With their ultra chic bohemian vibe and effortlessly stylish aesthetic, you’d have to take a second guess that Casa Cook hotels were in fact was part of the Thomas Cook family. It would appear they’ve upped their game with the launch of these beautifully designed, low-key luxury hotels.
After doing an endless amount of research online, searching key words like ‘rustic’, ‘minimal’ & ‘boutique’, I came across Casa Cook Kos and instantly knew it was the one! The aesthetics appealed to me in a big way. It screamed minimal luxe and offered all the trimmings such as yoga, spa treatments and a beach-front setting.
The first hotel to be born from the Casa Cook collection arrived in Rhodes, which mirrored the style of Casa Cook Kos and provided a stunning mountainous back-drop. I settled however for Kos due to it’s super close proximity to a beach.
The moment I arrived I knew that this stripped-backed haven of tranquillity would not disappoint. The hotel itself is a village-like cluster of one and two bedroom villas in white washed stone and built in the traditional cubist style, distinctive to Greek Islands. Plenty of cacti, olive trees, lavender and rosemary plants adorn the grounds and provide an extra slice of nature.
The staff are super friendly and cool but not pretentious in any way. Their relaxed approach simply adds to the laidback essence of the place. Thomas, the guest experience manager was exceptionally accommodating and with his vast knowledge of the island he was always at hand to offer information on local activities like wine tasting, horse riding and the best local family run restaurants.
The interiors are pared-back and provide a cool, minimal feel, with an earthy palette, natural textures and light grey polished concrete flooring. Many of the furnishings and homewares are available to purchase from the hotel boutique shop, which is a visual feast and a makes you want to purchase everything!
Organic cotton clothing, rustic home accessories and artisan perfumes are a few of the temptations luring you in. I was very controlled in this instance however and ended up leaving with just a solitary purchase – a beautiful soapstone dish.
The bar and restaurant area provide comfy sofas, blankets and calming sea views and it was the perfect setting to kick back to enjoy a post beach beer.
The breakfast, included in the price of the room is a beautiful spread, catering for everyone. Options include cereals, pastries, overnight oats, fresh fruit, nuts & seeds, flavoured honey (such as lavender & rosemary), a selection of fresh baked bread and cakes, cheeses and smoked salmon.
There is also the option to have hot food and the chef will whip up delicious omelettes or scrambled eggs upon request. The coffee served at breakfast was superb! Smoky and smooth in flavour and always piping hot. I would wake up early every morning to enjoy sipping on my coffee whilst looking out to sea. I had a few too many, savouring that moment of peace and calm, planning the day ahead (or making no plans!).
As I was there in April and the season had just begun, I was kindly upgraded to a Junior Suite, which ticked all the boxes. The suite pool was shared with only two other rooms and offered much sought-after privacy.
The rooms are spacious, simple and rustic with lots of lovely details like woven bags to take off to the beach if you wish. The bathroom echoes the stunning concrete finish that runs throughout the hotel and is well stocked with Meraki products, slippers and earthy toned cotton waffle robes.
There is a small but well equipped air-conditioned gym on the grounds and Yoga is offered daily (at additional cost) on the beach. The spa offers an indoor pool, sauna, steam and many luxurious treatments. I opted for the Turkish Hammam – a deeply relaxing olive oil soap ‘rub down’ and gentle exfoliating massage upon a heated concrete slab. I didn’t want to get off. Once the treatment had finished, you were invited to rest in the lounge with a cup of soothing herbal tea.
The stretch of beach offered stunning turquoise waters and white sands. Paddle boarding was one of the activities available and was free of charge to the hotel guests. Due to the time of year I was there, the beach was pretty quiet with just enough guests to stop you feeling like a castaway. There were plenty of dangerously comfortable beds scattered across the sea front and clean towels were supplied so no need to faff around packing your own to take down with you. As the hotel is situated on the beach-front, you are there, sipping a pina colada in moments and the friendly beach staff are always around to ensure you stay hydrated!
The Casa Cook experience was not to be forgotten and exceeded my expectations. I’m thrilled to hear they’ll be birthing new hotels across far and wide locations in the future and it’s fair to say that they’ve found a loyal guest in me!
