Which Ikos Resort Is Right for Your Family?

If Ikos is on your family holiday wish list, this is where I’d start.

We’ve been lucky enough to stay at both Ikos Aria in Kos and Ikos Andalusia in Spain, we went to Aria as a family of five and to Andalusia as a couple for our 40th birthday celebrations.

Ikos is one of those hotel brands that somehow manages to feel luxurious while still being incredibly easy with children. Beautiful rooms, amazing food, excellent service, lovely pools, calm beaches, children’s clubs, family-friendly details and that “everything has been thought of” feeling. It really is one of my favourite holidays.

Although you would have an amazing holiday at all of the resorts, as they have grown I do feel some cater for couples better, others are brilliant with toddlers. Some work well for teens. Some are ideal if you’re travelling with grandparents too. And if you’re spending Ikos-level money, choosing the right resort makes a big difference.

So here’s how I’d narrow it down.

Best for couples: Ikos Andalusia

If I was choosing an Ikos for a more grown-up escape, I’d look at Ikos Andalusia.

We’ve stayed here and it has a very polished, elegant feel. It’s still family-friendly, of course, but it also works beautifully for couples or parents who want that slightly more grown-up hotel feeling.

One of the things we really loved was that there were two adult pools, which made it feel calm and relaxed when we wanted a quieter moment. Some of the restaurants also had adult-only areas, which was such a nice touch. Not because we don’t like children, obviously, but because when you’re away together as a couple, it does make dinner feel a little bit more special.

It has the Spanish sunshine, beautiful pools, lovely restaurants and that relaxed Mediterranean atmosphere.

We decided to have our 40th birthday celebrations here as we wanted a short flight, good food, drinks, sun and a few days of luxury and Andalusia delivered and exceeded our expectations.

For us, the beach was much better at Ikos Aria, and that was one of the things our children loved most there. The beach at Aria had those shallow, calm waters that worked so well for family days by the sea. So for that reason, I’d personally pick Andalusia more for an adults’ escape, or a holiday where the pool, food and overall hotel experience are more important than the beach.

We also loved being able to explore the local area. One day, we did a long walk along the beach towards Estepona, which was such a lovely way to see more of the coast and break up the hotel stay a little.

So while Andalusia is still a brilliant family option, for me it really shines as a more grown-up Ikos stay.

Best for easy-going luxury with toddlers and babies: Ikos Olivia

If you’re travelling with babies or toddlers and want everything to feel as easy as possible, I’d look at Ikos Olivia.

Ikos as a brand is brilliant for younger families because so much is thought through: high chairs, children’s menus, kids’ clubs, crèches, baby equipment and staff who genuinely make travelling with children feel easier.

Olivia has a more relaxed, easy-going feel, which makes it a great option if you’re in that stage of holidays where naps, shade, snacks and simple routines matter.

For me, when you’re travelling with little ones, it’s not just about how beautiful the hotel is. It’s about how easy the day feels. And this is where Ikos does really well.

Best for splash pools and family fun: Ikos Odisia

If your holiday revolves around pools, children’s fun and keeping everyone entertained, Ikos Odisia is the one I’d look at.

It feels like a great option for families who want that luxury Ikos experience, but with a little more of a family activity feel. If your children love being in and out of the water all day, this would be one to research.

It’s also a resort I’d look at for families with younger children or mixed ages, because there seems to be plenty to keep everyone busy.

Best all-rounder: Ikos Dassia

If you’re not quite sure where to start, Ikos Dassia is probably the all-rounder I’d look at.

It’s often recommended as a strong first Ikos because it seems to offer a bit of everything: beach, pools, restaurants, family-friendly spaces and that classic Ikos service.

For families who want a safe bet, or who are travelling with different ages and want somewhere that ticks lots of boxes, Dassia would be a good place to begin.

Best for grown-up Mediterranean luxury: Ikos Porto Petro

If you like the idea of Ikos but want something that feels a little more grown up, stylish and Mediterranean, I’d look at Ikos Porto Petro.

This feels like the option for families who still want luxury, but perhaps with older children, or for couples who want the Ikos service and food without it feeling too centred around little ones.

It’s the one I’d choose if I wanted a more grown-up sunshine escape with beautiful surroundings, good food and a slightly slower pace.

Best for multi-generational families: Ikos Odisia

For a multi-generational trip, I’d look again at Ikos Odisia.

When you’re travelling with grandparents, parents and children, you need a resort that works for everyone. Somewhere with good restaurants, pools, space, activities, easy days and places where people can do their own thing.

Ikos is naturally good for this because everything is included and easy. Nobody has to keep making decisions about where to eat, what to pay for, or how to organise the day. That makes a big difference when there are lots of people travelling together.

Best for teens & families: Ikos Aria

We absolutely loved Ikos Aria in Kos, and I think it’s a brilliant option for families with older children and teens.

Aria opened in 2019 and is a big resort, with around 370 rooms, but it is so well designed that it never felt too huge or too busy when we were there.

We booked a deluxe one-bedroom sea front bungalow, and it was amazing. The sea views were beautiful, the room was stylish and spacious, and it worked really well for us as a family. The children slept in the living area, and we had our own bedroom. Both spaces had doors out into the garden, which meant we could sit outside in the evening with a drink without disturbing the children.

That said, if we went again, I think we’d probably choose a cheaper room with a garden view. The sea front room was beautiful, but the children mostly wanted to get up and go. Now that Ellis doesn’t nap, we’d probably spend less time in the room, so I’d rather put the money towards the overall trip.

The real sell for me at Ikos Aria was the food and drink. If you’re a foodie, Ikos is honestly brilliant. Aria has seven restaurants, and we felt completely spoilt for choice. We loved them all, but our favourites were Ouzo, Anaya and Oliva.

The drinks were also amazing for an all-inclusive resort. The pink champagne was a particular highlight.

For children, Aria had everything you could possibly need. When ours were younger, the little details made such a difference: high chairs, children’s equipment, shaded spaces, kids’ facilities and staff who were genuinely lovely with families.

We loved the splash pad for a morning play, but the deluxe pool was probably our favourite because it had a bigger pool for the older two and a toddler pool for Ellis. There was also a shaded area by the toddler pool with a toy kitchen and colouring, which was perfect when they wanted to play out of the sun for a bit.

There is childcare if you need it too, including a crèche and babysitters.

Some of our favourite memories were the little extras: the free pedalos to explore the nearby island, the evening shows, the kids’ shows, the beach with calm shallow water, and the staff who really looked after everyone.

Aria is also only around 20 minutes from the airport, and if you book direct, you can usually get a private car transfer with car seats included, which makes arrival so much easier with children.

For us, Aria was the perfect mix of an amazing resort for adults and somewhere the children had a brilliant time too.

A side note, my parents went here on their own after our recommendation, they stayed in the deluxe area and said it was the best holiday they have ever been on, so definitely one for a Grandparents escape too!

Best value introduction to Ikos: Ikos Oceania

If you’re looking for the best value introduction to Ikos, I’d look at Ikos Oceania.

Ikos is a luxury holiday, and prices can be high, especially in school holidays. So if you want to try the brand without going straight for one of the newer or more expensive resorts, Oceania is one to compare.

You still get the Ikos food, service and all-inclusive concept, but it may be a better starting point depending on your dates and budget.

One to watch: Ikos Kissamos

The one I’d keep an eye on is Ikos Kissamos.

New Ikos openings always create a lot of interest, and if you like the idea of being one of the earlier families to try a new resort, this could be worth watching.

I have been following the feedback on the unofficial Facebook page for Kissamos and the overall feeling is that it is going to be possibly, one of the best resorts, but they are still very much learning and service is a little slower.

What makes Ikos so good for families?

For me, the magic of Ikos is that it takes away so many of the stressful parts of a family holiday.

The food is genuinely good. The drinks feel special. The staff are kind. The resorts are beautiful. The children are thought about without the whole place feeling overly child-focused.

It’s all-inclusive, but not in the way people sometimes imagine all-inclusive. It feels more like staying in a luxury hotel where everything has already been taken care of.

That is what makes it work so well for families.

You can have a beautiful dinner, the children can eat well, nobody is worrying about the bill every time you order a drink, and the days feel easy.

Which Ikos would I choose again?

For us, Ikos Aria was probably one of our best family holidays ever.

It had the beautiful setting, the amazing food, the easy airport transfer, the calm beach and enough for the children to enjoy without it ever feeling too chaotic.

But I also think Ikos Andalusia is a brilliant option, especially if you want Spain, sunshine and a more grown-up feel.

If you’re choosing your first Ikos, I’d start by thinking less about which one is “best” and more about what kind of holiday you actually want.

Do you want toddler-friendly ease?
Teen-friendly freedom?
A grown-up feel?
A beach holiday?
A short transfer?
Somewhere for grandparents too?
The best value option?

Once you know that, it becomes much easier to narrow down.

Sarah x

Quick guide: which Ikos is right for you?

Best for couples: Ikos Andalusia
Best for easy-going luxury with toddlers and babies: Ikos Olivia
Best for splash pools and family fun: Ikos Odisia
Best all-rounder: Ikos Dassia
Best for grown-up Mediterranean luxury: Ikos Porto Petro
Best for multi-generational families: Ikos Odisia
Best for teens: Ikos Aria
Best value introduction to Ikos: Ikos Oceania
One to watch: Ikos Kissamos

Final thoughts

Ikos is definitely a treat holiday, but if you’re looking for luxury that still works brilliantly for families, it’s one of the best we’ve experienced.

It’s the kind of holiday where everyone gets something out of it. The children get pools, beaches, shows, kids’ clubs and freedom. Parents get beautiful food, good wine, calm surroundings and a holiday that actually feels like a holiday.

And honestly, that is the dream.