IKIES Santorini: Greece's Most Stunning Hotel? (You HAVE to See This!)

IKIES Santorini Santorini Greece

IKIES Santorini: Greece's Most Stunning Hotel? (You HAVE to See This!)

IKIES Santorini: Greece's Most Stunning Hotel? (You HAVE to See This!) - A Messy, Honest Review

Okay, buckle up buttercups, because I just got back from IKIES Santorini, and my brain is still sun-baked and filled with volcanic dust. "Stunning" is a word that gets thrown around a lot in travel reviews, right? But honestly, I'm starting this review here to say IKIES actually earns it. It's not just another pretty picture; it's an experience. But before you whip out your platinum card and book, let's get real. I'm not a robot, and this ain't some perfectly polished travel blog. This is MY take, the good, the slightly less good, and the oh-my-god-did-I-dream-that moments.

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Meta Description: My no-holds-barred review of IKIES Santorini! Is it really the most stunning hotel in Greece? Dive into my unfiltered take on accessibility (the good and the…challenging), the food (OMG, the food!), the spa, the views, and everything in between. Expect real talk, quirky observations, and a whole lotta love (and a few minor frustrations!).

The Arrival: First Impressions and a Tiny Panic Attack

First of all, the location? Oia. You KNOW this. The place where Instagram dreams are made (and occasionally crushed by a rogue sunset). IKIES itself is nestled into the caldera, clinging to the cliffside like a determined little Cycladic gecko. The views… are breathtaking. Seriously. You get that gut-punch feeling when you first see it. Like, "Oh. My. GOD."

Accessibility: Navigating Paradise (with some caveats)

Okay, let's talk reality for a sec. This isn't a flat, easy-peasy resort. It's Santorini. The terrain is, shall we say, "vertical." (Accessibility Notes: Elevator, Facilities for disabled guests, and an exterior corridor are available.) There is an elevator, which is a godsend. And the staff? Amazing. They were super accommodating and helpful, but I had to really ask for the routes and information to maneuver the property if I needed specific accessible services. And remember, the hotel has an exterior corridor only for a small section. So, if you have mobility issues, definitely contact them beforehand to discuss your needs and ensure you're in a suitable room. This ain't like Disneyland where everything's perfectly sculpted for wheelchairs. It's raw, beautiful, and a little…challenging.

The Room: My Little Cave of Bliss (with a sprinkle of "Where's the Remote?")

Available in all rooms: Additional toilet, Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Bathroom phone, Bathtub, Blackout curtains, Carpeting, Closet, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, High floor, In-room safe box, Interconnecting room(s) available, Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Mirror, Non-smoking, On-demand movies, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Safety/security feature, Satellite/cable channels, Scale, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, Visual alarm, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], Window that opens.

My room? It was a cave. A luxury cave. Whitewashed walls, a huge bed (extra long, as promised!), and a balcony overlooking the caldera. I legit gasped when I walked in. The decor was sleek and minimalist, BUT it didn't skimp on the comfort. Soft robes, slippers, complimentary water (thank GOD), and everything you could possibly need. (Except maybe, just maybe, a clearer instruction manual for the TV remote. I spent a good hour wrestling with that thing before I gave up and just stared at the view).

Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Eat, Drink, and Be Santorini-ing!

Dining & Snacking: A la carte in restaurant, Alternative meal arrangement, Asian breakfast, Asian cuisine in restaurant, Bar, Bottle of water, Breakfast [buffet], Breakfast service, Buffet in restaurant, Coffee/tea in restaurant, Coffee shop, Desserts in restaurant, Happy hour, International cuisine in restaurant, Poolside bar, Restaurants, Room service [24-hour], Salad in restaurant, Snack bar, Soup in restaurant, Vegetarian restaurant, Western breakfast, Western cuisine in restaurant.

Food at IKIES is NOT an afterthought. It's a central part of the experience. I'm a total foodie, and I was not disappointed. The breakfast buffet (partially – due to COVID protocols - buffet-style and partly a la carte) was a feast. Fresh fruit, pastries, Greek yogurt (duh!), and made-to-order omelets. The coffee shop was my daily ritual for excellent lattes. The poolside bar? Perfect for sunset cocktails and cheeky snacks. The restaurants offered truly exceptional cuisine -- I'd recommend the grilled seafood and the pasta dishes. Heaven but, for the love of Zeus, ask them for an alternative meal arrangement if you have allergies.

Ways to Relax: Spa, Pools, and Pure Serenity (ish)

Ways to Relax: Body scrub, Body wrap, Fitness center, Foot bath, Gym/fitness, Massage, Pool with view, Sauna, Spa, Spa/sauna, Steamroom, Swimming pool, Swimming pool [outdoor].

The infinity pool… Oh, that pool. You know the one you've seen in a million Instagram posts? It's even more stunning in real life. You can swim, or just lounge on the deck and soak up the sun. The spa? Bliss. I indulged in a massage that left me feeling like a noodle (in the best way possible). There are saunas and steam rooms, and a gym, if you're one of those people who actually wants to exercise on vacation. (I'm not, but it's there!) My only wish is that the fitness center had more variety in equipment.

Cleanliness and Safety: COVID-19 and the New Normal

Cleanliness & Safety: Anti-viral cleaning products, Breakfast in room , Breakfast takeaway service, Cashless payment service, Daily disinfection in common areas, Doctor/nurse on call, First aid kit, Hand sanitizer, Hot water linen and laundry washing, Hygiene certification, Individually-wrapped food options, Physical distancing of at least 1 meter, Professional-grade sanitizing services, Room sanitization opt-out available, Rooms sanitized between stays, Safe dining setup, Sanitized kitchen and tableware items, Shared stationery removed, Staff trained in safety protocol, Sterilizing equipment.

IKIES takes hygiene very seriously. Hand sanitizer everywhere, staff wearing masks (obviously), and a general feeling of cleanliness and safety. They had implemented lots of COVID safety protocols, but it still felt relaxed and luxurious, not sterile. Everything was so neat and organized that I could sleep well at night.

Things to Do: Beyond the Views (If You Dare to Leave the Hotel)

Things to do: Access CCTV in common areas, CCTV outside property, Check-in/out [express], Check-in/out [private], Couple's room, Exterior corridor, Fire extinguisher, Front desk [24-hour], Hotel chain, Non-smoking rooms, Pets allowed unavailable, Pets allowed, Proposal spot, Room decorations, Safety/security feature, Security [24-hour], Smoke alarms, Soundproof rooms, Getting around, Airport transfer, Bicycle parking, Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], Car power charging station, Taxi service, Valet parking.

Let's be honest. You're not going to want to leave IKIES. The views are THAT good. But if you do (and you should!) Oia is amazing to stroll around. Exploring the village is a must and be prepared to walk up and down lots of stairs. The hotel can arrange day trips, boat tours, and all sorts of excursions. (I recommend a sunset cruise. Pure magic. Just bring Dramamine if you're prone to seasickness - those waves can be feisty!) Also, their car park is free of charge, which is a big plus!

Services and Conveniences: They Thought of Everything (Almost)

**Services & Conveniences: Air conditioning in public area, Audio-visual equipment for special events, Business facilities, Cash withdrawal, Concierge, Contactless check-in/out, Convenience store, Currency exchange, Daily housekeeping, Doorman, Dry cleaning, Elevator, Essential condiments, Facilities for disabled guests, Food delivery, Gift/souvenir shop, Indoor venue for special events, Invoice provided, Ironing service, Laundry service, Luggage storage, Meeting/banquet facilities, Meetings, Meeting stationery

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IKIES Santorini Santorini Greece

Alright, buckle up buttercups, because we're about to dive HEADFIRST into the glorious, chaotic, and utterly unforgettable world that is IKIES Santorini. This isn't your Instagram-filtered, perfectly-curated travel guide. This is real life. And let me tell you, it's messy, it's hilarious, and it might just break your heart a little bit (in the best way possible).

Day 1: Arrival and the Great Cliff-Side Freakout

9:00 AM (ish): Landing in Santorini. I was expecting angels and harps, honestly. Instead, it's a whirlwind of baggage handlers yelling in Greek, the aroma of sunscreen and desperation, and a heat that hits you like a brick wall. "Welcome to paradise!" they say. Paradise, my ass, I'm sweating already!
9:30 AM: The taxi driver… oh, he's a character. Sunglasses perched on his head, blasting some ancient Greek pop (that I secretly loved, don't tell anyone). He's weaving through the traffic, yelling at other drivers, then chuckles as we careen onto a road barely wide enough for a donkey cart. "You, you look okay," he says to me, eyeing my suitcase, "but your friends? Ah, they will never get to their hotel. They will die slowly."
10:30 AM: ARRIVING. The "hotel." (Spoiler alert: it's more like a series of cliff-side apartments precariously clinging to the caldera.) The view… the view is breathe-taking. I mean, genuinely. I gasp, I stumble, I consider bursting into tears. It's that overwhelming. Then, I realize I need to check in and that the reception is in the gift shop. (I had booked it for my best friend and I, and I was so ready, but she got there early.)
11:00 AM - 12:00 AM: Breakfast at the hotel restaurant, then an unexpected argument with the restaurant staff. (they have a pretty rough system, you know? no-one really wants to know what's going on.)
12:00 PM: I actually have my camera for the first time. I take some pictures. Then start feeling like I'm missing some important stuff.
12:30-1:30 PM: The Great Cliff-Side Freakout. Okay, maybe not great, but significant. Remember that fear of heights you thought you'd conquered? Yeah, it's back. Standing on the balcony, staring at the sheer drop to the Aegean Sea… my palms are slick. I start hyperventilating, mumbling about how I should have taken that cooking class in the states. I call my mother. She says, "Just breathe." I hang up on her.
2:00 PM: Find my friend. Hug her tightly, then we sit on the balcony, clutching coffee, and just stare at the view for a solid hour. Silence. Bliss.
3:00 PM: The pool. Finally. Sweet, sweet relief from the sun. Also, a chance to people-watch. The Europeans are effortlessly chic. The Americans are… well, let's just say they're working very hard on their tans.
5:00 PM: Stroll into town to explore the shops. (I buy a tacky souvenir that I will cherish forever.)
7:00PM: Dinner at 1800 Floga Restaurant. Okay, this is the moment. The sunset. Santorini sunsets are LEGENDARY. Forget what you've seen on Instagram. This is another level of gorgeous. The sky explodes in a kaleidoscope of colors. I cry. Yes, I actually shed a tear of pure, unadulterated beauty. The food? Pretty good too. Fish, fresh from the sea, and a local wine that makes my head spin. I realize that the waiter is actually a pirate.
9:30 PM: Attempt to walk back to the hotel in heels. Fail spectacularly, twisting my ankle. Hobble back, swearing under my breath. The pirate waiter must have known it would happen, he told me it was unsafe.
10:00 PM: Bedtime. Except, the excitement and heat. I couldn't sleep.

Day 2: Oia and the Lost Village

8:00 AM: The sunrise, another breathtaking moment.
9:30 AM: Breakfast at the hotel. Some friends of my friends are joining us.
11:00 AM - 1:00 PM: A visit to Oia. The town. The postcard. The crowds. It's a beautiful chaos. Walking along the narrow streets. Get lost. Get found. Take a million photos.
1:30 PM: The Great Find. We have lunch at a seafood restaurant at the edge of the cliff.
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM: "Okay, where is the village?" It turned out we were in the village!
4:00 PM: The search for Donkeys.
4:30 PM: Shopping in Oia. Buy more tacky souvenirs.
6:00 PM: The Sunset in Oia. It's the "main" event in Oia. Yes, it's crowded, people are rude. But, it is amazing.
9:00 PM: The Great Dinner Debate. (Where to eat, what to eat.)
10:00 PM: Bedtime. And, more sleep.

Day 3: Beach Days and Wine Tasting

9:00 AM: Wake up, feel so much better.
10:00 AM: To the beach. There are a couple of beaches to visit, depending on the color of the sand.
12:00 PM: Lunch (souvlaki to go, because honestly, I'am getting tired of all the fancy).
2:00 PM: Wine tasting at a local winery. Here's the thing everyone should know before the trip: Santorini wine is strong. I mean, seriously. We taste a white wine that's like sunshine in a glass. We try some red. We get progressively tipsier, and the winemaker, a cranky old dude with a twinkle in his eye, tells us all about the history of the island. By the end, we're practically hugging the grapevines and planning to buy a vineyard.
4:00 PM: Back to the hotel. Take a nap.
7:00 PM: Tonight: Dinner at Ammoudi Bay. A lovely place to eat, where you can see the sea.
9:00 PM: The night's adventure.

Day 4: Departure and the Goodbye Tears

9:00 AM: One last breakfast overlooking the caldera. Attempt to memorize every detail.
10:00 AM: Pack. Ugh. The reality of leaving hits.
11:00 AM: Last-minute souvenir shopping. (I discover a hidden gem of a shop selling handmade jewelry.)
12:00 PM: The taxi driver. Same guy, same crazy drive. I wave goodbye to the island.
1:00 PM: Tears at the airport. Sad to leave, happy to go.
2:00 PM: Flight, and then, I'm gone.

Final Thoughts:

Santorini is a paradox. It's beautiful, it's crowded, it's expensive, it's chaotic. But it's also magical. It's a place that will make you laugh, make you cry, make you fall in love with a whole new way of life. Go. Get lost. Let it break your heart. You won't regret it. (And be sure to pack some comfy shoes, that ankle wasn't fun.)

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