The Ikos Aria on Kos combines cool design with poolside fun, beach vibes, and pampering. Thanks to a thoughtful all-inclusive package, costs remain distinctly fair for couples or families. I checked in – and that’s why the hotel is worth a trip for you, too!
Actually, you go on vacation because of the relaxation. And my plan for the trip to Greece was to use the smartphone as little as possible. I took a few photos at the Ikos Aria to show you why the hotel definitely deserves a place on your travel list. I get wanderlust all the time during the non-travel season, but I firmly believe that we’ll be able to hop on a plane again someday without a guilty conscience. Until then, let’s get inspired – and this is what a short stay at Ikos could look like.
Short note: The stay at the Ikos Aria was not an invitation, I paid everything myself, including the flight. Nevertheless, I was so excited that I would also like to inspire you for the hotel.
17 p.m: Check-in
You won’t notice the hotel until you drive through the gate, so nothing like a big concrete bunker. If you enter the large white entrance hall, you might as well be walking through a James Bond film set in the Bahamas. Then keep going until you come to a stop on the terrace (one of two) – with your first view of the sea, the pools and the grounds of the Ikos Aria. Without knowing it, you’ve just gotten an overview of the place where you’ll start the evening – the spacious lobby bar.
Chillout on the terrace of the lobby bar. Small paddling pool is at the start, dignified armchairs. And the view is also royal.
Open, cozy, and quite a lot of garden
More than 370 spacious suites and super-appointed rooms with a choice of private balconies, gardens, and some with private pools are offered at the 20-plus-acre resort, which doesn’t look that big, though. I checked into a deluxe junior suite with its own small garden. There’s enough room for two people, and the bathroom has room for larger makeup bags. But the design of the interior is the same in all accommodations. Lots of white, wood, open design and Mediterranean-inspired shapes in carpets, mirrors or decorative elements create a feel-good ambience. And since you’re mostly out and about or at the beach/pool anyway, it doesn’t matter so much that the low hedges don’t offer the greatest privacy when you’re outside.
On paper, a stay at Ikos Hotels is an all-inclusive vacation. But there is much more behind the term Infinite Lifestyle.
Ikos Aria Kos: What’s the Infinite Lifestyle?
The all-inclusive concept in all Ikos hotels is designed in such a way that you don’t have to worry about anything – you can plan with your existing budget, if you don’t want to book massage treatments or the like, nothing more will be added. The price per night (per room, not per person) includes all meals in the restaurants. Most of the time it’s even a la carte food – so you can order appetizer, main course, dessert and ouzo as you like. And it gets even better: The wine cellar of the Ikos is open to you – you can choose your favorite from around 300 different wines. By the glass or, you heard right: by the bottle. Everything in. So you can relax and feel your way through Greek, French or German wines! In addition, there is the possibility of the Dine Out Service: After making a reservation, you can get to know the local Greek cuisine in selected restaurants in the area at no extra charge. And if available, take the hotel’s own minibus there. The daily refilled minibar is also included.
On the beach, the excellent service continues: all-day service to the beach lounger (yes – just order a beer and drink it a short time later in the pool or sea is included) and sports activities such as paddling, canoeing, windsurfing, a trial lesson in diving, as well as the evening program with theater performances and musicals, live stage program in the Ikos Theater, live music, cinema, children’s entertainment and theme parties such as the White Night (free drinks on the beach) are part of the Infinite Lifestyle.
Ikos Aria or: What to try first?
Above: The view from the terrace of the lobby bar to the Ikos area. Here you can see the middle of the four pools. My favorite pool you can see below. The small pool is reserved for adults and therefore a bit quieter. Upstairs, of course, you’re just a few steps from the beach. But first things first.
19 p.m: Dinner
At dinner you have the choice. Seven restaurants await your tasting, the taste menu ranges from the Mediterranean to the Orient. The main restaurant “Flavors” is a Mediterranean buffet restaurant. In the small “Kos” you can enjoy typical cuisine with sea view, in the “Provence” you can try French dishes. The “Seasons” has a menu with sustainable products from local markets”, the “Fresco” cooks Italian, the “Oliva” Spanish and the “Anaya” Asian. The “Ouzo,” (pictured above), serves Greek a la carte in an open atmosphere.
21.30 p.m: Drink @ Lobby Bar
The spacious lobby bar is a relaxing place to do a little people-watching and think about what dishes you’d like to eat the next day over a drink or two or three. Plus, each bar or restaurant has a slightly different drink menu, so there’s never really a dull moment. During peak hours, it can take a while to find a seat, but it always works out.
On Safari in Greece. At Ikos Aria in Kos, there really is an infinite amount to discover. Every evening for a week you can drink and taste in a different place.
Here you can hang out without worrying about anything. Ok, the hairstyle must fit.
9 a.m: breakfast
You can also have breakfast in the various restaurants. I was here at the Ouzo. They always offer a varied buffet as well as a la carte dishes like scrambled eggs or Egg Benedict.
10.30 a.m: enjoy the sea
There are several family pools at Ikos Aria, plus a separate large children’s area. My favorite spot was very quickly the Kefalos beach overlooking the charming island, followed by the second half in the deluxe area’s Ü10 pool. The sand is pleasant, you can get into the water easily despite the small pebbles – and at the pool you have the option of swimming, quick access to the toilet (very important) and wifi just in case. Not to mention the beautiful view.
13 p.m: Lunch
Italian, more of a view or close to the beach, what should it be for lunch? How about a rosé date at Ouzo?
I can highly recommend “The Duck”. Everything tastes twice as good in this ambience anyway. And what’s cooler than ice-cold wine with a sea view? That’s right! Two ice-cold wines with a view of the sea.
Baked apple and rosé? Sounds unusual, but in this case the dessert was pure pleasure.
19.30 p.m: Dinner
In the picture you can see the “Fresco”, which specializes in Italian cuisine. Under a veranda roof, you dine here with a view of one of the large main pools and, of course, the Aegean Sea. The “Flavors” is also recommended for theme nights, such as the “Moroccan Night” in our case – it’s been a long time since you’ve had such great oriental food as at Ikos. There is also a large counter for appetizers, salads and desserts and a separate bread area.
The staircase from the pool area and lobby bar is a really cool location. You can also take a long look at the green wall of leaves – you have to pass it on your way to the restroom.
Small break between drinks 3 and 4.
9.30 a.m: Breakfast
The first culinary pleasure already in the morning in the sun. Lets endure.
10 a.m: Free time
Actually, on vacation you have the freedom to do nothing and everything at the same time. Chill by the pool and get a tan. That’s what I did, too. But if you have an itch or too much activity in the wine, you can also do water sports, explore the area or rent one of the minis.
19.30 p.m: Dinner
In the article example, that would be the last evening, and certainly Ikos is relaxing even on a short trip, but I recommend booking at least 5 nights if it’s in your budget. Then you have enough rest to try out the area, the different restaurants, but also the activities and possibly find a regular restaurant that you will visit more often – as we did with Ouzo and Kos.
21 p.m: Drink & Drinks
Farewell drinks are a must. There is plenty of bar choice. And besides, the Ikos Aria has a small but fine (night) club with a very cozy ambience – for a very serious farewell, of course.
10 a.m: breakfast & check out
Relaxing place: the deck chairs on the terrace of the lobby bar. And now, unfortunately: goodbye.
What you need to know
- The garden areas and also the living areas are easily visible from the rooms and suites directly by the pool and beach, as the hedges are kept quite low. So maybe don’t walk around too exhibitionistic. Just a tip.
- The hotel breeds a small group of cats. Don’t be surprised if one or the other kitten runs into you or wants to nibble from your dinner.
- The adult pool can be used by all guests, but there’s another pool reserved exclusively for deluxe package customers. Of course, you can still check this one out.
- The airport in Kos is cute, but it gets really cozy crowded during high season when the rush is really big. You should definitely allow some time here.
- Alcoholic beverages are included, as are the 300 wines. Deluxe guests can also choose from an expanded selection of spirits. In general: For the fair price, you should not expect the most exclusive whiskies, rums, gins or wines, but especially the wines are all in the range of 5 to 10 euros and really strong and selected with a good hand.
What i love
- The unexciting generosity. Large grounds, already some rooms, but it’s never crowded and you never feel like a mass vacationer.
- The overview. After less than a day you feel at home.
- The design. Mediterranean, elegant, high-end, but always very casual.
- This also applies to the service. Very courteous, helpful, charming.
- The Ü18 pool. Small, great view, good location to always be able to call a waitress for drinks.
- the place on the beach with view directly to the small island with church. A dream!
- The variety and attention to detail at the buffets.
- The really big and good wine selection
- The restaurant selection
- The colors. The green lawns, the colorful flowers, the blue tones in the pool and the sea
- The transparent “all-round carefree package” of the Infinite Lifestyle
Ikoas Aria: Travel documents
From Munich you can reach Kos in about 1.5 hours flight time, then it’s another 15 minutes drive (with great views) to the hotel. Prices start, depending on the season, at about 250 euros per night for two people in a double room. More info under ikosresorts.com/de/ikos-aria
