Our writers review hotels independently and feature tried and tested recommendations from our holiday forums. When you make a booking through a link on our site we may earn a commission.
Which Ikos Resort to book? Our pick of the best luxury all-inclusive resorts in Greece and Spain
Seeking an indulgent all-inclusive escape somewhere swanky? Ikos Resorts fit the bill and we’ve got intel from Mumsnetters on which destinations really deliver when it comes to luxury family holidays.
By Lucy Cotterill | Last updated Jun 3, 2024
Stunning beachfront locations, fabulous facilities, impressive pools, and meals inspired by Michelin-star chefs, Ikos Resorts really set the bar high when it comes to ultra luxurious all-inclusive holidays.
And Mumsnetters agree. Ikos Resorts are constantly namechecked, recommended and lusted over on our holidays forum, and the brand has received thousands of five-star reviews on Tripadvisor, Booking.com and Trust Pilot. It’s picked up the coveted Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards for six consecutive years as well as countless industry awards.
And while you might balk at the price when costing up a family holiday, you can expect a lot of luxury bang for your buck including cool and contemporary rooms, all-inclusive dining, 24-hour room service, a huge array of wellness and fitness facilities, top-notch kids' clubs (including a beachfront babysitting service) and even a full day of Tesla car hire to explore the local area.
But which Ikos Resort is best to book? There are seven destinations to choose from in Greece and Spain and our well travelled Mumsnetters have been to them all. We’ve rounded up our favourite resorts on this page to help inspire your next trip.
Here are the best Ikos resorts in Greece and Spain.
Ikos Dassia, Corfu, Greece
Choice of eight restaurants offering top-notch cuisine
Short 20-minute airport transfer
Eight pools
Stunning family rooms plus suites with private pools
Flights tend to be more expensive than to the Spanish resorts
Some may prefer a smaller resort
Occupying an exclusive stretch of golden sand on Blue Flag-awarded Dassia Beach, Ikos Dassia has a modern and contemporary feel and is a firm favourite among Mumsnetters.
Just a 20-minute drive from Corfu airport, it’s a popular choice for families with young children and there are rooms to suit groups of all sizes, all with balconies overlooking the Ionian Sea or the spacious grounds. Suites and villas can accommodate larger families of up to seven, and some come with a private pool.
You’re spoilt for choice on the dining front with all-inclusive cuisine inspired by Michelin-star chefs. Pick from traditional Greek cuisine, authentic Italian dishes, specialities from southern France, a varied Mediterranean buffet and aromatic Asian options. During the day, you can sip on mixologist-prepared cocktails around the pools, while the kids can tuck into ice cream from the gelaterie.
With kids’ clubs for children aged 4-17 years (and a chargeable creche for babies from six months), children can join in with age-appropriate activities and events running seven days a week. Families can also enjoy shared experiences - from action-packed watersports to a game of tennis and beach volleyball. Alternatively, make the most of the complimentary bike hire to explore the beauty of Corfu’s natural surroundings.
Nearest airport: Corfu Airport (8 miles)
Ikos Olivia, Halkidiki, Greece
Three outdoor pools, an indoor pool and a kids’ splash park
Recently upgraded in 2024
Five restaurants
Wide choice of rooms and suites
Resort is flat and easy to navigate
One-hour airport transfer may feel too long when travelling with younger children
Fewer restaurants than some of the larger resorts
One of the more affordable, smaller and more intimate resorts in the Ikos portfolio, Ikos Olivia is popular for its enviable location in Halkidiki, surrounded by ancient olive trees and stunning views across turquoise Aegean waters.
With a choice of charming rooms, suites and bungalows sleeping up to six, this relatively flat and accessible resort is convenient for families with young children. Recently refurbished for the 2024 summer season, it now boasts an impressive new garden entrance and five fully redesigned restaurants.
Children will love the paddling pools and large lagoon pool (parents will love the swim-up bar) and access to the Blue Flag sandy beach is very easy - it’s just metres away. Don’t miss the impressive sunsets across the Gulf of Toroneos.
Guests rate the fine dining experiences at Olivia, from the Mediterranean buffet restaurant to a la carte restaurants serving Asian, Italian, Greek and French cuisine. And you can sip your way through a wine list that features 300+ premium wines.
Kids aged four to 17 years will find age-appropriate activities at the kids’ clubs, while the entertainment team offers something for everyone, including beach parties, live music, kids karaoke and mini discos. There’s a dedicated creche for children aged six months to four.
For those who simply can’t sit still, the Halkidiki coastline is ideal for watersports such as canoeing, paddle boarding and windsurfing, or for something a bit more relaxed, make the most of the complimentary bike hire to enjoy the scenic beachfront trail to Gerakina Village.
Nearest airport: Thessaloniki International Airport (43 miles)
Ikos Aria, Kos, Greece
Indoor, outdoor and heated pools including a dedicated kids' pool
Short 15-minute transfer from the airport
On-site football academy, tennis coaching and water sports on offer
Set on a beautiful Blue Flag beach
Complimentary museum pass for exploring local surroundings
The beach is pebbly by the shoreline
The indoor pool is adults only with dedicated ‘splash hours’ for younger guests
For an authentically Greek escape, Ikos Aria offers everything you’d expect from a holiday on the beautiful island of Kos where you’ll find a rich local history, beautiful white beaches and crystal clear waters of the Aegean Sea.
Whether you opt for a family room, a bungalow or a suite, each offers stunning views of the local surroundings, whether it’s a glimpse of local greenery or impressive sea views.
With a gorgeous beach on your doorstep, you certainly won’t tire of chilling on the sun loungers and admiring the view. It does get a little pebbly by the shoreline, however, so you may want to pack your swim shoes. For guests who fancy being a little more active, you can head out on pedalos, challenge your family to a game of tennis, or hire bikes to explore picturesque local trails. You can even make use of a complimentary museum pass to learn more about Kos’s ancient ruins and landmarks.
There are action-packed entertainment programmes and kids’ clubs for children aged four to 17. And footy-mad kids will love the high-energy football academies run by professional coaches - a chance to learn new skills and make friends from across the globe. In the evenings, Aria hosts impressive live shows at the Ikos theatre, or you can enjoy a mixologist-served cocktail at one of the resort's nine bars.
We love that there’s a kids menu at every a la carte restaurant, catering for even the pickiest of eaters. Guests will love to try both new and familiar tastes from all across the globe, including Greek, Asian, Italian, French and Spanish cuisine - all prepared by world-acclaimed Michelin-starred chefs.
Nearest airport: Kos airport (8 miles)
Ikos Oceania, Halkidiki, Greece
Beautiful natural surroundings with epic views and sunsets
Beachside setting
Six outdoor pools
Complimentary Dine Out experience valid at local restaurants
Resort is quite hilly in parts
Smaller resort may be less appealing to some
As the name suggests, the intimate Ikos Oceania resort offers some pretty impressive sea views (as well as striking Mount Olympus vistas). And the sunsets are definitely worth charging your big camera for.
Less than a mile from Nea Moudania’s Greek mosaic floors and Halkidiki’s quaint fishing villages, you merely have to cross the road to reach 350 metres of beautiful golden sands reserved exclusively for Oceania guests. Back at the resort, kids have six pools to choose from - including a sun-soaked infinity pool and shallow paddling pools that are perfect for younger guests.
Oceania has a variety of rooms and suites available for families of all sizes. From spacious family rooms with separate lounge areas to junior suites for extra space and even more luxurious surroundings; expect private terraces or balconies in every room, many of which overlook the Aegean Sea.
Whether you fancy French, Italian or traditional Greek cuisine, take your pick from the five a la carte restaurants offering international dishes, or make the most of the complimentary Dine Out experience to discover authentic cuisine at local restaurants outside of the resort.
In addition to the trusted Ikos kids’ clubs for children aged four to 17, the vast entertainment schedule ranges from organised family games to Broadway-style shows, You can even enjoy the complimentary Local Drive Adventure - heading out in a Tesla to explore the three stunning peninsulas of Halkidiki.
Nearest airport: Thessaloniki Airport (32 miles)
Ikos Andulasia, Costa del Sol
Recently extended in 2023
Nine restaurants
Nine pools
Beautiful beachfront location
One of the more costly resorts
Longish transfer time from the airport (one-hour)
Busier than some of the smaller Ikos resorts
Ikos’s most popular Spanish resort, Andalusia recently won Best Family Hotel in the World at Tripadvisor’s 2023 Travellers’ Choice Awards. Conveniently located to explore the Costa del Sol’s marinas, shops and Blue Flag Beaches, guests also get complimentary entry to the Los Naranjos golf course nearby.
Rooms can be tailored to the size of your family, from spacious bedrooms and suites to larger family suites with interconnecting rooms and even four-bedroom villas with private pools. Stay as a Deluxe member and you get even more money, including a new deluxe pool, two additional restaurants and a new Heroes village for kids.
The popular kids’ clubs cater for children aged four to 17, with age-appropriate sports and activities on offer like arts, crafts and cooking classes, all supervised by professional staff who are qualified in line with UK Ofsted standards.
Dining is, as you would expect from Ikos, excellent, with a Mediterranean buffet and eight a la carte restaurants to experience during your stay, combined with premium wines and handcrafted cocktails. Thanks to the complimentary Dine Out pass, you can visit local eateries outside the resort during your stay.
There are nine pools dotted around the resort to help cool you down on hot days; one of which is just steps from the beautiful beach where you’ll find a whole section of sand reserved exclusively for Ikos guests, with comfortable sun loungers where families can kick back and soak up the surroundings.
Activities include watersports, beachfront yoga, tennis and bike rides along the five-mile-long Golden Mile Experience. Guests also get complimentary green fees at the local Los Naranjos Golf Club.
Nearest airport: Gibraltar Airport (26 miles), Malaga Airport (52 miles)
What’s included in the price of an Ikos Resort holiday?
While they certainly don’t come cheap, the all-inclusive nature of an Ikos Resorts holiday takes the pressure out of holiday planning, so you can sit back and relax knowing that everything from food to entertainment is taken care of.
As well as premium beachfront locations and luxurious five-star accommodation, Ikos Resorts offers all-inclusive dining without a long complicated list of exclusions. From a la carte restaurants with menus designed by Michelin Star chefs to poolside snacks, branded spirits, signature cocktails and 300+ local and international wines, you can even enjoy 24-hour room service - eating at a time that works best for you and your family.
You’ll find fab amenities including wellness, fitness and sports facilities and most Ikos Resorts offer access to water sports and relaxing spas as well as a wide selection of pools to suit guests of all ages. You’ll also have an extensive daytime and evening entertainment programme which varies by resort.
Kids’ and teens’ clubs run by qualified and experienced staff cater for children aged 4 to 17, while parents can get some much-needed relaxation time using the complimentary 30-minute beach childcare service.
Pay for Deluxe access and you’ll benefit from enhanced suites, guaranteed sea views, private pools, access to exclusive areas of the resort and exclusive couples’ beach dining events.
Which Ikos Resort has the best beach?
While all the Ikos resorts come with convenient access to beautiful beaches, Ikos Aria and Ikos Dassia have the largest and most accessible beaches with stunning views and sunsets to enjoy during your stay.
The beaches are all dotted with sun loungers for relaxing in the sunshine, but we recommend you pack swim shoes, as some of the beaches get quite pebbly as you approach the shoreline.
How many Ikos Resorts are there?
There are seven Ikos resorts to explore in Greece (Halkidiki, Corfu and Kos) and Spain (Marbella, Mallorca) and although we’ve highlighted five resorts on this page, it’s unlikely that you’ll be disappointed in any of them.
What’s the best Ikos Resort to book?
Based on Mumsnetter intel, guest reviews and travel guides, Ikos Dassia in Corfu takes our coveted top spot. With a warm all-year-round climate, short transfer time and spacious grounds with plenty to explore, it offers a wide range of entertainment options with impressive facilities that cater for guests of all ages.
How we chose our recommendations
We spent several hours sifting through Mumsnet's holidays forum for recommendations from users who have visited Ikos resorts, including the ones they visit regularly or rate most highly. We also looked at reviews on sites including Tripadvisor and Booking.com
By doing this, we whittled our longlist down and chose the top five Ikos resorts that offer something for everybody.
Why you should trust us
We work hard to provide unbiased, independent advice you can trust. We do sometimes earn revenue through affiliate (click-to-buy) links in our articles. This helps us fund more helpful articles like this one