A review of Ikos Aria, the Ikos Collection's flagship on Kos, with eight restaurants, nine bars, a Hippocrates-inspired garden, and views across to the islet of Kastri.
The all-inclusive model has spent decades earning, fairly, a reputation for quantity over quality — buffets measured in metres, wine measured in carafes, and a general sense that "included" meant "adequate." Ikos Aria, on Kos's southwest coast, is one of a small group of Mediterranean resorts arguing that all-inclusive can mean the opposite.
Ikos Aria — At a Glance
Who it's for: Families who want genuine luxury without an all-inclusive compromise, and couples looking for a resort large enough to disappear into quiet corners of. Less suited to travellers wanting an intimate boutique feel — this is a big, full-service resort, not a hideaway.
What to expect:
- • 370 rooms and suites across 47 acres, from straightforward doubles to private-pool bungalow suites
- • Genuinely tiered pool access — adults-only, family, and Deluxe Collection pools all separate, so neither group crowds the other
- • Eight restaurants and nine bars, with menus developed by Michelin-starred chefs and over 100 premium wines included
- • On the southwest coast of Kos, 20 minutes from the airport and 45 minutes from Kos Town
The 'Unconditional Luxury' Concept
Ikos calls its all-inclusive offering "Unconditional Luxury," and the detail is in what it removes rather than what it adds: no meal surcharges, no premium-brand drink supplements, no charge for the à la carte restaurants. The wine list — over 100 premium labels, included at dinner — sits well above what most all-inclusive resorts offer. The food, developed in consultation with Michelin-starred chefs, spans Greek, Italian, Asian, Spanish, and French menus across the resort's eight restaurants.
Rooms, Suites, and Villas
Ikos Aria spreads across 47 acres of gardens on Kos, with around 370 rooms and suites split between a main building, a dedicated bungalow suite area, and an exclusive Deluxe Collection area. Standard Double and Superior Rooms come with panoramic windows and a private balcony over the beach or gardens, plus a mini bar included and restocked as part of the all-inclusive package.
Junior Suites add a combined living and sleeping area for families; at the top end, Deluxe Collection bungalow suites bring a private garden or beachfront setting, and the highest tier adds a private pool of your own.
Eight Restaurants, One Standard
The resort's dining rotates across eight restaurants — including Ouzo, Seasons, Anaya, Kos, Provence, Oliva, and Fresco — spanning Greek, Italian, Asian, Spanish, and French menus, alongside a buffet restaurant and nine bars.
The Local Drive Adventure, a complimentary day with an electric MINI Countryman, and the Dine Out programme at local tavernas extend the "included" concept beyond the resort gates.
The all-inclusive question is never 'what does it include?' but 'how good is what it includes?' At Ikos Aria, the answer is: remarkably.
The Pools
Ikos Aria offers a genuine spread of pools rather than one signature feature: indoor, outdoor, and heated options, a dedicated kids' pool, and a separate pool reserved for Deluxe Collection guests. Loungers face views across to the islet of Kastri, a small but distinctive backdrop that sets Aria's pool deck apart from its sister resorts.
letting couples find a genuinely quiet adults-only stretch of water while families get dedicated splash zones elsewhere on the property.
The Spa, and the Beach
The Ikos Spa by Anne Semonin includes complimentary use of the thermal suites, pools, and fitness facilities
A genuine wellness offering rather than a token treatment room. The resort's beach sits on Kos's southwest coast, with the wider island's history
Including its status as the birthplace of Hippocrates — reflected in the resort's own Hippocrates Garden of life
Why It Matters
Ikos Aria brings the Unconditional Luxury standard to Kos, giving the island a luxury all-inclusive that competes with its best à-la-carte resorts. For families who want the freedom of all-inclusive without the usual compromises — and who want an island with genuine historical depth beyond the beach — it's a compelling choice, and the flagship example of what the Ikos model looks like at its most complete.
