Grecotel LUXME Kos

The resort lives up to its all-inclusive promise. There were no annoying extra charges, the drinks were top shelf, and we enjoyed the food everywhere, from the à la carte and buffet to the poolside. The staff are what make the place. They were always ready to help, and when we had room issues they fixed them quickly, faster than at some big chains I've stayed in. They made it clear that our comfort mattered. The five stars are mainly for the team and service. This is an older hotel, though, and while the communal areas, lobby, bar, restaurant, and outdoor spaces have been refurbished and are kept in great shape, not all the rooms have been updated. Some feel tired and dated, with the maintenance issues that can come with that. Raise a problem and they sort it out very quickly. Renovation is still underway, and once it's finished the place should be spectacular. If a functional room is enough for you, the dated decor may not bother you. If you prefer a modern room, choose carefully, or let the excellent service and food and drinks make up for it. The team welcomes polite feedback and acts on it quickly to improve your stay. We’ve just come back from a holiday at the LUXME in Kos. For the whole week, I didn’t see a single hotel employee looking miserable or downbeat. If you want an all-inclusive where the staff care about your holiday and treat you to delicious things, this is the place.

Nimas at the kids' pool bar was the clear highlight. He was warm and attentive, and showed exactly what the brand should represent. We'd stayed at two other Grecotel resorts and had outstanding experiences, so we arrived excited. LuxMe sets a high bar, but the Kos property fell well short of its luxury service standard. The facilities were nice and well maintained, and the food and drinks were generally okay, but nothing special compared with the other LuxMe resorts. At a five-star all-inclusive, we expected more than average. Service was frankly terrible. Check-in felt rushed and impersonal, with no warmth, and checkout was worse. We couldn't get a late checkout, so they offered a shower room, but it hadn't been cleaned and the previous guest's towels were still there. That's unacceptable at a five-star resort. There wasn't even a thank you at checkout. We asked the team to help make my wife's birthday special, but got no personal gesture or thought, just a direction to the app. For a LuxMe property, that wasn't good enough.

We'd already stayed at the Grecotel in Crete, and in our opinion Luxme Kos offers great value for money, service, and attentiveness all round. Kos town is about a 10-minute taxi ride away, and we highly recommend Zia for sunset watching. This was our second visit, and the rooms were very clean. There have also been some updates since we last came. The staff are some of the nicest people you could meet. Special thanks to Panygiotis and Veatriki, if I've got the spelling right. Nothing was too much trouble for them, and they really went out of their way to make us feel special. They're a real asset to the hotel.

The clear-water beach is right nearby, and we spotted little fish while snorkeling. By the pool there were ice creams, pancakes, and a lunch bar. The bar terrace was a lovely place to unwind, with really nice cocktails and friendly staff and guests. There was a huge choice of food at breakfast, lunch, and dinner. We arrived late, but a full meal had been set aside for us. The room also came with complimentary snacks, and the minibar was replenished every day.