Hotel Iberostar Astir Odysseus, Kos, Greece: One of the world’s longest hotel swimming pools
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The Greek Island of Kos is only four miles from Turkey and the beach-front rooms in the Hotel Iberostar Astir Odysseus have stunning views of the coastline and mountains.
This is a brand new luxury five-star hotel 5 km from Kos town and only 22 km from the airport. Its 267 rooms are spread over a large area right on the beach and you can choose between the main building and bungalows. There are three swimming pools, two children's pools, one indoor heated pool, sauna, spa, fitness centre, tennis court, three restaurants and three conference rooms. Volleyball sessions are held every afternoon on the beach and there's also an attended children's centre. The pool along the seafront is almost 200m long, four times Olympic size, and certainly the longest and most scenic hotel pool that I've swam in.
Each spacious room is equipped with internet access, satellite TV, mini-bar, hair dryer and safety deposit box and has a balcony or terrace. There are 194 doubles, 69 junior and executive suites and four maisonette suites and some even have their own private swimming pools - you jump straight in, right out of your door.
Of course the gauge of a hotel is its food and the Odysseus has three restaurants - the main one has a buffet with international and Greek dishes, the Grill offers steaks and the Taverna on the beach has a-la-carte local specialties. I only managed to sample the buffet but the selection of salads was stunning and the local fish delicious. There are also two bars including one right by the pool, and there's live music every night.
The great strength of this hotel is its layout - there's no sense of overcrowding as nothing is too close, and it’s easy to imagine you're in your own up-market village, with fantastic sea views. And one thing I'll always remember are the marathon morning swims in the longest swimming pool in the world.
Main Street, Tigaki 85300, Kos, Greece
Contact tel: +30 22420 49900, fax: +30 22420 49800, e-mail:
Cost standard double room: ££
Services spa, swimming pool, fitness equipment, near beach, parking, hotel restaurant, hotel bar, creche/listening service, business services, internet access, tennis courts, wheelchair accessible, concierge, air-conditioning
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Hotel Iberostar Odysseus, Kos
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