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Holidays

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Suggestions for a relaxing seven-night five-star holiday under £3k

41 replies

ralesh · 31/07/2026 14:19

We are looking to fly somewhere for around 7 nights of relaxing. Looking for excellent service, 5* but want to spend less than £3k a week on the hotel. We’ve been to Thailand a lot but fancy something new, can you suggest anywhere?

OP posts:
ImpossiblePeaches · 31/07/2026 23:54

Doteycat · 31/07/2026 22:58

I was looking at this but it doesnt get great reviews. Would you disagree?.

Yes, I would absolutely disagree, but I guess it depends what you're looking for.
One of the couples who were there last time we went weren't particularly happy, because they were used to 5* meaning all the different/pools/restaurants/entertainment etc, which this place doesn't have.
This place is more quiet luxury, the service, food and spa treatments are exceptional!
If you're looking to relax and recharge, then you'll come home feeling like you're floating on a cloud, but if you're looking for something more "fun", you may be disappointed.

Hope this helps :)

Doteycat · 01/08/2026 00:17

ImpossiblePeaches · 31/07/2026 23:54

Yes, I would absolutely disagree, but I guess it depends what you're looking for.
One of the couples who were there last time we went weren't particularly happy, because they were used to 5* meaning all the different/pools/restaurants/entertainment etc, which this place doesn't have.
This place is more quiet luxury, the service, food and spa treatments are exceptional!
If you're looking to relax and recharge, then you'll come home feeling like you're floating on a cloud, but if you're looking for something more "fun", you may be disappointed.

Hope this helps :)

Thanks! Yes looking for a total chill out but good food is a priority. Hows the beach?
Im looking for quiet but not fuddy duddy either..
I thought it looked lovely..

BlackSwanDays · 01/08/2026 13:10

Dublassie · 31/07/2026 19:20

3 of us and we are going for 5 days , first week in May . Olivia .

Ah ok, it’s Olivia so cheaper and only 5 days and one bedroom between three people. Makes more sense now.

I’d never tried to see if they open in January given all of them are in Europe so it’d be pointless! It was just shock at the price you quoted but if only one bedroom and a short trip of less than a week if makes more sense.

Dublassie · 01/08/2026 13:23

They are setting up a proper bed in the lounge for the third person which will be good ! I think it’s reasonable value . Can’t wait !

Prices have increased À LOT in the last few years as we did the two bed suite in Dassia with pool for less à while back . Huge increases - I track prices all the time and I’d say 30 percent at least .

BlackSwanDays · 01/08/2026 13:30

holiday22 · 31/07/2026 20:04

I’ve been to IKOS for 1 week at the end of May, perfect weather. Paid £1,300 pp including flights and transfers. That’s a one bed suite (bedroom & separate living room)
I’ve done them all, most I’ve paid is £9,000 for a family of 4, 9 days in summer hols. (So not far off your £18k first 2 weeks really!)

Yes, and if you add the deluxe part as well, it does come out around that much at the better properties. Quite eye watering really! 😬 Unfortunately we have limited options due to needing a holiday that can accommodate various health issues and me travelling alone with two children.

Following the thread with interest to see if there are any more reasonably priced but still decent and manageable (for us) options that I could consider for next year.

BlackSwanDays · 01/08/2026 13:30

Dublassie · 01/08/2026 13:23

They are setting up a proper bed in the lounge for the third person which will be good ! I think it’s reasonable value . Can’t wait !

Prices have increased À LOT in the last few years as we did the two bed suite in Dassia with pool for less à while back . Huge increases - I track prices all the time and I’d say 30 percent at least .

It’s a very good deal with a private pool as well!

TheIdlerReturns · 01/08/2026 13:34

Canaries?

principalskinna · 01/08/2026 13:53

I don't think deluxe Ikos makes sense. Just buy yourself some champagne

BlackSwanDays · 01/08/2026 17:36

principalskinna · 01/08/2026 13:53

I don't think deluxe Ikos makes sense. Just buy yourself some champagne

The rooms are much better and bigger and in some hotels there are quieter pools and beaches and restaurants that you can access that you can’t without Deluxe, including some of the best restaurants. In some or their older hotels it wouldn’t be worth it.

BlackSwanDays · 01/08/2026 17:44

My issue with a lot of the places that purport to be luxury or 5 star is the quality of the food. The level of service is often not great, either, but the food is a real sticking point.

When I was not so ill I would do self-catering holidays and just go out to restaurants but now need holidays to be total rest and no walking of any distance so for the very first time in the last couple of years I looked at AI holidays where you could do that and just stay in the hotel the majority of the time. I was astonished to find most of them, even those supposed to be higher end, expected people to eat at buffets (!) instead of having table service and to go to one or two restaurants repeatedly, with quite poor food quality.

Do people know of any others like IKOS but less expensive that actually have proper restaurants rather than buffets, and the quality and range of food one should expect from a hotel that is selling itself as a luxury experience?

Plus a sensible number of guests compared to facilities so that you never have a problem getting a sun bed or cabana on the beach etc? I can’t believe people pay to be forced to get up at the crack of dawn on a holiday that is meant to be relaxing, and when you’re paying them to provide everything you need as and when you want it and just rest without any stress, which to me is the only purpose of such a holiday (AI by a beach - it’s not a cultural trip, it’s for rest so surely they need to make the food good and everything relaxing and easy, that’s the whole point?!).

Hoping to get some ideas from following the thread of places that at least provide those basics in terms of facilities but at non-IKOS prices as it is a lot to have to spend on just one holiday each time.

Dublassie · 01/08/2026 22:19

BlackSwanDays · 01/08/2026 17:44

My issue with a lot of the places that purport to be luxury or 5 star is the quality of the food. The level of service is often not great, either, but the food is a real sticking point.

When I was not so ill I would do self-catering holidays and just go out to restaurants but now need holidays to be total rest and no walking of any distance so for the very first time in the last couple of years I looked at AI holidays where you could do that and just stay in the hotel the majority of the time. I was astonished to find most of them, even those supposed to be higher end, expected people to eat at buffets (!) instead of having table service and to go to one or two restaurants repeatedly, with quite poor food quality.

Do people know of any others like IKOS but less expensive that actually have proper restaurants rather than buffets, and the quality and range of food one should expect from a hotel that is selling itself as a luxury experience?

Plus a sensible number of guests compared to facilities so that you never have a problem getting a sun bed or cabana on the beach etc? I can’t believe people pay to be forced to get up at the crack of dawn on a holiday that is meant to be relaxing, and when you’re paying them to provide everything you need as and when you want it and just rest without any stress, which to me is the only purpose of such a holiday (AI by a beach - it’s not a cultural trip, it’s for rest so surely they need to make the food good and everything relaxing and easy, that’s the whole point?!).

Hoping to get some ideas from following the thread of places that at least provide those basics in terms of facilities but at non-IKOS prices as it is a lot to have to spend on just one holiday each time.

Edited

I am with you on all of this !! Sorry you have health issues . What about the Mitsis chain ? I have never been but they do a la carte for lunch and dinner .

BlackSwanDays · 02/08/2026 16:07

Dublassie · 01/08/2026 22:19

I am with you on all of this !! Sorry you have health issues . What about the Mitsis chain ? I have never been but they do a la carte for lunch and dinner .

I hadn’t heard of them, I will have a look! Thank you so much. IKOS is just so much money if you want a decent length trip.

XelaM · 03/08/2026 00:25

BlackSwanDays · 01/08/2026 17:44

My issue with a lot of the places that purport to be luxury or 5 star is the quality of the food. The level of service is often not great, either, but the food is a real sticking point.

When I was not so ill I would do self-catering holidays and just go out to restaurants but now need holidays to be total rest and no walking of any distance so for the very first time in the last couple of years I looked at AI holidays where you could do that and just stay in the hotel the majority of the time. I was astonished to find most of them, even those supposed to be higher end, expected people to eat at buffets (!) instead of having table service and to go to one or two restaurants repeatedly, with quite poor food quality.

Do people know of any others like IKOS but less expensive that actually have proper restaurants rather than buffets, and the quality and range of food one should expect from a hotel that is selling itself as a luxury experience?

Plus a sensible number of guests compared to facilities so that you never have a problem getting a sun bed or cabana on the beach etc? I can’t believe people pay to be forced to get up at the crack of dawn on a holiday that is meant to be relaxing, and when you’re paying them to provide everything you need as and when you want it and just rest without any stress, which to me is the only purpose of such a holiday (AI by a beach - it’s not a cultural trip, it’s for rest so surely they need to make the food good and everything relaxing and easy, that’s the whole point?!).

Hoping to get some ideas from following the thread of places that at least provide those basics in terms of facilities but at non-IKOS prices as it is a lot to have to spend on just one holiday each time.

Edited

We had an AMAZING time at this hotel in Germany:

https://www.vital-hotel.de/?gadsource=1&gadcampaignid=24020687491&gbraid=0AAAAAD68ZVbnPvSUAUjJyzhXoEJevr4M&gclid=CjwKCAjw1bvTBhBbEiwAzbP8Lxpg6XlFmsG1pROuznAaoxxX6jvMla7l6DJg4ygITy6nJtIRjmUBoCnKYQAvDBwE

The food was gorgeous and ala carte.

The pool and hotel facilities are fabulous too. It has a waterpark and spa so brilliant for adults and kids.

It was an unexpected gem of a hotel and I have such fond memories of this holiday (although we randomly picked it as it was near where my parents live in NRW).

eurochick · 03/08/2026 10:10

What about Cyprus? Paphos is a relatively quiet resort with some lovely five star hotels. We have stayed at the Elysium, which was lovely. It does have a buffet restaurant, but also several à la carte restaurants. It would be within your budget, and should be warm.

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