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Home / Type of trip / Coast / Review of Ikos Olivia, Halkidiki

Review of Ikos Olivia, Halkidiki

May 4, 2015 by Gretta Schifano 27 Comments

Ikos Olivia beachfront bungalow. Copyright Gretta Schifano

Ikos Olivia beachfront bungalow. Copyright Gretta Schifano

As I walked around the bungalow I imagined my family relaxing there on holiday. I’d spend a lot of time sitting on the terrace reading and looking out to sea. My husband would be off at the gym or going for a run. My son would be either in the pool or finding people to play football with or helping himself to soft drinks from the free mini bar. My daughter would have appropriated one of the two en-suite bathrooms for her exclusive use and would be either checking out the spa or sunbathing at the beach.

Ikos Olivia

I was on a tour of Halkidiki’s new Ikos Olivia luxury resort six days before it was due to open. The resort is near to Thessaloniki in Greece and is owned by the same company as the Ikos Oceania resort. I was staying at the Ikos Oceania on a group press trip and we were being shown around the Olivia on a sunny day in April.

Wherever we went there were people hard at work putting the final touches in place to welcome the guests who would soon be arriving. In the airy kids club there were packages of toys and equipment waiting to be opened. In the spacious beachside buffet restaurant the chairs and tables just needed their plastic coverings taking off. Down at the beach a final coat of something was being applied to the decking.

Ikos Olivia beachfront buffet six days before the resort opened for the first time. Copyright Gretta Schifano.

Ikos Olivia beachfront restaurant six days before the resort opened for the first time. Copyright Gretta Schifano.

All of the rooms that we saw looked great but my favourite was this two-bedroom beachside bungalow because it’s the type of accommodation which suits my family best. The kids (16 and 12 years old) are too big for us all to share a bedroom now unless it’s just for one night. And I prefer us to be together in a two-bedroom place or in interconnecting rooms than for us to stay in separate rooms. I filmed the bungalow because I liked it so much:

The Olivia resort is spread out across 22 acres of landscaped gardens next to the Aegean sea. It has a private sandy beach, various swimming pools, a spa, tennis courts, a kids club, 5 restaurants and 295 rooms. Like the Ikos Oceania, the Ikos Olivia is a luxury all-inclusive resort. Guests who stay at these resorts enjoy the Ikos ‘Infinite Lifestyle’ package which includes things like menus created by a Michelin-starred chef, room service, dining out at local restaurants, kids clubs, activities, waiter service to your sun lounger and childcare at the beach.

Naomi Moreno-Molgar is Head of PR for the tour operator Sovereign and she was on the trip with me. That evening our group went to a local taverna for dinner and I asked Naomi what she thought of the Ikos Olivia as a destination for Sovereign customers:

Blogger Alison Perry of Not Another Mummy Blog was also on the trip and this is what she thought about Ikos Olivia:

Verdict

I was very impressed with Ikos Olivia when I saw it and, if the quality and standards match those of the Ikos Oceania, where I stayed for three nights, then I think that it will be a great place to stay.

The lowdown

The price of staying at Ikos Olivia varies according to when you go. A sample price with Sovereign is £3299.52 for two adults and two children sharing  a one-bedroom garden view bungalow suite for seven nights from 6th June 2015 on an all-inclusive basis. For further information on Ikos Resorts please visit www.ikosresorts.com



Have you ever stayed at an all-inclusive hotel? Do you think that this would work for your family?

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Related

Categories: Coast, Greece, Luxury, Where to stay
Tags: all-inclusive resorts, Halkidiki, Ikos, luxury travel

About Gretta Schifano

I'm a freelance journalist and blogger specialising in family travel with teenagers, trips when parents manage to travel without their kids, and 50+ travel. I also write about vegetarian travel, parenting teenagers, adoption, SEN, ADHD and anxiety. My work's been published by the Financial Times, Guardian, Independent, National Geographic Traveller, Lonely Planet and others. I've lived and worked in Italy and Spain and am now based in rural south-east England with my husband, adoptive and birth kids and our dog. I previously worked as a social action radio producer for the BBC.

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Comments

  1. Samantha says

    April 2, 2016 at 8:08 am

    Hello I’m looking at going to either the Olivia ikos resort with my husband & 12 year old daughter. Which one is better? Thank you Samantha

    Reply
    • Gretta Schifano says

      April 2, 2016 at 2:58 pm

      Hi Samantha, they’re both great! I didn’t actually stay at Olivia, but I went on a tour of it. If I was going to one of them with my kids (they’re 17 and 13) I’d probably choose Olivia as it’s on the same level as the beach whereas at Oceania there’s a steep hill down to the beach. I hope that helps!

      Reply
  2. olivia says

    January 25, 2016 at 11:53 pm

    Olivia resort? With a name like that, it is bound to be brilliant. All inclusives do help with the budgeting, so I would be in favour with children in tow.

    Reply
  3. Alasdair Innes says

    January 8, 2016 at 12:13 am

    Hello Gretta,

    Could you tell me, in your opinion, which is the nicest please, Olivia or Oceana?

    We are looking for our honeymoon in July but cannot decide between the two. Proximity to a local town for a few nice bars on an evening would be nice but I cannot for the life of me figure out where the nearest towns are or what they are like!

    Many thanks,
    al&lou

    Reply
    • Gretta Schifano says

      January 8, 2016 at 12:22 pm

      How exciting – congratulations! They’re both great – I’ve mailed you to answer your query in detail.

      Reply
  4. Ickle Pickle says

    May 19, 2015 at 6:28 pm

    This place looks fantastic, we would love to visit. I have never done all inclusive. Kaz x
    Ickle Pickle recently posted…DSLR Cleaning TipsMy Profile

    Reply
  5. Katie @mummydaddyme says

    May 13, 2015 at 9:12 pm

    It was a great trip wasn’t it Gretta and I need to go back and stay in one of the Olivia private villas one day- they were stunning and would be perfect for my young family. It was so lovely to meet you on the trip, I had such a fantastic time.
    Katie @mummydaddyme recently posted…My Little Bits Of Life- The Holiday EditionMy Profile

    Reply
    • Gretta Schifano says

      May 14, 2015 at 9:36 am

      It was lovely to meet you too Katie – and I agree that Ikos Olivia would be a fab place for a family holiday. My kids would love it there!

      Reply
  6. lisa prince says

    May 11, 2015 at 9:59 am

    oh this resort looks lovely i would love to visit

    Reply
  7. Globalmouse says

    May 10, 2015 at 10:33 pm

    This looks lovely – I really want to take my kids to Greece, it’s a country I love. It would be great to see how it all comes together when it’s finished.
    Globalmouse recently posted…Travel Inspiration – surprise trips abroad with KLMMy Profile

    Reply
  8. Sonya Cisco says

    May 8, 2015 at 12:33 pm

    Ooh I love Greece and this looks like a stunning place to stay!
    Sonya Cisco recently posted…Visiting Paultons Park and Peppa Pig WorldMy Profile

    Reply
  9. Kara says

    May 8, 2015 at 12:00 pm

    Halkidiki is one of my favourite greek islands and I would love to take the kids one day
    Kara recently posted…Munchkin Baby In-Sight Magical Fire Fly MirrorMy Profile

    Reply
  10. ninjacat says

    May 8, 2015 at 10:29 am

    oooh what a wonderful place I so love my travel

    Reply
  11. Lucy Dorrington says

    May 7, 2015 at 11:33 pm

    Look at that beautiful blue sky! I have always wanted to try all inclusive, I think it would be lovely not to have to worry about anything!
    Lucy Dorrington recently posted…Ode to Too Much Junk Mail!My Profile

    Reply
  12. Sarah Bailey says

    May 7, 2015 at 10:44 pm

    What a lovely looking place to visit – I have to admit I do love all inclusive.
    Sarah Bailey recently posted…Loopies Plush Talking Mallard Duck Toy: ReviewMy Profile

    Reply
  13. Jaime Oliver says

    May 7, 2015 at 10:27 pm

    i love the all inclusive route .. with funds sometimes tight its nice to know the pressure is on the holiday – this place looks fab
    Jaime Oliver recently posted…Brillance At Blog OnMy Profile

    Reply
  14. Mina Joshi says

    May 7, 2015 at 10:26 pm

    What a great place to stay. I love staying in places on the beach as to me it’s a luxury just to relax and watch the sea.
    Mina Joshi recently posted…Lilva Tuver and Potato CurryMy Profile

    Reply
  15. mama syder says

    May 7, 2015 at 8:37 pm

    It looks gorgeous and great to be all inclusive! Really luxurious, I can see myself there x
    mama syder recently posted…My Studio Girl – Sew Your Own Kit ReviewMy Profile

    Reply
  16. Ness says

    May 7, 2015 at 6:50 pm

    After a very wet and windy week reading this makes for the perfect holiday! I do like all-inclusive when you go abroad as a family as you have already budgeted for meals.
    Ness recently posted…Vote Cake!My Profile

    Reply
  17. Amy Squires says

    May 7, 2015 at 5:32 pm

    It looks like an absolutely stunning place. Looks ideal for a nice relaxing holiday!
    Amy Squires recently posted…10 ways to be a happier parentMy Profile

    Reply
  18. Emily Shepperson says

    May 7, 2015 at 3:40 pm

    Sounds beautiful and I can’t wait to start taking my children to some places like this one day. THe beachside bungalow sounds perfect for my needs.

    Reply
  19. Nayna Kanabar says

    May 7, 2015 at 1:28 pm

    This place looks wonderful, I too like holiday destinations that offer accomodation that faces the sea.
    Nayna Kanabar recently posted…Freezing Vegetables and Dr.Oetker Ristorante “Freshness Frozen” campaignMy Profile

    Reply
  20. Helen @ Witty Hoots says

    May 7, 2015 at 1:23 pm

    Oh it looks beautiful! I’ve been all inclusive but actually prefer self catering!
    Helen @ Witty Hoots recently posted…Frugal Family Linky 7th May 2015My Profile

    Reply
  21. Michelle says

    May 7, 2015 at 11:37 am

    What I love about all inclusive is that everything is paid up front and so you don’t have to worry about paying out for food and drink, which is a big portion of any holiday budget. The resort looks beautiful.
    Michelle recently posted…All Change As Publicans ‘Keep It In The Family’ – Step Back In TimeMy Profile

    Reply
    • Gretta Schifano says

      May 7, 2015 at 12:21 pm

      I agree, it’s good to know the total holiday cost when you book so that you can budget for it.

      Reply
  22. Ginny Millard says

    May 4, 2015 at 5:30 pm

    Hi Gretta, great post and the Olivia resort looks lovely. As a family of five, (three teenage children – one girl, two boys), we always need three bedroom accommodation. Do you know if any of the bungalows have three bedrooms?

    Reply
    • Gretta Schifano says

      May 4, 2015 at 6:58 pm

      I think that the biggest is two bedrooms but also with a sofa bed in the living area – but if you check with Sovereign they will know the different room combinations.

      Reply

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This is a personal blog written and edited by me, Gretta Schifano. Sometimes I’m given products or sent on trips to review, but I always make this clear and give my honest opinion. See my About page for full details.

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