Firstly: Hallelujah!!! - The first all-inclusive holiday we have been too that DOES NOT tag you with a bracelet and mark you. This is so great! Initially, we had a really small issue with this place on our arrival to do with the allocated room. A fault that could not be immediately remedied, so we were moved. This was dealt with quickly and satisfactory by the management here. The room we were finally given was of high standard. A large bed. Pillows maybe a little bit hard but had plenty supplied on request. The room had a mini-bar stocked with non-alcoholic basics. The air-conditioning was very good and the room had a small balcony located on the ground floor overlooking the sea. The bathroom was modern but the water for showering could have had some thermostatic control. It did fluctuate quite a bit and needed a little care when using. The TV was satellite and the shows limited and mainly in German. Fortunately the TV was modern, so if you had a laptop with HDMI connection you could overcome this problem. The place does have WIFI but the quality was indifferent and infuriating at times with it dropping connection often and having to sign in all the time. This is the only real area they could improve on. We were told this was due to antenna problems. The place has a lot of pools dotted around. Eleven? Maybe more. For...Firstly: Hallelujah!!! - The first all-inclusive holiday we have been too that DOES NOT tag you with a bracelet and mark you. This is so great!
Initially, we had a really small issue with this place on our arrival to do with the allocated room. A fault that could not be immediately remedied, so we were moved. This was dealt with quickly and satisfactory by the management here.
The room we were finally given was of high standard. A large bed. Pillows maybe a little bit hard but had plenty supplied on request. The room had a mini-bar stocked with non-alcoholic basics. The air-conditioning was very good and the room had a small balcony located on the ground floor overlooking the sea. The bathroom was modern but the water for showering could have had some thermostatic control. It did fluctuate quite a bit and needed a little care when using. The TV was satellite and the shows limited and mainly in German. Fortunately the TV was modern, so if you had a laptop with HDMI connection you could overcome this problem. The place does have WIFI but the quality was indifferent and infuriating at times with it dropping connection often and having to sign in all the time. This is the only real area they could improve on. We were told this was due to antenna problems.
The place has a lot of pools dotted around. Eleven? Maybe more. For kids and for more serious swimmers. It does have a very good entertainment program and I was surprised by how well equipped it was for sports and games. The on-site gym was very respectable but lacked AC. This made for a sweaty workout. We tried our hand at archery, which was fun, and run twice daily by a big guy called Dima from Texas, California (in Bulgaria!). He's a very good tutor and a really cool dude. He runs kids classes as well as for the adults twice daily. One day he invited the 'grown-ups' for a spot of flood-lit archery. This wasn't timetabled and great fun. It was just an example of how the workers are at this place are. They go beyond the call of duty to accommodate and entertain the clients. They clearly enjoy their job. He also does the Water Polo in the main pool as well. We did not try everything, but on the whole the place was very well managed and well run. Mountain biking is also popular and for the hardy. It is also located on the beach and runs good water activities and you can do canoeing or windsurfing.
The food here we could not fault. It had something for everyone at its main restaurant. They ran themes every night on a two week roster so every evening was different. It had daily basics for the less adventurous. Breakfast, lunch and dinner here is excellent. A fantastic array of fresh vegetables, salads and fruit to boot. Being picky, it would be nice if they had some prepared vinaigrettes for the salads (...such as Italian or French etc...) rather than the oils and vinegars to mix your own. The head chef (George Kafantaris) is otherwise a genius and caters for the masses very well! He runs the main restaurant. Everything is well displayed and you've a good choice. It is hard to find a place that has deserts that taste as good as they look. This is very rare!
The site has also two dedicated themed restaurants. One Greek. The other being Italian. The Greek one wasn't a la carte. A selection of meze were bought out to the table. The portions did not disappoint. The food was good. The Taverna is located on the beach. Try to book this for around 19:30 hrs. You'll enjoy the sunset this way. The Italian restaurant was otherwise a set starter and a choice for main course. The main course was dominated by pizza, pasta or risotto dishes. There were a few other alternative meat dishes but nothing to 'wow' the imagination. Tornado Rossini I guess would be pushing the boat out but wasn't an option sadly. What there was on menu was good. The menu was also rather humorous to read. The deserts were very good. The portions again were overwhelming. You also had a choice of wines. It was nevertheless all good.
There are other food holes dotted around the place. The Magic Potato Corner by the main pools you'll get fantastic mini kebab snacks with meats cooked on a gyro and, you guessed it, potato snacks. The guy running the place (Spiros) is only pleased to help. A real happy guy. Great food with a smile. There's another foodie at the Beach Bar. Simple snacks. Does the job. Fills a hole.
The drinks here were very good. Order a cocktail and they'll jazz it up. All served in proper glasses. No scratched reused plastic tumblers here. This place really did pay attention to detail in what it offered. The local wines and beers were good. The cocktails fantastic. I got a little hooked on the Long Island Iced Teas and the Black Russians. For the Kids there were juice bars, frozen slush drinks and ice creams. All excellent. If you want coffee they have this almost at all point but it's from machines. If you want a real treat then a visit Café Sissi is a must. Here they do proper good quality coffee. For a bonus, here you'll find some great cakes too!!!
If you want to go out and about there are choices. We hired a car from reception for one day. This was more than enough time. Cost €60, but included full insurance and no hidden cost. You can do the island in a day easily. You can hire bicycles or mopeds too but I wish you luck if you do. The roads are not fantastic.
The weather during our stay was great. Around the +30°c. Sunny. A bit windy at times but it was welcoming. When the wind drops prepare for the Mosquitoes at night. They get hungry!
All in all, apart from the initial glitch in proceedings, this AI surpassed all expectations. The staff (cleaning, grounds men, catering, bar and waiter staff) were all very friendly and attentive. Very friendly and very helpful. I must give a special thanks to Fay and Mrs. Dionisia Markou (at reception) and a special thank you to the Club Manager: Mr Lambros Paraskevopoulos. A very cool guy! He knows his stuff and his style clearly shows in his staff. All were very helpful and accommodating. Great team.
This is possibly the best AI resorts we have been too to date. It was hard to find faults with it. I certainly would recommend this place to others and would personally come again. This IS what all-inclusive is all about and a model for others on how one should operate. The Club Magic Life Marmari Palace Imperial in Kos scores a 5/5 from us.
Final Note: If we come again we will book directly. The service we got from the tour operator 'First Choice' was very poor. It will probably work out cheaper too if we deal direct. Luckily the resort staff looked after us and all our needs when we needed assistance. Again, Marmari need to be commended for this. Well done!!!More