and your preferred table
• They will find creative ways to say “yes”: if you loved a dish in one restaurant or a wine from another, they will do their best to recreate that for you

A favourite ritual of ours was having a bottle of champagne sent to the room each evening so we could enjoy pre dinner drinks on the balcony while the children wound down. It felt wonderfully indulgent, and it was all part of the concept.

Where Ikos Resorts Really Differ

The important differences between resorts are mostly practical, and they really matter when you are choosing where to stay.

Size and layout
Some are compact and flat, ideal with buggies and little legs. Others are more spread out or terraced, which can feel more expansive and “grown up”.

Beach and sea
Beaches range from soft sand to sand and shingle. Some bays are glass calm, others more open and occasionally choppy. This really affects how things feel with toddlers versus teens.

Balance of calm vs buzz
Certain resorts feel serene and low key, others have a livelier atmosphere with more organised activities. Think White Parties on the beach and evening performances in an outdoor theatre.

Facilities for older children and teens
All Ikos properties are family friendly, but some really excel at facilities for tweens and teens with sports, courts and watersports, not just playgrounds and kids clubs.

Number and style of restaurants
The core quality is consistent, but some properties have a greater spread of venues, which is useful on 10–14 night stays.

Time of year and weather
Ikos spans both Greece and Spain, and the weather can feel very different in shoulder months. For early and late season, some destinations are a much better bet for warmth and sunshine than others. This is particularly important if you are tied to May half term or October and want to maximise your chances of pool weather.

These are the nuances I focus on with you, so that the Ikos you choose truly matches your stage of life, travel dates and holiday style.

A Simple Guide To Each Ikos Resort

Here is how I would describe each of the eight current resorts in clear, decision friendly language.

Ikos Porto Petro, Mallorca

Calm coves and coastal charm, perfect for couples and older families.

• One of the more intimate properties, tucked between two pretty coves
• Atmosphere feels relaxed and grown up while still being family friendly
• Great if you like the idea of Ikos but prefer a softer, more boutique coastal feel

Ikos Andalusia, Marbella–Estepona

Big, lively and activity rich on the Costa del Sol.

• Wide range of pools, sports and activities, with a real sense of “buzz”
• Strong kids club and plenty going on for school age children and teens
• Seafront promenade with bikes to hire for family rides along the coast. We loved this option to escape the resort and take in the endless ocean views on wheels
• The outdoor and indoor gym here is excellent. Working out under the canopy felt very cool

Ideal if you want energy, choice and lots to do, rather than a sleepy escape.

Ikos Aria, Kos

Balanced all rounder with that classic Greek island beach feel.

• Beautiful beachfront setting with the resort cascading down to the sand
• Plenty of facilities and dining, but the general feel is calm rather than hectic

A great option if you want a traditional sun, sea, sand holiday, elevated by Ikos service and dining.

Ikos Olivia, Halkidiki

Compact and flat, brilliant with babies and toddlers.

• Very flat, easy layout that is forgiving with buggies and nap schedules
• Short, simple walks between room, pool, beach and restaurants

If you are deep in the baby/toddler stage and want life to feel easy, Olivia is a stand out choice.

Ikos Oceania, Halkidiki

Great value within the portfolio, particularly suited to older children.

• Often priced more favourably than some of the newer openings
• Terraced down towards the sea, with lovely elevated views
• From the main pool you cross a quiet road to reach the beach and beach bar. This is fine with older children but worth noting with very little ones
• The gym at Oceania is also fantastic

A strong pick if you want the Ikos experience with a slightly softer price tag and children beyond the “running in every direction” years.

Ikos Dassia, Corfu

Stylish resort feel, less “packagey”, still very family friendly.

• More spread out layout with a resort village feel rather than one big block
• Long beachfront and pools that flow visually towards the sea
• Their Corfiot-Greek restaurant, Kerkyra, sitting right on the beach, is my all time favourite restaurant of the Ikos properties I have visited. Unbeatable food and vibe, especially for breakfast

Good if you worry that all inclusive might feel too enclosed and want something that feels more like a chic beach resort.

Ikos Odisia, Corfu

Designed with multigenerational and mixed age groups in mind.

• Village style layout with clusters of accommodation that work well for grandparents, parents and children travelling together
• One of the newer additions, so benefits from fresh design and room concepts

A strong option for big family celebrations or “everyone together” holidays.

Ikos Kissamos, Crete

New generation Ikos on a spectacular Cretan coastline.

• Brings the Ikos look and feel to Crete’s dramatic scenery
• Ideal if you want to combine an elevated all inclusive base with exploring one of Greece’s most characterful islands

Perfect for repeat Ikos guests wanting somewhere new, or Crete first timers who like the security of a tried and tested concept.

Practical Extras That Really Add Value

A few things I always highlight to clients, because they make a real difference to value and experience.

1. The Ikos App

Download the app before you travel. You can:

• Pre book restaurants, spa and kids club where needed
• Check menus, opening times and activities
• Use it as your daily planner once you are there

It helps the whole stay feel smoother, especially in school holidays.

2. Complimentary Ikos Car Days

On many stays you get a complimentary day in an Ikos car for each full week of your holiday.

Over the years we have had a Tesla, a Mini and an electric Mini. When our children were tiny, we barely left the resort and felt no need to. As they (and we) have had more energy, these car days have become a brilliant way to explore: local villages, viewpoints, coves and beaches we would never see if we stayed purely poolside.

(Always check the exact car offer for your chosen resort and dates when you book, as inclusions can change.)

3. Dine Out

The food on resort is so good that you will not be plotting escapes from the buffet by day three.

However, if you do want a more traditional local taverna or restaurant experience, the Dine Out programme lets you eat at selected nearby venues as part of your stay. The exact choices vary by resort and destination, which is a lovely way to feel rooted in Spain, Corfu, Crete or Kos while still enjoying the ease of all inclusive.

Getting The Room Layout Right

Room choice can genuinely change how your week feels:

• With very young children, a junior suite with a sofa bed can be ideal: close, cosy and simple
• As they grow, one and two bedroom suites with proper beds and doors between sleeping spaces often make everyone happier
• For multigenerational trips, interconnecting rooms or villas offer space without losing that “all together” feeling

This is an area where my combination of client feedback and personal experience really helps. We look at your family structure, sleep patterns, privacy needs and budget to find the sweet spot, not just the brochure headline room.

So… Is Ikos Worth The Price Tag?

Ikos is undeniably a significant investment. It is not “a quick cheap week in the sun”.

However, once you have paid, the relief of not thinking about money every day is huge. You are not weighing up restaurant choices against your credit card or constantly signing off bar bills. Unless you are booking spa treatments or extras, the number you saw when you booked is essentially the number you live with.

Alongside Ikos, I work with and recommend a number of brilliant luxury hotels across Europe whose price point can be lower and which can suit some families perfectly. They offer beautiful stays and can be excellent value. Where Ikos pulls ahead is in how much is included, how consistently it delivers that across every part of your stay, and how little you have to think or compromise once you arrive.

For many of my clients, and for us as a family, it feels worth it because:

• You get time back: no researching, budgeting or negotiating over dinner plans
• Day to day stress drops away: everything you need is there, especially with young children
• Quality is consistently high across resorts: food, wine, service, activities and design do live up to the promise
• You feel remembered and cared for, not just processed as another room number

If you are in a life stage where holidays are precious and you want to know that a big spend will actually deliver, Ikos can absolutely justify its price tag.

How I Can Help You Choose

The key is not whether Ikos is good, but which resort, room type and travel dates are right for you:

• Ages and personalities of your children
• How important calm beaches vs lots going on are to you
• Whether you want compact and easy, or big and buzzing
• How much space and privacy you need in your room set up
• Your budget and how long you want to stay
• Whether you are travelling in peak season or shoulder months, and how important reliably warm weather is for your dates

That is where I come in. I use my first hand experience, my access to the latest Ikos information and my understanding of your family to match you to the right resort, so that the investment feels genuinely worthwhile.

If you would like to explore which Ikos might be your perfect fit, just get in touch and I will put together tailored options for you.