I Stay at The Worlds Best Luxury Resort

Watch the Ikos Andalusia full review! It has been called one of the best all-inclusive luxury resorts in Europe, but is it really worth the price? In this full in-depth review, I take you inside the award-winning Ikos Andalusia resort on Spain’s Costa del Sol, to give you an honest and detailed look at what it’s actually like to stay here.

From the moment you arrive, the experience is crafted to feel effortless. But behind the palm-lined walkways, sparkling pools, and modern Mediterranean architecture lies the big question: does Ikos Andalusia deliver true luxury — or just a polished version of a package holiday?

In this video, I explore:
• The rooms and suites, including the Deluxe Collection with its extra services and beachfront views
• The Michelin-level dining across 7 à la carte restaurants
• The wine and beverage program, including premium bottles and local Spanish gems
• The resort’s private beach, multiple pools, spa and fitness offerings
• How well the resort caters to both families and couples
• What’s truly included in the all-inclusive package — and what’s not
• The service, atmosphere, and design — and how it compares to other luxury resorts in Europe
• And finally, my Tastebud Score out of 100, where I break down food, wine, service, and design

If you’re considering a stay at Ikos Andalusia, comparing it to other all-inclusive resorts in Spain, or just wondering if it’s worth the hype, this video will give you everything you need to know — from the perspective of a luxury traveler and sommelier who reviews Michelin-starred restaurants and high-end resorts around the world.

Why This Video is Different
This isn’t a quick promo or a sponsored overview. This is an independent and honest review based on my personal stay in 2025. I rate the experience using my own Tastebud 100-point scale, evaluating the resort’s food, wine, service, and overall design — just like I do with the world’s top Michelin-star restaurants.

If you’re searching for:
• Ikos Andalusia review 2025
• Is Ikos Andalusia worth it?
• Best all-inclusive resorts in Spain
• Luxury resorts Costa del Sol / Marbella / Estepona
• Ikos Andalusia room tour
• Family friendly luxury resorts in Spain
• Couples resort Costa del Sol
• Best all-inclusive for foodies
• Ikos Andalusia dining experience
• Ikos Andalusia wine list
• Ikos Andalusia vs other resorts
• Real reviews of Ikos Resorts

— then you’re in the right place.

📍 Location: Ikos Andalusia, Estepona, Costa del Sol, Spain
📆 Stay reviewed in: 2025
🎥 Filmed & rated by: Tastebud (fine dining & luxury travel channel)

👉 Subscribe for more honest reviews from the world’s best luxury hotels, resorts, and Michelin-starred dining destinations.

I spent a week at the world’s best
all inclusive resort, a sprawling luxury destination on Spain’s
southern coast that promises unlimited fine dining,
premium wines and exceptional service, all included with no hidden costs. With eight a la carte restaurants
curated by Michelin starred chefs. I’m curious to find out
whether this is a genuine, world class dining destination or simply fancy
packaging masking an ordinary experience. Let’s head to Ikos Andalucia to find out. But first, welcome to Taste Buds. I’m a Sommelier with 20 years of experience
exploring the world’s best hotels and restaurants. On this channel I share honest and the previous all rated using my unique
100 points scoring system. Make sure to subscribe
as I have tons of amazing reviews coming your way and stick around
until the end to see how Ikos Andalucia came out on my score board. Our journey begins at Malaga Airport,
where a hotel driver picks us up a complimentary service for stays over
five nights. It’s a 45 minute scenic drive
along the Costa del Sol to the peaceful town of Esta Poner,
just west of my bay. Arrival here is smooth. Our bags are taken. We are welcomed with a glass of cava
and check in is handled while we relax in a private LA. Thank you very much. Perfect start. The main building here
sets a tone of calm coastal elegance. It’s sleek and modern, with warm, neutral tones and sunlight
pouring through floor to ceiling windows. Subtle Andalusian touches, polished
stone floors and stylish, comfortable furniture complete
the relaxed, luxurious vibe. I instantly like this place when it comes
to where you’ll sleep at Ikos on the Lucia. You’re spoiled for choice because they
offer a range of accommodation options, starting with double rooms at around 33m² and suites up to 120m² at the top end. Deluxe collection offers larger suites
and villas with private pools, exclusive beach access and premium perks like
dedicated concierge and reserve dining. Staying here doesn’t come cheap though. I’ll get back to the prices later
in the episode, which I can complete. It’s time for lunch, and with the intense
summer heat, we’re advised to head straight to the beach
for our first restaurant experience. One of the biggest draws at Ikos on
the Lucia is its unbeatable beachfront location. The resorts is right on the shores
of the Costa del Sol, with direct access to a long golden sand beach that feels
both expansive and surprisingly uncrowded. I think this setting strikes
a perfect balance. It’s peaceful and secluded, yet
just minutes from the charming town of Esther
and the best of marble. While most restaurants are located
within the main resort, there’s also a sharing the Spanish term
for a beachfront bar or restaurants. Unlike the others, it’s only open
for lunch, and it’s a popular spot, so be sure to book ahead or arrive early
if you want a table that actually brings me to something worth
noting if you’re planning a stay here. Because even though there are plenty
of dining options, actually securing a table at your preferred restaurant
isn’t always easy, especially for dinner. I will explain how the booking system
works later in the episode, so stick around to avoid the same issues
I run into. Once inside, a Jeroen ghetto was shown to our table
and the atmosphere here is truly amazing. It’s easy to see why this beachfront spot
is a favorite for lunch. The menu is classic Spanish tapas pie, us grilled meats,
and lots of fresh seafood. Overall, the food is solid. A couple of the grilled fish
dishes were overcooked, but the beautiful location in itself
kept us coming back. In fact, this is one of only two restaurants on
the resort that we dine at multiple times. I’ll show you the other one
a little later in the episode. For lunch today we shared a spread of
small plates, shrimps, pale bill, sea bass, ceviche with cumquat and cucumber,
and a hot blanco with tuna tartare and crispy black rice
with standout snacks like patatas bravas, fried chip and a better cooked croquettes
also were good. Now about the wine, exclaims
a list of our 300 labels curated by in-house Somalia’s and impressive
promise for an all inclusive. And while there’s a good mix of Spanish
and Greek wines. I started noticing something strange
with the wine lists. More on that later, because for now, a chilled
bottle of Spanish will say a sea breeze. And that view. That’s more than enough reason for me
to return to this chair and get though we decide to stay by the beach
for the rest of the day, and also choose the stunning beachfront
location of seasons for dinner by day. Seasons is reserved exclusively
for guests in the Deluxe Collection Ikos premium
tier of suites that comes with added perks like private Check-In lounge,
dedicated concierge, a reserved beach area, and access to exclusive spaces
like the Deluxe Pool at this restaurant at lunch and breakfast, season offers
a refined, relaxed atmosphere with ocean views
and elevated service for VIP guests. But in the evening it opens to all guests. But here’s the thing. Make sure to reserve ahead,
as this is one of the smaller restaurants with high demand. Before dinner, we head to the main
bar, located in the heart of the resort, with a stunning terrace
overlooking the Mediterranean. The cocktail menu here is surprisingly
extensive for an all inclusive, premium experience, fresh ingredients
and a few regional signature rates. There’s also a solid range of mocktails
and beers. Wines, on the other hand, not so much
the only option here are basic red and white kept on the counter, often
served to warm in my opinion, to reach seasons. We exit through the gate by the main bar
and then follow the beach walk into that deluxe area
where the restaurant is located. Guests can choose between
a lively ground floor with live music or a quieter upstairs terrace
with stunning Mediterranean views. We opt for the upper deck and are warmly welcomed and escorted
to our table by the professional staff. Curious about the service at Ikos on
the Lucia is generally professional, often closer to a luxury boutique hotel
and a typical all inclusive. However, there are a few minor issues
which I’ll touch on later in the episode. Now for the food season offers a refined
ala carte menu, blending Mediterranean flavors with subtle
Asian and Latin American influences. A creative fusion
built on fresh, high quality ingredients. We start with the spread of starters
tuna tartare with avocado, spicy radish and ginger marinated spiced
chicken samosas with coriander sauce, crispy shrimp satay with mango
chutney, spicy salmon on crispy rice and a standout sea bass of each with
watermelon, serrano, chili and cilantro. Everything was vibrant,
well balanced and full of flavor. Honestly, surprisingly good for mains. Our some went with the beef tenderloin. Perfectly cooked, medium rare. My wife and I again shared a few dishes
the spinach risotto with scallops and crispy chili
oil was a highlight, as well as the pan roasted pork broccolini
with kimchi and corn cream. The sesame crusted
salmon was the only miss. It was overcooked, and the miso use broth didn’t quite work
with the tomatoes and corn, in my opinion. Still, we had a great evening here. The views from the upper terrace are hard to beat, and we were even
started by a of white Burgundy. Not on the list,
but happily arranged by the staff. And that little detail,
though, hints at something. We note this repeatedly during our stay,
and I think I figured out why. More on that later. The next day starts
with our regular morning workouts. The gym here is compact
but well-equipped with technogym machines pretty much everything you need. It’s also an outdoor area,
but in the summer heat, we stuck to the air
conditioned space inside. Beyond the gym,
there are courts for tennis, basketball and football, plus free beach activities
like paddleboards and kayaks. You can also grab a bike and ride
a coastal path towards the Poner or Marbella. So if you’d like to stay active
on holiday, I got you covered. And of course, it’s all included. Finally, it’s time for dinner again. And next on the list is Oliver. And what sets this place apart
isn’t the setting, it’s the menu curated by anime
Luis Alvarez, the boundary pushing chef behind the two Michelin starred moderates
in the Basque Country. I recently spent a full day
with McGarrett. That episode is coming soon,
so make sure to subscribe. You don’t want to miss that one. Address is known for challenging his guests with bold,
sometimes controversial creations. I don’t expect anything that extreme here,
but with his name attached, I’m hoping for something inventive,
high quality, and full of character. We had into Oliver, tucked inside the main
building near the central plaza. The setting here is quite simple and calm,
letting the food take the spotlight. The menu offers a modern twist on Spanish
and an illusion cuisine, with bold spices,
seasonal ingredients and playful textures. We start off with two of their signature
cocktails a Cosmo from My Wife and a sharp,
stinging margarita for me. For food, we decide once again to share
a selection of the dishes for starters. Artichoke comfort with Iberico pancetta
and pinus Spanish garlic shrimp
with chili and smoked paprika. Harlem tomatoes with charred tomato cream and a standout marinated tuna
with almonds and orange. For mains, we had a cod filled with pale
blue sauce, lentils, spicy chorizo and lime to shine,
along with the Iberico pork pluma, served with charred pickles
and a crispy layered potatoes. The food here is well-prepared
and flavorful. No complaints. There, because everything tasted
really good, actually, but it definitely leans more towards
elevated comfort food and Michelin level five dining. That’s not a bad thing, of course, but it’s all about setting
the right expectations. When a two Michelin starred chefs curates the menu and from one Michelin
starred chef to another, and next evening we had to aniya, the resort’s
only Asian restaurants. And yes, we did do more than just eat
while staying here. Stick around and I’ll show you some of the incredible pools
and facilities a bit later in the episode. This night, our son joins the kids
club for dinner and evening activities, giving us the perfect opportunity
for a quiet dinner for two. Anaya is tucked
beneath the lobby, an intimate space curated by renowned Thai chef Till Aniya
has a sleek, modern interior with warm lighting, dark wood and subtle
Asian details. I like the atmosphere here. We start with a bottle of champagne. Which brings me back to what I mentioned
earlier. Ikos claims
a wine list of over 300 labels. Yet many premium wines like Burgundy
or champagne, for instance, aren’t listed. However, if you ask, they often have them,
but it’s not exactly transparent. We have poured a session pane from them on an entry level
label made for hotels and restaurants. While it’s a quite basic champagne. The food at the Naia definitely isn’t. We started with chicken
gyoza served with kimchi, sesame chili and teriyaki sauce, followed by prawn
ravioli and coconut cream with lemongrass and a vibrant sea bream
tartare with yuzu, coconut and tobiko. For the mains, we switched to a Spanish
Chardonnay recommended by the Somali and continued with a fragrant
Thai red curry with chicken stir fried seabass with ginger and kung pao
vegetables and a special off the night. A version of the spicy pulled pork and served up to yes,
we even had room for dessert a rich chocolate mousse with almond twill, mango sorbet
and a drizzle of lime sirup. Yum! We enjoyed this place. Both flavors. Great variety and beautifully presented. Before I take you to the the two last
financing restaurants at the resort, let’s explore a bit more of what
this place has to offer. More specifically, the pools,
because there’s a lot of them. The resort actually has nine in total,
each with its own wide. There’s a lively central pool
for families, a peaceful adults only pool,
and of course, a kids splash area. Deluxe guests get access to a quieter deluxe pool
with sea views and top tier service, and you’ll also find an indoor spa pool
for relaxing in cooler comfort, a scented pool surrounded by lavender,
and even a beachfront pool. For those wanting to stay active, there’s also a sports pool
and a dedicated family pool. And if you’re more of a beach person,
the resort offers a 420m stretch of soft sand, complete with sunbeds, umbrellas
and full weight of service, plus a private section
just for the luxe guests. Plenty of space to relax, cool off
or just soak up the sun. It’s a holiday after all. Now let’s review the two next
financing restaurants on the resort. Also a Greek restaurant
curated by a michelin star chef Terrace Lazaro
and the French restaurant Provence, with a menu crafted by Michelin
starred chef Stephanie Le Kolak. Both restaurants are located
beach, France, with alfresco dining, and they sit
just next to each other at osso. We had a selection of classic Greek
dishes, like the smoked a rama with sun dried tomatoes, crunchy zucchini bites
with Sasaki Santorini tomatoes and mint prawns
with feta cheese and spicy tomato sauce, and of course, moussaka
and grilled agency boss. All in all, a good meal, but
nothing really special here to be honest. At the French restaurant next door,
the style is much more classic. We started with beef tartare,
mussels and white wine sauce and shrimp ravioli and a creamy bisque
for mains roasted cauliflower, braised beef with potato puree and red bean sauce,
and poached grouper with birb lamb. If you enjoy traditional French cuisine,
you’ll like it here. Nothing groundbreaking, of course, but good ingredients and well executed
dishes in a nice setting. Now for the last restaurant that I want
to show you and remember from earlier when I mentioned that there was only one
place in addition to the chair and Vito, that we kept coming back to. Well,
this is the one. Fresco is the resort’s
signature Italian restaurant, with a menu crafted
by the Michelin starred chef at training. It quickly became one of our
go to lunch spots, not just for the honest Italian cooking,
but also for the relaxed, welcoming white staff who were fantastic,
always friendly and smiling. There were plenty of chilled wine on offer
and a music from the DJ added to the atmosphere. Food here is fresh, uncomplicated
and full of flavor. We share a mix of starters, mains
and of course, pizza. While the pizza was fine. The standouts were definitely that fresh
fish, salads and a few of the lighter snack style dishes. There are just two spots left
we haven’t covered the breakfast buffet and the beach club, but before that, a quick heads up
about the reservation system at Ikos. You can only pre-book three restaurants
before arrival. The rest have to be booked after check in
and during high season. That’s tough. At the time of our visit, most places were either fully booked
or only had early dinner slots available. That’s why you’ll often
see us at the first guests dinner. We basically took what we could get. We actually only got into seasons
thanks to a last minute cancellation. The Luxe Collection guests get priority booking,
but that comes with a hefty price tag. It might not be a deal breaker for you, but definitely something
that’s nice to know. Before we look at the rating for Ikos
on the Lucia. Let’s quickly stop by the beach club, a more casual, laid back restaurant
just around the corner from Provence. And also it offers
alfresco dining with great views. And I really like the relaxed vibe here. The food harbor was just okay. We had fried squid, crispy tortillas
with Suzuki smoked chicken, Thai with padron peppers and marinated
smoked fish with herbs and lemon. Probably
the least exciting meal of the trip, and for some reason, service
was unusually slow here too. When it comes to breakfast. A few restaurants
offer our cart options, but most guests head to the massive buffet
at flavors. It’s a solid spread. Fresh fruits, juices, smoothies, cereals. Yogurts, breads. I mean plenty of health stations as well. Pastries? Yeah, and even sweets. And ice cream for those starting the day
on a sugar high. And speaking of, ice cream is available
for free throughout the day, which the kids
absolutely love in the summer heat. And me as well. Now let’s wrap up with my rating
and also see how much a week’s stay here actually costs. Let’s start
with a quick breakdown of my 100 point hotel rating system,
divided into three categories location, interior, and design
worth up to 40 points, covering everything from views and layout to room
quality and architecture. Then we have service and guest experience worth up to 30 points, including staff
cleaning us and overall comfort. The last one is food and beverages. Also, 30 points
based on the restaurant quality variety. Wine and cocktails. Once the score is set, I factor in the price to give
a final verdict based on value for money. Comparable five star hotels. So let’s have a look at how Ikos
Andalucia comes out on my score board for the location. Interior and design.
Obviously a high score. While it’s hard to beat such a beachfront
location. Also, the layout and design of the resort
is very well thought out. Room style are all right,
but not spectacular in my opinion. We had the entry level room, so of course
space and standard is obviously better if you spend more. All in all, this category comes in at 35
out of 40 points. Service and guest experience. What’s a bit of a mixed bag to be honest? Checking was smooth and professional,
but throughout the stay the service didn’t quite meet expectations. Small issues like slow room service,
missed housekeeping refills, fully booked restaurants, delayed WhatsApp
replies, and long breakfast lines added up and became frustrating over time. We were often told that unfortunately,
the hotel is operating at full capacity, but in my opinion, that’s not something
guests should feel the impact of as a future guest. Keep in mind that this is a large resort
with over 3000 guests during peak season,
and that puts real pressure on everything. As an example,
finding a sunbed after 10 a.m. was challenging as many guests
reserve them early in the morning, putting the towels and books on them,
only to return hours later. So while the staff are friendly,
the overall service and guest experience was the weakest category,
scoring 18 out of 30 points. Food and beverages is clearly a category
Ikos takes pride in, with multiple ala carte restaurants
and menus curated by Michelin star chefs. The ambition is high, and overall
I’d also say the quality is very good. However, calling it
fine dining is perhaps a stretch. Why? Many dishes were flavorful
and well presented. The execution here
wasn’t always at that level, even though most of the food here
tastes great. The wine selection is also good,
but hiding premium bottles from the list feels unnecessary. That said, we had several great meals and explored a broad range of wines
during the week and from all inclusive. This is a culinary offering well above
what you typically find elsewhere. For that, food and beverages
score a solid 25 out of 30 points. All in all, I was on the lookout score 78 out of 100 before factoring in price
and value for money. During high season rates for a week
here, start somewhere around 8 to 9000 for a standard room, and can go up
to €45,000 for larger suites. It’s a high price tag,
but when compared to other five star beach resorts like the Four Seasons Acid
Palace in Greece, which I’ll have a review coming up in a few weeks,
the rates are actually on par or slightly lower for entry level rooms,
and while dining at the place like Four Seasons is
excellent, is also an extra costs. So otherwise making IKEA’s all inclusive
model a much better deal overall. In my value for money category,
I adjust the score by up to ten points, either
upwards or downwards for IKEA’s Andalucia. I’m adding six bonus points,
bringing the final score to 84 out of 100. I’d love to hear your thoughts on
Ikos Andalucia. Let me know in the comments below
and if you enjoyed this review, or has suggestions for how I can make
the next one even better. I’m all ears. If you’re curious how my restaurant
reviews compare to these hotel breakdowns, check out this video. Next, I’ll see you there.