Hotel Platanista

3 readers found this review helpful

We have just returned from a week’s holiday at the Platanista and had a wonderful time. Whilst the clientele at this time of year consisted mostly of people of retirement age (we are a couple in our mid thirties), this did not affect our stay.
The rooms have recently been refurbished and are clean and well equipped. The pool area is ample enough for capacity and is clean and well kept. The water itself however, was not heated and was very cold. Sunbeds were rarely reserved as there were plenty to go around.
The restaurant food was lovely and differed every night catering to everyone's taste. We ate in the restaurant every evening it was so good! You must try the pancakes in the morning they are delicious!!
The animation team worked hard providing activities throughout the day such as darts, water polo, table tennis etc. They also provided entertainment in the evenings consisting of quiz nights, bingo nights, and Greek nights, which for a four star hotel left a lot to be desired.
However, there are several tavernas within a 5 minute walk of the hotel, so this didn't become a problem. For a more lively evening, Kos Town is only a short bus or taxi ride away or even a 40 minute walk!
We elected not to go on any of the Thomson organised trips, however, we did hire a buggy and a quad bike from the hire shop two minutes from the Hotel and toured the island this way. We would highly recommend both modes of transport as a fun and exciting way to get around the island.
Tip: If you decide to visit the thermal springs just outside of Psalidi, you can actually drive right down to the bottom of the cliff to within two minutes of the springs. This was not well known and many people endured a rather long walk there and back up a rather steep hill (which is not much fun in 30 degree heat!!)
The nearest beach is shingle and leaves a lot to be desired; however there are some lovely clean sandy beaches approximately 15 - 20 minutes west of Kos Town.
The only negatives we found, were having to pay for our towels (3 Euros each for the duration), when you would expect a 4 star to provide these free of charge, the lack of a safe in the room and the standard of evening entertainment.
Having said all this, we would not hesitate to visit the Platanista again for a relaxing break.

1 reader found this review helpful

We have just returned from our second holiday at The Platanista. This is a fantastic hotel in a great location not far from town, a short bus ride, or 20 minute walk away.
The staff at the hotel are extremely friendly and do all they can to help. All areas of the hotel are very clean and a lot of refurbishment work has been undertaken on rooms etc.
The pool areas are also very good plenty of room and lots of sun beds.
The food is very good particularly the breakfast.
Just down the road from the hotel on the way to town is a really great bar called the Europe Cafe Bar, the staff here are fantastic and they have entertainment nightly and show English football on the big screen. The bar is right on the beach and the sunset from here is the best, cocktails are buy one get one free, what more could you ask for.
We are thinking of making a return trip here in September it’s that good and the people in Kos are really friendly too, it's the best Greek Island we have been to and the only one we have been to more than once.

We have just returned from two weeks in the hotel Platanista all the staff were excellent the bedroom we stopped in was new and very clean, they are updating all the other rooms over the winter. The food was also excellent.
The bus into Kos town is just 300m away and bus tickets can be purchased from the reception in the hotel.

2 readers found this review helpful

If you want a quiet and relaxing hotel then the Hotel Platinista is for you . Very good pool area where you can always get a sunbed .
Most of staff very friendly and helpful . Everywhere very clean and maid service excellent .
Food very good in general but sometimes choice a bit limited and predictable . However probably due to the fact that most guests are 50+ of different nationalities .
Although outside Kos town frequent bus service or easy to walk in 30 minutes maximum . Not near what you would call a beach . Would have to have a very vivid imagination to describe near by rocky bathing areas as a beach .
There are some nice bars in vicinity and would recommend Europe Bar because of the friendly staff . Also would recommend Michael and Terpo taverna for its excellent and reasonably priced food .
Would say that evening entertainment is very limited and exclusively for those 50+. Staff do their best to get people to participate in events without ever being over bearing .
( Usual assumption that once you reach a certain age you forget you liked popular music of the sixties/seventies and started listening to cabaret in the club style ! ) .
If you are 50 + and want a quiet and relaxing holiday in a very comfortable hotel then ideal . If like me 40 + independent type is an ideal comfortable base that is relaxing when you fell like doing nothing .
If young and lively with children then would be unsuitable .
With regard to Tour Operator importantly description of Hotel and location was fair and accurate and enabled me to make an informed choice . Outward flight on time , check in very quick . However luggage allowance 15kg for late deal very poor . I don’t go on holiday to wash clothes ! I knew this before hand but did not realise until I packed my case how much of an impact this would have on what I could take .
Return flight experience dreadful although I would say this is due mainly to the poor local organisation of airport . For this reason alone I would possibly not return to Kos . From arrival at airport took nearly 1 1/2 hours to check in . Where I would criticise Thomas Cook is that it was obvious that they were aware of this local problem and they should have made their customers aware of this prior to arrival to ensure that we could have been accordingly prepared . So if you go to Kos eat and drink before you go to the airport . Take plenty of water to drink when you are standing around outside in the heat . By the time the delayed flight took off consequently there were some hot and bothered young children who behaved accordingly all the way home . Also unable to get hot drink on plane . I would travel with Thomas Cook again because overall I had a good holiday and the faults I found appear to be generic to the whole of the package holiday industry .
Overall Kos is a good place to visit for the independent traveller as it is easy to visit other near by islands and Turkey cheaply if you make your own arrangements by buying direct boat company rather than agents . There is also plenty to see on the island to keep you occupied for two weeks . Not a place for beach lovers as the sandy beaches are located in a part of the island that is windy hence popularity with wind surfers .
Only disappointing thing I found about Kos is the people are not particularly friendly or relaxed as you find in some other Greek islands . Mainly just see tourists as a cash cow and have no interest in making conversation unless you are likely to buy something . However if you make the effort can still find nice Tavernas where people are friendly . However all of these in old town of Kos .
Overall had a very good holiday and would recommend the Hotel Platinista as a very good place to stay for suitable age group . A very comfortable hotel , with decent facilities and very friendly staff .

1 reader found this review helpful

Good food in restaurant even though it is buffet service, wide choice of Mediterranean dishes.
Hotel, pool and grounds clean and well maintained. Staff friendly and helpful -especially waiters "Tommy" and "Rosie". Possible to walk to local beach but pebbly and not good for swimming, suggest getting car/scooter and going to other end of island-Kefalos.