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Original poster

Alternative to Ikos for teenagers

13 replies

Verysad1978 · 03/12/2024 12:41

I have been to Ikos and I get it but want somewhere for two teens that they will enjoy. Ideally Europe and gorgeous food and pools and maybe sea. Like luxury and open to any budget really

OP posts:
Verite1 · 03/12/2024 12:55

How old are the teens? Sani has a teen club with gaming and activities etc, but probably more for younger teens.

Also depends what your teens are into. We have been to Sun Gardens close to Dubrovnik which has loads of sports facilities and water sports in the summer, but no good if they are older teens who want to wander into the local town (as it is the middle of nowhere).

Also we loved Du Lac et Du Parc at Riva del Garda, Lake Garda. There is a good gym, a watersports centre on site, nice pools and an easy and safe walk into Riva itself.

Original poster
Verysad1978 · 03/12/2024 13:19

They’re 12 and 14.
would love somewhere near a town or village but really did like facilities in Ikos

OP posts:
usernother · 03/12/2024 13:23

I second Sani. Particularly if they like football.

Original poster
Verysad1978 · 03/12/2024 18:32

Not football players unfortunately.
I had thought sani was same as Ikos

OP posts:
usernother · 03/12/2024 18:49

Ikos Oceania is within walking distance of Nea Modenia which has a sports bar for watching the match. Not sure about what else is there apart from restaurants though. I mentioned Sani for football because they have football academies with famous ex footballers doing the training.

Verite1 · 03/12/2024 18:55

Verysad1978 · 03/12/2024 18:32

Not football players unfortunately.
I had thought sani was same as Ikos

There are far more activities in Sani. There is the football academy, tennis academy, the BMXing, the sports hall, the high ropes, the Bear Grylls survival thing and the gaming and teen room. I have only been to Sani, not Ikos, but I was always told Ikos better for young kids, Sani better for older ones.

But if it doesn't appeal, look at the other two I suggested. Also, Parco San Marco by Lake Laguno in Northern Italy has loads of activities for kids and teens. I went when my kids were much younger, but I remember they had lots of activities for older kids as well.

Forgottenmyphone · 04/12/2024 06:15

Try Grecotel Riviera Olympia. It's not quite the same calibre as Ikos, but still a luxury 5 star with a phenomenal choice of restaurants, plus it had a water park and teens club.

MillyGoat · 04/12/2024 06:18

We’ve done Sani and would definitely go back again now the kids are older. I’m done with Ikos though, have done four and you’re just ending up having to pay for more and more now.

usernother · 04/12/2024 06:32

MillyGoat · 04/12/2024 06:18

We’ve done Sani and would definitely go back again now the kids are older. I’m done with Ikos though, have done four and you’re just ending up having to pay for more and more now.

Really? What do you have to pay for now, that you didn't previously?

MillyGoat · 04/12/2024 07:00

usernother · 04/12/2024 06:32

Really? What do you have to pay for now, that you didn't previously?

Show quote history

There used to be way more watersports included, also they’ve stopped doing the nicer wines and bubbly by the pool, plus you have to ask to go off list in restaurants … so watersports pay more to do the same, and drinks pay same get less. Plus the spa treatments have gone up a lot

Pigeonqueen · 04/12/2024 07:18

Tui Sensatori is much, much cheaper than Ikos so obviously maybe not quite on the same scale but they have consistently good reviews (especially Turkey - 2 resorts - and Majorca) and lots of sports / activities and great food. A step down from this you have Tui Blue which are also good resorts. We have stayed at loads of them mainly because we have a family with a large age gap between dc and need 2/3 bedrooms and a lot of the Tui resorts offer this.

RowNine · 05/12/2024 11:44

Sorry for the hijack but currently deciding between Parco San Marco and Du Lac et Du Parc for two 14 year olds this summer.

@Verite1 which would you say is better for this age group? Or indeed, better overall! I think they mainly would like to meet others of a similar age.

Verite1 · 05/12/2024 13:31

Oh what a lovely dilemma to have! I have been to both places twice. I have to first mention however that I last went to Parco San Marco 5 years ago so my kids were much younger and since then they have opened a new fancy section so I don't know what that is like.

They are both lovely hotels and in such beautiful scenery.

For older kids, there is probably more to do onsite at Parco San Marco, as there is a teen club there which had fun activities. Though there was a nice pool and a watersports centre at Du Lac et du Parc (and activities at the beach as well). I think there were more English families at Du Lac (I was quite surprised at that), though there were still quite a few at Parco San Marco. Du Lac is better if the girls want to wander into Riva though - it is a very easy, safe route. Whereas Parco San Marco is a long walk along a very busy road to get to the nearest town (Porlezza). Porlezza also not as nice as Riva. There is also a ferry port from Riva whereas you would need a car really at Parco San Marco.

It's a really tough one, as they were both great hotels which I felt got the balance between luxury for adults and fun for kids just right. Personally, however, I think my heart belongs to Riva. The setting was so unbelievably beautiful, including the grounds to the hotel. But no bad choices really!

Feel free to PM if you want any more info.

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