What Makes Ikos Different from Other Luxury All-Inclusives

The all-inclusive concept has a mixed reputation — and deservedly so at the budget end of the market. Ikos is something else entirely. The food genuinely competes with standalone restaurants. The service is warm and unhurried rather than transactional. The environments are beautifully designed rather than sprawling and impersonal. And the included extras feel genuinely generous rather than tokenistic.

Two inclusions that stand out are the Dine Out experience — two complimentary meals at local tavernas outside the resort per seven-day stay — and the cross-resort access, which at some properties lets you visit a neighbouring Ikos resort during the day. Both add real variety to a week’s stay, though both come with nuances worth knowing about before you go.

 

The Quick Guide: Which Ikos Resort is Right for You?

Before going deep on Odisia and Dassia — the two I visited this year — here’s my at-a-glance guide to the full collection.

 

Resort	Best for	Key notes
Ikos Olivia	Families with babies or toddlers	Compact layout, flat terrain, easy with a buggy. Longest sandy private beach. Recently renovated with splash pad and stunning sunset deck.
Ikos Andalusia	Maximum activities	Biggest kids club, most restaurants, only resort with villas. Transfer time nearly an hour and can feel busier than other resorts.
Ikos Dassia	Full resort feel	411 rooms, 8 restaurants, 600m of beach. Dedicated adults-only areas. Very close to Corfu Airport. Visited this year.
Ikos Porto Petro	Couples or quieter stay	Tucked between two coves, design-led and contemporary. One of the newest and priciest. Stony beach but spoiled for choice nearby.
Ikos Odisia	Multi-generational families	Newest resort, ultra-private, spacious village layout. 428 rooms across four villages. Twice the size of Dassia. Visited this year.
Ikos Aria	Balanced all-rounder	Set on one of the best beaches with easy access to cultural hotspots. Not too busy, not too quiet — great for relaxed family island vibes.
Ikos Oceania	Best value option	Beachfront with panoramic sea views and stunning sunsets. Set on a hillside — expect more walking. Better for couples or older children.

 

Not sure which resort fits your family? I’d love to help you work it out. Fill in my quick enquiry form →

 

Ikos Odisia — The Newest Resort, and My Favourite for Families

Corfu  |  428 rooms  |  Four villages  |  Newest property  |  Visited 2025

Ikos Odisia was the resort I was most excited to visit this year — and it more than delivered. Where some luxury all-inclusives feel like they’re trying to be everything to everyone, Odisia has a clearer identity: a village-style resort with distinct areas, low-rise buildings, beautiful landscaping and a pace that feels genuinely relaxed. It’s the newest property in the collection and it shows — in the finish, the layout, and the thoughtfulness of the design.

The resort divides into four villages — Gardens, Central, Sea and Deluxe — and the village you end up in shapes your experience significantly. This is one of the most important things I tell clients before they book, because it’s very easy to end up in the wrong one without realising it until you arrive.

 

Village Guide

 

Gardens Village Adults-only pool — not ideal for families. Beautiful but families need to walk to another village pool.

Central Village Best for families. Easy access to kids’ activities, splash areas and main facilities.

Sea Village Calmer atmosphere, further from the main hub. Great for guests wanting to retreat from the activity.

Deluxe Village Full dining flexibility, priority reservations and elevated service throughout the stay.

 

The dining is one of Odisia’s greatest strengths. Flavors is the main Mediterranean buffet and needs no reservation — it was exceptional every morning. For dinner, Anaya (Asian, dinner only) and Azul (Peruvian, dinner only) are both worth booking. Azul in particular stands out — I rarely see a Peruvian restaurant at a resort like this, and it’s genuinely brilliant. Non-Deluxe guests can make up to three dinner reservations per stay, so I always advise sorting those as early as possible after booking.

 

Watch out before booking Odisia: •    Twin beds cannot be guaranteed at Odisia •    For families of four needing interconnecting rooms, always book the family room category — not two separate superior rooms •    Interconnecting rooms are only guaranteed in the family room booking — one of the most common mistakes I see, and entirely avoidable

 

Good to know: •    Pools are heated to 27°C and kids’ pools to 29°C •    Guests at Odisia can visit neighbouring Ikos Dassia by shuttle, but access is structured •    Day visits need guests back by 18:00, and dinner at Dassia is limited to specific restaurants at around 18:30

 

Ikos Dassia — The Established Resort-Feel Alternative

Corfu  |  411 rooms  |  8 restaurants  |  10 bars  |  600m beach  |  Visited 2025

I visited Ikos Dassia on the same trip as Odisia, and the contrast between the two is immediately apparent despite them being only ten minutes’ walk along the beach from each other. Where Odisia feels compact, structured and village-based, Dassia feels larger, more spread out and more traditionally resort-like. Neither is better — they’re genuinely different experiences, and the right choice depends entirely on what you’re looking for.

The three-bedroom villas at Dassia with direct beach access and large private gardens are exceptional, and the Deluxe two-bedroom bungalow suite with private pool is one of the most impressive room types in the entire Ikos portfolio. Dassia also has dedicated adults-only areas — an adults-only beach section and adults-only pool — which Odisia currently doesn’t have, making it a stronger choice for couples or mixed groups who want the option to escape.

Dining highlights include Ouzo — the beachfront Greek restaurant, which I’d highly recommend — Canteen for more casual local dishes, and a wine tasting experience with a genuinely impressive cellar.

 

Good to know from my visit: •    Worth mentioning to clients arriving late or with an early departure •    The free shuttle into Corfu town is a nice touch for guests wanting to explore beyond the resort

 

Odisia vs Dassia — Which Should You Choose?

Having stayed at both this year, here is my honest at-a-glance comparison:

 

	Ikos Odisia	Ikos Dassia
Feel	Compact, village-based	Larger, resort-like
Size	428 rooms, 4 villages	411 rooms, spread out
Adults only	No dedicated area	Beach + pool area
Best for	Multi-gen, newer feel	Couples, full resort feel
Airport	Slightly longer transfer	Very close
Standout	Azul Peruvian restaurant	Beach villas, wine cellar

 

My honest take: Odisia suits clients who want a newer, more structured property with a clear village feel and don’t need a dedicated adults-only area. Dassia suits clients who want a more traditional resort atmosphere, prefer having adults-only spaces, or are travelling as a couple. Both are exceptional — the choice really does come down to what kind of environment feels right for you.

 

The Ikos Odisia Deluxe Villa — What It’s Really Like

For clients who want full Ikos all-inclusive benefits wrapped around genuine villa privacy, the Deluxe Villa at Odisia is a compelling option. Positioned on the edge of the peninsula with elevated sea views and a “forest meets sea” feel, it’s more exclusive and secluded than the main resort areas — with a private pool, terrace, sunbeds and 24/7 room service that gives it real flexibility as a base.

 

Four-bedroom villa Master suite on the entire top floor. Three bedrooms ground floor. Sleeps up to 8. Ideal for multi-generational groups.

Three-bedroom villa Sleeps up to 7 guests. Baby cots available. Proper separation of space for families travelling together.

Private pool & terrace Sunbeds and outdoor lounging. Pools kept cool even in peak summer. 24/7 room service throughout.

Service 24/7 complimentary room service. Babysitting at extra charge — useful for couples within a larger family group.

 

Important things to know about the villa: •    Privacy hedging is still maturing — upper floors can overlook neighbouring villas •    Full seclusion isn’t quite at its absolute best yet •    The private BBQ is not currently confirmed at this property •    Outdoor terrace and pool setup should be verified as fully ready on arrival •    For clients with very high privacy expectations, manage these points carefully before booking

 

The Ikos Dine Out Experience — My Honest Verdict

As part of the Ikos all-inclusive package, guests get two Dine Out experiences in a seven-day period — a chance to eat at local tavernas outside the resort. I tried it at Akti restaurant during my stay at Odisia, and my experience was illuminating in ways I didn’t quite expect.

 

What I loved •    A proper local taverna feel — genuinely different from resort dining •    Lovely food — prawn saganaki, moussaka, excellent seafood •    Beachfront setting at Akti was charming and atmospheric •    Free shuttle bus back to the resort, arranged by the restaurant •    A nice way to sample local Greek culture as part of the stay

What I’d do differently •    Always ask about the free shuttle before walking — Ikos offer one but don’t always mention it •    Concierge said 10-15 mins walk. It was 25-30 in the heat with a toddler •    Part of the walk wasn’t ideal for a buggy •    Go in with the right expectations: it’s about local culture, not topping the resort •    The Ikos food is so good, the bar is set extraordinarily high

 

 

Things to Know Before You Book Any Ikos Resort

The details below are the ones I share with every client before they book. Getting these right makes the difference between a very good holiday and an exceptional one.

 

✓	Village choice at Odisia is critical — Central Village is best for families, Gardens Village has an adults-only pool
✓	For families of four needing interconnecting rooms at Odisia, always book the family room category — not two separate superior rooms
✓	Dinner reservations at Odisia go fast for non-Deluxe guests (3 bookings max) — sort these as soon as possible after booking
✓	Twin beds cannot be guaranteed — flag this clearly before booking if it’s essential
✓	Cross-resort access between Odisia and Dassia is more structured than it sounds — day visits need guests back by 18:00
✓	The Dine Out shuttle exists — always ask for it rather than walking, and check the actual distance with concierge first
!	Deluxe villa privacy hedging is still maturing — manage expectations for clients with very high privacy requirements
!	Andalusia transfer time is nearly an hour — factor this in for families with young children
!	Oceania is set on a hillside — expect significant walking, which isn’t ideal for all groups

 

Ready to Plan Your Ikos Holiday?

I visited both Ikos Odisia and Ikos Dassia this year specifically so I could give clients a genuinely informed, first-hand view of both properties — and I came away with a real enthusiasm for what Ikos delivers at its best. The difference between choosing the right resort, the right village, and the right room category is the difference between a very good holiday and an exceptional one. That’s what I’m here to help with.

Whether you’re planning a family trip to Corfu, a couple’s retreat in Mallorca, or a multi-generational holiday for different ages, I’d love to help you get every detail right.

 

Tell me about your Ikos holiday — I’ll make sure every detail is exactly right. Fill in my quick enquiry form →

 

Sorrel Ashton  |  Travel Counsellors  |  travelcounsellors.co.uk/sorrel.ashton  |  @sorrel_travel