iPod tour in Mykonos

Mykonos hi -tech town tour!

Ever though a more high tech way to discover the town of Mykonos than an ‘’iPod’’ walk?

That is the ideal way to discover and learn about Mykonos island at your own pace. You will be provided with an iPod and a map with a detailed list of points of interest!

The iPod continues to dominate the marketplace with clever marketing and ever-increasing abilities in products that have developed outside of the original scope of a small, portable music player

One of the great things about the iPod is that it is simple and easy to market. A concept like "1,000 songs in your pocket" is simple and sells itself: that's all someone needs to know in order to justify spending a lot of money on a portable music player. With a thousand songs in your pocket, there's really no reason to ever worry about buying another electronic gadget like that in the future again!

If you do bring your own iPod in Mykonos with you remember that all our suites have an iPod/iPhone doc in order to listen your favorite music while relaxing in your private veranda overlooking the beautiful famous Mykonos sunset!

Let us help you explore the island with the help of technology by booking here

Read more »

Our exclusive personal trainer

We are extremely proud to have a co-operation with Dimitris Mwros for our fitness center here at Kouros. He is one of the most popular trainers in Athens, training super stars like Sakis Rouvas and runs his one fitness portal with up to date fitness info and videos http://www.fitnessart.gr/

For the month of July you can see him in the cover of Nitro Health magazine and a 6 page spread with fitness excercises written by him.

So, what do you think?? Would you book a training session with him and get fit for the beach? For details and bookings contact our concierge desk. 

Read more »

Travel Quotes

Just for fun we thought of sharing with you some travel quotations of great men. Maybe you can add one or two to your travel journal!


- While your father is alive, make as many friends as you can; while your horse is alive, visit as many lands as you can. Mongolian proverb

- You can't be a real country unless you have a beer and an airline – it helps if you have a football team, or some nuclear weapons, but at least you need a beer. Frank Zappa

- The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page. St Augustine

- Comfort has its place, but it seems rude to visit another country dressed as if you've come to mow its lawns. David Sedaris

- I never travel without my diary. One should always have something sensational to read in the train. Oscar Wilde
 
- When you come to a fork in the road … take it. Yogi Berra

- Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity and I'm not sure about the former. Albert Einstein

- We don't go anywhere. Going somewhere is for squares. We just go! – Marlon Brando (in The Wild One)

- I haven’t been everywhere, but it’s on my list. Susan Sontag

- I had ambition not only to go farther than anyone had been before, but as far as it was possible for man to go. Captain James Cook

Read more »

Movie Nights under the stars

We are very lucky in Mykonos to have a Cinema under the Stars. What do we mean? Mykonos has an open air cinema built inside a garden offering a lounge area and movies under the stars.

Here is the programfor the July with all the hot movies scheduled!

Read more »

Getting around Mykonos

Mykonos, being just 15 km long and 10 km wide, is one of the smallest islands of the Cyclades complex. However, with its beautiful Town located West and its sandy beaches East, it is probable that by the end of your trip you will have covered a fairly large distance during your time on the island.

Here is a small summary of the means available on Mykonos for getting around the island:

By car or by motorbike
Easily the best way to go is to rent a car, motorbike or ATV (which are quite the trend of the island, actually). This way you will be able to reach all corners of the Island without having to worry for taxi fares and bus schedules. Motorbike and car rentals are readily available on the Island (Main Town Entrance and Windmills area) and can also be arranged directly at our Front Desk by our experienced staff. Prices range from 35 to 50 Euros for small air-conditioned cars and from 20-25 for scooters and ATV’s. Valid driver’s license is needed, as well as a credit card (usually Visa, Mastercard, AmEx & Diners are accepted).

By taxi
Mykonos Island only has 30 taxis to serve thousands of visitors, a fact that renders taxis as the most unreliable means of transport. In Mykonos Town the queue for the taxis can be found at Manto Square (or Taxi square as we Mykonians call it) and Fabrika Square, and people sometimes even have to wait for hours just to get one. There are taxi meters inside the vehicles. Generally, fares are quite reasonable. The telephone numbers for calling a taxi are +302289023700 and +302289022400.

By bus
Twenty three different lines cover the Island when it comes to public bus transportation. There are two bus stations on the Island, one at the Entrance of the Town (just 5 minutes away from Kouros Hotel) and a larger one at the upper part of the Town at Fabrika Square. Bus schedules are clearly written on big notice boards at the two stations and there is no connection between them. Most destinations around the Island can be reached using the buses and the trip frequency is quite high in high season. Tickets can be bought before boarding the bus at the stations, mini-markets and tourist shops. Note though, that buses in Mykonos are almost always full during the busy hours of the day (noon & after midnight) and rides can become uncomfortable in some cases, as drivers tend to squeeze in as many people as they can before departing.

By boat
One of the most enjoyable experiences you can have in Mykonos is going from one beach to the next one on the small boat. The smell of fresh sea water combined with the crystal clear waters of our beaches is sure to give you nice memories for a long time. Every day from Platis Yialos fishing boats that have been converted into tourist transport leave every half hour to the beaches of Paranga, Paradise, Super Paradise, Agrari and Elia – in that order. The first one is at 10:15 in the morning and and the last one coming back late at 20:00 (from Super Paradise) and 18:00 (from Elia beach). You can also board the boats at Ornos, only far less rides take place starting there (just 3 inside the day at 10:00, 11:00 and 13:00).

Read more »

Spa Therapies in Mykonos

What about combining your dream vacation in Mykonos at Kouros Hotel & Suites with the joy of a relaxing atmosphere along with some soothing therapies being conducted on you?


An important reason to consider having a spa treatment during vacation is that it allows you to get away from the stress and strain of daily life, it forces you to relax and unwind in a place where tranquility is the norm.

Check our spa list and arrange an appointment with our professional therapist.

BODY CARE

60 min

Chocolate Full Body Therapy

Experience a special body care. Spread melted chocolate with a mask throughout the body for ultimate rejuvenation. Refresh and hydrate the skin for a smooth and shiny result. You will feel great with the characteristic smell of chocolate, known for its detoxifying properties that activate the natural process of eliminating fat and cellulite.

The exotic brown sugar scrub

A scrub with Caribbean brown sugar, sea salts and nourishing olive oil will smooth your skin, detoxify your body and energize your metabolism.

MASSAGE

50 min

Aromatherapy

Let your self be drawn by the force of aromatherapy. Massage enjoyment increases while the essential oils surround you in a fragranced environment. The skin is nourished, softened and gets a silky texture.

Deep tissue sport massage

Stress often causes muscles to become severely knotted; a deep-tissue massage addresses this tension by targeting the body’s deepest layers of muscle. A type of massage therapy that focuses on realigning deeper layers of muscles and connective tissue.

Balinese Head Massage

This treatment combines both gentle and stimulating techniques on the upper back, shoulders, neck and scalp.

Peach Massage with relaxing Hot Shingles

The ultimate relaxing treatment inspired by the hot stone therapy. Using a mixture of metal powder, salt and water, the therapist shapes young, hot pebbles in front of your eyes! Once developed, used for a relaxation massage that exempt from the tendency of muscles. The skin is soft, smooth, free from intensity. A moment of pure and absolute pleasure!

Massage with natural massage oil candles

Our coveted candles engage all the senses. Light AFTERGLOW candle to enjoy its scent, then drizzle the warm oil on the skin as the perfect start to an unforgettable massage! The candles are body safe and contain no parabens or animal products. They contain jojoba, shea butter, vitamin e and aloe, ingredients that provide all day moisture and protection for the skin. Choose your favorite scent and let all your senses be indulged to this one of a kind experience.

FACIAL CARE

30 min

Deep Hydration

Enjoy the exotic touch of pineapple and mango that offer a variety of vitamins, softening and moisturizing properties, preparing the skin before sun exposure and relieve irritation after prolonged sunbathing, giving a surprisingly glamorous look

Read more »

Tips for planning your vacations to Mykonos

If you want to relieve the stress and the doubt that sometimes comes with the trip preparation a good idea is to make a list (and check it twice!)

What you have to do first is to make a list with all the bookings that you need to do (hotel reservation, plane tickets e.t.c). and of course we are here to assist you for car rental arrangements or restaurant bookings. You can address to our concierge desk any inquiries and wishes you might have and we will save you time and effort.

A smart idea to find a good deal is to sign up for alerts from airline companies so that you will know when tickets go on sale. Also check frequently our news & offers section to find out the best deals in the web. Those who travel a lot know that when booking in advance they always get a better rate. Early booking offers are really common to hotels and airline companies. Another advantage of booking early is that you have more available options. Keep in mind that the nicest rooms with the best rate are those that usually are firstly booked.

Since you have booked your tickets and you know your arrival details it is time to organize your free transportation from the airport/port to Kouros Hotel. You just need to send us an email at concierge@kouros-hotel.com and we will assist you with it.

Get a guide book for the island and a map. Start pinpointing points of interest and make a virtual schedule of your stay before you get here! Upon welcoming you here we will provide you with any details and information necessary to assure your vacations will be memorable. Don't forget to plan a visit to Delos island and find out more about the heart of the ancient Greek civilization
And what is better than anticipating an awesome trip? Prolong your anticipation by packing at least one week prior to your departure. That way you will have time not to forget things or not to take more than you actually need. If you need help with what not to pack, read this blog post here!

Looking forward to welcoming you here!

Read more »

One Day Cruise in Mykonos

Our exclusive concierge personnel has gathered up the best excursions for you to enjoy during your vacations in Mykonos island.

We are currently presenting you one of the most exciting ways to explore Mykonos.

Start your vacations with a Full-Day-Trip with a traditional boat at the southern coast of Mykonos.

Relax, enjoy the sun, watch the crystal clear seawater, see quiet beaches...

Meeting point is the pier of Aghios Giannis. Get aboard the traditional boat Dolphins of Delos which takes you along the south coast towards the East. If the wind is strong south, then the route changes towards the north coast.

Head for the uninhabited island of Dragonissi, well known for its beautiful coastline and caves. If the weather permits go into the caves with a dinghy.

Return to the coast of Mykonos and stop at the deserted beach of Frangias. Here you have enough time for swimming and snorkeling and enjoy the offered ouzo, wine, juices & water together with a light lunch that includes bread, olives, tomatoes, cucumber, tzatziki, dolmadakia, giant beans, meatballs.

After lunch there is enough time to spend on the beach. The boats leave for the next beach of Paradise. Here you have time for a coffee break another swim and there is also a station for water sports.

Then head back towards the pier of Aghios Giannis in the evening sun after a day full of activities and beautiful impressions.

Prebook now by contacting our concierge desk at concierge@kouros-hotel.com

Read more »

Tips for comfort in the plane

We are sure that you are excited to come to Mykonos island and to Kouros hotel & Suites, but you are probably not looking forward to the long plane ride. Here are some tips to help you making the travel more comfortable.

1. Be dressed in layers. That is a smart move since airplanes often use excessive air conditioning that make you freeze during the flight but when coming in Mykonos and feel the bright sun you will definitely want to wear as less as you can.

2. Try to fit all the necessary for a long flight (books, magazines, headphones etc) in a small bag. That will let you move easier when on the plane.

3. Chew gum during takeoffs and landings to avoid ear discomfort caused by the altitude change.

4. Keep muscles from cramping by stretching before, during and after the trip. Walk up and down the aisles and rotate your neck, shoulders and wrists.

5. Apply lotion to your hands and face to avoid excessive dryness caused by the circulated air.

6. Take a mini blanket with you. Few airlines offer blankets on flights now and those that do will definitely not match the cleanliness of your own. They can be slim and will keep you cozy when the plane’s air conditioner lowers significantly the temperature!

7. Take your travel pillow with you. Many people find it really easy to sleep on planes, trains, in cars, buses. Using your own pillow can help you relax before arriving to destination and have a fresher look. One thing is sure, by arriving to Kouros you will have a pillow choice that promises a good night’s sleep.

8. Headphones. Having your own headphones definitely reduces the white noise on the plane and gives you a more clear sound to your iPod, DVD player, or the in-flight movie.

12. Eye Mask. Can be easily packed in your day kit and will help you shut out the light of the plane and arrive fresh in your destination. Arriving in such a sunny country as Greece definitely stresses the need for a good night’s sleep!

So travel safe and we will see you here soon...

Read more »

Mykonos invades the craft world

One of the biggest craft product companies in the world, 7gypsies just launched their new line called Mykonos!!!

Their moto...

Dive into Mykonos!!!They have a whole collection inspired by the Greek islands and the colors of the Greek sky and sea. You can have a glimpse at their look book here.
We are happy cause we are sure that our successful scrapbooking event last September surely played a big part in their inspiration!

Read more »

Lights, camera, ACTION!

Once more, some filming action is happening here at Kouros!

Two Taiwanese SUPERSTARS, Ah Xiang and Hao Zi that host their own show called Super Taste stayed in our hotel for their filming of a Greek inspired episode!

Here you can see them in our restaurant getting ready for a night shoot.Here you can have a glimpse one of our head waitresses, Joanna, serving them traditional Greek wine for the needs of the script.We are always excited when we have visits like those! Kouros Hotel images travel worldwide!

Read more »

Celine Navarro in Kouros Hotel

Do you know what scrapbooking is?

Scrapbooking is a method for preserving personal and family history in the form of a scrapbook. Typical memorabilia include photographs, printed media, and artwork. Scrapbook albums are often decorated and frequently contain extensive journaling.

One of the International Scrapbooking masterminds Celine Navarro, is now in Kouros in Mykonos getting inspiration for her future projects!

Celine Navarro started Mixed Media when she was 17. Her British and American penpals introduced her to ATC’s, Mail Art, Art Journals and Altered Books. And there started a new lovestory. She then naturally got started on a art career in Europe and in the United States. After many teaching gigs in France, but also around Europe and around the world (Holland, Belgium, Switzerland, Canada, Norway, Brazil, United States, Australia, New Caledonia, Singapore, Israel and South Africa), she’s been enjoying evyer minute of it, thanks to Scrapbooking and Mixed Media. You can see more of her work in her personla blog here.


We are always excited to be meeting talented artists in person, and we love sharing our inside stories with you! Thank you Celine for picking our hotel for your vacations!

Read more »

Renovation Complete!

Kouros Hotel & Suites has opened for the season and our renovation is complete!
Thanx to the amazing help of Fabienne Spahn, our talented interior designer from France, our hotel has leveled up in atmosphere and service.
One of our major suppliers, the French company Made in Design, had the brilliant idea to showcase the enromous change in our hotel!

You can see more pictures, details and links to our new design items that have refreshed our hotel here.

Read more »

Read more »

And the winner is...

Our cocktail contest winner, who found the name that made us click and love it is...


maraki19-


with the name KOUROJITO !!!!!!






We will be contacting the winner via email and we are looking forward to meeting him/her here in Kouros Hotel & Suites for two nights of fun and Kourojito drinking!
We would like to thank everyone that has participated and we would just like to let you know that we have more contests coming your way so keep an eye to our blog!

Read more »

The cocktail contest is over

Our contest is over and we would like to thank everyone for participating, it was a fun week!

Now all we have to do is gather up all your fabulous suggestions and narrow them down only to one!!

We will have the winner's number really soon....

Thank you again all!

Read more »

Keep them coming!!

Only one day left for you to enter our Cocktail contest with a chance to win 2 nights accommodation to our hotel!! Find out more details on our contest here

The contest is running wild and we have received over a thousand names for our new creation! That has put a lot of pressure for us since we will not be able to narrow it down to just one name! Maybe we will need to come up with new cocktail recipes to fit those creative names!

Some more names that we have received in random pick...

Hearts on Fire
Volcano Love
Kourosunset
Sunset of the Ring
Viva Kouros
pomegrantini
sunset seduction
ruby glow
ruby sparkle
twilight
Don Kouros Margarita
Crimson Aphrodite
Artemis' Ruby
Red Skies at Night
Mykonos Sunset
Legend of the Red Pearl
The Paraportiani
Gay Blade
the rocktini
juliets' favorite
Fire Extinguisher

So keep them coming!!! less than 24 hours are left for your winning chances!!!

Read more »

Cocktail names we have so far.....

Your new cocktail suggestions have flooded our mail!! We are very excited you have come up with such creative names!!

Here are some of your suggestions....

absolutely Kouros
Don's sparkly pomegranate surprise!
Pasión Griega
A hint of mint
kouros' juices.
Kouros Breezer
kouros' fresh kiss
Rodhie Breeze
Eternal Youth
hot ice
Kouros Red Creation
KouroJito
KouraGio
Red Kouros
Mimoza
Persephone's Punch
Deli Kouros
Sailor's Delight
mykonos madness
s-elinio
mykotini
MARK VI
Julio Fresco
"THE KATARINA"
Don coolio
Don's Minty Pomegranate Margarita
The Scarlet delight
Liquid Velvet
Crimson summer
kourostini
Crimson delight
Kouros Dream
The glance of Kouros
Kouros whisper
Kouros Passion
The burning tongue of Kouros
Kouros bloody Heart
Kouros secret recipe
the beauty of kouros
Kouros Red Potion
The eternal elixir
Marbelous Kouros


Remember you have up to the 31st of August to apply with a name for a chance to win 2 nights at Kouros Hotel & Suites in Mykonos!!!

Read more »

Name our new Signature cocktail and win a 2 nights stay this season

We have thought of making a fun competition with you for the chance to win a 2 nights stay in Kouros Hotel & Suites in Mykonos Greece for this summer season.

Our F&B Manager, John Chatzidrosos used to bartend some of the most famous celebrities in Lake Como, Italy. Now he has created our new Signature Drink for the summer only for our precious guests!

What are we looking for now?? .... A name for this delicious drink...

And what we offer?? .... A 2 nights stay in our hotel with a chance to taste the cocktail yourselves!! And what does this mean? Accommodation in one of our renovated double rooms, full American buffet breakfast and your transportation from and to the port or the airport.

Here are some photos for you to be inspired, as well as the recipe of John's cocktail so you can have a hint when suggesting names!

Cocktail Recipe:



Don Julio reposado tequila 11/2 oz

fresh lime juice 11/2 oz

sugar syrop 1 oz

fresh pomegranate juice 1 oz

fresh mint leaves

a splash of sparkling water

Bartender's trick: Before mixing the cocktail in the shaker, rub a mint leaf around the rim of the glass, as this will suggest the light refreshing taste to come...
And VOILA! Kouros 'nameless' cocktail is ready to be tasted at our pool.... So any names coming up your mind?

You have up to th 31th of July 2010 to come up with suggestions for the name of our new signature cocktail.



The winning name that will steal our heart and will perfectly match John's creation will be the big winner.


So, submit here...


Booking dates can be for stays up to the 10th of October 2010 and will be confirmed upon correspondance with the winner and availability of the hotel. More than one entries from the same email are more than welcome. The final decision of the cocktail's name will rely solely upon our pool bar service staff's decision, based on your suggestions.

Read more »

What not to pack for Mykonos!! Yes, a reverse packing guide

When travelling, it’s very common that people overload their luggage with things they eventually don’t get to use during their stay here in Mykonos, or anywhere else in the world for that matter. Based on our 15-year experience here at Kouros Hotel and Suites we can assure you that it happens all the time -even with experienced and returning travelers!
One of the reasons it happens (besides you being over excited for the trip!) is the fact that people don’t really know which items will be available to them when they get here –either offered as hotel amenities or available in stores inside Mykonos Town. As such, we found it useful to offer you some advice on how to lighten the load of your luggage and pack smartly before visiting Mykonos Island.


1. Daily cleansing products such as soap and shampoo could excess your baggage weight with overload. So spare some luggage space leaving them out! At Kouros Hotel and Suites we offer you a high quality range of products made by KORRES Natural products- one of the leading Greek brands in this category with outlets all over the world, so there’s one more reason not to worry. Of course in case you are using a specific type that you actually have to use (for example a medical one or a particular type for your skin etc), our suggestion does not apply.

2. As with soap, towels for the bathroom, the beach and our pool are also provided by our hotel free of charge, in a daily basis so there’s no need to stuff your luggage with those. We pride ourselves of using hypo-alergic cleaning products when washing our linen, providing you an air of freshness when using them.

3. Thirdly if you are considering bringing your laptop together there are a couple of things that you may need to take into consideration. First of all we would like to remind you that we have two big Apple iMacs available for you to use 24hours in our Lobby with a free wi-fi connection, unlimited usage.

Additionally, in some cases laptops can be heavy and bulky, taking away precious space in your luggage and adding extra weight to your total (remember that when flying from and to Mykonos and the weight of your luggage surpasses the designated limit for your flight, you will have to pay a fine according to each airline company).

Another reason why taking a laptop to Mykonos should be twice regarded is that it sometimes can be easy to get sucked in to online life and spend some extra time on Facebook (yes, we too do that a lot! lol) instead of being out experiencing the beauty and atmosphere of Mykonos. And for those that actually work… Relax!! You should be in holiday mode and forget the office just for a few days!


4. Finally, a very wise proverb of travelling says ‘Don’t pack anything that might be fun to buy once you arrive’. You will have the chance to do a lot of shopping on Mykonos island and chat with the shopkeepers, which is not only fun but is also a great way to learn more about our culture, food and attractions.

Well, that’s all for today! We really hope that this blog helped with your preparations for Mykonos and of course we‘re looking forward to welcoming you to our beautiful Island and Kouros Hotel soon!!

Read more »