The perfect honeymoon combines pampering, relaxing, indulging and being utterly spoilt. It is the holiday of a lifetime and a chance to get far away from the mania of wedding planning, work and everyday life. For those with children, planning a honeymoon involves the impossible decision - bring the children, or leave them at home? If you are luckily enough to have some money left over from the wedding for a sitter for the week, or have a willing relative to do the job, will you only spend your time worrying about them? Or is there a way to spoil yourself with a luxurious retreat that also serves as a family holiday, keeping teens and youngsters entertained? The five-star Helona Hotel on the Greek island of Kos, is an indulgent retreat where newlyweds can relax together while kids are entertained from morning to evening with a variety of activities and kids clubs.
For husband and wife
The lavish health spa at the Helona offers plenty to spoil yourself with. The four treatment rooms include a special chromotherapy – or Colour Therapy - room, a double Ayurvedic suite, VIP cabins and a wet room with a floating bed. The spa also has a steam room, a sauna, Jacuzzis, a variety of beauty treatments and there’s a heated indoor swimming pool and a gym.
The main infinity pool and most of the rooms offer beautiful views to Nissyros Island and the Aegean Sea and the hotel houses 21 swimming pools, with private plunge pools for suites and villas. The rooms are well equipped and spread out, so you can enjoy a peaceful stay without feeling smothered by fellow guests.
The Helona sits on a private beach away from the busier tourist areas of Kos, so it’s easy to enjoy some romantic time away from the masses of holidaymakers. A short bus ride or a 10 Euro taxi journey takes you to Kardamena, which has plenty of restaurants, bars and nightclubs for an evening out.
For active youngsters
Guests at the Helona are free to make use of the windsurfing, sailing, scuba diving, tennis and mountain biking facilities on offer at the nearby Lakitira Resort. Kids from as young as four years old can enjoy learning new activities or improving skills – a nice way to keep them entertained during the day so that you can enjoy some time with your partner.
Keeping them entertained
If watersports and racket sports don’t get them excited, then kids can enjoy making friends at the wide range of children’s clubs offered by the resort. Children 2 to 17 years old can get involved with activity programmes which include games, sports and crafts for no extra cost. Entertainment runs from 9am to 12.30pm and from 2.30pm to 5.30pm, with evening crèches and chilled-out entertainment such as movies from 7.30 to 11.30pm leaving plenty of time for romantic dinners, strolls on the beach and quality time together. For a small extra cost, the Baby Club offers nannies for children from four months and extra baby-sitting can be arranged through the resort’s Childcare Manager.
With its idyllic short-haul location, relaxing spa and great range of childcare and activities, the Helona is a great option for families who want to indulge in a luxurious break away. For more information visit: www.markwarner.co.uk
