1 month ago
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Ikos Porto Petro comes with a pretty big claim: one of the best all-inclusive resorts in the world, where everything – from Michelin-designed menus to beachfront cocktails – is included.
And it’s not just Ikos saying it. The brand has picked up major awards from the likes of TripAdvisor, World Travel Awards and Condé Nast Traveller.
So when I was invited to stay, I was itching to see if it lives up to the hype.
First impressions
A little over an hour from Palma, on Mallorca’s quieter east coast, Porto Petro is a small fishing village tucked along the shoreline.
Past the bobbing boats and harbourfront restaurants, a road winds uphill behind a line of palm trees before Ikos Porto Petro finally comes into view.
On arrival, the welcome from smiling staff feels straight out of The White Lotus, followed by my first question of the day: indoor or outdoor check-in?
It’s a nice touch, and a good sign of what’s to come.
Buggies to your bedroom
Spread across a kilometre of virgin coastline, getting around the resort (or even to your room, in fact) requires hiking shoes, or one of the many buggies available to take you wherever you need to go.
Within minutes, I’ve whizzed past beach bars, pools, restaurants and manicured gardens to my sea-view abode.
It’s not the largest room I’ve ever stayed in, but it’s light, airy and dressed in neutral tones and natural textures that echo the rest of the resort.
A nod, perhaps, to the brand’s well-documented eco credentials.
As you’d expect from a five-star resort, the details are pristine: crisp white bedding, a scaled-up bathroom with double sinks, plenty of storage and, best of all, a free minibar.
The all-inclusive tag even extends to the fridge in your room, with mini bottles of spirits, snacks and a full bottle of rosé ready for balcony drinks at the end of the day.
The extended balcony is another highlight, with leafy trees framing a clear view of the Med. So far, so very good.
Rooms here range from Superior Doubles (where I’m staying) and Junior Suites to larger family suites, residences and three and four-bedroom villas, with options including garden, pool and sea views, plus private gardens and pools in some categories.
It’s fair to say there’s room for all requirements.
Flop and drop gets the ultimate upgrade
If your ideal holiday involves being largely horizontal, the pools are waiting to welcome you, and there’s a decent spread of them.
The Beach Club area is the main hub. It’s where the families go, kids splashing around in the shallower lanes, and it’s the closest you get to a proper pool party atmosphere.
If that’s not your scene, there are adults-only pools dotted further up the resort, including a quieter Central Pool and the suite-only Deluxe pool, both better for the ‘read a book and leave my phone in the room’ crowd.
There are plenty of sunbeds, so there’s no need for a dawn dash, and the all-inclusive drinks mean you’re never far from a daiquiri or a beer.
Better still, with more than 1,000 staff for around 360 rooms, the service is seamless and help is never far away.
Even during the first week of the season, when the resort is at full capacity, it never feels crowded.
I made it my mission to try a spot at each pool, and it was surprisingly easy.
Canopy beds – usually prime real estate elsewhere – were always available, and the smaller beachfront areas were just as appealing.
Families are well looked after here, with a crèche for babies and toddlers aged six months to four years, a kids club for four to 12-year-olds, a supper club, poolside childcare and a full set of baby-friendly extras including monitors and pram rental.
The list of daily activities seems endless and made me jealous of kids spending their summer hols here.
Food and drink fit for royalty
The dining offering goes well beyond any all-inclusive formula I’ve experienced.
Guests can choose from six à la carte restaurants, including Italian at Fresco, Spanish at Oliva, Asian at Anaya, Greek-inspired dishes at Ouzo, and Mediterranean plates at Beach Club, all with menus crafted by Michelin-starred chefs and a 100-strong wine list to boot.
For something more casual, head to The Market for an international spread with live cooking corners and a buffet that changes by the day.
If that’s not enough, Deluxe guests also get access to the acclaimed Seasons restaurant, plus a beachfront dining experience with each stay.
To add to this, you can venture into the neighbouring village and dine at one of the local restaurants as part of your all-inclusive allowance.
It’s a nice touch that helps support local businesses while the resort brings most of the area’s tourists through its doors.
When the resort is at full capacity – which, judging by this summer’s bookings, is most of the time – it’s worth reserving your tables before you arrive for your jollies.
I find the Ikos app is the easiest way to book everything you need, and you even get automatic email reminders if you forget.
If you’re a DINK (Double Income No Kids) like me, be prepared for most dinner tables to be surrounded by families.
Ikos is marketed as a family resort, so the ‘luxury’ vibe does take a small hit around the dinner table when there are shouting children and messy tables in the mix.
Fortunately, the drinking options punch above their all-inclusive weight.
Coming in strong with five main bars, plus an additional few smaller spots for drinks too, you are well-catered for no matter what corner of the resort you find yourself on.
The menu is extensive and my taste test of a number of cocktails (purely for research purposes only) get the stamp of approval. The espresso martini and passion and wild are standouts.
When ‘pool day’ isn’t enough
If you can force yourself to tear away from the water for a few hours, the resort and surrounding area have more to offer than just sun loungers.
This is where the ‘ultra all-inclusive’ label really shines through.
There’s a well-equipped gym with modern machines and free weights that puts my pricey membership back home to the test, plus a range of on-site sports including tennis, volleyball and football.
Watersports are covered too, with complimentary kayaking, paddleboarding and snorkelling gear available by the beach.
The spa is worth a visit if you’re after a massage after a long day in the sun, but make sure to book ahead.
I popped in and met guests who couldn’t get a booking for the remainder of their stay.
Inside, there’s a heated pool that’s perfect for laps when you want to avoid the sun or the crowd accompanied by a sauna and steam room. Luckily, no booking needed.
One of the standout perks is the complimentary electric MINI Countryman hire as part of the resort’s ‘Local Drive Adventure’.
Every guest gets at least one full day behind the wheel to explore Mallorca at their own pace.
It’s a brilliant way to venture beyond the resort without worrying about rental costs or public transport, and the hour trip to Palma is a breeze in one of these smooth rides.
To top it off, Ikos’ Culture Pass gives all guests free entry to Palma’s cathedral.
And for those wanting to stay more local, there’s also free bike hire to pedal around the nearby coastal paths without needing to open your wallet.
The verdict
This is the best all-inclusive I’ve ever stayed at, and probably the best I ever will.
The food and drink offering was impeccable, the service from staff flawless.
That said, the number of children and families around made it feel a little less appealing for someone like me, although I can see the appeal if you’re travelling as a family, especially if you book one of the cheaper room categories and make the most of everything that’s included, from the food and facilities to the kids’ club.
Would I stay again? Absolutely… but far, far away from school holidays.
Until then, I’ll have to keep paying for my espresso martinis.
Getting to Ikos Porto Petro in Mallorca
Ryanair flies from London Stansted to Palma. Other airlines including British Airways, WizzAir, easyJet and Jet2 also fly here regularly, so there’s lots of choice for times and competitive prices.
At the hotel, prices for a last-minute trip this June started from £975 per night for a standard room.
However, booking a season ahead should massively help reduce this cost as rooms are filled quickly.
From summer 2026, newer and larger villas are opening for the first time and they are among the nicest I’ve seen on my travels – which shouldn’t be a surprise when the nightly price tag for these in late August comes in at almost €10,000 a night.
This article was originally published on May 31, 2026.
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