Bristol Seaview

There’s a lot to recommend here, especially the great views, calm atmosphere and helpful staff. The hotel is good value and very well placed, about a five-minute walk from the ‘i love kos’ sign at the main harbour in the centre. I’d have no hesitation recommending it, particularly for couples or families with older children. Most pool-view rooms also have a view of the sea. We booked private transfers for our group of nine, which needed a larger vehicle, but the hotel offers transfers for a fee and I’d use that option if I returned. The reception team was pleasant and helpful. You can request extra room keys at reception, though they may need to make one, as the locks are changed regularly. The lift and luggage storage were useful on the last day, and we could use the pool and shower facilities before our flight. The hotel also sells suncream, towels and a few other items by reception. Shampoo and shower gel are provided. We booked a five-bed room, a three-bed room and a penthouse. All had sea views, and the five-bed room and penthouse also looked over the pool. The rooms were a great size, with working kitchenette facilities and TVs that connected to YouTube. They were cleaned every other day, with fresh towels daily. The air-conditioning kept them cool, and the WiFi worked fine for me. The pool was relaxing, with a lovely breeze. The pool and jacuzzi were about body temperature, neither hot nor cold. The food and drinks there were very good and well priced compared with outside, and the service was great. We hired an ATV, a bike and a moped from the shop at the front of the hotel. We rode the ATV across Kos, including to the mountains and the old capital of kefalos, which was awesome. The hotel reception also arranged an all-day tour for our party in an eight-seater vehicle, covering the main tourist sites, ancient ruins, mountains and kefalos, ending with a sunset. The driver was great, safe and patient, and I’d highly recommend the tour. The small beach opposite the hotel won’t feature in many Instagram photos, but it’s pleasant enough for a quick swim, with lots of fish to see while snorkelling and lovely warm water. Hot water comes from a solar eco-heater and sometimes runs out, but we managed, particularly in August. We took the Bodrum ferry a few times. The best deal we found was at the ferry operators’ hut at the port, where tickets were discounted and included all the extra taxes. Staff said the discount was for booking directly instead of online or through town tourist offices. We never had to queue to check in, either. We picked up the tickets on the day and left. Usual tobacco rules apply when returning to Kos from Bodrum, and they check whether you’re over the 200 limit. Turkey, though, didn’t seem bothered by how many you bring in.