Kos is located in the Aegean Sea, and although being a Greek island it is closer to the coast of Bodrum, Turkey. Steeped in rich history, Kos is well-known as the birthplace of the father of medicine, Hippocrates.
There is a diverse range of accommodation on the island, from luxury hotel complexes to budget apartments with the majority found in its coastal resorts.
The main resort, Kos Town, has a vibrant nightlife, sandy beaches and ancient ruins to explore. Another lively resort is Kardamena, while is great for water sports. If you're in search of a more laid-back resort there's Psalidi, along with Tigaki and Marmari on the north coast.
Budget
There's plenty of low-cost accommodation around the island whether you want a cheap and cheerful hotel, self-catering apartments or charming little bed and breakfast.
A good base for exploring Kos Town is Pavlos Hotel which has a simple design and modern facilities. Or there's Catherine Hotel which offers a breakfast buffet in the morning and has restaurants, bars and shops on its doorstep at Kos Marina.
If you're travelling with a group of friends and want a choice of facilities Argiri Hotel and Apartments in Kardamena offers a pool area with sun deck and barbecue facilities as well as a restaurant, bar and games room. Another three-star hotel in this resort is Sunny View Hotel, more suited to families with separate pools for adults and children.
Also worth considering is Zeus Hotel on the outskirts of Kefalos which has a decent sized swimming pool, bar and lounge. In keeping with the mythological theme there's Hermes Hotel on the hillside of Kefalos. It's a friendly, family-run hotel close to all the local amenities.
Self-catering
There's a wide range of self-catering options across the island depending on your price range.
At the higher end is Diamond Apartments located in Kos Town which has children's pool and playground. Also family friendly is Santa Marina Hotel Apartments, and each of its self-catered studios are fully equipped with modern facilities, as is Kosta Palace City Hotel which has great views of the harbour.
If you fancy something more traditional, Nissia Kamares Hotel Apartments is built in a Greek island style. Set among lush green gardens it's a short walk from the beaches and the centre of Kardamena. And bit more basic is Mina Studios, which offers simple self-catered rooms decorated in a Greek style.
If you want to be right on the beach there's Akti Dimis, family-run hotel just across the road from Tigaki's sandy beach. For something less pricey there's Irene Apartments and Studios overlooking Psalidi Beach which offers a range of activities and entertainment from scuba diving to a Greek night.
All inclusive
These hotels tend to be a bit more expensive but you can relax knowing everything is paid for. There are a few hotel chains offering all-inclusive accommodation including Mitsis Hotels and the Blue Lagoon Group.
If you want to stay in Kardamena Mitsis Blue Domes Resort & Spa is the luxury spa hotel option, or Mitsis Norida Beach Hotel is the family option with water slides, sports facilities and VIP kids' treatment. Over in Psalidi there's the Mitsis Ramira Beach Hotel also jam packed with activities and entertainment included in the price.
If you want to be near Kos Town, one of the more expensive choices is Blue Lagoon Resort, a five-star hotel in Lambi boasting five pools, a selection of themed restaurants and bars, and a spa. For those who want to stay in the quiet area of Lambi but are on a budget there's the three-star Gaia Garden Hotel where you can enjoy a range of facilities in picturesque surroundings.
On the beach
Depending on what you want from your beach there's a wide range of hotels spread along the coastline.
On the east coast you can have best of a beach and a city holiday. The reasonably priced Triton Hotel is located right across the main beach in the centre of Kos Town, with most rooms offering views of the Aegean Sea.
The south coast, away from the hustle and bustle, boasts the Carda Beach Hotel which slopes down to the beach in Kardamena, or there's the less expensive Olympia Mare with sea-front apartments which back onto a private beach.
On the north coast in Mastichari is the Horizon Beach Resort which provides plenty of sun beds, while action-seekers can play beach volleyball and beach football.
Head to the west if water sports are you bag. Set in a secluded bay, Blue Lagoon Village is adjacent to a long sandy beach with a variety of water sports including jet-skiing, sailing, diving, paragliding and banana boats.
Top end
Kos has no shortage of luxury 5-star hotels and many are part of larger chains offering all-inclusive accommodation, but there are also some unique boutique hotels out there.
In the Blue Lagoon Group there's Palazzo del Mare, a hotel complex set on the beach in Marmari offering private pools for those who choose an executive or presidential suite. Oceanis Beach & Spa Resort on Psalidi beach is designed for couples so it's perfect for a honeymoon or romantic getaway.
The Matsis Hotels chain features Mitsis Blue Domes Resort & Spa where you can stay in a beach villa with a private pool, garden and butler service. Mitsis Norida Beach Hotel is ideal for families with a big budget, while Mitsis Ramira Beach Hotel has a tennis court as well as bicycle and trekking tours included.
Head to Kos Town if you're in search of a boutique hotel. Diamond Deluxe Hotel on Lambi beach provides luxurious accommodation, fine dining and its own spa. The Kos Aktis Art Hotel offers ultramodern suites with stunning views of the Agean, while Aqua Blu Boutique Hotel and Spa holds range of gastronomic events.
With a spa
Kos has a tempting selection of luxury spa hotels, and although these are mostly high-end 5 star-hotels, there are some cheaper ones to be found.
For the ultimate spa experience stay at the five-star Michelangelo Hotel and Spa tucked away in quiet town of Agios Fokas. Enjoy a massage overlooking the infinity pool or choose from a range of treatments in the spa. At Mitsis Blue Domes Resort & Spa in Kardamena you can indulge in the wellness spa which features relaxing music and enchanting decor.
If you'd like to stay near Lambi beach there's Aqua Blu Boutique Hotel and Spa which offers Turkish Hammam, hydrotherapy and a variety of body massages and facial treatments. A bit less pricey is the four-star Sun Palace Resort & Spa which has its own private beach at Psalidi and, unlike most, allows children.
Family friendly
There's a good choice of family friendly hotels at both ends of the price range, catering for all your needs.
The four-star Kipriotis Panorama Aqualand Hotel is a waterpark and hotel in one, with three pools and six waterslides. Blue Lagoon Resort all inclusive hotel boasts five pools and for summer 2013 there will be waterpark with a lazy river, while Blue Lagoon Village has a wide range of beach and water sports.
The less expensive option would be Giakalis Aparthotel, a modern three-star hotel in Marmari with a tennis court, mini golf, pool table and playground to keep the kids entertained. Alternatively there's Chrysoula Hotel in Kefalos offering family apartments, a swimming pool, game room and playground.
If you're in search of family-run hotels with a friendly vibe, stay at Michalis Studios & Apartments for a self-catering holiday in Psalidi, Alice Springs Hotel in Kos Town for a choice of rooms or apartments or the award-winning Mayflower Apartments in Tigaki.
Romantic retreats
There are lot of hotels for couples in Kos but there are few cheap options. Most tend to be at the higher end if you want an adults-only relaxation holiday but there are some mid-range hotels available.
If you're planning a honeymoon, Psalidi's Oceanis Beach & Spa Resort is ideal. At this adults-only, couples-focused hotel you can dine al fresco in romantic surroundings or simply chill at the spa.
For a cheaper option there's Mammis Beach Studios in a quiet area not far from the centre.
If you want to get a bit more active there's Iberostar Odysseus located by a diving centre, or there's Mitsis Ramira Beach Hotel with a whole host of activities included from beach volleyball to mini golf.
For those on a tight budget there's Gaia Garden Hotel near Kos Town built in a cosy village style, or the traditional Greek style Nissia Kamares Hotel Apartments in Kardamena.