My first Ikos experience, Ikos Olivia
On arrival the friendly welcoming team genuinly can’t do enough for you. Being handed a glass of fizz as your luggage is whisked away and you’re guided to the big comfy sofas to be personally checked in.
The first thing that hits you is the incredible smell of the reception area, and I’m under no illusion all Ikos hotels will have that same distinct scent. One that stays with you and you’d be transported right back to that point in time if you was to smell it again.
After a very quick check in, we was shown to our room where our luggage was waiting. I’d booked us a superior lead in room with a sea view, I would say it was more of a side sea view and overlooked one of the main pools. However I could see the sea whilst enjoying my first coffee of the day so I wasn’t disgruntled that it wasn’t a full frontal sea view. I do love a view and it didn’t disappoint.
The room was huge, it was modern, spotless and the mini bar full on and replenished daily as part of the all inclusive. Robes, slippers, Nespresso, hairdryer, iron, and the biggest comfiest bed with excellent quality bedding gives you a luxurious feeling.
Prior to arriving you are encuraged to make three evening restaruant reservations. Now I will admit this was a little odd for me, I don’t know from day to day what I want to eat nor what time I want to dine, so I was perturbed by having to do this HOWEVER let me reassure you it works and it works well. I now understand why they do it, you never had to wait for a table and the table is yours for the evening. Families are given earlier reservations with couples and families with older children/teens are later. The resort was at full capacity on my visit yet you’d never have thought so looking at the restaurants. We chose 8pm reservations and it worked perfectly well.
We enjoyed one night dining in the buffet, and four nights dining in the restaurants. The favourite being Anaya, where we enjoyed the most delicious yellow curry in a beautiful setting. One so authentic you’d question the country you was in.
The buffet food was also exceptional, enjoying a couple of breakfast, lunches and an evening meal you’d really be hard pushed not to find something you like and liked so much you go back for a cheeky little second portion.
As for refreshments well I never had an empty glass for five days. From water to wine, gin to cocktails they was all plentiful and premium quality.
The grounds are stunning, wondering through the olive trees to the restaurants of an evening was a delight, subtly lit with solar lighting made it feel really quite special.
In the morning the sounds and aromas from the gardens where just wonderful, never did I feel I was in a hotel that was full.
The little ones, well they couldn’t be more well catered for. Children can whizz around on their own little trikes for the duration of their stay, the outdoor play areas are subtly blended into the surroundings, there’s trampolines, natures areas, a creche and several children's activities are programmed in to keep them busy.
The pools are spotless and the one I swam in early one morning much to my suprise was heated. There are several to choose from and whilst the childrens pool does get really quite busy the other pools feel more relaxed and peaceful.
The beach is well maintained and cleaned and brimming with staff. You’re never without jugs of iced water and they’re on hand to deliver your chosen drinks to the bed. Towels are plentiful and laid out for you and should you want the parasol up or down they’ll be quick to come do it for you even before you’ve asked for help.
The sea is shallow and gentle making it ideal for families, I’m a beach girl rather than the pool and loved my quiet morning swims in the warm waters of the gulf.
Watersports are all included (except motorized) and we enjoyed the Kayaks, SUP and a pedalo. I booked myself onto a Pilates and a fitness class, both where fantastic. The fitness class turned out to be just me so I had my own personal trainer for 40 minutes. The pilates and yoga are taken on the yoga deck overlooking the sea, I mean you can’t get anymore perfect than that to start your day.
We took mountain bikes out on two mornings and road the coastal routes leading to near empty beaches, through little coastal villages that unfortunately now look quite empty and unloved. This didn’t by any means make a difference to our hotel experience it was just a little sad to see. The coast is none the less stunning and you can ride for miles.
As part of your stay you can take one of the Tesla’s out for the day free of charge. I would recommend booking this on arrival as it is very popular, we managed to get ourselves on a waiting list and enjoyed a few hours one afternoon taking in the coastal area we could see from the hotel.
The spa which is also included in your package (treatments are chargeable) is nice. I wouldn’t say it has a wow factor I’d say its nice, we enjoyed an hour in there one day when we experienced some rain. There’s everything you’d expect in a spa, it’s clean, smells amazing and is a relaxing space. The pool is half covered and half outdoors so when the weather takes a turn if makes for a nice change. My husband enjoyed a treatment we’d gifted him for his birthday and reported back saying it was really relaxing and professional. To that end the staff at the Olivia are amazing from the cleaners to the waiting staff, concierge to the bar, beach team to sports instructors everyone of them friendly, attentive, and personable which goes along long way to making the experience a fantastic one.
The hotel is great for couples (with adults only areas, not that we used them), families with younger children and multi generational family holidays. It’s a relaxing, luxury experience that I for one very much enjoyed and look forward to trying another Ikos hotel very soon.
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