Astir Odysseus Kos Resort and Spa

"We recently returned from a family stay at the Astir Odysseus in Kos and, whilst there is a great deal to like about this resort, I feel it falls a little short of the five-star rating it advertises. Having stayed in many five-star hotels over the years, I would personally place this as a very good four-star resort. I’ll start with the positives, because there are plenty. The food was absolutely excellent. Considering the number of guests the hotel caters for, the quality, variety and consistency of the food were genuinely impressive. Every meal offered a fantastic selection, everything was beautifully prepared, and the desserts were particularly delicious. We couldn’t fault the food at all. Service throughout the resort was equally impressive. Staff were welcoming, friendly and efficient, from reception and the porters to the restaurant teams. Drinks service at mealtimes was especially good, with staff attending to tables almost immediately. We arrived quite late in the evening, after the restaurant had closed, and the hotel had thoughtfully put aside some food for us. A small gesture, perhaps, but very much appreciated after a long journey. The sandwiches were surprisingly delicious too! The resort itself is beautifully laid out, with lovely swimming pools, plenty of sunbeds and lots of space to relax. Unfortunately, the pools were extremely cold during our visit, but that was largely down to the time of year. I imagine they would be wonderful during the warmer months. Another real positive was how peaceful the resort was in the evenings. Our beds were exceptionally comfortable, and I slept better here than I usually do in hotels. Although there was evening entertainment, we didn’t attend, so I can’t comment on its quality. However, it was situated away from our accommodation and we experienced no disturbance whatsoever. So, why not five stars? For me, the biggest disappointment was the accommodation. We initially booked a junior suite, which included a separate area for our daughter. Unfortunately, this felt more like an additional space containing an uncomfortable sofa bed than a thoughtfully designed family suite. The overall room was rather sparse, clinical and lacking the warmth and comfort I would associate with a luxury hotel. We subsequently paid to upgrade to a deluxe bungalow with its own pool. This was a considerable improvement in terms of space and privacy, but the interiors still felt somewhat dated and basic. Perfectly functional, certainly, but not particularly luxurious or inviting. I think the rooms would benefit enormously from some refurbishment and more thoughtful furnishings. The leisure facilities were another disappointment, particularly given the hotel’s size and five-star positioning. The gym was surprisingly small, sparsely equipped and rather cramped, with little sense that the facilities were being actively maintained or looked after. There appeared to be ample space elsewhere within the resort that could have been used to create a much better fitness facility. As we experienced quite a lot of rain during our stay, a decent gym would have been especially welcome. The spa facilities also fell short of expectations. I enquired about booking a blow-dry, only to discover that there was no hairdresser available, despite hairdressing being advertised among the services. The hotel does have an indoor heated pool, but this is essentially a small spa pool rather than a proper family swimming facility. During poor weather, children were permitted to use it between 1pm and 3pm, which was a nice gesture in principle. Unfortunately, it quickly became too crowded for our daughter to enjoy comfortably. Equally, I imagine guests seeking a peaceful spa experience might find the arrangement less than ideal. Given that Kos can experience unsettled weather, particularly outside the peak summer season, a dedicated indoor family pool would be a fantastic addition and would make the resort considerably more appealing year-round. Finally, whilst the food was outstanding, the buffet dining experience could occasionally feel a little like a canteen rather than five-star dining. This is perhaps inevitable when catering for large numbers, but it is another example of where the overall experience didn’t quite match the hotel’s luxury rating. A couple of practical observations for future guests: The resort is somewhat isolated, so I would recommend hiring a car or mopeds if you want to explore Kos. These can be arranged through the hotel. I believe there is also a bus service into Kos Town, although we didn’t use it. We also discovered that there isn’t a huge amount to do on the island when the weather is particularly poor, so this is worth bearing in mind if travelling outside the main summer season. Overall, would I recommend Astir Odysseus? Yes, particularly for families visiting during the warmer months who are looking for beautiful outdoor pools, excellent food, attentive service and a peaceful environment. There is a lot that this hotel does exceptionally well, and the staff deserve real credit for that. However, I do think there is a difference between a very good family resort and a genuine five-star luxury experience. With some investment in the accommodation, gym and indoor leisure facilities, Astir Odysseus could be something really special. For now, it’s a solid four stars from me. A lovely stay in many respects, just not quite the five-star experience I had anticipated."

"Great hotel. Everything is top-notch. From the location to the service, everything is excellent. The food is always fresh and high-quality. No space issues in the main restaurant. We really liked the ambiance of the beach bar. What is also worth mentioning is the very good AEGEO Spa. Thanks to Jay here."

"We were revisiting this hotel after a couple of years and it was just as fabulous as we remembered, if not better! The customer service is outstanding - the reception, cleaners, waiters, ground staff - everyone is invested and proud of their work. The hotel and surroundings are beautiful and well maintained. Our room was spotless - everyday the minibar was replenished. The restaurants are standout compared to all other all-inclusive offerings. So well maintained and high quality food and great choice. In the bars, the waiters predicted our regular morning coffees or evening sparkling wine - you just feel looked after which leads to a totally relaxing holiday. My scrub and massage at the spa was excellent and what you’d expect from a 5 star hotel - perfection. We booked through Jet2 who cannot be faulted. We will return!"