Why Rhodes deserves the detour in palace mode
Rhodes combines three assets that few Greek islands possess: a medieval old town listed by UNESCO, sandy beaches along 220 kilometres of coastline, and a mature hotel infrastructure ranging from a 5-suite boutique to a 300-room resort. Unlike Santorini where everything hinges on the caldera, Rhodes offers real diversity of stays. One can stay in a converted Venetian palace at the heart of the ramparts, in an adults-only boutique hotel in Faliraki, or in a family resort feet in the water in Ixia.
Rhodes luxury assumes two faces: the historic (the Grande Albergo Delle Rose, rationalist palace of 1927 that has kept its marbles and coffered ceilings) and the contemporary (the 10GR Boutique Hotel, Greek wine cellar and minimalist design). Between the two, a solid intermediate offer, often run by Greek families who have transformed Ottoman houses and neoclassical mansions into charming addresses. Competition is fierce: the best establishments are fully booked from March for high season (May-October), and rates climb 40% between April and July.
What distinguishes Rhodes from the other Cyclades is this ability to absorb all profiles: couples seeking calm at the Marini Seaside (14 rooms, Faliraki bay), large families at the Atlantica Holiday Village (village-club formula with kids club and four pools), repeat travellers who chain the old town's boutique hotels. We have culled the addresses that rely solely on the view or the name, to keep only those that deliver on their promises over time ✨
When to go: seasonality and rates
Rhodes benefits from 300 days of sun per year, making it one of Greece's sunniest islands. But this climatic consistency does not mean all seasons are equal for a palace stay.
| Period | Climate | Crowds | Average rate (5★ night) | Our verdict |
|---|
| April-May | 18-24°C, cool sea (17°C) | Low to moderate | 180-280 € | Ideal for the old town, flowering gardens |
| June-August | 28-32°C, sea 24°C | Very high | 350-550 € | Crowded beaches, scorching heat |
| September-October | 24-28°C, sea 23°C | Moderate | 220-380 € | Best compromise quality-price-weather |
| November-March | 12-18°C, rain possible | Very low | 120-200 € | Many hotels closed, calm old town |
High season (July-August) concentrates 60% of annual visitors. East coast resorts (Faliraki, Kalithea, Ixia) are fully booked, urban beaches like Elli become unusable after 11am, and old town restaurants serve in industrial mode. If you target this period, book 6 months ahead and accept paying top dollar.
We recommend May-June for the mildness (the Rodos Park gardens are at their peak) and September-October for the still-warm sea (23°C) without the crowds. October remains pleasant until mid-month, with rates dropping 30% after the 15th. November marks the start of low season: half the hotels close, but those that stay open (notably old town boutique hotels) slash prices. If your priority is cultural discovery rather than beach, it's an interesting window.
To avoid: August, tourist overheating and sky-high rates. Direct flights from Paris or Brussels show prohibitive prices (400-600 € return), and the on-site experience loses quality.
Where to stay in Rhodes: neighbourhoods and typologies
Rhodes Town divides into two distinct entities: the medieval old town (ramparts, cobbled alleys, UNESCO heritage) and the new town (seafront, Elli beach, Mandraki port). Beyond, the east coast unrolls a succession of beach resorts (Ixia, Ialyssos, Faliraki, Kalithea, Lindos) while the island's south remains wilder and less equipped.
Medieval old town
This is the historic heart, circled by 4 kilometres of Venetian ramparts. It holds the most characterful boutique hotels: 10GR Boutique Hotel (10 rooms, wine cellar, rooftop terrace over the fortifications), Rodos Park (60 rooms, citrus gardens, Small Luxury Hotels member), Jensen Luxury Suites (5 design suites, run by a Greek family), Sperveri Boutique Hotel (14 rooms, two renovated Ottoman houses). Advantage: total immersion in heritage, restaurants on foot, pedestrian vibe. Disadvantage: no beach nearby (15-minute walk to Elli), cobbled alleys sometimes tricky with luggage, parking impossible (drop bags then park outside the walls).
Ideal profile: couples on city-break, repeat travellers who have done the beaches, architecture and heritage lovers. If you seek absolute calm, avoid rooms on Sokratous street (noisy shopping artery until 11pm in high season).
New town and Elli beach
Elli beach is Rhodes's most urban: grey sand, packed loungers, beach bars, jet-skis. The Grande Albergo Delle Rose (1927 palace, Italian rationalist architecture) and the More Meni City Beach (beach boutique hotel, 20 rooms) bank on this immediate proximity. Advantage: sea access in 2 minutes, old town 10 minutes on foot, restaurants and nightlife. Disadvantage: beach saturated in high season, less intimate vibe than Faliraki or Kalithea.
Ideal profile: first visit to Rhodes, travellers wanting to mix culture and beach without renting a car, families with teens.
East coast: Faliraki, Kalithea, Ixia
This is resort and beach boutique hotel territory. Faliraki long had a party resort reputation (clubs, bars), but the southern bay has calmed with calmer addresses: Cabú Hotel (adults-only, pool, no direct beach but shuttle), Marini Seaside (14 rooms, quiet bay, away from the hustle). Kalithea and Ixia host big family resorts: Atlantica Holiday Village (5-star village-club, kids club, four pools), Akti Imperial Deluxe Resort (313 rooms, four pools, all-inclusive option).
Advantage: sandy beaches (or pebbles in Ixia), full infrastructure (spas, multiple restaurants, water sports), easy parking. Disadvantage: need to rent a car to reach the old town (15-25 minutes depending on traffic), resort vibe sometimes impersonal in large structures.
Ideal profile: families with children, travellers prioritising beach and comfort over cultural immersion, long stays (7 days and more).
South of the island: Lindos and beyond
The south (Lindos, Lardos, Kiotari) is wilder, less built, with more preserved beaches. But high-end hotel offer is limited. If you seek isolation, accept 45 minutes drive to Rhodes Town and restricted restaurant options off-season.
| Neighbourhood | Vibe | Hotel type | Good for |
|---|
| Old town | Heritage, alleys, pedestrian | Boutique hotels 5-60 rooms | Couples, city-break, culture |
| New town / Elli | Urban, city beach | Historic palaces, boutique | First visit, no car |
| Faliraki / Kalithea | Beach, lively | Resorts, adults-only boutique | Families, beach, comfort |
| Ixia / Ialyssos | Beach, windy | Large resorts, all-inclusive | Families, water sports |
| South (Lindos) | Wild, isolated | Limited offer | Isolation, nature |
Tables and gastronomy: beyond the resort
Rhodes has no Michelin-starred restaurant, but the island counts a handful of tables worth the detour, often run by Greek chefs trained abroad and returned home.
In the old town, Tamam (Leontos Sofou street) serves revisited Greek cuisine in a former Ottoman hammam: grilled octopus with thyme honey, deconstructed moussaka, Dodecanese wines. Count 45-60 € per person. Marco Polo Mansion (Agiou Fanouriou 40-42) banks on local products (Symi goat cheeses, Lardos olive oil) in an Ottoman house setting. Booking essential in high season.
In Lindos, Mavrikos (main square) is an institution since 1933: day-fresh fish, family vegetable garden, Acropolis view. Service can be slow in August (cruiser influx), prefer lunch or late dinner (after 9.30pm).
On the coast, Kerasma (Apollonion 4, Rhodes Town) offers Greco-Mediterranean fusion cuisine: sesame tuna tartare, seafood risotto, revisited desserts. Solid wine list (Santorini Assyrtiko, Naoussa Xinomavro). Budget: 70-90 € per person with wine.
East coast resorts have their own restaurants, often decent but rarely memorable. The Akti Imperial offers an Italian (Da Vinci) and a Greek (Symposium) that stand out, but we recommend venturing out at least two evenings to discover the local scene.
Note: Faliraki and Ixia seafront tavernas are hit-or-miss. Avoid those with menus in 8 languages and laminated photos. Favour spots where Greeks eat: To Steno (Faliraki, pedestrian street), Koykos (Ixia, grilled fish), Nireas (Mandraki, seafood).
Experiences and excursions from the hotels
Rhodes is more than its old town and beaches. A few experiences are worth the detour, often bookable via palace conciergeries.
- Lindos Acropolis: archaeological site perched 116 metres above the sea, accessible on foot (20-minute steep climb) or donkey-back. View over Saint-Paul bay. Arrive before 9am or after 5pm to avoid bus crowds.
- Butterfly Valley (Petaloudes): nature reserve where thousands of Panaxia quadripunctaria butterflies gather from June to September. Shaded trails, waterfalls, calm. 30 minutes drive from Rhodes Town.
- Kalithea Springs: 1920s Italian thermal complex, restored in 2007. Art Deco architecture, mosaics, gardens. No thermal cures today, but a photogenic spot and small pebble beach.
- Wine tasting: the island produces little-known whites (Athiri) and reds (Mandilaria). Emery winery (Embona, Mount Attavyros slopes) offers guided tours and tastings. Booking advised.
- Private cruise to Symi: neighbouring island, colourful neoclassical port, timeless vibe. Several agencies offer private caique outings (8-10 people) with onboard lunch. Count 120-150 € per person.
Hotel conciergeries like Rodos Park or Grande Albergo can arrange private transfers, book tables, or tailor guided visits (archaeology, gastronomy, hiking). The 10GR Boutique Hotel offers Greek wine tastings in its cellar, hosted by the owner.
Budget: what to budget for a palace stay
A 4-day / 3-night stay in a 5-star hotel in Rhodes, excluding flights, breaks down like this (base 2 people, high season May-October):
- Accommodation: 900-1 500 € (3 nights double room, boutique hotel or palace)
- Restaurants: 400-600 € (2 dinners at recommended tables, 2 tavern lunches, breakfasts included at hotel)
- Car rental: 150-200 € (3 days, category B, full insurance)
- Excursions: 200-300 € (Symi cruise, old town guided tour, wine tasting)
- Misc (taxis, tips, site entries): 100-150 €
Total: 1 750-2 750 € for 3 nights, excluding flights.
Direct Paris-Rhodes flights (April-October) range 200-500 € return depending on booking date. Booking 3 months ahead saves 30-40%.
In low season (November-March), hotel rates drop 40-50%, but offer shrinks (closures, uncertain weather). An equivalent stay can dip to 1 200-1 800 € excluding flights.
All-inclusive resorts (like Atlantica Holiday Village, Akti Imperial) offer packages from 180-250 € per person per night in half-board or full-board, which can suit families prioritising budget simplicity.
Practical tips before booking
Airport transfers: Diagoras international airport (RHO) is 14 kilometres from Rhodes Town. Official taxi: 25-30 € to old town (fixed rate), 35-45 € to Faliraki or Ixia. Hotels offer private transfers (50-80 €), more comfortable but not essential. Car rental available at airport (Hertz, Avis, Budget), from 35 € per day category B.
Car or not: if staying in the old town and planning to remain there, a car is unnecessary (tricky parking, everything on foot). If in an east coast resort or planning excursions (Lindos, Butterfly Valley, inland villages), a car is essential. Taxis are pricey for repeated trips.
Hotel bookings: old town boutique hotels (10GR, Jensen, Sperveri) have few rooms (5-14) and book up fast. Reserve 4-6 months ahead for high season. Large resorts have more availability, but best room categories (sea view, suites) go quickly.
Private vs public beaches: most resorts have private beaches with included loungers and umbrellas. Public beaches (Elli, Faliraki, Tsambika) are free but loungers cost (8-12 € per day for 2 loungers + umbrella). Some southern coves (Prasonisi, Fourni) are wild, no facilities.
Language: English widely spoken in hotels and tourist restaurants. French less so, except in a few spots used to Francophone clients. Greeks appreciate a few words in Greek (kalimera, efcharisto).
Currency: euro. Cards accepted everywhere, but cash for village tavernas and tips.
Tipping: not obligatory, but appreciated. 5-10% at restaurants if service good, 1-2 € per bag for hotel porter, round up taxi fare.
Health: no mandatory vaccines. European health insurance card valid. Pack high-protection sunscreen (sun strong April-October) and a hat. Tap water drinkable but often chlorinated, Greeks drink bottled.
Safety: Rhodes is a very safe destination. Pickpocketing possible in crowded tourist zones (old town high season), but rare. Beaches supervised on equipped areas.
Children: large resorts (Atlantica, Akti Imperial) are family-equipped (kids clubs, shallow pools, kids menus). Old town boutique hotels often adults-only or not advised with young children (steep stairs, no lift, cobbled alleys). Check hotel policy before booking 😌
