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 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?
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
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!
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.
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
How exciting – congratulations! They’re both great – I’ve mailed you to answer your query in detail.
This place looks fantastic, we would love to visit. I have never done all inclusive. Kaz x
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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 Edition
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!
oh this resort looks lovely i would love to visit
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 KLM
Ooh I love Greece and this looks like a stunning place to stay!
Sonya Cisco recently posted…Visiting Paultons Park and Peppa Pig World
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 Mirror
oooh what a wonderful place I so love my travel
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!
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: Review
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 On
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 Curry
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 Review
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!
It looks like an absolutely stunning place. Looks ideal for a nice relaxing holiday!
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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.
This place looks wonderful, I too like holiday destinations that offer accomodation that faces the sea.
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Oh it looks beautiful! I’ve been all inclusive but actually prefer self catering!
Helen @ Witty Hoots recently posted…Frugal Family Linky 7th May 2015
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 Time
I agree, it’s good to know the total holiday cost when you book so that you can budget for it.
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?
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.