HOLIDAYING ALL-INCLUSIVE WITH TUI IN KOS, GREECE POST – COVID 19 LOCKDOWN

It’s been a long time since buyers regret struck on a holiday. The question of why we didn’t just book the 10 nights instead of 7? It always goes by way too quick; just as you get into your stride, the suntan is turning from red to brown and you’re back on the plane returning home.

Of course, travel in Summer 2020 is a little bit different. These are unusual times and we didn’t know what to expect of our post-lockdown getaway so after 5 months of no travel, we booked a last-minute break to Kos.

We’d done our due diligence of course. Where seemed the safest? What resorts offered the best options to socially distance? If things went wrong, could we get home?

It was apparent that a package deal would be our best bet. We decided to go with TUI as they’d recently announced a Covid-19 guarantee: they won’t fly anywhere where you have to self-isolate on your return; there was a simple refund, cancellation or change option; and if things went wrong they promise to get you home.

We shortlisted a few resorts but settled on the adults-only TUI Blue Atlantica Belvedere with an upgraded all-inclusive package.

Here are our tips on what you need to know:

Can I socially distance?

The resort opened back up on the 1st July and so by the time we arrived the team had a good 5 weeks worth of practice as to how to run things ‘COVID Secure’.

The Greek government allows hotels 80% occupancy and our resort was getting up to 70%. As the days went by we have felt the occupancy increase. Of course, the FCO travel advice to Spain (and since our return now Malta, France and the Netherlands) has certainly shifted people’s focus from the Balearic and Canary Islands to the Greek.

There are 238 rooms at the Atlantica Belvedere that are split into several categories. Each room has either a balcony or terrace with a garden or sea view option.

If you’re worried about too much mingling with other holidaymakers you can choose a pool room. Some of the rooms have a good-sized pool that is shared amongst around 3-4 rooms but there are also private pools with large terraces.

What are the rooms like inside?

We have a private pool suite that has a large walk-in dressing room, a cloakroom, living room, bedroom, double bathroom and terrace with loungers, table and chairs with a large private pool.

The decor is muted but stylish with dark woods, minimal decoration and stone-coloured walls.

The rooms are spotlessly clean and on arrival have a sticker across the door to tell you they have been prepared and sanitised. The maid came to clean our room twice during our stay and the pool boy daily.

Robes, slippers, flip flops and (very soft) towels are all wrapped in plastic. As are the 2 TV remote controls.

There was a face mask, hand sanitiser and disposable gloves pack also waiting for us on arrival. Even our keys and wristbands had been wrapped and prepared for us.

There are no kettles or drink making facilities in the room due to government protocol but the pool snack bar is open throughout the day to collect hot drinks, alcoholic drinks and bottled water.

How about the pool and beach?

The resort is just a 15-minute drive from the airport and is on one of the top 10 best beaches on the island. It’s very quiet with little wind and has around 180 days of calm water.

We noticed a few sailing boats, the odd paraglider and a couple of jet skis which were all far away not to bother sunbathers.

There’s plenty of loungers on the beach and they are set up so they are far enough apart.

The main shared pool is busier but there are quiet areas for you to choose from. Most of the loungers were taken while we were there.

Eating – what to expect on an all-inclusive

There are hand sanitising stations scattered throughout the resort and dining areas so ample opportunity to keep your hands clean.

Indoors you’re expected to wear your mask and there are disposable gloves for entry into the food area.

All food is laid out as you would expect with plenty of staff patrolling around to check food, replenish and change shared cutlery.

You might need to wait while tables are cleaned and prepared and whether you’d prefer indoor or outdoor seating. The longest we waited was around 10 minutes.

Cutlery is disinfected and wrapped in a disposable napkin which is waiting on your table when you arrive. Drinks are brought directly to you (mainly wine, beer and soft drinks – cocktails reserved for the bar).

You have to pop your mask and gloves on when you go to get your food each time. The gloves are by the entrance. There’s a few simple instructions but we took our lead from those that had been there already and it seems to work.

Food-wise we ate very well. The offer is of a good standard and seafood night (Sunday on our visit) was exceptional as was the Gala Dinner. There’s plenty of fresh salads, grilled fish, meats and typical Greek choices throughout the week. You will be spoiled for choice.

The fruit station is great and we were always too full to even consider the desserts but if you have a sweet tooth you won’t be disappointed.

Do I have to wear a mask all of the time?

You don’t have to wear a mask all of the time – outside is fine but inside, waiting for a table etc you’ll need a mask. Be warned, like at home it’s not observed by everyone but most people are pretty good. If you do go out in a taxi or on a bus (also like here) you’ll be expected to wear your mask.

Do the staff wear ppe?

All the staff wear masks or face visors and disposable gloves. From waiting and bar staff to spa, reception, pool boys and even the lifeguard.

What’s it like at night?

Don’t expect to queue at the bar for evening drinks – table service is more likely and queuing or standing around the bar is discouraged. However, the service is quite slow as cocktails are made up fresh each time so you can be waiting up to 40 minutes for a drink. Best to order a couple at a time if your inpatient.

There is ‘soft entertainment’ at the resort. Expect singers, Greek dancing and jazz saxophone.

There’s plenty of space to sit outdoors or in the bar area.

Where’s the closest town?

Kardamena is just a few kilometres away from the resort so you can walk the coastline (but it’s pretty hot during August) or catch the bus (€1.80 each way) that stops directly outside the entrance of the resort (if you miss the returning bus or don’t feel like sharing a taxi is €10).

We popped there for cocktails and enjoyed ‘The Garden’ for a great Espresso Martini, lovely service and pretty Sparkly lights on the trees.

Yo Yo’s do a great offer on cocktails at 2 for €8 up until about 9pm – we can confirm the White Russian was delicious.

We also had a gin & tonic in ‘Roi Mat’ – a cool beach bar vibe with swinging chairs and subtle dance music. And an Aperol Spritz in ‘The Stone Roses’ bar. (Expect to pay around €5 to €7 for a cocktail).

What’s the airport situation like?

On arrival at the airport in Kos it was masks on, go through passport control and then show our QR code (see below) before collecting luggage. A few people were chosen for testing.

24 hours before your trip you must fill out a government form asking about where you live, where you have been previously and if you have been with or near anyone with COVID-19 symptoms. You’ll then receive a QR code that is required for entry into Greece (we had to also prove we had done this at Birmingham Airport before boarding the plane).

What was the flight like?

On the way there we were a little surprised how busy the flight was. Which shows consumer confidence in travelling is certainly growing. We were sat at the back of the plane closest to the toilets. Despite being asked not to queue for the loos (many times) people still did.

There was one drinks/snacks service with payment by card only. We were asked to wear masks during the entire flight unless you were consuming food or drink. All in all, it was a pretty standard flight experience (despite the 5 minutes of turbulence halfway through).

Remember each person travelling also needs to feel out a passenger locator form on your return to the UK. It is quite convoluted so give yourself a good 20 minutes.

The flight back was much quieter but Kos airport isn’t great – it’s hot, sticky and there isn’t much space. There is a very limited food option so we’d suggest bringing something with you.

So should you give it a go?

We had a really positive experience on our trip. It was getting busier as we left (we travelled the 5-12th August) but the staff seemed to be coping well. You might need a little extra patience as things will take a little longer, as everyone gets used to doing things in new ways, but that shouldn’t be too much of an issue. We would recommend it and if you want to give it a go you can book your trip direct with TUI here.