Half Term at the Ikos Olivia
My husband needed some persuasion and convincing that the ‘infinite lifestyle’ concept of ‘all-inclusive’ was all it said it would be, however the sense of luxury began as soon as we walked through the doors of the hotel. Check-in was tranquil and calm, helped by the chilled champagne and the children’s wonder at the huge lobby. The golf buggy ride to our room remains a highlight for the kids but it was only the beginning of a week of fully indulgent luxury.
We had a one bed suite and the rooms were so cleverly laid out and equipped that they worked superbly for all five of us. The main bedroom adjoined the sitting room which converted smoothly into the children’s dorm each night. We had spacious balcony looking down over the resort towards the beach.
The resort is big and lies on a large and tranquil beach – looking out towards Mt Olympus. There were two huge and imaginative pools, one with its own ‘swim-up’ bar. We were upgraded to ‘Deluxe’ class which meant we also had access to the serene deluxe pool area. There are five restaurants with a range of food and styles: classic Greek, French, Italian, Asian and a huge main buffet. All of them served superb food to suit all tastes and sophistications. It is possible to pre book 3 dinner reservations in the "a la carte" restaurants before you arrive and this is essential, especially during peak times. We tried every restaurant, but our favourite was the beachfront "Ouzo" for lunch everyday. They even include a "dine out" option where you can walk to a local taverna, eat and drink as much as you like and all part of the all-inclusive package.
However, the outstanding feature remains the fully all-inclusive concept. It was a joy to be able to tell the children that they needn’t keep asking us for treats: simply find one of the lovely and ever-attendant staff and they would bring them whatever drink or snack they desired. My husband, for his part, attempted to make his way through the extensive cocktail menu, however, it turns out a week simply isn’t enough to do this.
We split our days between pools and the beach. Beach sports were available with paddle boards, pedalo and kayaks free to take out. There were also opportunities to scuba dive, water ski and sail. Numerous activities were on offer, including an impressive spa and football academy. The nightly shows also provided plenty of entertainment.
Although our children only spent a morning at the kids club, I cannot speak more highly of the "worldwide kids club" staff, rooms and activities. The wait list was huge, so again, pre booking is essential.
One rainy day, whilst my husband got the opportunity to try out the spa… complimentary use of the indoor pool, steam room and sauna, I got to explore the other Ikos hotel. I was given a guided tour of the very impressive Ikos Oceania which is only 20 minutes away and then onto the Sani Resort. This is the most fantastic place. Five separate hotels, all different standards and catering for different people, scattered around a beautiful harbour, offering lots of restaurants, shops and several beaches.
Overall, this was a hugely enjoyable holiday which felt like a completely different type of family experience. The ‘infinite lifestyle’ was one of true luxury and relaxation. I am looking forward to visiting the Ikos Dassia soon!