REVIEW: IKOS ARIA

14 hours ago
5 min read

This unrivalled benchmark of luxury, family all-inclusives leaves you feeling like a Greek God

A trip to Ikos Aria is the closest we mere mortals might get to being Greek Gods.

The five star Ikos Resorts across Greece and Spain are the unrivalled benchmark of luxury, family all-inclusives.

Former premiership football legends (from Teddy Sheringham to Rio Ferdinand) coach kid's footie camps; smiling staff polish your sunglasses and offer you canapés as you lounge on the immaculate white sand beaches; breathtaking, Michelin-starred menus await, and a peeled grape would not be too much trouble.

We spend a week at their tropical oasis in Kos, and although complimentary MINI Countryman and museum passes are included, we don't want to leave its 47 acre paradise for a second.

Location

It’s a 20 minute drive in our VIP minivan to the resort, where smiling staff in pristine white uniforms flank the palm tree-studded marble steps to greet us.

We’re welcomed with fragrant, steaming towels and Champagne, and when we reluctantly leave, they provide us all with beautiful packed lunches for the airport.

It’s located in Kefalos, on the sun-kissed south-west coast of Kos, which is culturally rich and geographically diverse, among whitewashed streets lined with vibrant flowers, verdant vineyards, ancient ruins and the emerald Aegean Sea.

The birthplace of Hippocrates, it’s a 40 minute drive to Kos Town for the Hippocrates museum, library and gardens and its buzzy bars, restaurants and beaches.

The resort itself sits on a spectacular, Blue Flag coastline, where at low-tide, the pristine water is shallow enough to wade across to the magical Kastri Island opposite, and scale the rock to ring the bell of the pretty blue and white chapel.

A free sunset boat cruise is included with the stay around Kefalos Bay, watching goats perched on rugged hills, while the jolly Captain serves us drinks, cheese, meat, dances with our children, and invites them to steer the boat and honk the horn.

Food & Drink

Food is Ikos Aria’s love language, with eight extraordinary restaurants - ranging from Greek, to Asian, Italian, Spanish, French and Mediterranean - as well as a Dine Out programme, to enjoy complimentary and authentic meals at hand-picked tavernas and romantic hilltop restaurants, off-site.

Lefteris Lazarou - the first Greek chef to receive a Michelin star - designed the menu at our favourite restaurant there, Ouzo.

It’s a magnificent al fresco restaurant, overlooking the sparkling sea and beach, with a relaxed tropical boho aesthetic, with light dappled tables through the bamboo shading, and rattan pendant lighting.

There’s a giant fire pit serving spectacular barbecue fodder each lunch, from octopus, giant prawns and fish straight from the ocean to Mediterranean meats and specialities.

It’s here where we spot the most celebrities, and enjoy an unforgettable dinner of Greek dishes with a modern twist.

Other highlights include Anaya, a romantic Asian fusion restaurant, with menus guided by Michelin-starred Ettore Botrini. The sticky, Nobu-worthy black cod here is sexual.

We enjoy foie gras, oysters and grilled meats at the stunning, beachfront Seasons restaurant reserved for Deluxe Collection guests, with Mediterranean, Asian and Latin American influences.

The Flavors Mediterranean buffet is extraordinary quality and so vast, we end up returning for multiple courses.

The breakfast offering has every conceivable dish, and lunch and dinner’s rotating menus feature everything from sushi, to Mediterranean dishes, seafood, salads and local meats, with an eyeball popping array of beautiful desserts, and ice cream and sweetie tables for the children.

A complimentary wine tasting is included with our stay, sampling some of the excellent bottles from their selection of 100 premium wines.

And nothing makes us feel more like Beyonce, than having cocktails and giant wicker baskets of food delivered straight to our beach or pool loungers for our more relaxed lunches.

Room service is also included with the stay, and our children are spoilt with nightly ice creams, hot chocolates or desserts in bed and movie night specials.

Kid’s Experiences

The offerings for children here are exceptional, with complimentary kid’s clubs and teen clubs supervised under UK Ofsted guidelines.

Children enjoy kid’s pool parties, bungee trampolines, take part in their own talent shows at the Ikos theatre, enjoy spa sessions, sports and mocktail making sessions.

There are poolside gelaterias straight out of Wonka, as well as their own handmade mini chocolate covered ice creams.

The children love the splash pad area, dedicated kid’s pools, play areas and the nightly theatre entertainment, from Minions shows to K-Pop Demon Hunters productions, with free face painting.

Each restaurant has extensive children’s menus, with specialised cutlery.

The beautiful grounds are all pram-friendly, with so much for them to explore, from the fascinating insect garden to the sports area.

And there are endless complimentary, non-motorised water sports to entertain them - the car shaped pedalos are a big hit, with slides on the back for children to splash into the sea.

Facilities and Service

The staff are the beating heart of this resort - endlessly jolly, warm and attentive. The beautiful bars here are never used by guests, because a smiling waiter is immediately by your side to bring you a fresh cocktail, a snack or top up your glass.

Two of our family have birthdays during our stay, and elaborate cakes are brought out at multiple meals, by a team of singing waiters.

Free buggies are around every corner, to hop into with a cocktail in hand, and save the legs of smaller guests.

There are nine bars, five heated indoor and outdoor pools, a dreamy Anne Semonin Spa, fitness studio, private Blue Flag sandy beach and extensive sports facilities and water sports.

The resort even boasts two archaeological sites, including the famous 5th-Century Christian ruins of the Agios Stefanos Basilica on Kefalos beachfront, which you can explore in your bikini.

There’s a fabulous outdoor theatre, with dedicated kid’s shows and more sophisticated family evening productions, from singing and dancing to dazzling acrobatics.

And guests enjoy complimentary use of a Mini Countryman for the day, to explore the island.

Rooms

Continuing Ikos Aria’s concept of “unconditional luxury,” accommodation ranges from villas with private pools or gardens and in-room massages to bungalows and spacious rooms, in airy, boho-chic style.

There are thoughtful touches, like Champagne on ice on arrival, with plates of sweet treats, and little gifts and personalised letters throughout the stay, from chocolates and wine, to luxury toiletries.

Nothing is overlooked in the rooms, with all the luxury touchpoints, from Nespresso machines and fluffy robes and slippers, to drawers of drinking glasses for every occasion and a complimentary mini bar which is replenished daily.

There are Anna Semonin toiletries, hair dryers, snacks, and even (perish the thought) scales, to see how fully we’ve embraced the all-inclusive food.