Our Dorset Life

We’re usually the type to plan holidays with the kids in mind, but for our 40th birthdays, we wanted something just for us. No school runs, no routines, just a few days of sunshine, sea views and spoiling ourselves. Ikos Andalusia had been on our radar for a while. We’d already fallen in love with the brand after a family trip to Ikos Aria, and the promise of “luxury all-inclusive” done well felt like exactly what we needed.

Tucked between the mountains and sea on the Costa del Sol, Ikos Andalusia offered everything we were hoping for: stylish spaces, incredible food, and a chance to stop for a few days.

Ikos Andalusia is set on the sun-soaked Costa del Sol, and it’s their first resort outside of Greece. The brand completely remodelled an old Andalusian hotel, rebuilding most of it from the ground up. The result is a fresh, elegant space with a coastal-Mediterranean style and soft Greek influences throughout.

The sea-facing bar is an instant showstopper and the water pond near the main building add to the dreamy vibe. There are lots of pools, including two adult pools, a scented pool and a children’s one, each immaculate with plenty of loungers and fresh towels. We were also pleasantly surprised by the beach area, it was windy during our stay though, so we picked the pools.

Even though we visited during peak summer, the resort never felt overcrowded. The atmosphere was calm, relaxed and the service felt warm and attentive throughout our stay.

Our Room

We booked a standard promo room in the BA sale in the October before and it ticked every box. Light, airy, and beautifully styled, with a hint of a sea view and a super comfy bed. It had that calming, luxurious feel Ikos do so well, without being fussy or overdone.

Poolside & Activities

Our happy place was the adults-only pool near the gym. It was peaceful, had a great vibe, and the perfect spot to unwind. I loved joining in with the aqua aerobics and going on long walks along the seafront promenade.

Let’s Talk About the Food

Dining is one of Ikos’ biggest draws and this resort had a lot to live up to. Luckily, it delivered. Each restaurant brings something unique to the table, and while it’s not Michelin-star dining, it’s as good as all-inclusive gets and the reason we picked this resport. We planned out our meals in advance (yes, I’m that person!) and saved our celebration dinner for the final night.

Beach Club
Casual, light, and breezy. It became our go-to for breakfast, where we could sit by the sea with yummy breakfast dishes and great coffee. It was also one of our favourite spots for lunch, fresh, mediterranean flavours and good wines too!

Oliva
A Spanish-inspired menu that was fresh, colourful and beautifully balanced. Great for lunch if you’re craving something local.

Anaya
Asian flavours done well. Thai, Chinese, and Indian dishes that felt elevated but still comforting. A real standout for dinner and in a beautiful setting.

Ouzo
This was where you could find traditional Greek cuisine with a twist. We loved our meal here, it was a nice nod to the brand’s roots.

Provence
Elegant, rich French dishes with gorgeous presentation. The mussels starter was a favourite and the steak was melt-in-your-mouth. Ask for wine recommendations here, they had different one’s to the usual and we enjoyed a delicious rose.

Chiringuito
Tapas with a view. We loved the prawn pil pil, patatas bravas, and guacamole. Relaxed, beachy, and just really delicious. There was a queue for this most days and I can see why!

Seasons
We managed to get a reservation here and wow. Mediterranean-Asian fusion served as the sun set over the resort. Our best evening by far, with the best views so far!

Fresco
The only place that didn’t quite hit the mark. It was fine, but the Italian dishes felt a little less special than the rest.

We also need to talk wine: the Ikos Private Cellar Rosé which became a fast favourite, and yes Tattinger is on offer too.

Final Thoughts

Ikos Andalusia really delivered. The design, service, and quality made it feel like a true escape. We relaxed, we read, we swam and more importantly, we celebrated 40 with some much-needed time just for us.

Would we go back? In a heartbeat.

Love Sarah x