ikos an honest review
IKOS DASSIA Located on Corfu’s Ionian coast, Ikos Dassia offers a unique cosmopolitan experience in spectacular surroundings.
In the tranquil surroundings of the Ikos Dassia resort, which is surrounded by fragrant woodland on the gorgeous island of Corfu, guests can experience contemporary Mediterranean style and traditional Greek hospitality. With its breathtaking views across the turquoise Ionian sea, this luxurious resort welcomes you. Embracing our award-winning Infinite Lifestyle concept, guests will get an unforgettable experience as our cuisine, service, and style are elevated to an extraordinary level in this exceptional hotel.
Overview
The Ikos Dassia is a 5-star all-inclusive resort located on the Greek Island of Corfu. It has 403 rooms and a long beach.
Location
The Ikos Dassia resort site is located on the east side of the island of Corfu, just a 15-minute drive from Corfu international airport.
Top Tips
If you are staying in a deluxe room, you can avail of a complimentary neck and back massage, and the concierge can help you make restaurant reservations.
At the Ikos resorts, you can use a complimentary car, dine at three local restaurants, and take in some local culture by receiving free passes to museums and art galleries.
If you are leaving the resort in the evening, you can continue to use the facilities until your flight home.
Check-In
Once we stepped through the front entrance we almost felt like a wave of relaxation hit us. The staff provided us with a cold towel and a cold beverage as we checked in and explained the layout of the resort and all of the amenities that we had at our disposal.
Resort Layout
The resort is laid out in quite an interesting way, with two main buildings, each with its own check-in, lobby, and bars and restaurants. We actually kind of liked the separation between the two buildings, although it takes some time to walk between them.
Is the Ikos Dassia a family-friendly resort?
The Ikos Dassia is a family-friendly resort with a kids and teens club and great food and entertainment options.
Kids Club Options
Heros Kids Club is open between the hours of 10 am and 6 pm and offers a variety of activities for kids aged 4 to 11 years old.
The sessions cost around €30 per child, but if you book multiple sessions in a day it only costs €50.
Amenities
The Ikos Dassia offers a wide range of activities and amenities, including tennis and basketball courts, non-motorized water sports, biking, a well-stocked gym, and a free rental car.
Pools
There are 7 pools throughout the Ikos Dassia resort, including 2 adult pools, a water park, a kids pool, the two main pools, an indoor pool, and the spa pool.
There are two gyms in the Ikos Dassia with modern equipment. The Sky building gym is definitely the better offering.
The entertainment at the Ikos Dassia resort is more subdued compared to other all-inclusive resorts we have visited. There is also a shuttle bus that runs a couple of times throughout the day to Corfu.
Beach
The Ikos Dassia beach is 400 meters long and has drinks and food services. There are adults-only and deluxe guest-only designated parts of the beach.
Spa
The spa at Ikos Dassia is done in partnership with Anne Semonin and offers hair and nail treatments.
The price for treatments at the spa wasn’t the worst, but it was difficult to get an appointment.
The Service
Although the service was good, it was not as strong as some of the other Ikos resorts we visited.
When we tried to use the local experiences package, the reception staff had no idea what we were talking about. We ended up sending a WhatsApp message to the concierge, who sorted us out immediately.
Although they came every day, the housekeeping staff were inconsistent in their cleaning times.
Cleanliness
The cleaning staff were super and appeared every day at the same time to clean the room.
Booking during Covid
The Ikos chain of hotels has a number of safety features in place to ensure a safe and enjoyable vacation.
Upon arrival at the resort, guests are given a complimentary antigen test to take. PCR tests can be organized at an additional cost.
Rooms
The restaurants and bars are located on the top floors, so if you get a room on the second-highest floor, we suggest moving.
The standard room in the resort is a pretty decent option for a couple or two friends. It has a large bed, a small seating area, and a nice balcony.
These rooms can cater to 3 adults or 2 adults and one child. They have a seating area with a pull-out bed.
The Junior Suite is also available as a Panorama Junior Suite, which is longer than it is wide and has a great long balcony with sea views.
The deluxe two-bedroom suites are the largest rooms in the resort and can sleep 6-7 people.
Price Range + Packages
The Ikos Dassia is a premium resort, but it’s worth it given the sheer luxury of the resort.
What’s included in the all-inclusive package
The package at Ikos resorts includes pretty much everything, except for the treatments at the spa and the rental of some water activities.
There are fully stocked mini-bars in each room that are restocked daily and include soft drinks, wine, beer, spirits, and water.
Food + Restaurant Options
The Ikos has 7 restaurants throughout the resort, including one buffet restaurant. The restaurants cater to different dietary requirements, including vegan and vegetarian options.
The Ikos chain of resorts offers top-quality food options, including menus that have been cultivated by Michelin-starred chefs.
Ikos resorts offer a “Dine Out” feature that lets you sample local cuisine outside of the resort.
The food at Ouzo was really good. The restaurant is located right on the beachfront and is a lovely location for an early evening meal.
Anaya is an Asian restaurant in the sea building that serves Indian, Thai, Japanese, and Chinese food.
Kerkyra is a restaurant serving up the cuisine of Corfu. We really enjoyed the food here.
The Italian restaurant Fresco is curated by the Michelin-starred Chef Ettore Botrini and the French restaurant Provence is pure luxury. We really enjoyed our meals at Fresco and the service here was really super.
The Ergon Deli is a sit-down restaurant with a beautifully crafted menu of Greek-style dishes.
Flavor is a buffet-style restaurant with stunning views of the Ionian Sea. It serves Mediterranean-style food and has a wide enough choice to satisfy anyone’s taste palates.
You can order drinks for the room as well as breakfast, which is available 24/7.
Bars and Drinks Offering
In total there are 6 bars in Ikos Dassia, one adults-only pool bar, and a deluxe guest-only bar. There is a great selection of alcohol on offer, including Absolut Vodka, Baileys, Jameson, Bombay, Dissarono, and Heiniken.
The Ikos Dassia has a wine cave where you can choose from over 300 bottles of wine. A sommelier is on-site to guide you in the perfect pairings when you’re dining.
Is the Deluxe Status Worth it?
There are a host of benefits that you get with Deluxe status, but we felt that they did not warrant the additional cost.
The beach and pool areas can get busy in peak months, but you are guaranteed a sun lounger.
The personal concierge was the standout feature for us, as they could get us reservations for restaurants and spas even when places looked booked out on the app.
Although we enjoyed our stay in the Deluxe Suite, we didn’t believe the value was there for the price.
Tipping
We budget a certain amount per day for tips, and typically tip 1 euro per drink. We tip between 5 and 10 euros for meals.
When is the best time to book the Ikos Dassia?
If you’re looking for the most cost-effective time to visit the Ikos Dassia, October is the time to visit. However, the weather can be hit or miss.
If you want a decent price and don’t mind the weather, September is a good time to go.
Conclusion
Overall, the Ikos Dassia is a top-quality resort with great food, service, and an emphasis on exploring the local communities.
The Ikos Dassia is a great luxury option for families in Greece with separate kids/family areas and adult areas with pools, adults-only options, and specific room locations.
FAQ’s
Wi-Fi is available throughout the whole resort and is strong enough to stream Netflix and take zoom without the connection dropping.
