Amy Adejokun
Section editor
The imposing 4 to 6-storey Electra Palace Resort is rather alarming at first sight, but turns out to be a good place to laze around or let off steam taking part in the numerous activities organised by a well-motivated team. Built in 1974, it was fortunately completely renovated in 2007 and now presents a modern face to the world, just a stone's throw from the Aegean Sea.
Electra Palace - © I. Lubinetsky / EASYVOYAGE
Electra Palace - © I. Lubinetsky / EASYVOYAGE
The Electra Palace Resort stands on the west coast of the island, just over a mile from Ialyssos town centre, 6 mi from Rhodes and about 2 and a half mi from the airport. The entire bay is lined with many modern hotels, making it a rather upmarket holiday destination, and the hospitality you'll experience here is second-to-none. The gentle breeze of the Meltem blowing in from the sea is also very pleasant and the sea itself provides both a real challenge for sailing-sports enthusiasts and refreshing relief for others, particularly during the summer. The nearby Filerimos Hill, with its ruins of the ancient Acropolis of Ialyssos and the Monastery of Panaghia, dominates the whole region. It is a great destination for walks, offering superb panoramic views along the coast.
Lifts lead up to the 308 rooms, spread between two buildings, and whilst 60% of the rooms have a sea view, the others make do with a view of the swimming pool or gardens at the back of the hotel! The rooms are spacious and well-lit by a large picture window and all have a small balcony (with a table and chairs), twin beds, bedside tables, a desk, a small round table, armchairs, somewhere to store suitcases, a minibar, a television, individual air-conditioning and - as a one off - a free safe! The bathrooms are rather large and consist of a large washbasin, a small table to hold a few things, a hair-dryer, a telephone and a bathtub. Hospitality products are also provided and include bath/shower gel, shampoo, soap and body lotion. The cupboard contains two bathrobes and two pairs of slippers, which is worth a mention if only because it is a rare treat on the island! Beach towels are also provided. Simplicity and modernity are the touchstones of the decor, with black and white photos on the walls, which are of course white, wooden furniture and basic coloured bed sheets.
If you are horrified by the idea of all-concrete complexes, relax! The Electra Palace buildings are laid out in a garden decorated with pretty plantations of palm trees, ylang-ylang, bougainvillea and rose bushes, among other things. As is usually the case, the whole ground floor is marble-clad and houses a stylish, modern lobby and lounge corners with tables, armchairs and sofas. Outside, there is a very large swimming pool with deckchairs and parasols set out for guests to use free of charge. You can either catch some sun beside the pool or lounge on the lawn under a palm tree, where it is a bit cooler. There is also a mini-club cottage for children, complete with swings, slide and a fairly large pool.
The hotel boasts three restaurants, each offering a different style of dining! The main restaurant opens for breakfast, lunch and dinner, serving up an international buffet (Chinese, Greek, Indian and "show cooking" demonstrations) in a large, attractive room that seats 400 diners. The small Italian restaurant opens for late breakfasts, lunch and dinner (reservation required). Finally, the Chinese restaurant opens for dinner and is a pretty, small room just next to a pool and it is advisable to book on arrival if you wish to dine here. You may enjoy all the complimentary drinks you wish from the hotel's 3 bars at the swimming pool, lobby and lounge, with the added bonus of tea time from 4:30pm to 5:30pm followed by snacks from 5:30pm to 6:30pm. Just don't expect very good quality beverages...
The beach is covered in black sand and pebbles, making it difficult to walk without sandals unless you head for the mini-pontoons, where you will be fine in bare feet. There is no need to get up at the crack of dawn to make sure you get a deckchair, either; unlike many other resorts, plenty of loungers and parasols are available free of charge for guests here. The sea is a little choppy in this part of the island, which is perfect if you like splashing about in the breakers and surf or want to try your hand at water sports. However, the water sports centre is not actually part of the hotel, so such activities do incur an additional charge.
Most guests here opt for an all-inclusive package, but this does not include use of the Internet, which incurs an additional charge, as is the case in most of the hotels on the island. You may check your e-mails using the hotel's computers or on your own laptop via Wi-Fi, which is available only on the ground floor of the hotel and which incurs a charge of ?4.50 per half hour or ?50 per week. The friendly receptionists can provide more information on this.
massage, sauna, hammam, keep fit, spa, Turkish bath
tennis, gym, aqua gym, volleyball, basketball, archery, water-polo, fitness, sports
Anonyme.
Un très bel hôtel avec de belles chambres bien entretenues. Une belle piscine et des restaurants de bonne qualité et variés. Le personnel de salle est aimable mais attention vous êtes dans un "palace" donc la chef de salle veille au grain.
Les chambres ont une petites terrasse très agréable et la plage n'est pas loin.
Un goûter furtif, premier arrivé, premier servi et un manque cruel d'animation. Je déconseille aux personnes avec des enfants.
The Miramare is an upscale hotel with a good reputation in Rhodes, quite appropriate for holiday-makers seeking peace and relaxation in a very comfortable atmosphere. It is particularly suited for a honeymoon stay.
The Blue Bay hotel is set in lush, verdant surroundings a stone's throw from the beach. The green of nature and the blue of the sea offers a pleasant mix for holiday-makers who just want to laze around, or conversely, partake in the various activities on offer. Unfortunately, many of the latter are proposed in German, but then again they do provide the perfect opportunity to take up a foreign language!
The Nathalie is a small guesthouse located in a residential area of the village of Ixia. As an adorable little family establishment, it reminds you of the golden years of the island's resorts. Run by a Greek-Scottish couple, it is the perfect place for a holiday dedicated to rest and relaxation; there is no beach, nor much in the way of entertainment, but that doesn't matter! The Nathalie is a charming, moderately-sized guesthouse which is highly recommended for couples who are looking for a little intimacy.
When it opened in 2005, the Club Aquatour Ocean Blue consisted of a single building and was known as the Sun Flower. It only became the Ocean Blue when it changed hands in 2006, prior to a series of renovations and, above all, expansions of the site. Although its architecture is a far cry from the blocks of buildings often found on the island, it's not the most charming of constructions either. Having said that, the newer part of the establishment is far more pleasant. The Club Aquatour Ocean Blue attracts a primarily European (mainly French) clientele and is open during the summer season only, from April to October.
The Blue Horizon Palm Beach Club opened in 1986. Thankfully, it was renovated in 2002 when it changed hands. As a result, it resembles many of the other clubs on the island, the only difference being that it has exploited three major assets: the wind, the waves and the F2 Pro Centre, a windsurfing centre which is only found in four other parts of the world. It is therefore the perfect haven for windsurfing enthusiasts!
The 5* Ixian Grand was built in 1978 and underwent a complete makeover in 2007, which makes it hard to believe that it is over 30 years old! The new incarnation is designed to a contemporary, designer template. Just a few feet from the beach, the hotel has few sports facilities and not much in the way of organised entertainment and activities. It is therefore best suited to couples without children, or families passing through.
Located on the banks of the wild and beautiful Aegean Sea, the Sunshine Vacation Club is a rather charmless establishment which is nevertheless ideal for families looking for somewhere with sports facilities, organised entertainment and plenty of opportunity to laze around. Having said that, the hotel should improve over the coming years, with two new buildings planned for 2010. The 20 new guest rooms already available set the tone for the rest of the complex: refined and contemporary!
The Avra Beach is an all-inclusive hotel, so it's easy to spot those staying here by the famous plastic wristbands they wear. The facilities seem pleasant enough, although the communal areas are far too small given that the hotel has a total capacity of 500 people. There are people literally everywhere, so if you're agoraphobic you'd best keep away! Add to this the ridiculous volume of the music played at the poolside and it'll come as no surprise that this isn't the place to stay if you're looking for a quiet spot to relax. The hotel attracts both young people and families but very few couples. Entertainment is put on throughout the day, so if you're after peace and quiet you'd best look elsewhere!
At the heart of the city of Rhodes, the Rodos Park Suites is a luxury hotel, perfect for couples who want a peaceful stay in a cultural context.
The 5* Ixian Grand was built in 1978 and underwent a complete makeover in 2007, which makes it hard to believe that it is over 30 years old! The new incarnation is designed to a contemporary, designer template. Just a few feet from the beach, the hotel has few sports facilities and not much in the way of organised entertainment and activities. It is therefore best suited to couples without children, or families passing through.
The Miramare is an upscale hotel with a good reputation in Rhodes, quite appropriate for holiday-makers seeking peace and relaxation in a very comfortable atmosphere. It is particularly suited for a honeymoon stay.
Previously known as Sofitel, the Capsis has now abandoned the illustrious name without loosing any of its grandeur. It is a monumental nine-floor building which includes the largest conference centre ever to be seen in a European hotel; an important asset that is likely to inspire holidaying businessmen and women. This fully-equipped establishment is the ideal choice for couples as well as families. However, don't count on doing any activities, as these are practically non-existent...
The Olympic Palace has such an imposing architecture that it's hard to pass by it without it catching your eye. It was built towards the end of the 70s, and from the outside it rather looks like a huge space craft. However, be assured that inside, the hotel is much more pleasant and features modern furniture. The clientele is mainly made up of families, most of which come from Europe.
From the outside, the Rodos Palace is a massive 17-storey building, impossible to miss from the coastal road that passes in front of it. It's not the most welcoming of places at first glance, but once inside, guests remember that they shouldn't judge a book by its cover. However, the 70s inspired style is very present here, which might not be to the liking of all guests! However, despite its age, the Rodos Palace offers facilities that are suitable for guests of all ages. Interestingly, the hotel has welcomed some very famous guests, such as François Mitterrand and Margaret Thatcher.
Nestled on a hillside in a quiet and pleasant setting near the medieval town of Rhodes, the Rodian Amathus hotel has all the necessary to attract holiday-makers in search of relaxation.
Ideally situated on the extreme northern tip of the island, near the beach and the medieval city of Rhodes, the Mediterranean hotel is a high-end comfortable facility which attracts couples and elderly tourists.