Last week, I arrived home from an amazing long weekend in Kos with my friends filled with endless laughs and plenty of sun. We had originally been looking to rearrange our cancelled 2020 trip to Amsterdam, but after browsing plenty of deals, we found that four All Inclusive nights in Greece was going to work out much cheaper for us. When we found such a bargain, we couldn’t resist booking!
Getting There
We’re from Middlesbrough, and conveniently found a deal from Newcastle Airport that cost us just £256 per person (told you it was a bargain!). We flew in the late afternoon and found the whole experience in the airport to be smooth and easy. There was no queue to check in our luggage or to get through security, which was a pleasant surprise!
Our TUI flight was well-organised, comfortable and seemed to pass rather quickly. We arrived in Kos late in the evening and were told that we were required to wear face masks in the airport, on public transport and in shops all across the island. It took us almost an hour to get to our hotel on our transfer coach, and by the time we arrived we were ready for a good, long snooze!
The Hotel
The hotel we stayed at was the All Inclusive SUNEO Atlantica Thalassa, just a short way up the coast from Kos Town. Upon arrival, the friendly receptionist got us checked in swiftly and handed us bags with drinks and snacks to have before bed, which was very much appreciated after a long day of travelling.
There were three of us staying together, and we were given a family room which had a large double bed in the main room, along with a twin bedroom so we each had plenty of space. The room was fairly basic but was really clean and had everything we needed, including a fridge and a terrace which was the perfect place to sit for some morning sun.
Our first day was mainly spent getting our bearings and soaking up the sun. We laid by the large hotel pool where there were plenty of sunbeds available, sampled a few of the cocktails from the poolside bar and had a wander across the road to the hotel’s private beach. There was always something to do, from volleyball games to evening entertainment including quizzes and bingo (I won a free massage on the bingo, which was heavenly!).
The Beach
We loved spending time at the hotel’s private beach on our break. It was a mix of sand and pebble, and it was so peaceful. The pool had a lively atmosphere with plenty of music and activities going on, and whilst that was great, the beach was just the opposite. Each time we went, it was quiet and we had plenty of space around us to relax.
Along with plenty of dips in the sea (which was thankfully fairly warm, especially for May) we found that the views of the sunset from the beach were spectacular. On our final night, we took the bottle of champagne we won during the bingo and watched the sun go down with the beach completely to ourselves before heading back to the hotel for our evening meal. It was the perfect way to round off a fantastic few days away!
Greek Culture
Where to start with the wonderful Greek culture? If in doubt, start with food! The hotel’s buffet was just delicious. It changed theme each day and offered a huge range, but always had Greek staples such as refreshing salads loaded with olives and feta, and syrupy baklava for dessert. The food was certainly one of our favourite things about our weekend!
Another thing to note about Kos is that the people are all so lovely, welcoming and helpful. From the fabulous lady who served drinks at the evening bar and was so fun and friendly, to the many locals we spoke to when we took a day trip to Kos Town, we always felt a warm welcome on the island.
Seeing More Of Kos
On the second full day of our trip, we decided to take the bus down the coastline to Kos Town and do a little exploring. The bus stop was right outside the hotel and the journey cost us just €2 each, taking around 15-20 minutes. The bus was fairly busy, but everyone kept their masks on and the air con kept us all cool throughout.
When we got to Kos Town, we headed to two beach bars, both of which I would whole-heartedly recommend. The first was Jacksons Beach Bar, which had such a chilled-out vibe, filled with old motorbikes, giant totems and endless comfy spots to relax on or by the beach. I opted for an Aperol Spritz and it was mixed to perfection!
The next bar we went to was Papa’s Beach Bar, which we found recommended on TripAdvisor. It’s known for its huge, colourful cocktails and freakshakes, watersports and shisha. We tried a couple of drinks and they were SO good! The staff went above and beyond to make our visit fun, stopping to chat about our holiday and bringing us complimentary shots of local spirit, Ouzo, before we left.
The rest of the day was spent wandering the pretty, flower-lined streets of the old town and the marina. We stopped off for chicken gyros, which was delicious, and browsed plenty of souvenir shops – a must on holiday! There was an old archaeological site to have a stroll around, which was a highlight of the day (particularly for my cat-loving friends) as it was home to so many adorable wild cats and kittens. A wonderful day all-round!
Handy Holiday Tips
Always Bring Masks
Whilst there are plenty of countries that no longer have any rules surrounding face masks, it’s always handy to have some just in case you find yourself somewhere they’d like you to wear one. There are still strict rules in Greece (you could be fined up to €300 if you were caught not wearing one where you should be), so remember to respect these rules on your visit.
Bring A Water Bottle
One of the only downfalls to this hotel was that, while the beach is lovely and the sea is great for swimming, there’s no bar there. It’s only a short walk back to the hotel if you do need refreshments, but it’s much handier to have a bar close by. If you bring a water bottle that keeps your drinks cool, you’ll be able to lounge and keep hydrated for longer. Even better, bring two water bottles and fill one with water and one with your cocktail of choice! Anything goes when you’re on holiday, right?
Start Planning Your Own Holiday To Kos…
Fancy a getaway to the beautiful island of Kos? I would recommend it with my hand on my heart! It’s got all you need for a relaxing holiday with beautiful views, amazing people and mouth-watering food. Check out our latest deals to Kos and prepare for sun, sun, sun!
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