When we decided to get married in Scotland, we discussed whether or not to have a honeymoon since we were already going to be in a new destination for the wedding itself. However, Scotland was going to be more of an adventure and we decided we’d love to make our wedding trip a whole thing and try out another new destination while we were already out of the country. Here’s where Ikos came in.
The perks of being in Europe vs. the USA are that new countries and locations are more accessible. After my hike on the West Highland Way and exploring Scotland, I knew we’d want to slow down and spend more time relaxing. I began researching all-inclusive resorts in Europe. I thought that might be a great way to help Chris loosen up without stressing over the bill and eliminate the need for me to plan and think about how to spend our time, as I’m the go-to travel planner!
We’d never been to an all-inclusive before, though most Americans find their way to Mexico, the Bahamas, Jamaica, or the Dominican. The destination we landed on? Greece, of course. I stumbled on a brand of resorts during my research called Ikos and was determined to make it happen.
Ikos Resorts
Ikos is a collection of luxury beachfront resorts along Mediterranean coastlines in Greece and Spain that began in 2015. They operate by the Greek philosophy known as philoxenia which believes the best and most authentic service comes from the heart. Ikos seeks to add a more elevated experience to the all-inclusive world and provide guests with unconditional luxury.
They’ve since expanded to include seven resorts in their collection:
Ikos Olivia – Halkidiki, Greece
Ikos Oceania – Halkidiki, Greece
Ikos Andalusia – Marbella-Estepona, Spain
Ikos Dassia – Corfu, Greece
Ikos Porto Petra – Mallorca, Spain
Ikos Odisia – Corfu, Greece
Ikos Aria – Kos, Greece
Chris and I have only visited Ikos Dassia and Ikos Aria. I’ll be featuring those locations in this blog post.
Perks of Ikos
Ikos Resorts offers several incredible perks to their guests.
Several on-site restaurants with Michelin-starred chefs
Multiple bars and pools
Private beach access,
Non-motorized watersport rentals
Room service
Stocked mini-bar that can be filled with your personal favorites
Evening entertainment – shows in the theater, live music, etc.
Kids clubs
Bicycle rentals
Sports Center
Gym
Fitness and sports classes
Sunset cruises
Culture passes
Shuttle services to the island’s major town
One day Tesla rental
Dinner on the beach
Weekly white parties
Dine out options
Airport transfers if you book direct
On-site spa (Additional fee for services, although deluxe stay does include some complimentary)
Night club (I think this is only in some locations)
Ice cream bar
Wine tasting event
Daily turn-down service
Motorized water sports or boat rentals with or without skipper (for an additional fee)
As you can see, Ikos has a lot to offer. Let me tell you more!
About the Ikos Resorts We Visited
We’ve experienced two Ikos Resorts at the time this post was written- Ikos Dassia and Ikos Aria. If you have a certain perk you’re comparing, you can jump ahead to specific sections listed below:
Want to see it all? Keep on reading!
Ikos Dassia
Ikos Dassia was the first Ikos resort we stayed at for our honeymoon in 2022. The resort is located on the island of Corfu and opened in 2018. We spent five days there in early June. We picked this location for our first Ikos stay due to the convenience of flights to Corfu compared to other islands. At the time, the second Ikos resort on Corfu (Odisia) hadn’t been built yet.
Ikos Aria
We booked Ikos Aria to celebrate our anniversary a year later in 2023. This time, we traveled in the off-season and spent nine days there in early October. Aria is located on the island of Kos, known for having better weather this time of year than Corfu. This was one of our main factors in picking this resort. Aria opened in 2019.
Airport Transfer
Each time we vacationed in an Ikos, we booked direct to have the included transfers to and from the airport. We sent our flight information ahead of time so they would know when to expect us and could keep an eye out for any delays. This is a simple, yet convenient perk we love, as it eliminates the guesswork and planning of getting to and from the resort.
Ikos Dassia
We were greeted in the small Corfu International Airport by an Ikos representative who offered us water and directed us to the transfer driver taking us to the resort.
As we made our way to the vehicle, the driver loaded up our luggage and our first Ikos incident of “sending someone to the dungeon” occurred. This was an ongoing joke we had throughout the trip about how Ikos employees do such a great job taking care of their guests that you feel like you’ve wronged them if you do something for yourself.
Chris’s first incident of this? Closing the trunk of the car. Our driver seemed so bothered by us taking on such a simple task. Neither of us had an all-inclusive experience before and are used to doing things ourselves, so this was our first learning moment of the Ikos Experience.
The drive to the resort from the airport was around 20 minutes.
Ikos Aria
Ikos gets an A+ in consistency because our airport pick-up process was much the same at Kos. We were greeted with water and an Ikos representative who introduced us to our driver. Chris learned his lesson this time and kept a hands-off approach with the luggage.
The trip from the airport to the resort took only around 15 minutes.
Arrivals
I want to preface that Chris and I are not “luxury” people, so our arrival experience at Dassia felt different for us. This was due to it not only being the first time at any all-inclusive resort but also one of such a high-caliber as Ikos. We were much more prepared on our second trip to Aria!
Ikos Dassia
When we arrived at Ikos Dassia, we were immediately greeted and our luggage was whisked off to our room. As we both came from Scotland (and me from a long hike and our wedding), not only did we have a TON of luggage, but it also included a lot of dirty hiking gear and warm layers – something that was certainly NOT needed in Greece’s climate. I’m sure it looked like we packed for the wrong destination.
We were led to a table with champagne by someone from reception. She explained what to expect at Ikos and walked us through the resort map. We both felt like fish out of water but were excited about this new experience. By the time she was finished, our rooms weren’t quite ready yet, so we sat in the lobby and sipped our champagne until someone arrived to guide us to our room.
Ikos Aria
Once again, Ikos wins with consistency! Upon arrival at the resort, our luggage was whisked away and we were greeted by a guest services representative named Ilias. We knew what to expect this time and were ready to be guided to a table. Ilias walked us through the resort layout and advised us which pools we might prefer due to being child-free on this trip. He was incredibly friendly, laughing and joking with us as we talked. Like a well-oiled machine, when he was done giving us the run-through, our room was ready for us.
Grounds/Layout
One of my favorite things about Ikos Resorts is how pretty their landscaping is. Both Dassia and Aria are on the larger side of Ikos resorts. Everything was beautifully maintained and blooming when we visited, even during different times of the year. Aside from the breathtaking blue sea, the beautiful landscaping made a relaxing addition to walks around the grounds.
Ikos Dassia
Both Dassia and Aria are larger Ikos resorts. Dassia felt more compact out of the two with two main buildings, “Sea” and “Sky”, that housed many of the resort’s rooms and restaurants. Each building had a unique style, but we stayed in the Sea building. I preferred the design style of our building and enjoyed spending time there compared to the Sky building. Dassia was on flatter property, with a long stretch of white sandy beach.
Ikos Aria
Aria was the larger resort of the two. The deluxe area was a long walk from the main entrance and many guests requested cart rides to take them across the resort. Rather than the restaurants being clustered into the same two buildings like Dassia, a few were in the main building while others were spread out throughout the resort in standalone buildings.
A highlight of Aria’s grounds was the view of Kastri Island and the archaeological sites. Instead of one long stretch of beach, there were two beaches. This was due to the public access to the archaeological sites between Ikos.
Rooms/Upgrade
Whether you choose a promo inland or sea view room, suite, or go deluxe, I don’t think there is a bad room at Ikos. I’d recommend choosing what works best for you. If you plan on spending as little time as possible in your room, a cheaper promo inland room might be perfect. If you’d like to relax on the balcony in the mornings or evenings looking at the water, a sea view would be the better option. Want to be closer to the pool or a young family? The deluxe or villa options might be worth it, particularly with young kiddos as you’d have more space and a private spot.
Ikos Dassia
We were on a budget for our first stay in Dassia after our wedding festivities, so we got a promo inland view room. This room had a view of the road outside and no view of the sea, but had a king bed, balcony, wardrobe, fully stocked mini-bar, and spacious bathroom. We were greeted with a bottle of wine and a note celebrating our honeymoon.
On a whim, I put us on an upgrade list before arrival in case we might end up with a better room for our honeymoon. A day after check-in, we received a call to our room letting us know we’d received a room upgrade! Our second room was a sea view suite with a separate living area, large balcony, and tub. It was a wonderful surprise and one of the reasons that Ikos stands out as going above and beyond for their guests.
Ikos Aria
I feel like Aria had a better selection of rooms and not necessarily a “bad” room in the place. We opted for a triple promo sea view room with a side view of the sea rather than being directly across from it. Our room was in the main building.
The room itself was similar to our inland room at Dassia, however, it felt more spacious due to the layout being more long rather than wide. On this stay, we were greeted with delicious macarons and a bottle of sparkling wine! There was still a lovely view from our balcony, however our particular location was close to the employee area. This room is something to be mindful of if you like to keep your door open at night for a breeze, as the workers get an early start for the day!
Restaurants
I’d be lying if I said the restaurants weren’t one of our favorite parts about Ikos. The only downside is that our stomachs don’t have room to try everything there is to offer! Each Ikos resort boasts several a la carte restaurants with various themes such as the local fare, Asian, Italian, French, and, of course, Greek. They also offer at least one buffet option for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Select restaurants serve a la carte breakfast and lunch.
Don’t be afraid to sample several options and ask the staff for recommendations during your meal.
Ikos Dassia
Dassia boasts eight restaurants. We only visited for five nights and ate at three restaurants. We chose some of the experiences such as dinner on the beach and the dine-out option for our other two meals. Many restaurants included indoor and outdoor dining spaces and were uniquely designed to have their own feel. Dassia’s restaurants include:
Ouzo – Greek
Fresco – Italian
Anaya – Asian
Flavors – Mediterranian Buffet
Provence – French
Kerkyra – Greek (Local Corfu Cuisine)
Grill House – Greek
Ergon – Greek
For breakfast, we made the error of eating at the buffet every morning. I wish we’d sampled some of the morning a la carte options here. All of the restaurants were incredible, per Ikos standard, and I think at Dassia our favorites were Ouzo or Anaya. I loved sampling the desserts at the Flavors buffet during lunch as they always had such an amazing variety.
Ikos Aria
At Ikos Aria, we were there for 9 days and were lucky to experience all of the on-site restaurants, as well as the dine-out option. It was much better being able to sample them throughout our stay instead of deciding which to do. Aria’s restaurants are:
Ouzo – Greek
Fresco – Italian
Anaya – Asian
Flavors – Mediterranian Buffet
Provence – French
Kos – Greek (Local Corfu Cuisine)
Seasons – Asian Mediterranian
Oliva – Spanish
Once again, it’s so difficult to choose a favorite. Despite having some of the same restaurants on site as Dassia, they still felt unique to the resort due to layout and design.
One of our favorite overall dining experiences was in Provence due to the service and recommendations during the meal. I still think about the mussels and the creme brule! Oliva and Seasons also came out on top for me. Ouzo had one of the best views from the restaurant, being closer to the beach on the Deluxe side of the resort.
Fresco was a favorite for breakfast and lunch, although I’m certain I could have dined on their potatoes repeatedly with no complaint. They had a barbecue option at Ouzo for lunch, but it wasn’t our favorite. We preferred Flavors or Fresco.
Drinks
When you think of all-inclusive, the drinks are usually the first things that come to mind. While I had my fair share of cocktails and wine at Ikos, there was another underrated all-inclusive drink – the coffee! Every morning I’d start with a few Greek freddos or cappuccinos before easing myself into the afternoon cocktails.
Ikos Dassia
Each resort offered similar drinks. At Dassia, my go-to drink was the Blackberry Collins or Margarita. Chris will tell you all about the margaritas and how they were way too strong for him, but I enjoyed them. I may have gotten a bit too tipsy from them one night and touched the decorative wind chimes, which, well…sound like loud wind chimes. His go-to drink here was the Mai Tai.
The real drink to watch yourself on at an Ikos is the wine. Sometimes we’d find ourselves going through a couple of bottles at dinner and the buzz would sneak up on us.
Ikos Aria
I love a good espresso martini and let me tell you, Ikos Aria does them right. They were smooth, delicious, and always consistent. Those were our go-to evening drinks. During the day, we switched it up a lot but discovered that I enjoyed the refreshing mojitos! We ventured out of our comfort zone here and tried more types of wine than our usual, even joining the wine-tasting event to sample a variety.
Dine Out Option/Sunset Cruise
Each Ikos resort offers a dine-out option that allows you to experience a local restaurant. Many guests believe the downside to this option is that they are given a limited menu instead of getting to pick from their usual everyday menu. I thought it was a fun way to get off the resort, particularly because their dine-out options are usually in unique settings.
Additionally, many resorts offer a sunset cruise option. This usually lasts an hour or so and is a great way to mingle with other guests and spend time on the water without renting a boat.
Ikos Dassia
When we visited Dassia, the sunset cruise and dine-out option were combined into one experience. It was also one of the highlights of our stay. Unfortunately, I don’t think they offer this experience any longer and do them separately now—so you may encounter a different experience.
For our dine-out option, we boarded on the dock at the resort. It took a 30-minute boat ride to the island across from the resort to Vidos Restaurant. When we arrived at the restaurant, we were seated on an outdoor patio with a view of the water and Corfu town across the way. We were not given a menu at Vidos and were served our courses from a pre-set menu. I was glad for this because it ended up being one of our favorite Ikos dining experiences.
We were served a variety of starters before the main dish, which consisted of a large platter of grilled meat and fish. Chris is not always easy to convince with seafood, but he enjoyed all of them. The swordfish was an easy favorite.
During the meal, a live musician was playing for us. Afterward, he invited us all to dance to Zorba (with the staff directing the way). It was so much fun and ended up being our first dance as a married couple.
Ikos Aria
At Aria, the dine-out experience and sunset cruise are separate activities you’ll need to book each one. We tried both experiences during our stay.
For the dine-out option, you take a shuttle to Mylotopi village and restaurant in the heart of Kefalos. Mylotopi is high up on a hill with stunning views of the bay and the property features a 1000+-year-old windmill and a tunnel leading into the courtyard. It is a beautiful property and I think it would have been nice to visit during the day rather than the evening so we could explore more of the area.
For dinner, there was a set menu for Ikos guests rather than getting to experience the restaurant in full. The food wasn’t my favorite that we experienced, but it was still good and I think the atmosphere of Mylotopi makes it worth the visit. If you don’t have time and want to sample all the on-site restaurants instead, a great alternative would be stopping by on your rental car day.
Aria’s sunset cruise requires you to take a shuttle to the dock in Kefalos. We were greeted by the enthusiastic skipper, Yannis, who provided us with local cheese, veggies, and plenty of wine during our sunset cruise. A few brave souls even opted for the Ouzo. I could not imagine drinking a full glass of the stuff, but the man next to us had two! Music was played and every time a refill was poured, an enthusiastic “Yamas!” (cheers, but Greek) was shouted by all.
The sunset cruise was such a blast with Yannis’s energy and stories. He went around asking where everyone was from, opening the door for the guests to interact with one another.
The meal at the dine-out experience at Dassia was our favorite, however, we found the sunset cruise at Aria to be more enthusiastic than the boat ride at Dassia.
Local Discovery/Rental Car
One of my favorite perks of staying at Ikos is their local discovery program, which allows you to reserve a rental car for a day to explore outside the resort. While being on the resort is amazing and you won’t want for anything, I’m the type of person who likes to explore more of the local culture when I’m visiting a place and see beyond my hotel or resort. Ikos also offers culture passes, which reimburse you for select museum admissions.
If you’re unable to reserve a car or are uncomfortable driving in an unfamiliar place, Ikos also offers a shuttle service to the local town.
Ikos Dassia
When we visited Ikos Dassia, the rental cars were the Ikos Mini Coopers. We reserved our Local Discovery day before arrival at the resort to ensure they wouldn’t be booked. Being from the United States, we had to have an international driver’s license to rent the car from the resort, but aside from that, the process was straightforward. I will say, we got a bit of a late start, so to make the most of your day out, consider picking up your car early.
We used a separate day to take the shuttle to Corfu town. Here’s what we did on the rest of the island:
Angelokastro – 13th-century Byzantine fortress overlooking the sea with a quick 15-minute hike to the top and panoramic sea views.
Corfu Donkey Rescue – Tucked away rescue center where you can interact with rescue donkeys and plenty of stray cats (Chris’s favorite part).
Kassiopi – Bataria Beach – We took a pit stop in Kassiopi to eat our packed lunch from Ikos. I also had a short dip in the sea. It was a busy area, but there were several restaurants and beaches to enjoy.
Overall, it was an exciting day out exploring! The mini was great for the narrow, winding roads and we had no complaints about driving it. If you want a packed lunch, ask the resort before you head out. However, they made something Chris didn’t like (he can be picky about some things) so if you have a similar eater, give Ikos a heads-up when you request it. We didn’t think to specify and he only ate the snacks they provided.
Ikos Aria
A year later, when we visited Aria, Ikos Resorts had transitioned to Teslas for their resort rental cars. This time, we learned our lesson and got an early start. Getting the hang of the Tesla was a learning curve with Chris, but I think he enjoyed it more than he thought he would. The only thing he didn’t enjoy? The speed limit Ikos was able to add to the vehicles. Smart choice on their part! Here’s what we did while exploring Kos:
Plaka Forest – A local forest inhabited by peacocks and stray cats! I loved seeing the animals and the environment of the forest as we took some time to walk around.
Antimachia Castle– We only saw the exterior because we realized we didn’t have cash for the entry donation once we arrived.
Kos Town – Kos town is farther away from the resort than Corfu town is from Dassia, so we decided to take the rental car here instead of the shuttle. It was about a 40-minute drive, but there is a lot to see in Kos Town. Ikos includes a pass to the Archaeological Museum and will reimburse your ticket.
Zia – Zia is a small, steep mountainside village with cobbled streets, traditional blue and white houses, shops, and tavernas. It was a winding drive up the mountain, but worth the beautiful views! We had a walk around and stopped for some coffee.
Overall, I found there were more things to do on Kos than in Corfu (but perhaps we did it all wrong). Corfu town was picturesque and fun to walk around but mostly tourist shops. There were sites like the castle that we did not visit, so perhaps if we’d prioritized that we would have enjoyed it more.
Kos town had a lot of ruins and historical sites that kept our interest throughout our visit. It seemed like everywhere we wandered, we stumbled across some! Chris and I are suckers for sights like these and loved exploring them and wondering what they once looked like in their prime. It still had its fair share of tourist shops, but it seemed there was more variety to offer visitors.
Dinner on the Beach
We only tried dinner on the beach on our honeymoon in Ikos Dassia. Dassia has a beautiful beach and the set-up was lovely. We were lucky to have a beautiful evening the night of our meal. A sommelier stopped by the table informing us about the different types of wines on the menu and told us a bit about himself.
It was not a predetermined meal and we chose from a menu. Everything was delicious, per usual, and the environment made for a beautiful and romantic evening! The only thing Chris didn’t enjoy was Steak Tartare, only because he didn’t realize what it was and isn’t a rare steak kind of guy.
Beaches
I will take a beach over a pool any day, whether I’m relaxing or swimming. At Ikos Resorts, their private beaches are ready for you with comfortable sun loungers, towel service, and wait staff. If you’re deluxe, you may even snag a full sun bed.
Ikos Dassia
Ikos Dassia had a beautiful long stretch of white sand beach on the Ionian Sea. It was a little rocky in the water but your feet won’t be miserable if you forget water shoes. You could walk out pretty far before you couldn’t touch, making it perfect for wading and cooling off. We tried out snorkeling here, but there wasn’t much aquatic life to see.
I found you had to get to the beach early if you wanted to get a waterfront lounger as they were often snatched up by other guests early on. Service on the beach was slower due to the location but we still found we were checked on regularly.
Ikos Aria
Ikos Aria is located along the Aegean Sea. The beach on this property is split into two sections, due to the public access to the ruins and beach in the middle of the regular and deluxe areas of the resort. The two sections don’t feel as grand as the long pristine stretch at Dassia, but they have the perks of picturesque Kastri island views.
The water was rockier here and much more difficult to walk in. The resort had sandbags in the water to make it easier on your feet. However, if you’re uncoordinated like me, you might provide some entertainment for the other beach guests as you stumble along them. Snorkeling had more to see here with small colorful fish and even a couple of little octopuses hiding under rocks.
We had an easier time getting sun loungers here, which may be attributed to visiting during the off-season. Beach service was more irregular and slower going, likely due to the off-season as well. I’d recommend doubling up on drinks to combat this!
Pools
Though I love spending time in the water at the beach, I can always burn through a good book relaxing by the pool. Ikos Resorts boasts some incredible pool areas and chances are you’ll find a favorite to visit during your stay. Our only complaint was that the pools close at 6 pm (except the Spa pools).
Ikos Dassia
The resort has seven swimming pools for guests to enjoy. Surprisingly, our favorite pool was the spa pool at the Sea Building. It was open later than the other pools, rarely had more than one other couple there, and was partially inside and outside so you could still enjoy the sun. You could always find an open sun bed here! The only downside was the lack of drink service, so we’d often go here early in the day or after the other pools had closed.
The other pools we frequented were the adult-only pool off the main Sea Building lobby and the Main Sea pool. We enjoyed the adult-only pool, however it was often difficult to find sun loungers there. The Main Sea pool had a great layout but had a lot of small children. As a couple, we preferred the quieter pools but these are great for families.
The pools at the Sky building seemed very similar, so we didn’t spend our time at any of them. This building also featured the deluxe pool for deluxe guests. What I did like about Dassia’s pools was that you could see the sea from them.
Ikos Aria
Where Dassia’s beaches held an edge, Aria’s pools have them beat. Ikos Aria may only have five pools, but I never noticed they had less during our stay. Our favorite pool was the Beach pool. It was recommended to us during check-in for couples without children. It is a large pool with plenty of loungers and has an adult-only section if you want a quieter area. The service at this pool was EXCELLENT and we never wanted for anything.
In the mornings, I liked visiting the Adult’s Only pool off of the Deluxe lobby, however, the service at this pool was almost non-existent. I often received one initial drink and then didn’t get any again. I was surprised since it’s in the deluxe area. Still, it was quiet and great for a morning nap and read.
The Deluxe pool was the largest and had the best scenery as it was closer to the sea. We didn’t venture that way as much since we were happy at the Beach Pool. Unlike Dassia, the spa pool at Aria is entirely indoors, however, it does have a waterfall feature that adds an extra element of relaxation. I’d go there while waiting for Chris to finish at the gym or to swim laps. It was rare to see any other people there.
White Party
Each Ikos resort hosts a weekly white party on the beach. Guests dress in white and come out to drink and mingle while listening to music.
Ikos Dassia
Our first white party experience at Dassia was a fun one. They had a set up on the beach with a singer performing for the guests. There were a lot of spaces to chill and people-watch while enjoying the music. The resort put up lights, decorations, and cocktail tables for guests to drink and mingle. Chris and I mostly kept to ourselves but had a good time listening to the music and taking in everyone having such a good time.
Ikos Aria
Aria’s white party had a DJ instead of a band. The music wasn’t our vibe as much as it was at the party at Dassia so we didn’t stay for the whole party but I’m sure that varies week by week. I liked Aria’s set up on the beach and how they had premade mixed drinks you could grab when you arrived. It also seemed like the waitstaff came around more often here offering new ones.
Watersports
With your stay, you can sign up to use non-motorized watersports such as paddle boarding, pedalo boats, kayaks, and windsurfing (with a license). We did not do any of these activities at Dassia, though I wish we’d used the paddle boards!
Ikos Aria
At Aria, we took the kayak out around Kastri island as the motorsports rental is situated right in front of it on the beach. We also used this opportunity to park the kayak and climb up to the top. It wasn’t a difficult climb but I was wearing sandals which made it trickier getting to the very top, as there are steep sections the closer you get.
Another time, we rented the pedalo and went snorkeling around the island. There are a lot of different fish to look at and areas to explore here. In the pedalo, it was easier to maneuver and park with our snorkels compared to the kayak. There were even some small cliff areas where you could jump into the water!
Overall, I think Dassia would have been great to rent the paddleboards with the long calm stretch of beach. Aria has more areas to explore on the water, so the kayaks or pedalos were perfect for visiting Kastri and snorkeling. The only downside? I accidentally yeeted my Fitbit into the water and didn’t realize it until I was in the room later that evening.
The rental process was simple, you just gave them your room number with Ikos, signed a couple of papers, and off you went! Just be sure to follow the instructions on where it’s okay to park the boats if you plan on stopping to snorkel or explore.
Spa
For extra relaxation time, Ikos Resorts has on-site spa services. These must be booked in advance and if you’re a deluxe guest, you’ll receive two complimentary neck and back massages per room. We did not visit Deluxe, so I can’t speak to those perks.
Ikos Dassia
For our honeymoon in Dassia, we booked a couple’s massage in the spa. We were directed to locker rooms to change into our robes before being guided to our massage room. There, we got to choose our preferred scent oils, before hopping in the steam room before our massages. The massage room was spacious and had plenty of ambiance, with relaxing music and candles while we received our spa treatment.
They will provide little paper panties if you don’t dress accordingly for the massage. Chris knows all about it. No, I don’t have pictures but I do have some core memories.
Ikos Aria
I decided to treat myself and get a facial/massage treatment while we visited Aria. This time flying solo as Chris opted to hit the gym instead. I liked the spa set up here more than at Dassia, as I was directed to a relaxing waiting room before being greeted by my masseuse for treatment.
The room here was smaller, but that may be because I was flying solo this time and the treatment I chose did not come with the steam room experience. There was a bit of a language barrier with my masseuse, so I had some trouble with my instructions, but the massage and facial were lovely! The facial was so relaxing that I may have conked out during the treatment.
If you’re looking to treat yourself, I’d highly recommend a spa treatment while you’re at Ikos! Both locations and experiences were lovely.
Fitness/Sports Center
For those who want to hit up the gym or other activities while on vacation, Ikos Resorts offers a fitness center, various fitness classes, and a sports center to stay active while you’re away from home.
Ikos Dassia
I only visited the gym at Dassia once, but it had the machines and equipment I needed and never seemed too crowded. It is located off the side of the spa pool, one of our favorite spots, so it was convenient to go swimming if Chris wanted to fit in a workout.
The gym featured free weights and cardio machines. The classes offered were yoga, stretches, water aerobics, Zumba, pilates, and HIIT. The sports center had tennis, football, bike rentals, volleyball, and table tennis. We didn’t try any of these activities (I’m always afraid of being the only one in a class).
Ikos Aria
Chris was a regular gym-goer at Aria. It was a nice facility but could be crowded in the morning as everyone was starting their day. I preferred to take long morning walks around the grounds since Aria is a large resort with beautiful landscapes and sunrise views. If I still had time to kill, I’d swim laps in the nearby spa pool.
Aria offers the same style of classes as Dassia and the sports center activities. This time, we did visit the Sports Center to grab some bikes to ride around the resort. I hadn’t ridden a bike in years, so it was a lot of fun! If you aren’t keen on walking across the resort, I’d recommend grabbing a bike for the day.
As far as I know, you’re not allowed to keep them overnight and they do have to be returned by a certain time, so keep that in mind.
Shows/Entertainment
A big complaint I often see about Ikos is that there isn’t as much to do in the evenings. The pools close at 6 and the lobby bar areas tend to have more chill vibes. I often bring games for something to do, but sometimes we’ll simply hang out enjoying cocktails while listening to music. Ikos Resorts has an on-site theater where live-themed shows are performed in the evenings.
Ikos Dassia
We didn’t experience much of the entertainment at Dassia, as we often chose to sit on the patio outside the main Sea Lobby when we relaxed in the evenings. We didn’t even visit the theater to catch a show! They did have daytime DJs at the adult-only pool.
Dassia also hosts a nightclub and beer bar, which we did not visit during our stay.
Ikos Aria
At Aria, we caught every evening show in the theater that wasn’t aimed at kids. The themes included Motown, Michael Jackson, Pure Imagination, and Legends and Icons. While many people say the shows have a lot of room for improvement, we both found them entertaining and thought the performers were talented. If you’re staying longer than a week, however, the shows do repeat so I can see wanting them to freshen them up more often.
In the lobby, most evenings there were also musicians playing traditional Greek music, jazz, etc. Most guests do not end up dancing, but during our stay here, we had one night where the whole lobby seemed to be on the dance floor, including some staff! This is a rare occasion and the staff told us it’s been a few years since it’s been this full.
Aria also has a nightclub, but it was closed the night we planned on checking it out. We did meet a few other guests who loved spending their evenings there and said it’s a lot of fun after the white party.
The Hospitality
At the very heart of Ikos is the staff. While the resorts are beautiful with incredible amenities, the service of the staff is what sticks with you after you’re gone and makes you want to come back again. They will go above and beyond for you and give hospitality a new meaning. Whether it’s the waitstaff in the restaurants, the lobby service, the reception, the cleaning crew, or the drivers, they’re sure to give you a cheerful “Kalimera (or Kalispera)” and make sure you have the best stay!
Ikos Dassia
Because we spent a lot of time at the Sea Lobby bar in Dassia, Maria was the staff member we interacted the most with at Ikos Dassia. She had such a bubbly personality and enjoyed talking to me about our cats (she noticed my tattoo of Zorra) and always stopped by to ensure we had everything we needed.
Other memorable staff members were Anastasios, the sommelier at our beach-side dinner, Louis on the beach service staff, and countless others whose names we didn’t catch!
Ikos Aria
After realizing we didn’t recognize many of the staff at Dassia, we made a point to catch everyone’s names during our visit to Aria and compliment our favorites through the What’s App Concierge. I know this industry can be grueling for the workers (having worked at a much less high-scale hotel myself), and I know a compliment can go a long way. Especially since many of them are away from their families all summer to help bring us the Ikos experience.
Stand-Outs
Our favorites were Isik at the lobby bar – she never let our drinks go empty and always supplied us with plenty of snacks and conversation, even bringing a whole bag of chips one evening when we were hanging out with another couple playing Uno.
Our other favorite was Oumit at the Beach pool, and the funny thing was, it turned out that he and Isik were siblings! They both happened to work in the areas we frequented the most and provided amazing service. Although I will never eat pistachio ice cream again without remembering Oumit – he passionately dislikes it!
The staff at the beach pool was all-around incredible but we mostly interacted with Oumit and Gabriela. In the restaurants, the standouts were Jergen at Fresco, Yulia at Provence, and Marketa/Georgia at Ouzo. Other notable mentions are Ilias at reception, Vasiliea with the wine tasting, and Mimis (he was everywhere, beach, theater, white party, etc. and almost always dancing, which we loved).
**Note**
Ikos sends out a check-in survey during your stay. I feel it’s not productive to give everything 5 stars if you see any room for improvement, so I did mention that beach service wasn’t as fast, but I understood it was off-season so it wasn’t a big deal. Let me tell you, they went ABOVE AND BEYOND after even such a minor nitpick to make sure we were happy. So much so, that Chris and I felt a bit overwhelmed by it all. I can’t imagine the extra service they provide for more upset survey reviews. So if you have an issue during your stay, they will try their hardest to make it right.
Which Did We Prefer? Dassia or Aria?
I want to preface by saying that I don’t think you can go wrong with any Ikos, even though I’ve not yet visited them all. We both gave Aria a slight edge over Dassia because we found more relaxing spots by the pool and enjoyed their communal areas/outdoor spaces more. I also loved the activities Kos had to offer and the views of Kastri Island from the resort.
Both are large resorts, but Dassia felt more compact if you prefer the feel of something smaller.
Would We Go Back?
100%. We would happily return to either resort but would love to visit the others someday. Particularly the newer resorts, Odisia, and Porto Petro. We’d also love to stay in Deluxe at least once and have that experience.
Unfortunately, it’s not somewhere we can visit annually due to the regular price increases on top of the complexity of traveling to Greece from the Midwest. Still, we’re big Ikos fans and we’re scared we’ve spoiled ourselves on any other resorts closer to home.
Interested in Ikos?
I’d suggest taking the plunge! Yes, it can be expensive, especially if you’d prefer a suite, bungalow, or deluxe stay, However, if you visit in the off-season, you’ll often find better prices, but Kos has better weather that time of year than the other islands. Check out the Ikos Website to explore your options.
Have you visited any Ikos Resorts? Which was your favorite? Which one should we visit next?
*Disclaimer – I am not affiliated with Ikos Resorts and am documenting my personal experience from our travels there.
