Gaia Village in Tigaki, on the Greek island of Kos, is one of those places that often gets booked under a broad “all inclusive in Kos” search, yet travelers still arrive wondering exactly what that label covers. Is it genuinely all inclusive, or more of a limited package with fine print around drinks, snacks and extras?
With the hotel positioning itself within an all inclusive-focused local brand, and tour operators selling various board types, it can be surprisingly easy to misinterpret what is and is not part of the deal.
This guide breaks down Gaia Village’s current meal plans, the all inclusive formula, typical exclusions and what recent guests report, so you know exactly what to expect before you book.
Is Gaia Village Kos All Inclusive?
Gaia Village officially operates with three board options: Bed and Breakfast, Half Board and All Inclusive. That means “all inclusive” is not automatic; it depends on which package you book with your tour operator or directly with the hotel.
Guests who choose Bed and Breakfast will only have their morning meal included, while Half Board usually covers breakfast and dinner. The All Inclusive option is the most comprehensive, designed for travelers who want to keep on-site spending predictable and low once they arrive.
When you select the all inclusive board, your main meals are served buffet style in the hotel’s central restaurant and on its terrace. All inclusive guests are also entitled to a schedule of snacks and drinks at specific bars and times throughout the day. The hotel presents this as a complete holiday solution for families and couples who prefer to stay mostly within the resort or around Tigaki, with only occasional nights out at local tavernas.
However, it is important to understand that Gaia Village is a mid-range, three-star property offering what could be called a “standard Greek island” all inclusive, not the ultra-all-inclusive style some travelers may know from large resorts in Turkey, Spain or the Caribbean. Certain imported drinks, upgraded cocktails, premium coffees and services tend to fall outside the standard package, and the overall food and drink range is geared toward value and simplicity rather than luxury.
Understanding the Board Packages: B&B, Half Board and All Inclusive
The most basic option at Gaia Village is Bed and Breakfast. This suits travelers who plan to explore Kos extensively, rent a car and eat in different villages, or prefer long days at the beach where they can sample local tavernas. With this board type, you start your day at the hotel’s buffet breakfast, then handle the rest of your meals independently in Tigaki or further afield. Given the resort’s proximity to numerous cafés, snack bars and mini markets, this can be a flexible choice for experienced island hoppers.
Half Board is the next level and tends to attract guests who appreciate the convenience of coming back to an organized dinner after a day out. Typically this covers breakfast and dinner in the main restaurant, with drinks at meals often limited to water or chargeable extras, depending on your tour operator’s exact contract. Lunch, daytime snacks and most alcoholic beverages fall outside this package and are paid separately at the bar or in the village.
All Inclusive at Gaia Village is marketed as the most hassle-free option. In practice it adds a buffet lunch, a more extensive drinks entitlement and scheduled snacks throughout the day to the Half Board base. For families with children who want quick, constant access to ice cream, soft drinks and simple snacks by the pool, or for couples planning to stay mostly on-site, this can make budgeting easier. Yet the scope of what is included remains anchored in the mid-range: expect decent variety and convenience, not gourmet abundance.
The All Inclusive Formula: What Is Actually Included?
Gaia Village publishes a clear outline of its all inclusive formula, which combines buffet meals, drinks by the glass and set snack times. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are offered buffet style in the main restaurant, typically on the following schedule: breakfast from about 7.30 to 10.00, lunch from 12.30 to 14.00, and dinner from 18.30 to 21.00. The buffet blends Greek and international dishes, with salads, simple hot options, pasta, meats and desserts that change day to day. Theme nights are occasionally added, such as Greek evenings with local specialties.
During meals, all inclusive guests may pour house wine, draft beer, soft drinks and table water from self-service dispensers. Outside main restaurant hours, the program continues at the pool bar and selected bars. A typical schedule includes warm and cold snacks late morning and in the afternoon, a coffee and cake hour, and ice cream for children. Drinks such as mineral water, soft drinks, juices, local draft beer, local house wine, rum, brandy and ouzo are usually available by the glass from around 10.00 until late evening, often 23.00.
One important detail is that the all inclusive formula applies to local beverages served by the glass, not bottled products. If you request bottled water for your room, imported labels, energy drinks or branded international spirits, these are usually extra. Similarly, the bar list typically distinguishes between included local spirits and a paid cocktail menu. Guests who are content with simple long drinks, beer, wine and Ouzo tend to find the offering adequate, while those expecting a full open bar with premium brands may feel restricted.
Dining Experience: Restaurants, Quality and Variety
The heart of Gaia Village’s all inclusive experience is its main restaurant, a bright, casual space with an adjacent terrace for outdoor seating. Breakfast buffets lean heavily on continental options: bread, pastries, cereal, yogurt, fruit, cold cuts and basic hot items such as eggs or sausages. For lunch and dinner, the spread shifts toward mixed Mediterranean and international fare. Pastas, stews, grilled meats, vegetables, salads and potatoes are mainstays, interspersed with familiar children’s favorites like chips and simple sauces.
As with many three-star all inclusive hotels, guest opinions about food at Gaia Village are mixed. Some families and couples describe the meals as solid and satisfying, especially for the price point. They highlight fresh salads, simple grilled dishes and the convenience of not having to plan every meal. Others find the selection repetitive after a week, noting that certain dishes reappear frequently and that seasoning can be inconsistent.
For travelers who view food as a central part of their holiday, it may be wise to treat Gaia Village’s buffet as a functional base and plan several meals out in Tigaki, where beachfront tavernas and local restaurants offer more authentic and varied Greek cooking. The advantage of staying in Tigaki is that everything is within a short walk, so even all inclusive guests can break up the buffet routine with dinners of fresh fish, meze and local wines by the sea without relying on taxis.
Snacks, Bars and Drinks: Where “All Inclusive” Ends
Outside the restaurant, Gaia Village’s pool bar is the main hub of daytime life. According to the current program, snacks are offered mid-morning and mid-afternoon, usually in the form of light bites such as sandwiches or simple hot snacks. A coffee and tea hour in the afternoon comes with cakes, cookies or biscuits. Children’s ice cream is typically served at the pool bar during set hours between late morning and late afternoon, which is particularly appreciated by families.
Drink service under the all inclusive package usually runs from 10.00 until 23.00. Within those hours, guests can order local draft beer, house wine, basic spirits like rum, brandy and Ouzo, soft drinks, juices and water. After 23.00, drinks become chargeable. This time limit is a key point for travelers who enjoy late-night socializing; if you are used to resorts where all inclusive bars stay open until the early hours, you may need to adjust expectations or budget for a few paid drinks.
Several recent reviews emphasize that the all inclusive bar selection is relatively narrow and that cocktails, international branded spirits and certain fruit juices or specialty coffees incur extra charges. The hotel describes its program as a three-star all inclusive, and that is a fair way to frame it. As long as you approach the bar expecting a decent range of local basics rather than an elaborate international cocktail list, you are less likely to feel disappointed by the limitations.
What Guests Say: Expectations vs Reality
Recent traveler feedback about Gaia Village’s all inclusive offering tends to follow a pattern: guests who arrive with modest expectations for a three-star Greek resort often report a good value stay, while those who anticipate a premium all inclusive experience occasionally describe frustration with the food variety and bar limitations. Some reviews praise the family-friendly pool area, the handy ice cream hours for children and the convenience of having snacks close at hand throughout the day.
On the other hand, a notable subset of guests comment that certain aspects of the all inclusive package feel restricted or inconsistent with their interpretation of “all inclusive.” Complaints include needing to pay extra for cocktails and imported spirits, having limited choice at the bar compared with other resorts, or feeling that the buffet becomes repetitive during a longer stay. A few guests have also mentioned preferring to dine out in Tigaki several times during the week to enjoy higher quality or more varied food than they felt was offered on site.
These contrasting impressions highlight a core truth about Gaia Village: this is not a luxury property that happens to be all inclusive; it is a value-focused, family-oriented hotel that uses the all inclusive model to simplify budgeting. Understanding that context helps align expectations. If you imagine a simple, practical buffet and a straightforward local drinks list, you are more likely to perceive the package as acceptable or even good value. If you expect gourmet spreads and a full international open bar, it may fall short.
Comparing Gaia Village to Other All Inclusive Resorts on Kos
Within the broader Gaia Hotels group on Kos, there are several all inclusive properties, including Gaia Royal and Gaia Palace near Mastichari, and Gaia Garden and Gaia In Style in other parts of the island. Some of these focus more heavily on all inclusive as a cornerstone of the experience, while Gaia Village in Tigaki balances that model with its village-style layout and close proximity to a lively resort town. For travelers deciding between Gaia properties, it is worth considering whether you prefer a relatively self-contained beach resort or a base that encourages easy dining and nightlife outside the hotel.
In the wider Kos market, all inclusive offerings range from small family-run hotels with modest buffets to large beachfront complexes with multiple restaurants, branded bars and extensive entertainment schedules. Gaia Village sits in the middle of that spectrum, offering two pools, sports facilities and a classic buffet setup without the scale or breadth of the largest all inclusive resorts. Its key advantage is location: Tigaki’s long sandy beach and compact center are only a short walk away, making it easy to alternate between inclusive meals and evenings in local tavernas.
If you are primarily seeking the most comprehensive all inclusive experience on Kos, including broad cocktail menus, multiple themed restaurants, kids’ clubs and large-scale entertainment, you may want to compare Gaia Village with bigger four-star and five-star complexes elsewhere on the island. If, however, your priority is a simple, cost-conscious all inclusive base in a convenient resort area with plenty of off-site options, Gaia Village can be a strong candidate when priced competitively.
Practical Tips for Making the Most of All Inclusive at Gaia Village
The first step in making the most of Gaia Village’s packages is to clarify your board basis before you confirm your booking. Tour operators and online travel agencies may display multiple options for the same dates, and wording can vary. Check that your confirmation explicitly lists “All Inclusive” rather than Half Board or Bed and Breakfast. If you are unsure, contact your provider or the hotel directly and ask for a written outline of what is included during your dates of stay, as seasonal variations can occur.
Once on site, it helps to familiarize yourself with the daily timetable for meals, snacks and drinks. Note the opening times of the main restaurant and pool bar, and ask reception or bar staff for the latest version of the all inclusive schedule. Many misunderstandings arise simply from guests missing the small print about time limits, snack windows or specific bars where the program applies. Taking a few minutes on arrival to understand the system can prevent frustration later.
Finally, consider using the all inclusive package as your base rather than your only dining option. Even if your aim is to keep extra spending low, setting aside a small budget for a couple of dinners in Tigaki can greatly enrich your experience of local cuisine. Meanwhile, within the hotel, take advantage of the coffee and cake hours, children’s ice cream times and included soft drinks to reduce impulse purchases, and treat paid cocktails or premium drinks as occasional indulgences rather than expecting them to be part of the core package.
The Takeaway
Gaia Village in Tigaki is genuinely an all inclusive hotel, but only if you book that specific board option and approach it with realistic expectations. Its all inclusive formula centers on buffet meals in the main restaurant, local drinks served by the glass from morning until late evening, and set snack and ice cream times around the pool. It is designed to provide a straightforward, budget-friendly framework for families and couples rather than a lavish, ultra-premium resort experience.
For travelers who value predictability, proximity to a sandy beach and the flexibility to dip into Tigaki’s restaurant scene whenever they wish, Gaia Village can be a solid choice. To avoid disappointment, however, it is essential to understand that some items conspicuously associated with all inclusive holidays in other destinations, such as branded cocktails, imported spirits and extended late-night bar service, are outside the standard package and chargeable.
If you are comfortable with a three-star level of food and drink, and view the all inclusive program as a convenient baseline rather than a limitless promise, Gaia Village’s combination of pools, family-friendly spaces and a prime location near one of Kos’s best beaches can add up to good value. Set your expectations accordingly, confirm the details of your package in advance, and you are far more likely to enjoy the relaxed, sun-drenched holiday the hotel is designed to deliver.
FAQ
Q1. Is Gaia Village in Kos a fully all inclusive resort?
The hotel offers an all inclusive board option, but it also sells Bed and Breakfast and Half Board packages. Only guests booked specifically on the all inclusive board receive the full program of meals, snacks and local drinks.
Q2. What meals are included in the all inclusive package?
All inclusive typically includes buffet breakfast, lunch and dinner in the main restaurant, served at set times throughout the day, along with light snacks available during late morning and afternoon.
Q3. Which drinks are included for all inclusive guests?
Local draft beer, house wine, basic local spirits such as rum, brandy and Ouzo, soft drinks, juices and water are normally included by the glass from around 10.00 until late evening, usually 23.00.
Q4. Are cocktails and imported spirits part of the all inclusive deal?
No. Cocktails, branded international spirits and certain specialty drinks are usually chargeable extras and not covered by the standard three-star all inclusive program.
Q5. Is ice cream included for children?
Yes, children’s ice cream is generally included at the pool bar during set hours in the daytime, typically from late morning until late afternoon.
Q6. Can I upgrade to all inclusive after arriving at the hotel?
Upgrades may be possible if the hotel has availability and your tour operator’s contract allows it, but they are not guaranteed. It is best to secure the all inclusive board type at the time of booking to avoid disappointment.
Q7. Are drinks available all night under the all inclusive plan?
No. All inclusive drinks are usually served until around 23.00. After that time, any beverages you order are typically charged to your room or paid on the spot.
Q8. Does the hotel cater for vegetarians or guests with dietary needs?
The buffet generally offers salads, vegetables, pasta and other meat-free options, but choice can be limited. Guests with specific dietary requirements should contact the hotel in advance and speak with reception or restaurant staff on arrival.
Q9. How does Gaia Village’s all inclusive compare with larger resorts on Kos?
Gaia Village offers a mid-range, three-star style all inclusive centered on one main restaurant and simple bar service. Larger four-star and five-star resorts on Kos may provide more extensive restaurant options, wider bar menus and more elaborate entertainment programs.
Q10. Is Gaia Village a good choice if I plan to eat out in Tigaki often?
Yes. Because the hotel is a short walk from Tigaki’s beach and tavernas, it works well as a base for travelers who want the security of included meals but also plan to enjoy several dinners at local restaurants during their stay.