Planning a new holiday for my clients always starts with one question: would I stay there myself? This summer I decided to put Crete’s brand‑new Ikos Kissamos to the test. I wanted to see whether it really delivers that seamless, luxury all‑inclusive experience my clients are asking for.

Ikos Kissamos in Crete is a luxury premium all‑inclusive resort on the northwest coast near Chania, and it already has an exceptional reputation. As soon as it was announced, we had a list of clients waiting to book based purely on their love for the Ikos brand. It became one of the fastest‑selling resorts we have ever seen.

With multiple flights from the UK to Chania and a transfer of around 45 minutes, it ticks all the practical boxes. For us, it also ticked a very personal one: we were celebrating our youngest’s 18th birthday and end of A‑levels, and our eldest finishing university with a First. As a family, we wanted time to reconnect, slow down and celebrate, with superb food, attentive service and plenty to do without feeling busy or pressured.

Ikos Kissamos delivered all of that and more.

A Short Stay In Chania: The Perfect Twin‑Centre Start

We decided to start our holiday with one night in Chania Old Town, a beautiful harbour town full of character, shops and waterfront restaurants. We stayed at The Chania Hotel, Vignette Collection, perfectly located for strolling straight into the old town. It is also only around 20 minutes from the airport, which made it a lovely way to break up the journey and ease into holiday mode.

Spending a night in Chania is a brilliant way to twin‑centre your stay and see more of Crete before heading to the resort. It is the kind of flexibility you simply do not get with a standard online package.

After a relaxed evening wandering the harbour and a good night’s sleep, we were refreshed and ready to be collected at 9.30 am for the shorter transfer on to Kissamos. Our transfer was included as part of our room category at Ikos, which is a really nice stress‑saving touch.

Arriving At Ikos Kissamos: First Impressions Of Pure Calm

The drive to the resort is beautiful. As you come through the mountains and round the bay, you see the sea stretching out in front of you with no high‑rise hotels in sight. Ikos Kissamos is low‑rise and blends into the landscape, so the view feels unspoilt from the very beginning.

When our car pulled up, our first thought was simply: “wow, it’s beautiful.” The Ikos staff are exceptional. Car doors were opened for us, bags whisked away, and we were greeted by name. We were escorted through the lobby and offered the choice to check in inside or outside, so there was no queuing at a reception desk.

We chose to sit outside. Immediately, cold towels and champagne appeared. Yes, it was only 10 am, but as the saying goes, it is always 12 o’clock somewhere. This is my kind of check‑in. In that moment, all the everyday stress just melted away and I could feel myself shifting into holiday mode.

The Lobby & Grounds: Understated Luxury And Space To Breathe

The moment you walk into the lobby, you notice the colours, the scent and the sense of calm. The huge olive tree in the centre and the natural daylight flooding in are simply stunning. From there, the view opens out to the main pool, which at 10 am was incredibly tranquil.

The resort is beautifully landscaped, with lush gardens and low‑rise buildings spread out across the grounds. Even at 97% capacity it felt spacious and calm, with no sense of crowding and no one placing towels on sunbeds at 7 am. Buggies are on hand to take you around, and there are bikes available to hire for three hours at a time, including little balance bikes for younger guests.

Within ten minutes of arriving, I felt lighter. The combination of the setting, the service and, yes, the champagne made it clear this was exactly the holiday we all needed.

Our Deluxe Room Experience: Added Indulgence

We stayed in a Deluxe Collection room, which I would highly recommend if you enjoy extra touches of luxury and convenience. From the moment we arrived, our dedicated concierge, Hairam, contacted us via WhatsApp and looked after us throughout our stay.

The Deluxe Collection includes enhancements such as:

• Dedicated Deluxe Concierge and in‑suite check‑in
• Unlimited restaurant reservations in advance
• Complimentary VIP transfers
• Access to an exclusive Deluxe pool, beach area and bars
• Exclusive access to Seasons restaurant
• Upgraded beach and pool service menus
• An extended Deluxe wine list with 30 additional labels
• Upgraded mini bar with branded spirits, replenished daily
• A complimentary dinner by the sea per stay
• Anne Semonin upgraded bathroom amenities and pillow menu
• Complimentary use of an electric MINI Countryman for two days
• Two complimentary 25‑minute neck and back massages per suite
• Access to Heroes Supper Club for children, a beach bag and a farewell gift

Our room itself was spacious, with a soothing, natural colour palette, extremely comfortable beds, lovely bathroom products and that all‑important, fully stocked mini bar replenished every day. For families, there is a good range of room categories, from garden and pool views to larger deluxe suites, with more options planned, including rooms with plunge pools.

What’s Included: A True Premium All‑Inclusive

Ikos Kissamos is a high‑end premium all‑inclusive, and you really feel the difference.

• Top‑shelf drinks are included, with an extensive wine list.
• All restaurants are part of the package: six à la carte venues and one buffet, plus two local “dine out” restaurants.
• Several à la carte restaurants are also open for lunch, so you do not have to choose between a special dinner or a memorable lunch.
• You can pre‑book restaurants before you travel (I handle this for my clients so they can relax).

There are no hidden extras for the à la carte dining, and the overall standard is superb.

Dining: Michelin‑Level Menus & Beautifully Relaxed Service

The food at Ikos Kissamos was a real highlight. With menus created by Michelin‑starred chefs, the restaurants feel refined but relaxed, never stuffy.

We loved:

• The wide variety of cuisines: French, Pan‑Asian, Latin American, Mediterranean, Italian and of course local Cretan dishes.
• The main restaurant and buffet, which were far above typical all‑inclusive standards.
• The option to enjoy room service and even afternoon tea if you wanted something more low‑key.

Dinner reservations are required in the evenings, but lunch is walk‑in. Several restaurants also serve breakfast, which spreads guests out and avoids queues and the “mad dash” feeling. From the welcome selection brought to our table at breakfast to the beautifully presented evening dishes, the quality was consistently excellent.

Allergies and special diets are handled very well. There are options for babies, toddlers, vegetarians, vegans and guests needing gluten‑free or other specific requirements, and the staff are genuinely attentive.

Drinks: Seamless Service Wherever You Are

Drinks are another area where Ikos shines. There is:

• Unlimited premium drinks, including champagne (Taittinger Deluxe guests)
• An extensive and interesting wine list, ( Private wine cellar for deluxe guest)
• Bar service that comes to you, wherever you are in the resort.

You can of course go up to the bar, but we quickly got used to simply relaxing while drinks appeared at our loungers or table. Combined with the daily‑replenished mini bar in the room, it really feels like everything is taken care of.

Families & Children: Thoughtfully Looked After

Although Ikos Kissamos feels very sophisticated, it is also highly family friendly.

Options include:

• Crèche from 6 months to 4 years (payable)
• Kids’ club for ages 4 to 12 (included)
• Activities for teens aged 12+
• Heroes Supper Club in the evenings (additional cost) where children can have dinner and activities, giving parents some grown‑up time

Allergies and dietary needs are taken seriously in the children’s venues as well. If you prefer in‑room babysitting, this can also be arranged, which is ideal for a special evening.

There are plenty of sports and activities too: football academies, tennis lessons, free bike hire and more, so younger guests are never bored.

Wellness, Fitness & Activities

For anyone who enjoys wellness and staying active, there is a superb range of options.

Wellness & yoga
Daily sessions include yin yoga, Ashtanga, Vinyasa and family yoga, as well as mat Pilates, reformer Pilates, breathwork and meditation. It is easy to dip in and out depending on how energetic you feel that day.

Fitness & sport
The gym is an excellent space with quality equipment and a variety of classes such as cross training, HIIT, core workouts, guided jogging and “burnout” sessions. There are tennis and padel courts, which can be booked, and tennis lessons are available at an extra cost.

Water sports
Non‑motorised activities such as paddleboards, kayaks and canoes are included, with motorised water sports available at an additional charge. There is also a dive centre on site.

Spa
The spa is a sanctuary in itself. I had one of the best massages I have ever experienced there. The spa facilities include a sauna, steam room, ice room and salt room, all included in your stay. It is a wonderful way to escape for an hour of complete peace and come back feeling utterly zen.

Beach & Bay: Wide Horizons And No Crowds

The resort sits on a large stretch of coastline with no big neighbouring hotels, so the setting feels open and unspoilt. The sea is shallow with sandbanks, which is ideal for families and more nervous swimmers.

With full food and drink service to your sunbed, you can lie back and take in the views of the bay while being quietly looked after. The Deluxe beach area offers even more space between beds and cabanas, which adds to that exclusive, tranquil feel.

Exploring More Of Crete

One of the lovely touches at Ikos Kissamos is the inclusion of car hire within the all‑inclusive.

• All guests receive one day’s car hire.
• Deluxe guests, like us, receive two days with an electric MINI Countryman.

Along with the keys, you are given excellent suggestions on where to go, from viewpoints and beaches to charming villages and tavernas. We loved simply driving out to explore, tasting olive oil with locals at the side of the road and seeing a little more of the island.

If you prefer not to drive, there is a private Ikos shuttle bus into Chania town, included in your stay and running several times a day. It is a great way to enjoy the harbour atmosphere without worrying about parking or taxis.

How We Felt When We Left

We had a truly exceptional stay. With two older children, dining is a big part of our holidays, and Ikos Kissamos really excelled here:

• Beautiful breakfast spreads, including welcome trays of treats brought to the table before we even ordered
• Immaculate, friendly service that made every meal a pleasure
• Food we simply could not fault, from relaxed lunches to special dinners
• A superb wine list and champagne on tap when we wanted to celebrate

Days flowed between pool time, paddle matches (with a few John McEnroe moments), bike rides, yoga and reformer classes (I would not necessarily recommend those straight after champagne breakfast!), sunsets with DJs, exploring in the MINI and quiet moments on the beach.

Most of all, it gave us exactly what we needed as a family: time together, away from the noise of everyday life, with everything taken care of at a very high level.

Is Ikos Kissamos Right For You?

If you are looking for a holiday where you can completely switch off, enjoy exceptional food, premium drinks and warm, polished service, with activities available from morning to night, Ikos Kissamos is a wonderful choice.

It is perfect if you want to:

• Recharge your batteries in a luxurious but relaxed setting
• Celebrate a special occasion in style
• Keep children and teens happily occupied without sacrificing quality
• Enjoy the beauty of Crete with the freedom to explore, then return to five star comfort