Ikos Dassia

A Return Visit to Ikos Dassia – A Mixed Bag of Luxury and Letdowns This was our second stay at Ikos Dassia, having visited the same time last year with our 3-year-old. While the hotel undeniably offers a high standard of service and amenities, our rating is based on the gap between expectations and actual experience—especially given the Deluxe tier and the resort’s premium branding. First Visit – A Series of Disappointments Our first stay was unfortunately riddled with issues from the moment we arrived: 1. Check-in Chaos: We were left waiting for hours with no communication, only to realize we’d been completely forgotten about. 2. Room Malfunctions: Our Deluxe Bungalow Suite had lights that would randomly turn on during the night, disrupting our sleep. 3. Illness Outbreak: A sickness bug swept through the resort, affecting our entire family. We missed several restaurant reservations and the much-anticipated “dinner on the beach.” 4. Safety Incident: A parasol broke and injured our child—an alarming lapse in safety. 5. Room Service Failures: Breakfast orders were consistently wrong over multiple days. 6. Food Safety Concern: We found metal debris in one of our meals. 7. Dine-Out Disaster: The off-site restaurant was so poor we left after the starters and paid for a private taxi back. To their credit, the hotel did respond to our complaints after the fact. While it didn’t salvage that holiday, it did encourage us to give them another chance. Second Visit – Improved, But Still Not Quite There This time around, things were better—but still not up to the standard we expected, especially for a Deluxe experience. 1. Concierge Downgrade: The once-personal concierge service has shifted to a more impersonal e-concierge model. After check-in, we never saw our concierge again. 2. Unfulfilled Requests: Simple daily requests like having wine in the room were ignored repeatedly—even up to our last day. 3. Wine Substitutions: On several occasions, we were told the wines we requested were “out of stock” and were instead pushed toward Ikos-branded options. It started to feel more like a generic all-inclusive. 4. Noisy Air Conditioning: Our room’s AC unit made a loud, disruptive noise. We reported it on day one—it was never fixed. 5. Lost & Found Mismanagement: We reported missing items to the concierge, who said they’d look into it. Days later, we asked reception directly and found the items ourselves. 6. Shrinking Cocktails: Compared to last year, cocktails seemed noticeably smaller. 7. Cold Pools: With the exception of the kids’ pools, the others were uncomfortably cold. Even the indoor spa pool was freezing on a rainy day, leaving both kids and adults shivering. 8. Inappropriate Behavior: Our child was shouted at by another guest in the Lobby Bar for being noisy. Given Ikos’ family-friendly branding, this was shocking and prompted us to leave early that evening. Kids Entertainment – Poorly Timed and Unreliable The kids’ entertainment schedule was a common complaint among parents. It started at 7:15 PM—too early to finish dinner beforehand, and too late to eat afterward without pushing bedtime. On one occasion, it was cancelled without notice. Deluxe – Not Worth the Premium Aside from the dedicated pool, the Deluxe tier didn’t offer much value. The beach area had plenty of space regardless of tier, and the concierge service didn’t deliver. Even the departure gift—a small bar of soap—felt underwhelming. What They Got Right Despite the issues, there were bright spots: - Service at Pools, Beaches, and Restaurants**: Generally excellent and personal. - Food Quality: We had many great meals. - Unpacking Service: A standout feature that made arrival smoother. - Transfers: Luxurious and well-organized. Final Thoughts Ikos Dassia is a beautiful resort with many strengths, but it’s not without its flaws. It’s not a 10/10 experience—at least not consistently. For us, it’s a 7/10 on a good day, which is still good enough to return. But next time, we’ll skip the Deluxe upgrade and manage our expectations accordingly.

Had a fantastic time at IKOS Dassia. Peter, the manager of public relations, was brilliant. All the restaurants could not be faulted at all. Vanessa, George, and Tassos in the Grill House couldn't do enough! I can honestly say this was the best hotel I have ever stayed at. Pool catering/drinks served by the pool side staff was no problem, and nothing was too much. Said the towel/bed man wouldn't let you do a thing. All staff were friendly and smiling. Our rooms were immaculate, with maid service twice a day on some days. Mini bar stocked with anything you wanted, some on request. Can't wait to go back!

When it comes to customer service Ikos have this covered to such a high standard. We enjoyed a wonderful holiday at Ikos Dassia and can't wait to return and to try other Ikos locations. It's not often you come across such a perfect offer, Location, Service, comfort, Food and Wine, entertainment, added extras such as complimentary transfers, car loan, dine out of the hotel locations inclusively, complimentary local shuttles all make for a really lovely experience. Would recommend Ikos everytime

Our second visit to Ikos Dassia and it was just fantastic! The front of office and back ground staff are exceptional! The communication and information provided was outstanding. The attention to detail was 110%! We dined in all 8 restaurants and again the waiting staff and food was "out of this World". If you want to add extra starters or replace a "faulty/empty" bottle of wine it is no problem for all the restaurants. One of the highlights was in the Grill restaurant where I chose the 400g Pork steak on the bone with wild mushrooms and Gorgonzola sauce. WOW!! I can write a book on Ikos Dassia there is nothing not to like and we will definitely return for a third visit. Thank you all for a memorable stay!