The first Olympic Holidays Travel Awards were held at the World Travel Market, in London today with representatives of hotels in all our destinations including the Greek islands, Turkey, Egypt, Canary islands and Balearic islands. Many of these awards were chosen based on their customer service, and our customer feedback.
The winning resorts and hotels collected their prizes including Best for Charm, Best for Island Hopping and Best ‘Green Flame’ Eco-Friendly resort.
Today, we showcase each one for you with the reasons we think they’re fantastic partners and firm choices in our portfolio.
Best Weddings Hotel - Olympic Lagoon Ayia Napa (Cyprus)
Olympic Holidays is winner of the British Travel Award for Weddings in Greece and Cyprus – and Olympic Lagoon in Ayia Napa is a standout weddings resort for many reasons.
Sunset ceremonies by the sea are a speciality and the wedding organisers and hotel team really pride themselves on impeccable, personalised service.
Guests can choose from indoor and outdoor receptions, surrounded by beautiful gardens and opt for a small cocktail affair or a gala dinner – every wedding is bespoke to create the best possible Big Day.
Customers' Choice - Zante Star Apartments (Zante)
Simple is best. The small and simple Zante Star Apartments is so welcoming, a little haven that our passengers think is the benchmark standard!
The friendly staff add to the family atmosphere, but other winning ingredients include a 10-minute walk to the beach and a great pool area. There are lovely, spotless rooms where the air-con works well, plenty of sockets and a decent fridge.
And not forgetting the top cocktails and legendary milkshakes!
Best Olympic Charm - Iapetos Village (Symi)
Iapetos Village is truly charm itself, in beautiful gardens with a fabulous pool and sun terrace – and its neoclassical houses capture the traditional spirit of Symi, making it an ideal escape from hustle and bustle of everyday life. It’s close to the town centre’s tavernas, as well as the harbour and where ferries link Symi to other Greek islands making it a top spot for exploring hidden coves and pretty bays. Our guests absolutely love it.
Best Gold Hotel - Ikos Dassia (Corfu)
Our guests are loving the new five-star beachfront Ikos Dassia resort that’s setting the highest standards of quality, service and entertainment – really treating guests like royalty.
It’s a wow-factor, all-inclusive resort complete with friendly staff whose mantra is to make guests feel at happy and at home. Top-class cuisine and attention to detail, with towels alwaus replaced, pool water checked, turn downs done do not go unnoticed.
Olympic Gem - Aegean Plaza (Santorini)
Because you’re gorgeous, that’s why our guests fall in love with the Aegean Plaza, in its pretty grounds that are underlit at night. Rooms with balconies overlooking the sea are a treat – and breakfast is included. Prices for food and drinks, including the favourite Greek pizza, are fair which always pleases guests looking for great value. The two pools are superb and the hotel is only 30 yards from the beach. Job done!
Best in Winter - Labranda Aloe Club
More and more of our guests are opting for an extra winter sun holiday and Labranda Aloe Club is a favourite. It’s a walk from famous white sands of Corralejo – a national park and one of the most picturesque destinations of the Canary Islands.
This fantastic hotel has everything for a laid back island escape; four freshwater pools, as well as three pools for children, local and international dishes at its all-day dining buffet and the lovely La brise Spa, which is the perfect place for some serious R n R.
Best for Island Hopping - Marpunta Village Club (Alonissos) and Skiathos Princess (Skiathos)
The sophisticated, yet understated Skiathos Princess luxury retreat was loved by the cast and crew of Mamma Mia! during filming of the movie and our guests love it too. The boho-chic, family friendly hotel has a tranquil atmosphere and is close to beach plus there’s an amazing array of enticing amenities including the Harmony Club spa and lovely pool. During the Thomas Cook upheaval owner Vicky went above and beyond to look after guests and reassure them all would be well. Just the type of owner we want to work with! The Skiathos Princess won this award along with the Marpunta Village Club in Alonissos. See our recommended island hopping route, Emerald Gems, which calls at these islands.
Best All Inclusive - King Evelthon (Cyprus)
The deluxe King Evelthon hotel in huge exotic gardens is an all-inclusive winner with a superb choice of food options at all times of day. Our guests love the buffet style menu with tasty and imaginative recipes, some live cooking, plus an Italian and a Mexican restaurant. The Greek a la carte, not surprisingly, receives rave reviews!
Our guests also lap up wonderful sea views from the lagoon-style pool and water park with seven slides and a lazy river. Children have their own splash pool with water slides and there’s an adults-only pool, too.
Best Family Hotel - Labranda Blue Bay (Rhodes)
When it’s hot, hot, hot everyone just wants to jump in the pool, so families who spend every day of their holiday wanting to swim, splash and slide love the Labranda Blue Bay’s Aquapark with five waterslides, a pirate boat, aqua splash area and a choice of pools for children and adults – and there’s an indoor spa pool and a sauna! Next, everyone can hit the beach at this all-inclusive resort.
Best Sustainable Hotel - Creta Maris
Creta Maris Beach Resort takes its green credentials seriously and in collaboration with the environmental organisation "Let’s do it Greece" has recently run a voluntary clean-up operation in the coastal area of Heraklion.
On World Clean-up Day (21 September 2019) more than 130 employees put on gloves and collected 88 cubic feet of waste and 20 bags of recyclables.
The hotel’s aim is to raise environmental awareness and improve the image of the wider area of Hersonissos.
Creta Maris has put sustainability at the top of its priorities which also creates value for the local community.
The team also recently welcomed 50 local students to raise their awareness of sustainable waste management practices that have been developed over the last three years and show how it contributes to the resort’s Zero Waste policy.
The “Open School Days” initiative’s aim is to help the youngsters understand the impact of their habits have on the environment – they even visited the herb garden and the compost heap!
The hotel is on TripAdvisor’s GreenLeaders Platinum level and it gives staff training on green practices as well as running linen and towel reuse programmes and sets air conditioning and heating temperatures to save energy.