“This is the first Ikos to have the Deluxe Collection sell out before the standard categories,” our host tells us, braking the golf buggy in front of a sandstone villa. 

It’s late September, and we’re trundling our way around Ikos Kissamos, the latest addition to the luxury hotel brand’s Greek portfolio. 

Spread across 53 acres on Crete’s northwestern corner, the all-inclusive resort has enjoyed a full house since opening its doors in April. 

This sold-out launch shouldn’t come as a surprise. With Ikos already established in the UK market, a presence on Greece’s most popular island seems almost destined for commercial success. 

What is unprecedented, however, has been the demand for Deluxe Collection, the brand’s ‘resort within a resort’ concept. 

When bookings for Ikos Kissamos opened in July 2025, sales for the premium category quickly overtook its standard counterparts. 

Roughly 20% pricier, this VIP tier offers privileges like elevated dining, exclusive beach access and, perhaps most importantly, personal concierge. 

The result is the best of both worlds – a Deluxe Collection guest enjoys all the amenities of the resort without the friction of restaurant waitlists, queuing at reception or scrambling over sunloungers. The tier also does a lot of leg work for agents, ensuring clients receive the red carpet treatment from the moment they check-in. 

The question remains, however: is this upgrade actually worth it? I spent three days at Ikos Kissamos to find out just how much of a difference a Deluxe Collection stay makes to your holiday – from the accommodation and dining to the spa and on-site experiences. 

Emma Dooney

Suites 

It’s important to understand that the Deluxe Collection isn’t offered à-la-carte. It only applies to bookings for higher-tier suites and villas, which, during peak season, will cost a premium of €200 more per night. In the quieter months, however, the difference between a standard Junior Suite and a Deluxe Junior suite can be as little as €70 a night. 

There is a variety of Deluxe Collection accommodation choices at Ikos Kissamos, from one bedroom suites to three bedroom villas with private pools. All of these units come with a generous outdoor dining space, making them ideal for families who wish to avail of the 24/7 in-suite room service menu. 

Every bedroom has its own bathroom, complete with a freestanding bathtub, walk-in rainforest showers, and luxury toiletries by Anne Semonin Paris. 

The Deluxe Collection also offers a fancier mini bar, restocked daily with premium spirits such as Chivas Regal and Beefeater gin, as well as soft drinks like carrot-orange juice, Coca-Cola and tonic water. Any other drink preferences, such as non-dairy milk or alcohol-free liquors, can be easily supplied via the concierge. 

Other complimentary gestures include a bottle of Taittinger on arrival, complete with a full-sized Toblerone, coconut biscuits, and a handwritten welcome note. 

Emma Dooney

Dining 

As Ikos is an all-inclusive property, its seven restaurants are accessible to guests staying in all categories. 

However, Deluxe Collection offers unlimited advance reservations – meaning guests can book a table at their desired restaurant for every night of their stay. This perk can be extremely beneficial during peak season, when demand for the resort’s specialty eateries (like Anaya) are at their highest.  

Deluxe Collection guests can also enjoy a complimentary private ‘Dinner by the Sea’ per stay, which can be arranged by their concierge. Supervised evenings at the kids’ Heroes Supper Club, which normally costs €30 per child, are also included. 

Ikos

Spa 

Perhaps one of the biggest perks of the Deluxe Collection is the complimentary spa treatments, all of which use products by Anne Semonin Paris. 

Each booking includes two 25-minute neck and back massages (or a singular 50-minute treatment for one person), and this can be enjoyed at any point during the stay. 

Afterwards, guests are welcome to enjoy the communal spa area, which includes a steam room, sauna, salt wall and relaxation lounge. There’s also a cold chamber, where crushed ice and crisp air provide a refreshing contrast to the heat of the thermal facilities. For a quieter experience, visit during the off-peak hours of late morning and early afternoon. 

Pools 

Ikos Kissamos is the brand’s first resort to offer two Deluxe Collection villages with their own pools, ensuring guests are guaranteed loungers and faster bar service. 

Though it isn’t strictly adults-only, these areas feel worlds away from the chaos of the kids’ splash zones and mini waterparks. Expect upgraded refreshments and signature beverages, ambient music and highly attentive staff. The pool was also less than 10 metres from our suite, making impromptu plunges and nightcap dips all the more enticing. 

Transfers 

Deluxe Collection guests receive complimentary airport transfers. Travellers are greeted by Ikos staff at Chania Airport’s arrivals lounge, from where they are escorted to a luxury vehicle and privately chauffeured to the property. 

Rates for a Deluxe Collection one-bedroom suite start at £6150, based on seven nights from 29th April.