Kipriotis Hippocrates Hotel

The hotel works best if you want to relax by the pool and have lunch there. We had a pleasant stay, and I think it’s good value for the money, though some of the other reviews seemed a little harsh and I agree with a few points. It was clean, the pool was nice, and there were plenty of sun loungers. The rooms are a little dated, and the beds were hard and uncomfortable, but reception can provide extra pillows. There isn’t much within walking distance except a nice beach bar and a shop. The hotel offers transfers for €5 per person every 15 minutes, taking about 10 minutes into Kos town, and I highly recommend going. We took them most evenings. There are activities in the daytime, the staff are very friendly, and the evening games can be a laugh, though there isn’t enough to keep you entertained for the whole stay. The food was fine, with some days better than others. There were plenty of salads, grilled meats, pasta and other options, but nothing wowed us. There’s a long gap between lunch and dinner, so snacks in between would help. I agree about the drinks: the off-brand alcohol wasn’t very tasty and took a while if you wanted to get drunk. The bar soft drinks came from a bottle and were flat. The main letdown was that air conditioning stops after 15/09. It was 31 degrees when we arrived, so we paid €10 per day for it. Without that, it would have been unbearable.

We booked an anniversary holiday, but sadly it was a letdown. The room was clean but dated, and the bathroom was run down, with limescale and broken fittings. The shower gel felt like sanitiser. The pool was clean, though its opening hours were short, and the lift was broken most of the time. Check-in was shocking. We arrived at 3am and waited more than 25 minutes before someone appeared, clearly just woken up. They gave us no directions and handed us a pork sandwich despite the note about our “no pork” allergy. The food was awful: cold, bland and repetitive most of the time. Breakfast was the best of a bad bunch, and we only ate five hotel meals during our whole stay. The “Greek Taverna” was the same buffet with a different view and a thimble of wine. Drinks were definitely watered down. Cocktails tasted like water, and the straight whiskey had no alcohol in it. We got no buzz from the drinks the entire stay. Snacks were leftovers, and late-night food was soup and cold pasta, with no crisps or bread, so we had to order delivery just to eat. The five-star hotel across the road, from the same chain, was incredible by comparison. Staff there told us the food was supposed to be the same. The only difference was “different chef,” which doesn’t justify it. We won’t return. Save your money and stay elsewhere, or book self-catering if you just need a bed. All-inclusive here wasn’t worth it.

The reception ladies are so welcoming and helpful, and the restaurant staff are superb, polite and very quick to clear plates, cutlery and glasses. But the restaurant is a huge letdown. We stayed 10 nights, and at every meal the food was either aired or cold. Not once did I get anything hot except the coffee. If you like spag bol, you’re in luck, it’s served at lunch and dinner every day. Definitely not for Brits, with pork and chicken in one form or another daily. Three days out of 10 there was no butter at breakfast, and on four days there were no little milk tubs for tea or coffee. I had to pour from a cereal-counter dispenser labelled hot milk, but it was always cold. Fine for drinks, but don’t expect it to be hot. At the only bar, the guy behind it stands on his phone, with a cocktail stick in his mouth or smoking while you wait. If you stand on the inside bar side, he walks past and ignores you, because they only serve from the pool side. And to finish, the worst baked beans ever.

I really enjoyed staying here. The rooms are clean and spacious, and the food changes daily with dishes from different nationalities. Special praise for Enzo and Maxi, the brilliant entertainment duo. They go out of their way to make everyone feel included and special. They’re definitely a big part of what makes the hotel and deserve recognition.