Whilst I had already stayed at Ikos Olivia in October 2019 with my daughter-in-law, I decided to return with my husband for our end-of-summer holiday. As my daughter-in-law and I really enjoyed our stay, returning to Ikos Olivia was almost a foregone conclusion. To tell you the truth, I was a bit concerned, but at the same time curious, to see if I would off found differences between a “normal holiday” and one with restrictions imposed on the same facility due to Covid-19.
Ikos Olivia, as the other Ikos Resorts in both Greece and Spain, has an Infinite Care Protocol created to keep guests and staff safe.
Our arrival at Ikos Olivia
Our arrival at the airport was a bit more complicated because of the documentation we had to present in order to enter Greece, but, all in all, we managed to get through passport control, customs and collect our luggage quickly and smoothly. Our driver was waiting for us at the arrival terminal and promptly escorted us to the car, and after a pleasant journey of about 45 minutes we arrived at Ikos Olivia.
Arriving in front of the hotel, we are welcomed by a friendly young lady from the Guest Relations and a porter that takes our luggage to be disinfected.
Before entering the resort, Covid protocol involved an initial fast trip to the onsite medical centre to show our vaccination status, and once that was done, we were able to forget about face masks and start enjoying our holiday.
The young lady from the Guest Relations was waiting for us at the entrance and lead us to a sitting area, where we were offered a refreshing drink while check in was effected. The good thing about returning to a resort you’ve been too before, is the feeling of being welcomed like old friends. In fact, while waiting, Veroni Kappa, the Guest Relation Manager, arrived and, despite her face mask, her smiling eyes welcomed us back and promptly escorted us to our suite.
Our beach front suite
Our beach front suite with private garden is extremely clean and elegantly furnished in different shades of blue. The sofa at the entrance can be converted into a bed if required.
The bathroom is spacious and equipped with a rain shower, bathrobes, slippers and very high quality Anne Semonin of Paris toiletries as well as a PPE Safety Kit providing face masks and Anne Semonin hand sanitizer.
Wi-fi access is available as well as complimentary minibar with soft drinks, mineral water, miniature spirits, beer and wine that can be restocked when requested. There is also a Nespresso coffee machine and everything you need to prepare yourself a cup of tea.
All the paperwork has been replaced by digital documents and services via the Ikos App; room service is available by contactless menus using the QR code.
The view from our garden was pretty spectacular directly over the sea, I can imagine myself watching the sunset while sipping a glass of whine or champagne !!!!!
The restaurants
One of the jewels in the crown of the Ikos Resorts is without any doubt the food!!!
At Ikos Olivia there are 4 à la carte restaurants, Ouzo, Fresco, Provence and Anaya, all of which are of the highest standard and with menus created in cooperation with Michelin-starred chefs. Without forgetting Flavors the buffet restaurant which has a beautiful sea front location and plenty of choice for the most difficult of the palates.
Unlike normal times, the restaurants must be booked for both breakfast and dinner, measures include restaurant capacity reduction for ample social distancing and zero touch menus are available by QR code. No reservation is needed for Flavors the buffet restaurant, take note that gloves and face masks must be worn when serving yourself at the buffet. No reservation is required for lunch and was served at Fresco, Ouzo and Flavors.
Dinner on the beach was available and opted for it for our wedding anniversary: food was as usual very good and must say that we had wonderful and very romantic evening!!!!
Despite the restrictions, we did not experience any inconvenient or change as far as quality of the food, which is always excellent, or the impeccable service.
Pools and beach
Our intent was to relax as much as possible, and Ikos Olivia was the right place for that. There is plenty of space to walk around, 4 swimming pools as well as a long white sandy beach.
At the pools and beach nothing is left to chance. You will find adequate safety distances, disinfected contact surfaces and increased water quality control.
The pool and beach service was, as usual, perfect. The attendants, despite the face masks and the heat, have always been attentive and thorough in serving food and drinks as well as taking orders to make our holiday enjoyable and carefree.
Canoes, paddle boats and pedalos are available for the guests, always with the necessary precautions.
Activities
Sports and fitness activities for children, teenagers and adults are offered in complete safety outdoors, so that everyone can practice their favorite sport such as volleyball, basketball, five-a-side football and tennis.
The gym is available by appointment, bearing in mind that all areas are sanitized after each use.
And the kids!!!!
The various children’s and youth clubs, babysitting services and outdoor children activities must be booked in advance in order to comply with all the precautionary measures.
The SPA
Due to the particular moment, the SPA operates at 50% capacity, and 1 person per treatment per cabin. There is a minimum 30-minute gaps between sessions this to allow deep cleaning and sanitizing.
Personally I have been there twice, the first was for a pedicure and the second for a total body scrub and an excellent back/shoulder massage, all was as usually perfect!!!
Unfortunately and understandably, wet areas as sauna, steam bath and indoor/outdoor pool cannot be used. Guests must wear face masks during treatments and can only access the SPA by appointment.
Bars and entertainment
Normally, once a week the beach is set up for the “White Party“; because of the situation due to Covid-19, unfortunately, this party cannot be held.
During our stay, after dinner, a few evenings during the week musical performances such as “Colors of the world” where staged in the open-air theatre. We have attended and must say that the show was very nice and the theatre set up according to the protocols.
Live music was also on, during our stay, at both the Helios beach bar and the Lobby bar.
What about the blue Mini!!!
As always, Ikos Olivia provides its guests with a Blue Mini One, free of charge, for one day. All you have to do is fill up the tank before returning the mini after the trip.
We obviously took this opportunity to explore the surrounding areas.
Chalkidiki Peninsula has a very particular shape that resembles the three fingers of a hand. The first finger is Kassandra, the second Sithonia and the third Mount Athos, Ikos Olivia is located between Kassandra and Sithonia.
My husband and I were left speechless by the genuine and wild beauty of Sithonia. We drove to Porto Koufo, a small, quiet fishing village whose natural port is the safest and largest in Greece.
Sithonia is a symphony of green and blue, these are the colors that you will see while driving across pine forests and olive trees, small villages. The beaches are spectacular as they are separated by high cliffs creating small or larger bays.
With the blue mini we climbed up to the small traditional village of Parthenonas with well preserved old houses and an amazing view.
Before returning the mini we made a stop at ancient Nikiti, a very charming place with its superb Macedonian architecture and traditionally built stone houses and with, obviously, a spectacular view.
We enjoyed our day visiting charming fishing villages, beaches, amazing views and green mountains with pine and olive trees.
I would like to thank all the staff, from the first to the last, for their attention to detail and helpfulness, they were always so smiley even behind their face masks. All of you have made our holiday unforgettable despite all the restrictions in place. I would like to name a few like Veroni Kappa and Vicky who took such great care of us, Enea and his team at Fresco, George and his team at Ouzo and Vasillis and his team at Anaya who always looked after us impeccably each time we visited. There are certainly many others that we should name, but it is impossible for me to remember all the names. We will definitely see each other again next year!!!
Final verdict
Having already stayed at Ikos Olivia before, I was curious to see what differences I would find in service and treatment with the restrictions due to Covid-19. I have to say that apart from a few minor things of no importance our stay was as excellent as always.
The introduction of the WhatsApp service and QR code for the menus at the various restaurants and bars worked very well. We really liked the live music at the Lobby Bar before and after dinner. Not having to wear a face mask, except when accessing the SPA or gym, was an added value. The cleanliness of the common areas and our suite was impeccable. The cuisine, as always, was top notch. The staff, from the first to last, incredibly kind and helpful despite having to wear a face mask all day. Thank you once again for making our holiday an unforgettable one.
Disclaimer: This article was written by me after a week at Ikos Olivia with my husband. The stay was duly paid for as it was not a freebie for promotional purposes.
