Ikos Kissamos Review: Is This New Luxury Family Resort in Crete Worth It?
An honest, first-hand Ikos Kissamos review from a luxury family travel specialist. Rooms, restaurants, kids' club, pools and whether it's worth the money, everything families need to know.
Karen Basnett
6/9/20269 min read
We visited Ikos Kissamos during the UK May half-term, just weeks after the resort opened its doors. As a family travel specialist who has stayed at every property in the Ikos collection, I can tell you this: what Ikos has built in the northwest corner of Crete is genuinely impressive and already one of the strongest new luxury family resorts in Europe.
This review covers everything. The rooms, the restaurants, the kids' club, the beach, and the surrounding area, including a boat trip to Balos Lagoon, which alone makes the location one of the best in the Ikos portfolio.
Location: Where Ikos Kissamos Sits in Crete
Ikos Kissamos is in the northwest of Crete, set along 600 metres of beachfront on Kissamos Bay, a part of the island that mass tourism has largely passed by. The transfer from Chania Airport takes around 50 minutes, which is very manageable with young children, and the drive itself gives you a sense of just how unspoiled this corner of Crete remains.
The resort sits slightly back from the beach rather than directly on it, with landscaped Mediterranean gardens between the buildings and the shore. At first glance, this might sound like a negative. It isn't. The grounds are already beautifully planted, and as the resort matures over the next few seasons, this setting will be extraordinary.
What makes the location particularly special for families is what lies beyond the resort. Balos Lagoon and Falassarna beach, both of which ranked among the world's top ten beaches in TripAdvisor's Travellers' Choice Awards 2026, are within easy reach. Gramvousa, known locally as the pirate island, is accessible by boat from close to the resort. We visited Balos by boat during our stay, and it was a highlight of the entire trip.
First Impressions: Scale Without Overwhelm
Ikos Kissamos is the largest hospitality development ever built on Crete. That statistic sounds alarming if you value intimacy in a luxury hotel. In practice, it doesn't feel that way.
The resort is vast, with 420 rooms, suites and bungalows across 53 acres, but the layout and landscaping prevent it from feeling like a sprawling holiday village. By the second day, my boys had the resort mapped in their heads and were navigating independently on bikes. That tells you something about how well the space has been designed.
It was busy during our May half-term stay, peak occupancy for a brand-new opening, and it never once felt overcrowded.
The Room: Deluxe One Bedroom Suite with Private Garden (Room 6003)
We stayed in room 6003, a Deluxe One-Bedroom Suite with Private Garden, overlooking the deluxe pool and bar area. I would book this room again without hesitation. The location within the resort, with privacy and easy access to the best facilities, is hard to beat.
The suite is 90 square metres and sleeps up to five, which makes it genuinely suitable for a family. The private garden comes with an outdoor dining table for six, sun loungers and a double daybed; we used all of it.
Inside, the design is clean and modern, and it feels expensive. The bathroom is huge: a walk-in shower, a large freestanding bath, and double sinks. Storage is generous enough that suitcases can disappear completely, which matters enormously when you're sharing a room with children for a week. The minibar is fully stocked with premium drinks and is restocked daily.
There were no negatives in the room. For families wanting both comfort and genuine privacy, the Deluxe One Bedroom Suite with Private Garden is the room to book.
Food and Drink: Where Ikos Kissamos Really Delivers
Ikos resorts are known for their restaurants, and Kissamos already holds its own against more established properties in the collection.
We ate at Kriti, Anaya, Beach Club, Fresco, La Plage and Azul during our stay. The à la carte quality throughout was high, and the evening atmosphere, particularly at Beach Club and Anaya, was genuinely excellent rather than just functional resort dining.
Azul was the standout for breakfast. Exclusive to Deluxe Collection guests, it is a much calmer, higher-quality experience than the main buffet options. If you are considering whether to book Deluxe, Azul alone makes a strong case.
Beach Club was our favourite for lunch and dinner. The setting, the food and the atmosphere combined into something we kept returning to. It also has the best daytime energy of any venue on the resort.
Kriti focuses on modern Cretan cuisine and is the most distinctive restaurant in terms of concept, with Greek plates smashing. Well worth booking for at least one evening.
A practical note: arrive for dinner no later than 8 pm. The live entertainment that runs through the restaurants every evening is one of the best things about Ikos Kissamos, but later sittings miss the atmosphere. Book your dining slots on the app before you arrive.
Deluxe Collection guests benefit from a premium wine selection, and Taittinger Champagne is included across the resort. The one area where expectations should be calibrated is the buffet. Both Kriti and La Plage offer breakfast buffets, but the selection is more limited than at The Market restaurant, which is the main buffet.
Pools, Beach and Water Sports
The resort has multiple pools, including a main pool, a splash pool and two Deluxe pools. During peak half-term occupancy, all were busy, but sunbed availability was generally fine, and the pools never felt overcrowded.
The splash pool is the warmest and, understandably, the most popular with younger children. My boys spent most of their pool time between the splash pool and the Deluxe pool, which are adjacent to our room. The team there were exceptional.
The beach is beautiful. Kissamos Bay has calm, clear water, and the views across to the mountains beyond are spectacular. One caveat for families planning around water sports: the bay can be breezy, and the sea conditions during our visit meant water sports were not fully operational on-site. A free shuttle runs to a nearby cove about ten minutes away, where conditions are better. This is worth knowing before you travel.
The Balos Boat Trip: Don't Miss It
This deserves its own section because it is exceptional.
Balos Lagoon is one of the most photographed beaches in the Mediterranean, and for good reason. The combination of white sand, shallow turquoise water and the Gramvousa peninsula backdrop is unlike anywhere else in Greece. Getting there by boat, which takes around 45 minutes from the nearest port, is the right way to do it. You approach the lagoon from the sea, which gives you the full visual impact before you arrive.
If you are staying at Ikos Kissamos, organise this trip. Your travel planner can arrange it, or the resort's concierge team can point you in the right direction. Ikos also offers a free sunset experience at Falassarna Beach.
Kids' Club and Family Facilities
The kids' club at Ikos Kissamos caters from six months through to teenagers, which covers an age range that very few resorts genuinely deliver on rather than just claim to. Booking is done through the Ikos app, which is simple and works well. Staff were excellent throughout, structured in their activities, warm with the children and is OFSTED standard.
The indoor and outdoor play areas are well-designed. The feature that made the biggest impression on my children, however, was simpler than any of that: bikes. Free bike hire for both adults and children is available across the resort. My boys spent every day cycling around the grounds. It sounds like a small thing. It absolutely isn't — it gives children a sense of freedom and independence that transforms how they experience a resort.
Activities, Entertainment and Spa
Sports facilities are extensive: tennis courts, padel, reformer Pilates, a well-equipped gym with fitness classes, a football academy and the bike hire already mentioned.
The evening entertainment is what makes Ikos Kissamos feel most distinctive within the Ikos collection. Live music runs through the lobby and beach bar every night, and bands and singers perform in the restaurant areas, creating a lively atmosphere without being intrusive. The White Party was a highlight of our stay. A theatre is being built and will be ready later this year.
The spa is large, modern and beautifully designed. We both had a complimentary massage, which you get as part of being deluxe guests. It was a real highlight of the holiday.
Ikos Kissamos vs Ikos Olivia: How Do They Compare?
This is the comparison most families considering Crete will want to understand.
Ikos Olivia is more established and more intimate, and it sits directly on the beach. Service is highly polished, and the quality of food is the result of years of refinement. The scale is smaller, which some families prefer.
Ikos Kissamos is newer, larger and more modern in design. The physical setting, the bay, the landscaping, and the proximity to Balos and Gramvousa are arguably stronger. The rooms, particularly at Deluxe level, feel more contemporary. The dining has a stronger traditional Cretan influence.
Neither is the wrong choice. There are different types of luxury family resorts. If you prioritise intimacy and guaranteed service polish, Olivia is the safer bet. If you want modern design, a spectacular location and don't mind that it is still finding its feet in places, Kissamos is the more exciting option right now.
As a specialist, I would choose Kissamos for families with older children and teenagers, and for those who want to explore beyond the resort. For families with very young children, Olivia is more buggy-friendly. Some of the paths to the rooms and restaurants at Kissamos are difficult to navigate with a buggy. Olivia remains the more reliable option.
Is Ikos Kissamos Worth It?
Yes. Undoubtably.
The Deluxe One Bedroom Suite with Private Garden, the quality of the à la carte dining, the kids' club, the location, and the surrounding area combine to create a holiday experience that is very hard to replicate elsewhere in the Mediterranean at this level.
It is still a resort in its opening season. There are areas that will improve. But the foundations are exceptional, and the things that matter most to families, space, food, facilities for children, and the setting, are already delivering at the level you would expect from a five-star Ikos property.
It will only get better.
Who Is Ikos Kissamos Best For?
Primary school-age children
Teenagers, particularly those who want activity and independence
Multigenerational families
Couples travelling alongside family
Practical Information
Airport: Chania (CHQ), approximately 50 minutes transfer Beach: Beautiful bay with calm water; on-site water sports subject to conditions Nearest town: Kissamos, approximately 10 minutes Balos Lagoon: Accessible by boat, approximately 45 minutes — book in advance Kids' club: Six months through to teenagers, bookable via the Ikos app Best room for families: Deluxe One Bedroom Suite with Private Garden Best restaurants: Azul (Deluxe breakfast), Beach Club (lunch and dinner) Evening entertainment: Book 7 pm to 8 pm dining slots for the entertainment during dinner.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ikos Kissamos worth it for families? Yes. It offers high-end family facilities, spacious Deluxe suites and strong à la carte dining across multiple restaurants, all within a spectacular natural setting.
How far is Ikos Kissamos from the airport? Around 50 minutes from Chania Airport. It's a straightforward transfer that works well even with young children.
Is Ikos Kissamos on the beach? It sits slightly back from the beach rather than directly on it, with landscaped gardens between the resort and the shore. The beach itself is beautiful.
How is Ikos Kissamos for kids? Excellent. The kids' club caters for ages 6 months through to teenagers, the pool facilities are superb, and free bike hire across the resort gives children a wonderful sense of freedom.
What is the best room at Ikos Kissamos? The Deluxe One Bedroom Suite with Private Garden. Room 6003 overlooks the Deluxe pool and offers an ideal combination of privacy and access to the best facilities.
What is the food like at Ikos Kissamos? High quality across all à la carte restaurants. Azul (Deluxe breakfast) and Beach Club (lunch and dinner) are the standouts. Evening entertainment in the restaurants adds significantly to the atmosphere.
Can you visit Balos Lagoon from Ikos Kissamos? Yes, and you absolutely should. Balos is accessible by boat and is one of the most beautiful beaches in the Mediterranean. Allow a full day and arrange it through the resort or your travel planner in advance.
Karen is the founder of The Family Holiday Collection and an Ikos Resorts specialist with first-hand experience of every property in the collection. She visited Ikos Kissamos during the UK May half-term 2026.