The Inside Guide to Ikos Resorts, Halkidiki
The Prestbury Worldwide Resorts team were lucky enough to visit Ikos Oceania and Ikos Olivia, the two Ikos Resorts located on Greece’s beautiful Halkidiki peninsula. Product Manager Alex Taylor and reservations team Fay, Alison and Loretta give their first-hand experience of what these luxury all-inclusive resorts have to offer.
Our first night was spent at Ikos Olivia where on arrival we were greeted with a refreshing glass of prosecco and a cold towel, just what was needed after a very early start from Manchester. From the moment we arrived we knew we had arrived somewhere special - long gone are the pre-conceived perceptions of all-inclusive holidays. After a short introduction to the hotel, we were treated to lunch in Provence which offers an extensive Mediterranean buffet that even the fussy eaters in group were not disappointed with the choice available.
That afternoon was spent exploring the hotels facilities and we were overwhelmed by the space available - with 22 acres of perfectly landscaped gardens, 4 swimming pools and a 450m of private beach, guests will not struggle to find their own piece of paradise! We chose to spend some time around the main pool enjoying refreshing cocktails and we all agreed the Mojitos were fabulous!
We were very excited to find out that dinner that evening had been arranged for us in the hotels Michelin-starred restaurant Fusco. After enjoying a spectacular Greek sunset at Helios, we enjoyed a 3-course dinner of authentic Italian cuisine complemented by the antipasti station where we helped ourselves to cold cuts between courses. For anyone with a sweet tooth, the tiramisu is a must!
Our second night was spent at Ikos Oceania where we were spoilt by being accommodated in Deluxe Collection Suites – which offers guests the opportunity to upgrade and receive enhanced services and facilities including an exclusive pool, reserved areas on the beach, a complimentary spa treatment and upgraded minibars and bathroom amenities.
Lunch here was enjoyed at Ouzo which like Provence offers a casual buffet option for lunch and in the evenings becomes an atmospheric Greek Taverna. After all we had eaten through the course of our stay we felt the best idea for that afternoon was to take a gentle stroll into nearby Nea Moudania – as we were there at the very beginning of the season it felt like a small sleepy village, but we understand from the hotel that in the height of season it becomes a bustling fishing port where visitors mingle with the locals.
As everyone knows one of the most important meals of the day is breakfast and at both Ikos Olivia and Ikos Oceania we enjoyed breakfast at Flavors where it would be possible to spend a good hour working your way through the extensive buffet. Not only are you spoilt for choice with traditional English favourites but guests can enjoy a vast array of traditional Greek breakfast dishes and pastries.
Guests looking to keep active will not be disappointed with the choice of activities on hand on land and in the water. Both resorts offer a choice of group classes including aerobics and Zumba and there are mountain bikes available for guests to use during their stay including bikes for children. No stay would be complete without a visit to the Ikos Spa which offers guests an array of treatments from French beauty brand Anne Semonin. As if we had not been spoilt enough the hotel surprised us by offering a couple of the team a Pure Rejuvenation massage which judging by their demeanour afterwards lived up to its name!
We were very excited to hear that Ikos Resorts have future plans to expand their portfolio of hotels initially in Greece, but in future years they do hope to have a presence across the Med – watch this space and we will keep you updated on any new openings as soon as we know about them!
