PRESS RELEASE 

Ikos Kissamos: Crete’s largest luxury hospitality investment welcomes its first guests

1 May 2026// Crete, one of Greece’s leading tourism destinations, welcomes Ikos Kissamos, the new five-star resort by Sani/Ikos Group and the Group’s 13th beachfront property in the Mediterranean, developed in line with its development timeline. With an investment exceeding €220 million, the new resort marks the largest luxury hospitality investment in Crete to date, strengthening Western Crete’s tourism infrastructure and enhancing its global competitiveness. At the same time, Ikos Kissamos brings to life the essence of authentic Cretan hospitality, reflected throughout the guest experience, from the warmth of the welcome to its culinary identity and the everyday connection with the island.

Ikos Kissamos spans 53 acres with 600 metres of beachfront along the historic Gulf of Kissamos. The resort features 420 rooms, suites, and bungalows, elegantly designed in harmony with the landscape, local architecture, and cultural identity of the region. It is developed across four distinct accommodation zones: the Main Village, the River Village, the Dunes Village, and the Sea Village - with the latter two forming the Deluxe Collection - creating a multi-layered experience closely connected to the natural surroundings. Designed in line with LEED Gold (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) standards and currently undergoing certification, the resort sets a benchmark for sustainable design in the hospitality sector.

Ikos Kissamos features seven restaurants, including six à la carte venues curated by award-winning chefs - among them Kriti, dedicated to Cretan cuisine, where local tradition is expressed through a refined and contemporary gastronomic experience. Alongside, the resort offers three open-air bars, eight swimming pools, a spa and wellness centre, sports facilities, and a fully integrated family offering. The Deluxe Collection provides enhanced services and private pools.

The pioneering Ikos hospitality concept, developed and internationally established by Sani/Ikos Group, combines refined gastronomy, personalised five-star service and elegant European design with the warmth of Greek hospitality, redefining the all-inclusive luxury experience.

Western Crete: a region of outstanding natural beauty and historical depth, recognised globally

Through the complimentary Local Discovery service, guests can explore Western Crete in an environmentally friendly way, driving an electric Mini Countryman and setting their own pace. The region unfolds as a landscape of striking contrasts, where diverse natural beauty meets a unique cultural identity.

In close proximity, Gramvousa -known as the “pirate island”- can be reached directly by boat from Ikos Kissamos, while Falassarna stands out for its turquoise waters and dramatic sunsets. The Balos Lagoon, located opposite Gramvousa, with its shallow turquoise waters, completes a coastal landscape of strong identity. Both Falassarna and Balos are ranked among the world’s 11 best beaches in the Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Best of the Best Awards 2026. Further afield, Elafonissi -also listed among the world’s top beaches- and Kedrodasos offer a rare natural setting of dunes and emerald waters.

Guests can also explore Chania’s Old Town and the port of Kissamos, experience the region’s renowned gastronomy, and visit cultural landmarks such as the Archaeological Museum of Kissamos, which hosts findings spanning from prehistoric to early Christian times. For those seeking further exploration, Western Crete offers iconic natural landscapes such as the Samaria Gorge, as well as more distant destinations like Preveli, where river, palm forest and sea converge in a unique ecosystem.

Gastronomy: Cretan cuisine at the heart, with a world of influences

At Ikos Kissamos, the gastronomic experience begins with the land itself: Cretan produce, seasonality and flavours that have shaped the island’s culinary culture for centuries. Ingredients are sourced across Crete, with a strong focus on seasonality and local expertise, with over 70% coming from local producers, while carefully selected collaborations deepen the connection to the island. At Kriti restaurant, Cretan cuisine lies at the heart of the experience, with traditional recipes reinterpreted through a contemporary lens, creating a culinary narrative that connects flavour with the land and modern Greek gastronomy.

This approach shapes the broader culinary philosophy of Ikos Kissamos, where international cuisines and dining concepts are built around the same principle: high-quality, fresh, locally sourced ingredients. At Anaya, in collaboration with the acclaimed chef Thiou, Asian cuisine is interpreted with balance and precision, blending influences from Thailand, China and India. At Fresco, curated by Michelin-starred chef Ettore Botrini, Italian cuisine focuses on purity of flavour and technique, while La Plage draws inspiration from the French Riviera. Azul complements the culinary offering with flavours from Latin America and Peruvian cuisine. Beach Club and Market provide more flexible, all-day dining options, focusing on freshness and variety.

Sustainable growth with measurable impact

As part of the Ikos Green ESG programme, Ikos Kissamos operates under a holistic sustainability framework covering both construction (LEED GOLD) and operations. It is powered by 100% renewable electricity with guarantees of origin, while a single-use plastics elimination policy and systematic waste reduction practices are in place, including recycling, composting, and the conversion of organic waste into biogas. The resort also uses advanced water reuse systems and artificial intelligence technologies to reduce food waste, while actively supporting local biodiversity protection initiatives.

The investment also contributes meaningfully to the local economy. During both construction and operation, Ikos Kissamos has created over 720 direct jobs, with a significant share coming from the local labour market, while consistently strengthening the local value chain through partnerships with producers and suppliers across Crete. Its operations also include a consistent commitment to social contribution, supporting local communities, cultural initiatives, and essential infrastructure, including, most recently, the donation of equipment to the Kissamos Health Centre.

The development in Kissamos is part of the Group’s broader investment plan exceeding €1 billion for the expansion of the Ikos brand across the Mediterranean. Three additional five-star Ikos Resorts are currently under development in Halkidiki (Greece), Algarve (Portugal) and Marbella (Spain), scheduled to open by 2029 expanding the Group’s capacity to 6,000 rooms.

More info about Ikos Kissamos here: https://ikosresorts.com/resorts/ikos-kissamos/

About Sani/Ikos Group

The Sani/Ikos Group is an innovative and fast-growing group of luxury resorts in prime beachfront locations in the Mediterranean. Under the Sani Resort and Ikos Resorts brands, the Group develops, owns and operates more than 3,870 rooms spread across 13 unique resorts in Greece and Spain, all ranked amongst the best luxury resorts in the world. The Group has secured three additional projects for further expansion of the Ikos brand in Greece (Halkidiki), Spain (Marbella) and Portugal (Algarve), planned to launch until 2029. The Group remains committed to continue developing the Sani Resort and Ikos Resorts brands in Greece and abroad. A leader in sustainable hospitality, SIG has an ambitious ESG strategy and agenda and is a member of the United Nations Global Compact. For more information, please visit https://www.saniikos.com/