Málaga, Spain / Ikos Andalusia

Ikos Resorts’ first all-inclusive foray outside of Greece takes on the Iberian Peninsula, where everything from Michelin-starred creations, beachfront tipples and picky-eater’s-plates, to signature treatments by Anne Sémonin Paris and copious family distractions can all be included.

Sandwiched between an exclusive golden sand beach and 21 acres of landscaped gardens, this spacious newcomer is somewhat of a Mary Poppins character; taking the stress off parents with adults-only spaces and elevated little touches (beach childcare is a thing), while entertaining the tiny travellers without letting them run riot at the family pool.

Forget anything you may think you know about ‘all-inclusive’ because Ikos is anything but set in her ways, redefining the term to include a new level of enhanced experience and premium service. Knowing how coveted the luxury of peace and calm is, we wouldn’t recommend anything less than the Ikos Deluxe Collection – where rooms come with exclusive check-in and -out, concierge and butler services. Oh, and there’s a reserved area on the beach, a designated pool, gourmet beach picnics and a complimentary spa treatment at the Ikos Spa, which doesn’t hurt.  

A choice of 300 wine labels and six à la carte restaurants (we’re here to help with advance bookings, of course) feature menus inspired from Asia and all over Europe, proving Ikos knows her stuff when it comes to high levels of gastronomy. But she also encourages guests to savour a taste of the area by sampling local restaurants as part of the all-inclusive experience.

Between meals, entertainment is bursting from the seams, catering to every age imaginable; from live jazz and musicals in the evening and supervised animation programmes to energy-burning fitness courses and sports of both the land and water variety. Boredom doesn’t feature here, but while it may seem tempting to stay within the resort walls, a friendly nudge out the door to experience the surroundings is provided in the form of a complimentary self-driven MINI tour. Passing Andalusia’s whitewashed villages on its coastal and hillside routes, armed with complimentary local museum and art gallery tickets (including the Pablo Picasso museum and Pompidou Centre) to really understand what drew Ikos to this neck of the woods.

 Travel notes:

• 411 rooms and suites, including the Carrier recommended Deluxe Collection
• No compromise on variety with a choice of seven restaurants and eight bars
• Freshly prepared baby food on request and children’s menu at tapas restaurant Olivia
• Complimentary green fee to use on one of several courses, including Los Naranjos Golf Course in Nueva Andalucía which is considered one of the best courses in the area
• Close by is the cosmopolitan centre of Marbella and the historic town of Estepona
• Kids’ and teen clubs for those from four months to 17 years and a football academy