Grecotel Kos Imperial Thalasso

Stayed at this hotel for our 40th wedding anniversary on the 12/10/2025. The hotel is mainly a series of 2 and 3 storey buildings (apart from the main building housing the receptions and restaurants), which are located around three large stunning pools We found that the grounds and gardens in the resort were beautiful and extremely well cared for. The food was a buffet in the main restaurant with plenty of choice and excellent quality. We did eat at the a la carte restaurant on two nights. Whis was nice to be served at the table although, did not live up to the hype advertised on their website. The 1930 restaurant had a lobster taster menu and no other choice, which was ok. I really like lobster but found the quality of the overall menu to be uninspiring. The staff were all very friendly and hard working. Which made our stay a really lovely relaxing experience. But the one thing that does let this hotel down are the rooms. They were very clean with the sheets and towels being changed every day. But the rooms are old and tired. The furniture was chipped and old. The shower had a poor water shield causing the bathroom floor to be flooded every time the shower was used. Our room had a breathtaking sea view, but the patio windows were blown causing frosting between the glass. The rooms really need a refurbishment for this hotel to be a true 5* All in all, lovely hotel but the rooms let it down

We were slightly apprehensive about our stay having read some of the more negative reviews but needn't have worried. The hotel is stunning and exceeded our expectations in every way. We were greeted warmly upon arrival and offered welcome drinks ahead of being escorted to our room. We booked a side sea view, which was bright, spacious and clean, with everything that we needed for a relaxing stay. The bed was very comfortable and we slept well. The grounds of the hotel are impeccably maintained and the bars and resturants well laid out to maximise views. We never had an issue getting a sunbed around the pool but as other reviews have mentioned, the pools are very cold in October. There was one heated pool but naturally, this was busier than the rest. The service at the pool and beach bar was excellent. We never waited long for a drink and the staff were lovely. A particular thanks to Pierre, Lope and the guy from Albania (who was typically based at the beach bar - sorry, we didnt catch your name!) You stood out for being friendly, attentive and efficient. We booked the al a carte resturants a week before arriving via the app and all were excellent - the hot stone and Asian being our favourites. The menus are not extensive, but the food is very good quality. The service in all of the resturants was excellent, with a good choice of wine. The buffet was also good, although we did find the service here more hit and miss (particularly in the mornings). It feels like staff are trying to do too many different things and if we could offer a piece of constructive feedback, it would be for staff to focus on one job (e.g one person making coffees, one clearing tables etc.) I would also suggest having self-service drinks in the outside eating area to reduce waiting times. We enjoyed a selection of cocktails after dinner each evening. The drinks menu was extensive and cocktails were well made with a selection of premium spirits. Overall, we had a fabulous, relaxing break and would not hesitate to book another hotel in the Grecotel group. We have stayed at the Costa Botanica previously, where service was equally as good, and look forward to our next stay.

Mixed Experience Stunning Grounds, Disappointing Rooms The hotel is set in truly beautiful surroundings, the grounds are immaculate and clearly well cared for. The pool areas are lovely to look at, with comfortable leather sun loungers perfect for relaxing. Unfortunately, the pools themselves were far too cold to comfortably use, which was a letdown. On the positive side, drinks were plentiful and featured a good selection of premium brands, which was a pleasant surprise. The buffet food was fresh and consistently good, with enough variety to keep things interesting. The à la carte restaurants were also a nice touch and added to the overall dining experience. Where the hotel really falls short is the accommodation. The rooms were shabby and dated – more in line with a 3-star property. Bathrooms in particular were in need of a deep clean and gave off an unpleasant smell, which affected the overall comfort of the stay. It’s a real shame because the exterior of the hotel is stunning, with breathtaking views across the bay. With some serious investment in updating and deep-cleaning the rooms, this could be a fantastic place to stay. Until then, it's a letdown for me.

We went on a 9 day British Airways holiday which was half board and good value if you do not mind the anti-social flight times. We took a chance on mid October and were lucky with 23-25C most days. The hotel experience was lovely. I stayed in it more than 20 years ago when it was a new hotel and it is still impressive. The grounds are stunning. Look out for the well camouflaged lizards and the crested larks. The beach is now a narrower strip but the water was 23C, clear and plenty of fish life. No problems with finding loungers in October even though it was full of families. One pool ( left as you face the sea ) is heated to a tropical 28C and the baby pool in main area is too. So you can swim very comfortably in October, sea or pool. Main pool was however too cold and aqua fitness did not happen. Food is a strong point of Grecotels and especially the salads, vegetable dishes and freshly cooked meat and fish. Think freshly fried calamari, grilled octopus, king prawns, sushi, local herbed lamb chops or sea bass baked in salt crust. Desserts were not worth the calories and cocktails not at all good. Not the right ingredients and proportions. But food wise, lots of choice and plenty for fussy kids at breakfast or dinner eg pastas, pizzas and pancakes etc . We don’t think AI is worth it but we usually skip lunch after a hearty breakfast and we don’t drink much alcohol. The Finicia and Asiana a la carte were good although portions are small and bring your coat for Asiana in October. We had some minor issues but management solved these promptly. Getting a complementary room and lunch for our late check out was the cherry on top. We loved our 9 days and are active people who enjoy things to do. We played pétanque, went to the gym, went swimming, rented a beach buggy for a day and drove all across the island, walked 3 times to Kos Town with bus back, went to a hammam ( free transfers), did Zia at sunset. We explored the Greek and Roman ruins in and around Kos Town. All in all, we can recommend an October week in Grecotel Kos Imperial. The hotel exceeded our expectations and was terrific value. I can’t see Ikos being that much better 🤣

This hotel is not even close to a 5 star the rooms are basic old and the smell of sewers is awful. The food is average at best, the rooms aren’t looked after or cleaned properly, It feels like a 3 star! There is nothing luxurious to see here