Smart Travel Edit

Best for: Multi-generational families, couples and food lovers.

Worth the money? Yes—if you like to spend most of your holiday enjoying the resort.

Would we return? Absolutely.

Best feature: The exceptional service.

Biggest downside: Booking restaurants and activities before arrival.

Booking info: October Half Term, 6 people, Birmingham UK Flights

What we spent: £9680

The saying goes ‘You only have a few summers with your kids.’ Well when you have octogenarian parents, its more poignant to think you only have a few summers left with them. Maybe more. Maybe less.

This is your sign to book the holiday. Make some memories away from the daily routine with parents.

We holiday each year with Grandparents, so we have visited a few places over the years as a multigenerational group.

Finding a holiday for a family of five can be difficult.

Finding one that keeps three generations happy is another challenge altogether.

On this particular break, we wanted somewhere that would entertain our three children (aged 11, 8 and 5), allow my 80-year-old mother-in-law to relax, and still give my husband and I the chance to properly switch off for a week. Everyone seemed to recommend Ikos, but with a price tag that cost more than my first car*, I couldn’t help asking myself one question…

Is Ikos really worth it?

I’m not here to give you a hotel review, because there are thousands available online. I want to answer this question if you’re considering an Ikos holiday with Grandparents but unsure on the price tag.

Last October half-term, we spent a week at Ikos Olivia in Halkidiki. We’d already enjoyed a couple of multi-generational holidays together and, through a natural process of trial and error, we’d realised what worked—and what didn’t. We needed somewhere with enough activities to keep the children busy, enough comfort for Grandma, and enough space that we could spend quality time together without feeling like we had to do everything together.

As a family, we’re incredibly active. We’re tennis at 7.30am, head straight to breakfast kind of family. We do love lazy afternoons by the pool and long walks on the beach, but sitting still for an entire week has never really been our style.

Grandma, on the other hand, enjoys a slower pace these days. She loves being involved but is equally happy watching from the sidelines before meeting us later for a coffee, an ice cream or an early evening drink.

On paper, Ikos Olivia looked like the perfect compromise. Multiple restaurants, activities for all ages, peaceful spaces to escape to when needed, and just enough luxury to make the holiday feel special.

Our First Impressions of Ikos Olivia

Our first impressions of Ikos actually began before we’d even left Birmingham Airport.

While waiting to board, we found ourselves queueing behind a legendary Olympian and his A-list fiancée. We joked that surely they couldn’t be heading to the same resort as us…

They were.

After landing, they climbed into the private transfer directly ahead of ours.

If Ikos was good enough for Olympic champions, we figured it would probably do for us too!

From the moment we arrived, the service was exceptional. Every member of staff greeted us warmly, check-in was effortless, and within minutes we had a cold drink in hand.

The whole resort immediately felt calm.

Despite travelling during October half-term, there was none of the frantic atmosphere you sometimes find at family resorts. No queues. No rush for sunbeds. No crowds gathering around reception. Everything simply felt… easy.

Are the Rooms at Ikos Olivia Worth Upgrading?

For our family, choosing the right room combination was just as important as choosing the right resort. As a family of five, it can sometimes be tricky to find a room that accommodates us all.

We opted for a One Bedroom Bungalow Suite with a private garden for the five of us, while Grandma stayed in a Superior Double Sea View room in the main hotel.

It turned out to be the perfect arrangement.

Having her own room meant she could enjoy a peaceful lie-in or afternoon nap without being disturbed by three energetic grandchildren, while still feeling completely involved in the holiday. Although our rooms were a short walk apart, it never felt inconvenient. We’d simply arrange to meet for breakfast each morning and walk Grandma back after dinner each evening.

The location of her room also gave us extra peace of mind. Being close to reception, where staff were always present, made us feel comfortable with her staying independently.

We struck gold with our bungalow allocation.

Our terrace opened directly onto the Leisure Pool, making it incredibly easy to nip back to the room throughout the day. Better still, it overlooked the playground, so we could relax with a drink on the terrace while keeping an eye on the children as they played.

Is the Food at Ikos Olivia Really as Good as Everyone Says?

Food can make or break an all-inclusive holiday.

Thankfully, this is where Ikos Olivia really shines and stands out from other resorts.

Over the course of the week we enjoyed four evenings in the à la carte restaurants and three in the buffet restaurant. Even on buffet nights, we chose to sit outside overlooking the beach, which made the experience feel far more relaxed than your typical all-inclusive dining room.

Our favourite meal of the week was at Fresco, the Italian restaurant. A close second was Anaya, the Asian restaurant, where a resident DJ created a fun evening atmosphere without it ever feeling over the top. The menu was lost on the kids, so looking back it’s probably the one restaurant we should have saved for a date night while Grandma enjoyed room service with the children!

One tip I’d definitely recommend is booking restaurants as soon as your reservation window opens. I initially tried using the Ikos app but found availability frustratingly limited. After emailing the resort directly, however, everything became much easier, and the staff couldn’t have been more helpful.

How Ikos Worked for the Children

Ikos made the children feel like they were VIPs.

From the moment we arrived, there was always something for them to do. When we could get a court, we started our mornings with tennis before breakfast, followed by hours spent moving between the pools, the beach and the ice cream station. My youngest hired a bike to explore the resort a couple of days. This was a very popular activity, so you had to turn up before the bike shop opened for the day to queue. I couldn’t believe how busy it was when we got there late one day and missed out on a bike that day.

Before we travelled, I’d booked the football sessions for the older two kids through the Ikos app. Open to children aged 8–13, they were well organised and a brilliant way for them to meet other children without feeling like a formal kids’ club.

Although there was plenty to keep everyone entertained, Ikos never felt like a resort trying to fill every minute of your day. Activities were there if you wanted them, but the real luxury was simply having time together. We found ourselves slowing down, spending lazy afternoons by the pool before heading out for dinner, rather than rushing from one activity to the next.

One thing that really stood out was how well Ikos caters for young families. While our children are now beyond the pushchair stage, it was impossible not to notice the thoughtful touches everywhere we looked. Every restaurant had immaculate highchairs ready and waiting, and families could borrow pushchairs, cots and baby monitors throughout their stay. The play areas were so well designed for young children, with shade provided meaning kids could enjoy them all day long out of the sun.

If I’d discovered Ikos during those sleep-deprived baby years, I think I’d have appreciated it even more.

The only disappointment was the kids’ club. Despite trying to book months in advance, we couldn’t secure any sessions before we arrived. It wasn’t until later in the week that we managed to get our youngest a place for the Halloween treasure hunt, which was frustrating considering it’s one of the resort’s biggest selling points for families.

Adventures Beyond the Resort

One of our favourite experiences wasn’t actually inside the resort at all.

As part of the Local Drive Adventure, Ikos guests can borrow a Tesla for the day to explore the local area. It’s one of those little extras that genuinely sets the brand apart from other all-inclusive holidays.

We decided to make the most of it by driving to Petralona Cave, around 35 minutes from Ikos Olivia. On this occasion, we left Grandma in the hotel relaxing for the best part of a day. By mid-week I think she may have appreciated a bit of a relax from us all! Exploring the vast underground chambers was a real highlight for the children and a welcome reminder that there’s plenty to discover beyond the resort itself.

On the way back, we stopped for lunch at Ikos Oceania, another resort included within the Ikos Infinite Lifestyle concept.

What happened next perfectly summed up the level of service we’d experienced all week.

As we pulled up outside a resort we’d never visited before, a member of staff greeted us by name before we’d even stepped out of the car.

It was one of those moments that made us look at each other and laugh.

How did they already know who we were?

It’s a small detail, but one that perfectly illustrates how personal the service feels at Ikos. Having spent the afternoon at Ikos Oceania, I came away glad that we were staying at Ikos Olivia. Oceania seemed a more compact site with less spaces around the pool. The pool as a result felt very hectic and loud compared to Olivias chill vibe.

If the Children Were VIPs, Grandma Was VVIP

If there was one person who truly appreciated the Ikos experience, it was my mother-in-law.

Within a couple of days, staff knew exactly how she liked her afternoon gin and tonic. We’d arrive at the pool at 3pm for our sundowners; order “the usual”, and before long our drinks and favourite snacks would appear at our sunbeds without another word needing to be said.

It wasn’t just efficient service—it felt genuinely personal.

Although Ikos Olivia is designed as a family resort, it never felt noisy or overcrowded. The spacious grounds meant there were always peaceful corners to escape to, whether that was a quiet bar, a shaded terrace or the oversized sofas in reception that quickly became one of Grandma’s favourite places to relax with a book and a coffee.

Accessibility around the resort was excellent, with wide pathways and clear signage throughout. There is quite a bit of walking between different areas, which wasn’t an issue for us, but it’s something worth considering if anyone in your group has limited mobility.

For our family, however, it struck exactly the right balance. Grandma could join us whenever she wanted, but equally had plenty of opportunities to enjoy some quiet time without feeling isolated from the rest of the holiday.

There’s something bout getting Grandma out of her comfort zone that changes everything. Conversations switch from ailments and routines, and we all laughed more, because we were so relaxed.

Its magic watching your kids play happily. What’s more magical is having someone sat next to you who loves your kids as much as you do, watching on in wonder.

Service That Went Above and Beyond

I’ve stayed in some lovely five-star hotels over the years, but I’ve never experienced service quite like we did at Ikos Olivia.

Yes, the food was excellent. The rooms were beautiful. The grounds were immaculate.

But what truly sets Ikos apart is its people.

Every member of staff—from reception to housekeeping—greeted us with genuine warmth. Nothing ever felt like too much trouble.

At one point, someone even appeared at our sunbeds to clean everyone’s sunglasses.

It’s completely unnecessary.

And completely brilliant.

One day, I attended a pilates session where the instructor failed to turn up. Luckily one of the attendees was a trained pilates instructor, so led the class for us. As a way of apology, I received a bottle of wine to my room. I assume the stand in instructor received something also for helping out!

The moment that impressed me most, though, involved my daughter, who has a nut allergy.

Every restaurant already knew about her allergy before we sat down, and we felt completely reassured throughout the week. Then, halfway through our stay, the Head of Nutrition came to our table simply to check that everything had met our expectations.

During the conversation, I casually mentioned that we’d struggled to book the kids’ club and tennis courts before arriving.

Within two hours, our youngest had a kids’ club place for the following morning, giving my husband and me the chance to enjoy the gym together. We also secured daily tennis court bookings for the rest of the holiday.

None of that fell within her role.

She simply wanted to make our holiday better.

That, more than anything else, explains why people return to Ikos year after year.

Was It Actually Stress-Free?

For me, this is where Ikos truly earns its reputation.

Before we arrived, I won’t pretend everything was seamless. Booking restaurants, tennis courts and the kids’ club through the app was frustrating, and at times it felt impossible to secure the experiences we wanted. Thankfully, emailing the resort directly proved much more successful, and once we arrived, the staff couldn’t have been more accommodating.

From that point onwards, the holiday became exactly what we’d hoped for.

There were no dawn races for sunbeds, no queues for breakfast, no searching for clean towels or waiting endlessly for drinks. Every little detail had been thought about, allowing us to simply enjoy being together.

Even services we didn’t personally use, such as unpacking and packing your luggage, reflected the same philosophy: remove every possible stress from your holiday.

As parents, that’s incredibly valuable.

A Few Things I’d Improve

No resort is perfect, and Ikos Olivia was no exception.

The biggest frustration was the booking system before arrival. Considering many guests choose Ikos because of its restaurants, sports and kids’ clubs, these should be much easier to reserve in advance. If you’re planning a stay, I’d recommend downloading the app as soon as you’ve booked, but don’t hesitate to email the resort if you’re struggling. We found the staff far more helpful than the technology.

The second disappointment was the gym.

Considering the calibre of the resort, the fitness facilities felt surprisingly basic. For most guests it will be absolutely fine, but for anyone who enjoys training regularly or is used to well-equipped health clubs, it may fall short of expectations. It certainly felt like the one area that hadn’t quite caught up with the luxury offered everywhere else.

Those two points aside, it’s genuinely difficult to find fault.

Top Tips Before You Book

If you’re considering Ikos Olivia, here are a few things I’d do differently next time:

• Book restaurants as soon as your reservation window opens.
• If the app doesn’t cooperate, email the resort directly—they were incredibly responsive.
• Take advantage of the Local Drive Adventure. It’s one of the most unique benefits of staying at Ikos and gives you the chance to see more of Halkidiki without having to hire a car.
• If you’re travelling as a multi-generational family, don’t be afraid to book separate room types. Having Grandma in her own room gave everyone the perfect balance of independence and togetherness.
• If fitness is an important part of your holiday, adjust your expectations of the gym before you arrive.

So… Is Ikos Really Worth It?

This is the question I kept asking before we booked.

After a week at Ikos Olivia, my answer is yes—but probably not for the reasons you might expect.

If you’re looking for the biggest waterpark, the busiest entertainment programme or a resort packed with non-stop activities, there are cheaper places that will probably suit you just as well.

But if you value exceptional service, outstanding food and the feeling that absolutely everything has been considered before you’ve even thought to ask, Ikos is in a league of its own.

More importantly, it’s one of the very few holidays I’ve experienced where every generation genuinely came away happy.

The children had the freedom to explore safely, make friends and try new activities.

Grandma had quiet spaces to relax, wonderful food and staff who somehow remembered her favourite afternoon gin and tonic after only a couple of days.

And my husband and I? We did something parents rarely get to do.

We relaxed.

Not because someone entertained the children every minute of the day, but because everything else simply worked.

Would We Go Again?

Without hesitation—yes.

Would I still wince slightly when paying the balance? Definately.

I’m naturally someone who likes to explore local towns, discover hidden restaurants and spend more time outside the resort than in it, so spending this much on an all-inclusive holiday still feels like a luxury.

But that’s also the point.

Ikos isn’t trying to be a base for exploring. It’s designed to be the destination.

For one week, we didn’t have to think about where to eat, whether there would be a sunbed available, how to keep three children entertained or whether Grandma was comfortable. We simply spent time together.

For a multi-generational holiday, that’s surprisingly rare.

And perhaps that’s what you’re really paying for.

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* In case you’re wondering about the first car… it was a well-loved second-hand VW Polo, and despite costing considerably less than this holiday, it gave me just as many happy memories!