HOTEL PLATANISTA - KOS ISLAND GREECE

Wow!, I don't seem to remember it being so impressive, but then it was a long time ago, dropping guests off at reception in the middle of the night.

My photographs haven't really done it justice......whilst i was trying to take them, my children kept wanting to put their hands in the swimming pool (to see if it was cold)......and I was frightened they were going to fall in....so they were rushed and blurred.....only a few odd ones came out!

4 Star Hotel, close to the sea, not far out from the Marina. No-one was in any of the beautiful pools (2 large & 1 children's pool separate), or the whirl pool yesterday, although the weather was warm (a little cloudy).  Plenty of people playing a spot of tennis though, and daytime activities with the Animation Team.

Bus stop opposite to take you to the Harbour, and a cycle path/walking path all the way.....




Not many children though.....(all at school still?), beautiful playground areas (s), everything about this hotel was spotlessly clean and beautifully decorated.  A perfect place for a honeymoon perhaps, they have Superior Rooms (with a jacuzzi bath). 

There are also Family rooms and apartments with two rooms and a kitchen.  When I've tried to book a hotel in Rhodes (especially in the winter), they have been really difficult to find!

So what can I say, the hotel also is designed for both business (conference facilities), and of course pleasure...there is a Restaurant and Taverna, cocktail bar by the pool and a main bar & snack bar.


Another afternoon joyfully spent at one of the many beautiful hotels on the island of Kos.  The Staff were really friendly too, and helpful. 

A Stroll around the harbour.....(again)......and Bar St By DAY!

My youngest daughter has had a high temperature for two days, but thank god is much better today, so we were able to go out and about.....I was beginning to get itchy feet!

In the Harbour, the artists are back, I love watching them work.   They make it look so easy.  Portrait sketches and funny caricatures, all of them extremely talented.  They rent their 'space' from the local council and are there from the morning.....till late in the evening.  No wonder Lidia has a bandage round her hand!  It was interesting talking to all the artists, and I hopefully have found an Art Teacher for my daughter at the same time!

Crossing over on the other side you will find small stalls selling shells (and pretty necklaces made from shells, and ornate boxes) & sponges from the island of Kalymnos, (which is opposite Kos) at reasonable prices, and easy to pack in your suitcase, without worrying about any extra weight!

If you head towards the Hippocrates Tree there are Jewellery Shops, Restaurants, Coffee Bars, and stalls where you can by local art on canvas, again very impressive, and at a good price.

Oh no!  I've just thought, I asked this guy what time does he have to work until in the evening, and he told me he was free.......god, I hope he didn't think I was trying to chat him up!  I did have my youngest daughters in tow though!

The Bar Street comes alive after dark, but what most people don't realise is that even in the day time, there are snack bars and restaurants where you can stop for a quiet drink and a bite to eat.  You can relax, overlooking the ancient ruins and beautiful flowers.  'Holland' is run by a Dutch friend, and her partner, and is well worth a visit, at anytime of day or evening.....!

Traditional Greek gyros cooking on a spit.....mmmm  then wrapped in delicious pitta bread......with onions, tsatsiki (tangy garlic & yogurt dip) and french fries..........and of course so many other things to try to!

'FRIENDS' COFFEE & BAR/ (1st Floor) CHILDREN'S FUN AREA (on the 2nd Floor)

Saturday was a mad day, firstly I forgot that I had left the car in town (I never drink and drive), and only remembered once I was standing outside the house with the children, thinking OH!  So we walked into town, with a short stop along the way....then met up with friends at Xara in Lambi, our usual Saturday morning spot.

The afternoon/evening was spent at 'Friends', in Kos Town, close to Oscar Hotel.  It is a coffee/snack/bar and they have a children's play area on the second floor.  We had been invited to a birthday party.  Lots of kids, great remedy for a slight headache caused by a few glasses of wine from the night before!  It was a good party though, and we really enjoyed it.

Friends (play area) will be open at weekends only until the end of May, then re-opens in September.  The children love it, you pay an entrance fee (per child) and get a juice included.  There is a bouncy castle, play area, motorised animals to drive, and other games and slides to keep the children entertained.  Air conditioned too.

The bar/coffee area downstairs has been re-vamped and looks fabulous, and is open all year round.  You can sit outside on the veranda as well.  Friends also has several laptops which you can rent, great if yours isn't working (like mine usually), and for those on holiday/or working in Kos, to keep in touch.  The Manager is a very friendly man too....(another friends husband, and speaks very good English......!).
Excellent coffee and a good choice of snack food, ice-creams....and cocktails!

and Sunday was spent recovering..................................................................................................................

FILI APARTMENTS IN TINGAKI

After having my eyebrows and eyelashes tinted at Anna's Beauty Salon, where I've been going since before the children were a twinkle in my eye, I could finally go swimming (without make-up, and not looking like Borris Becker), so off we went.

Paul the owner of these lovely apartments at the quieter end of the Tingaki resort, pictured here, got to know my parents, who always stay just across the road, before actually  meeting us.   Now my parents come for a few weeks every year, and pop in for a drink, and he has us that invade him on a regular basis!

The children love the slide, anyone is welcome to use the pools, great atmosphere (always good music, both old and new-(ish!), clean and superb food.  There is also a small swing park next to the pool on the grass area.  So it is a great place to stop for a swim, have a drink/ice-cream or even a 3 course meal by the pool (or just a snack).  There are 2 large pools and a separate kiddies one.


I don't usually picture my children on this blog, but they were so excited and spent the whole afternoon up and down this slide.  Meanwhile my eyebrows.....were turning a nice shade of green (not pictured!)   Thank god when I washed my hair they went back to the 'orginal' dye colour!

You can find Fili Apartments inTingak,i on the internet, and book also privately, through Paul.  Tingaki has also wonderful sandy beaches, great for kids as it is also shallow the sea and you can walk out for miles.  Most people hire bikes also when staying here to cycle back and forth to the main resort.  The bus stop is a short walk away, which will take you into the centre or to town.

I also got a break from the ironing in the evening ( without the children), to Bittersweet in the Old Town and then to Coffee House, our place in the centre of the harbour.  Possibly feel a slight headache coming on..........no pics as I forgot my camera, being late as always......

AQUA BEACH HOTEL & RESORT KOS

Weird weather today, extremely hot and sticky in the morning, followed by cloud, dark grey skies, wind, hot again and rain in some places on the island.  Freaky!

Had a bargain or two this morning, shoes, I ended up buying  4 pairs!  Of course it was all my daughter's fault, she kept telling me she couldn't choose....nor could I (obviously), but with them being only 5 euro each, and the most expensive 15 euro, I think I did really well.  I was actually looking for a dress!

The afternoon was spent at another Hotel, getting very muddy in the park.  Well, one of us was.  Thank goodness I didn't go down the slide first.  Of course this happened within the first 5 minutes of getting there, and I actually only had a small bag with me, no spare clothes today, typical! So my youngest daughter went around looking as if she hadn't quite made it to the toilet!

The Aqua Beach Hotel & Resort

The Hotel is an All-inclusive (boo!) in between Kos Town and Tingaki, quite new, amazing pools, slides, wave pool, great for kids, quite far from any resort though, but a bus stop just up the road, to get you into Town or to the sandy shores of Tingaki, where there is also a large choice of restaurants/tavernas and bars.  This hotel is right next to the beach also has an Animation Team, tennis courts and a football pitch, probably a lot more to, but with the 'muddy bum' issue we didn't wander  to far!

ATLANTIS HOTEL IN LAMBI & OCEANIS HOTEL IN PSALIDI

Every afternoon the children ask "what are we going to do today".....so, off we go in the car, and drive.  The two hotels mentioned, I have been going to for years.  Neither of them really change, except this year the Oceanis got hit  by terrible storms, and the beach area, beach bar and palm trees were all badly damaged.  They obviously have been busy fixing everything though and painting!

ATLANTIS

Quite an old hotel, one of the first on the island in fact, I believe.  Although, it is always being updated, and modernised.  There are apartments available right on the beach, not far from the Town Centre.  Hotel and apartment/studio accommodation.  Several pool areas (including a separate kiddies one).

Sandy swing park, Children's Club and not everyone is All-inclusive!  Beautiful garden areas, with also good restaurants just a walk away (The Sunset in Lambi, for example!), and The Mylos, if you fancy a moonlit stroll along the beach for some night action!  Also an Animation Team to keep you entertained.
Large reception, , a mini market on the grounds, and several bars and restaurants within the hotel. 

                                                                OCEANIS BEACH RESORT

On the other side of Kos Town in Psalidi, again an older hotel, which has just been taken over by new owners (3 apparently), and re-painted, with the possible prospect of making more changes and updating it over the next few years.  Beautiful location, overlooking the sea at the back.  4 swimming pools, including a separate babies pool. 

This is the quieter pool away from the main swimming pool area.

A fantastic sandy park with a huge trampoline, that my children love.  Also great for windsurfing.  (You don't have to be staying at this hotel if you wish to windsurf), beginners lessons given as are special offers and packages.  If you're the sporty type there are tennis courts, and you can relax with a sauna, jacuzzi or massage afterwards.

There is also an Animation Team with activities and entertainment.  Several restaurants, coffee bars

Further out of the Main Town than most, but quite close to the Therma Hot Springs, and a bus stop just outside the main entrance, that goes regularly into Town, and air-conditioned.

What I love about both these hotels is that they have grass, well kept gardens and plenty of shade (trees) on the beach at Atlantis, and on the grass area next to the beach in Oceanis, to keep out of that mid-day sun, although both hotels also have sunbeds and umbrellas on the beach too.

I must dig out my photo's of the storm damage at Oceanis and add when I get chance.  My hands are killing me, and hopefully now I've started the anti-inflams today, I will be able to type quicker, and won't have so much pain.  It's horrible having arthritis at 39, very depressing! 

Today I've spent the morning drinking coffee at The Sunburnt Arms,(hot one) and then later at Jacksons(cold one), and with a friend at home in the afternoon, and with some inbetween, so it's no wonder I cannot sleep!

LUNCH AT THE SUNBURNT ARMS FOR MOTHER'S DAY & A VISIT TO THE RAMIRA BEACH HOTEL (MITSIS)

What can I say, fabulous lunch at The Sunburnt Arms (in Lambi on the beach), where the food was superb, as always.

Followed by a wonderful afternoon spent at The Ramira Hotel, in Psalidi, I must try and move further a field!  My daughter however, will fall asleep in the car though, if I go tooo far.....and then there will be no time for blogging/facebook in the evening, as she won't go to bed!  But, I promise I will at least make it to Tingaki/Marmari sometime soon, and I'm desperate to see friends in Mastihari!
,

So, I only have good things to say about this hotel.  First of all, ALL the staff I met and saw today were incredibly friendly, taking service with a smile to a whole new level.  Andonis, (very nice guy, pictured here), a husband of an English friend of mine, showed us around and made us feel very welcome. 

It is an All inclusive, however you are able to book via the internet directly,  and can choose other options also (half-board).  The good plus for this hotel, is that it does offer good prices (especially if you book privately, or through several of the English companies, via the internet. There are special offers for bookings in  May and October), so that you can afford to enjoy the island as well.


I had chance to speak to some of the guests staying at the hotel,  English (from Newcastle, I'm still not so good with the accents!), German and Dutch.  They all have explored the island on trips, and have taken the local bus into the harbour for the day and evenings out.  All of them remarked that the quality of  food was excellent, a large choice, but they had also eaten out at local tavernas as well.  The English Rep. also stated, that most of his clients, book excursions, car hire and are not always to be found on the premises.

Beautiful Gardens,

It is a very, very clean hotel!  A lovely lady I know from my daughters nursery school Eleni, keeps the Reception Area/Toilets and Salon areas absolutely spotless!

  
The main swimming area has a small child's pool connected,

 however, on the other side of the hotel is another which is shallow and ideal for children, both are close to a bar/snacks facility and seating area.

The park is great, my children loved it, , it also features a small bouncy castle, and a Mini Club (wooden house), where the children have fun painting, modeling clay, playing games and so much more.

The beach  is just a short walk across a quiet road and bicycle path, which actually leads all the way to town.  From the front of the hotel is a bus stop to.

For more information (and photos)you can search on Mitsis Hotels, Kos

and don't forget if you do decide on the  ALL INCLUSIVE option, take time out to visit all the wonderful attractions/ancient sites on the island,  villages, golden beaches, and The Harbour......and REALLY enjoy Greece to the full.

There are several other Mitsis Hotels on the island, and in Rhodes (where we have stayed several times and have always been satisfied with the cleanliness and the wonderful service).

CAKES COMING OUT OF MY EARS....AND THE CITY TRAIN - KOS TOWN

Another birthday in the house, more cakes and festivities.  Cake for breakfast, cake for lunch, and more to come on Saturday, when the youngest of our family will have her party.

A fun filled few days, baking, and shopping!  This morning was spent running around the town with a bunch of balloons and gifts, as it seems to be a  popular day for birthdays , two of my friends also have one today.  Coffee down at the beach (The Sunburnt Arms), lunch at Fish House followed by-

The Kos City Train -

Green (pictured here) with 2 very handsome chappies that are good friends of my husbands, that work in The Local Transport Department).  The one outside the train is SINGLE....if anyone is interested!  (Great, now I'm a Dating Agency too!)

The train will take you on a route through some of the most important ancient sites in and around the Town.  An audio tape describes local history and what you are looking at as you pass, as well as Greek music which will make you want to clap your hands! It might be helpful if they provided you with an information sheet to, just in case you can't hear over the traffic.  Perhaps, I shall go and suggest that.  Not sure I'll get anywhere with all the budget cuts though.


It runs every half hour, at the moment from 9.00am - 5.00pm, subject to change.  You will find the Train Stop, opposite Goodies, and close to the fountain, on the Main Kos Harbour Area.
Note to ladies though, wear a supportive bra as it tends to jiggle quite a lot, especially if you're seated at the back!  We had great fun on the train today, and the children loved it.  Tickets can be purchased as you board.  It's a great way to take a quick glimpse of Kos Town, especially if you are visiting from one of the villages or from a nearby island or even Turkey, on one of the boat trips.  It lasts about 20 minutes.

TOURIST SEASON IS WELL UNDER WAY !

The Fish House is finally open!  Which also means I've lost my husband for the next 6 months.  But, at least I get to hold the tv remote control for a change (and no football!), and I won't have to cook so often, it took me ages to make a traditional Greek dish,Pastitsio, (pictured above) - macaroni pie with mince meat  and bechamel on the top, and even longer to tidy up the mess I'd made!

The island saw an unexpected visit from a Cruise Ship, that apparently had some kind of maintenance problem.  Which was great for us, as over 1,000 people buzzed around the harbour area for the day.  If only we had Cruise Ships like this everyday, what a difference it would make.

It was huge, you could see it from my bedroom window!  Which is quite a way from town.

YESTERDAY, we went to The Kipriotis Hotel in Psalidi, a 5 star Hotel. Approx - 10 mins by car from Kos Town, if that!  A brilliant family hotel, lots to do, parks, fun clubs, they even have a totally separate pool area/park just for small children.  Which is an excellent idea.  Superbly clean and well organised.  There are plenty of swimming pools to choose from and activities.  The beach is also very close, just a small walk through the beautiful gardens. The local bus service operates on a regular basis all day and evening to the town.

This pool  is situated in the main area, we shall go back to the play area another day.  It was far too hot, and whilst all the holiday makers were in their skimpy bikinis we were still wearing jeans, and sweating!

There is even an Olympic size pool too, complete with columns!  (and possibly  Greek Andonis's, although I think the one pictured was probably  Russian!) 

Very Modern!

The Kipriotis holds International Conferences, it has a whole separate area especially equipped and designed.  There were 1,200 Russians all 'artists', mainly musicians staying and attending the conference for 2 days.  I was hoping to bump into someone famous.....

Sadly, however it is mostly an All inclusive Hotel, which understandably if you have a family it is more convenient and economical, however, because of the rise of these type of holidays, the island has seen many small businesses closed down and more to follow.  Generally, although the hotel looked 'packed', the rest of the island won't even see a third of these tourists out and about, let alone spending any money.  Not exactly helping the economic situation!

Strike again in Greece in the Public Sector, which is bringing Greece to their knees, or lower, how far can they go?  It is also causing problems at the airports, which isn't helping any situations, and it  might even deter tourists in general into coming at all.

THE SUNBURNT ARMS!

Yes, it is open and ready for another summer!  I enjoyed my first mug of 'proper' English tea there this morning.  Right next to the beach, (Kos Town-Lambi) free sunbeds, and GREAT food!!!  Roast dinners and English breakfast are amongst the many specialities.

Good atmosphere, Sky telly (for sports lovers), Bingo nights and Quiz evenings.  LARGE SELECTION OF BEER...and cider!
Did I forget anything, will that entitle me to some free cuppa's?

Of course, I didn't mention the lovely friendly people who have been running the Restaurant/Beach Bar for years, and have customers coming back, and back and back! It's a fun place to be.  Opps, the photo didn't come out very well, but as I mentioned earlier, and you can just about make out, lots of beer on tap!

So morning at the Sunburnt Arms, followed by a BBQ at home.  Probably the last for a while as The Fish House will be open on Tuesday or Wednesday.

This is George, a parrot that the children have been feeding peanuts to for years!  Although, we couldn't reach him today!  He is part and parcel of one of the Beach Bars also in Lambi.

A long walk, around the harbour, to work the calories off, and eat ice-cream! There were quite a number of tourists  today, especially on bikes.  I  almost got run over once or twice whilst trying to take photos, and that's with a cycle path that leads from one end of town to the other.

More photo's of Kos Town.

A NIGHT OUT AND MAY DAY IN GREECE

We had a wonderful evening with friends at a restaurant we've been visiting for years....however, it was even better because they finally changed the menu, (now more meze style dishes), made subtle changes in the decor, and lowered their prices!  PERFECT!

Petrinos, is in Kos Town, close to the Bus Station,  open winter and summer.  Excellent service, and a beautiful garden for those hot summer nights.  The owners are lovely too.

So smelling of garlic and house wine, we then headed to the Old Town to Bitter Sweet, and later Kantouni.  Both excellent bars, good music, and a great atmosphere.   Bitter Sweet is also open during the day and serves food, specialising in crepes.  Which is just what I feel for at the moment, great for a hangover!

TODAY

MAY DAY - PUBLIC HOLIDAY IN GREECE!!! 

Most of the shops are closed!  I'm totally confused it feels like a Sunday!  We headed off to the Kiprotis Hotel Panoroma (5 Star Hotel) this morning to Playland, not officially open, but we managed to get in!  We spend a great deal of the summer here, when it's just to hot for the children, air conditioned, with bouncy castles too.  It's ideal, no charge to get in, and you just pay for your drinks, anyone welcome.  Beautiful hotel too.  Look at the views, and crystal clear swimming pools!




May Day is also International Workers Day, but is associated with flowers too.  In Greece you can find may festivals & flower shows today, and over the next week.  Not in Kos though (that I know of).
It's traditional to collect flowers and make wreaths for outside your door, balcony, business, church etc.

Which is what we did this afternoon.


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Early night I think!