If you’re usually one to shun the all-inclusive set-up, then think again. We got a first in to see Ikos Kissamos, a new opening in Crete, proof that the all-inclusive model contains multitudes, catering to wellness-inclined couples and families of all ages and sizes.
The transformation of all-in resorts is nothing new – the industry’s aversion to the ‘fly and flop’ has had a major shake-up, namely because the ‘flop’ part is entirely optional these days. That’s exactly what sets the Ikos brand’s eighth venture apart, where smart design meets sports-oriented activities and facilities, allowing guests to remain active in a laidback setting.
Located along the sandy beaches of Chania, Ikos Kissamos sits on a secluded beachfront location not far from the main hub of Kissamos town. No two days are the same at this paradisiacal property – unless you want them to be – with an endless roster of experiences in and out of the hotel. Add in the resort’s seven restaurants, eight glittering pools, a stylish gym and impressive sports centre with tennis and padel, and you’ll be an all-inclusive convert for life.
The Vibe
On arrival, a beige and biscuit-toned lobby leads to the alfresco heart of the hotel, where families linger over long, multi-course meals. Children splash around playing tag in the swimming pool; dads and daughters swoop past on their bicycles, and dapper staff members zip around on golf buggies carrying room-service treats. Canoodling couples are just as welcome, flocking to the Beach Club at sunset for artisanal cocktails on ecru-coloured sofas.
Beyond the lobby, a network of fauna-lined pathways jut out in different directions, lending the resort a village feel that nods to the surrounding Cretan landscape. It can take a day or two to get familiar with the layout and whereabouts of your room – which is all part of the fun. By day two to three, your daily rituals and rhythms begin to form and take shape, from your morning workout routine to your go-to coffee spot.
The Rooms and Suites
All 414 guest rooms are spacious and airy, split into four zones or ‘villages’ across the resort’s sprawling complex. Inside, the interiors are kitted out with natural creams and cinnamon tones in consistency with the lobby and beachy surroundings. Clean lines and an earthy palette complement the use of natural materials, imbuing the space with a light-filled fluidity. Move into the bathrooms for a soak in the freestanding tub, kitted out with luxurious Anne Semonin Paris products and ultra-soft bathrobes.
Each room features a sweeping balcony or terrace with a scenic view of some kind, whether you’re overlooking the pool, gardens or a competitive game of tennis by the sports centre. My Double Room terrace had front-and-centre views of the gardens and swimming pool, where families can be heard splashing around in the distant background by day. Family rooms with balconies are tucked away in a multi-floor, villa-style building, with interconnecting spaces that let you spread out and store buggies and toys if required.
The Food + Drink
In true Cretan style, eating is all part of the Ikos Kissamos lifestyle and your days will likely be dictated by mealtimes. You’ll have seven restaurants to choose from, each with a different style of cuisine and ambiance. Swish diners have an excuse to get dressed up for La Plage, the resort’s Mediterranean-French restaurant helmed by Pascal Barbot, founder of Michelin-starred Parisian favourite Astrance. Dine here for sumptuous plates of smoked salmon with fennel, beef tartare and marinated mussels soaked in a cream and white wine sauce.
Located by the lobby bar, Fresco is your answer to an elegant Italian restaurant that transforms by night into a romantic candlelit terrace. Wedged between Anaya, the resort’s Thai restaurant, and the Deluxe Beach, Azul serves Peruvian-inspired cuisine in an open-air setting.
Long, leisurely breakfasts are the main event at Ikos Kissamos, with all seven restaurants offering a carousel of breakfast treats to choose from. The Market by the lobby is the most family friendly in terms of variety and food on offer. To pace yourself, I would recommend starting with a simple serving of honey and walnut-topped yoghurt to line the stomach, paired with a strong Greek coffee.
The atmosphere at the Beach Club restaurant is more laidback and grown-up, shaded by a fabric-draped ceiling. Wake up to the melodic greeting of kalimera and a serving of the kagiana topped with crumbled feta – a must-try Greek speciality similar to scrambled eggs. You could easily linger in this same spot for most of the morning, sipping freddo espressos to the meditative sounds of the rippling waves and swaying trees. There’s a pathway that leads you straight from the restaurant to the beach, where you can flop on a sunlounger with a frothy freddo cappuccino in hand. Why not stop by for lunch, a separate occasion altogether, to feast on a surf-and-turf medley of grilled prawns and lamb chops served with a side of silky homemade hummus and just-baked flatbread.
Rent one of the hotel’s bikes and cycle over to Kriti, where you’ll tuck into plates of traditional Cretan recipes doused in olive oil. For lunch, standout dishes include a spiced feta dip personally recommended by the chef, bowls of rice-stuffed dolma and lemon-tossed salads speckled with oregano. Come golden hour, the restaurant terrace transforms into a plush dinner spot stippled in honey and maple tones. During the course of the evening, the atmosphere comes close to the feel of a Greek wedding, with beaming staff members smashing plates and performing a two-step dance move to a bouzouki guitar, hollering ‘Opa!’ over the music.
The Little Extras
Keeping active seems to be one of the main draws at Ikos Kissamos. There’s certainly no shortage of things to do, with free bikes available to hire from the sports centre, alfresco padel and tennis courts, giant chess for family fun, group pilates and yoga underneath a shaded gazebo, plus a stylish, neutral-toned gym with a delightful alfresco area and seaviews. It’s rare for a hotel gym to be so full of life, especially in the early hours, which says a lot about the wellness-conscious clientele at Ikos Kissamos. For guests who prefer to skip the gym for a swim, there’s a fabulous indoor pool in the same complex built for swimming laps.
There’s more to the hotel than working out as you’ll discover on the app. Refer back to the app for updates on wine tasting with a sommelier, Greek coffee tasting, exhilarating water sports, live DJ sessions on the beach, The Heroes Kids Club and plenty more. For those who are keen to venture beyond the resort, Kissamos town is a scenic 5km run away, where you’ll find souvenir shops selling Kissamos magnets and family-run tavernas. Rooms come with Mini Countryman car rentals for exploring Chania’s rugged landscapes further afield.
The To-Do List
The sunset boat tour organised by the hotel is also a must, where you’ll board a nifty motor yacht and set sail into the vast ocean while blasting Like a Prayer by Madonna from a jumbo Bose speaker (true story). Flute of rosé in hand, watch how the golden hour sunlight dances and glitters on the water, briefly draping the craggy cliffs in ever-shifting shades of orange and gold.
The spa set-up involves a range of luxurious treatments using Anne Semonin Paris products. Let your stresses melt away one kneaded knot at a time, a sensation that leaves you feeling like a weight has been lifted. After the massage, tiny pots of flower honey are served with a remedial pot of ginger tea that’s lightly spiced. Venture to the main spa area for a health-giving round of contrast therapy, where you’ll discover a salt room and contemporary sauna space.
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