Holiday Truths www.holidayforums.co.uk Review

Overall Rating

Arrived at the airport and didn't get stopped by the drug squad to be strip searched this time, thankfully. It seems they have started renovating the airport and it's a lot brighter and cleaner than it was the last time we went.
Taxi to the hotel was 15 euros and there is always plenty outside, they have set tariffs to different parts of the island, all reasonable prices. Or check out this for prices and other info rodos.com, we spoke to a couple in the hotel who booked taxi transfers in the UK through the agent and they paid over £100.
On arrival at the hotel the main foyer is modern, large, airy, nice and cool. The reception staff are very friendly and speak good English.
The bar is open until 2am but you have to pay for your drinks as the free bar shuts at 11pm on the dot so the only problem if you're arriving after 2am is there is nowhere to get a drink as there are no facilities in the room, there is a little kiosk shop just up the road if your desperate though. The downside on the drinks is there isn't a lot of choice, local beer on a help yourself basis, vodka, rum, brandy, gin, etc. cocktails have to be paid for but aren't too expensive, on average 3 euros. The room we had was on the 1st floor at the back looking over the children's play area and the rear pool, the room was basic but clean, the maids came in every day made the beds and left fresh towels. Air con doesn't start being used until July in the guest rooms so be prepared for hot sticky nights, we used our hair drier on the cool setting and blew it into the fridge when we got really hot, DIY air con. The pool area at the front of the hotel is lovely, sun beds are a bit crammed in and as usual its towels at dawn if you want to get close to the pool, be prepared to get up early to stake your claim with your towel if you do, some guests even left there towels on overnight, I ' m afraid its got to the stage of 'if you cant beat em join em' where ever you go now. There are lots of seating areas around the hotel so always somewhere to sit inside or out, shady or sunny. The pool at the rear of the hotel is a proper sun trap but there is shade too and it's a lot quieter but you need to be up early for this too. The hotel is clean and tidy, suitable for disabled with ramps and lifts, not a lot for kids to do apart from the pool, a few amusements and the playground round the back but it is a little run down, there weren't many kids there anyway. There are tennis courts for hotel use, they are round the back. The small pebble beach is over the road, a very busy road too, but the traffic noise didn't bother us, if you want to go over to the beach and darent brave the road use the underpass at the hotel next door on the left. I found the layout of the dining room a bit dangerous though as there are 2 steps running all the way along from the serving area to most of the tables, so watch where you are walking.
The food is ok, like most other all inclusive hotels but there was enough choice and plenty of puddings. The waiters are very efficient and the dining room runs smoothly and there was always somewhere to sit without the handbag reserving!
The hotel staff are very helpful, hardworking and friendly, Yannis the barman is a good source of info and has a wicked sense of humour, he works very hard to keep the queue down but will chat if he has the time. The animations team are a good laugh and keep you entertained with their antics. We went to Rhodes town a couple of times. We did walk there the first time, its hard work in the heat or you could get a taxi, this costs 6 euros. The old part is nice lots of winding alleyways, shops and restaurants; the new town is ok too for shopping. One thing I wasn't too happy with was the baggage room, this was round the side of the hotel and wasn't locked so anyone could have walked in but fortunately crime on Rhodes is quite low. All in all it's a nice Greek owned hotel and we did enjoy our stay here.