Where to stay, what to eat and what to do

With almost guaranteed sunshine in the summer months, sandy beaches, nearby islands to explore, and just a 4-hour flight, it’s pretty clear why the Greek island of Kos is a popular destination. Whether you are vacationing with your partner or best friend, there are many things that can be done during your stay. That is if you can remove yourself from all the incredible Greek dishes (currently dreaming of ALL salads, tzatziki, gyros and souvlaki) …

Need help planning your trip? Let us guide you to our latest stay on the Dodecanese island as inspiration.

WHERE WE STAYED

OKU Kos is, without a doubt, one of the most Instagrammable hotels I have ever been to. Taking inspiration from the traditional architecture of the island of Greece with cubic buildings and village -like, its ‘laidback luxury’ aesthetic took me by surprise as soon as I arrived. The adult beachfront resort is a total hideaway, located in the secluded Marmari countryside on the island’s north coast. From the most comfortable sun loungers to rattan and wood interiors, the vibe is very chika and VERY cool-perfect for a romantic couple outing or a break with your bestie if you just want to get away from the outside world (but also take lots. of cute pictures).

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From classic rooms with garden views to poolside suites and roof terrace rooms with sea views, there is something for every guest and different budgets. If you’re traveling in a larger group (and feeling bougie), there are also villas for four people with a private pool.

I stayed in the junior swim -up suite, a spacious room with stone walls, neutral tones, rattan lamps, and a sleek waterfall shower that I could only dream of having in my flat – my kind of minimalist decor! The patio offers direct access to a shared pool (between one or two other rooms), although I didn’t see my neighbors during my stay, so it seemed private. The hammock on the terrace was the perfect peaceful place for turning my phone to ‘do not disturb’ and getting stuck with a good book.

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The room is heavenly, but you’ll want to spend most of your time around the rest of the resort, listening to cool music around the pool with an open-plan restaurant and bar just steps away. Or take a short walkway to OKU’s private sandy beach, where you can relax in cabanas, use complimentary paddleboards or join daily yoga classes-listening to the waves while on the beach yoga is the most soothing experience. In the evening, spend your evenings sipping delicious Paloma and watching the enticing sunset from OKU’s outdoor terrace – the mountainous backdrop makes it a truly special place.

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Whether you are able to splash out on a full stay here for a special occasion or treat yourself to a few nights as part of an extended trip around the island, OKU consideration on your trip will be best. that decision you make. Rates at OKU Kos start at € 256 (approximately £ 213) based on two sharing a double room on a B&B basis. For more information and to book, head here.

WHAT WE DID

If your plans are, well, to do nothing but relax, I recommend not wasting time booking a massage. We chose the (fun!) Relaxation massage, but there were many options: from CBD massage and facial to hot stone treatment. The OKU spa is also equipped with a gym, a place for yoga and pilates classes, an indoor pool, a hammam and a sauna. For dating nights, there is also an outdoor cinema at the resort, but we chose to sit on the beach by the fire and wrap a blanket holding a glass of wine. The dream lives on, right?

There is no better way to explore what Kos has to offer than on a boat trip, so adding it to your to -do list is a must. Venture into the capital, Kos Town (about 20 minutes drive from OKU), and head to the harbor. We used ‘KosRentaBoat’ for a private boat trip. There are many sandy beaches, hidden bays and quiet islands to reach – and on a boat you have the freedom to swim in the clear, blue waters or explore on foot (or both!) We visited Pserimos, Plati and The Kalymnos , famous for its sponge fishing traditions – Vathy in Kalymnos is a beautiful fishing village, not to be missed!

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After a busy day of exploring, head to the charming historic Kos Town and find the many narrow streets lined with souvenir shops and local taverns. If nightlife is what you’re looking for, it’s in Kos with most of its clubs and bars packed into the town’s two famous streets – Diakon and Nafklirou. However, we can’t blame you if you want to escape early in the rush to maximize your (no hangover) tanning the next day.

Always have ‘beach horse riding’ on your bucket list? Visit Erica’s farm, a family -run business home to donkeys, horses, goats, llamas, deer, chickens, ducks and rabbits. Their horse riding treks will take you around Alikes Salt Lake, where you will see the herd of flamingos that live there! Book an evening slot, walk along the gorgeous Alykes Beach (in Tigaki) and take a dip in the sea as the sun sets. A truly memorable moment.

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Kos is also a handy starting point for exploring other islands or nearby Turkey. If you have time, you can get ferries in the summer months to all the Dodecanese islands for a Greek island hopping paradise, or from Kos Town to Bodrum in Turkey (which takes approximately 40 minutes to an hour).

WHERE WE EAT

To Kima Beach Club is OKU’s restaurant, which specializes in farm-to-fork dishes inspired by local Greek and Mediterranean cuisine. From mouth-watering salads to mountains of homemade tzatziki and pita to locally sourced meat and fish, any craving you have will be satisfied. Buffet breakfast options are extensive, and there are many delicious vegetarian options and vegan menus. My favorite dishes are the ‘pita gyros’ with tzatziki and souvlaki for lunch and the Aegean sea bass and beef cheeks from the dinner menu. OKU also grows plants such as olives, mint and rosemary in the complex, which they use in their dishes and cocktails. And like the rest of the resort, the interiors are stunning!

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If you’re heading to Kos Town, check out Barbouni for incredible seafood dishes in a beautiful setting. The seafront location near the harbor means you dine with stunning views of boats, ferries, and nearby Turkey. I’m still thinking about king crab black ink tagliolini and calamari …

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Top tip

The best time to visit Kos is from May to October. We visited in mid -May and had blue skies and bikini weather temperatures without feeling too hot. It’s also not too busy around the island so I would definitely recommend it.

The peak months in July and August can be extremely busy. Traffic can take a while to get anywhere, so include this with traveling around the island, and always pre-book a taxi from the airport to avoid long queues in high season.

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