Gennadi Grand Resort sits in the tranquil tiny coastal village of Gennadi, overlooking a beautiful stretch of beach with crystal clear waters. Focused on sleek minimalist luxury and eco-friendly measures, expect modern style, lots of fancy frills and a ‘green’ roof. The star of the show is the pool area with three freshwater pools – spacious and long, fed by an eco-friendly reverse osmosis plant. Far removed from traditional Greek-style hotels, here it’s all about floor-to-ceiling glass windows, exposed stone and marble walls and chic low-rise accommodation, some with either private or shared pools. Spoilt for choice with restaurants, there’s fine dining degustation menus, rooftop breakfasts, pizza and pasta stations, superfood and wholefood corners, interactive show kitchens and a traditional Greek Tavern. Kids are kept entertained in the mini and junior clubs while adults can make the most of aerial yoga classes and the state-of-the art spa. Or gather all the family together and let the concierge arrange a sailing boat trip to a private beach or an excursion to the nearby Lindos Acropolis. In muted shades of pale grey, soft white and beige, contemporary rooms and suites are low-key but luxe, with the option of a balcony/terrace or shared or private pool. Double Rooms feature king-size beds, open-plan bathrooms and an open-air sitting room with a balcony overlooking the garden. There’s also the option of Double Rooms with a shared pool. Suites are more spacious and come with shared or private pools and Two Bedroom Suites are the ultimate in luxury, with two king-size beds and the option of a chic private pool and sea views.
At the pinnacle of Lindos, Rhodes’ prettiest village, is an ancient hilltop acropolis where people hightail for cinematic sunsets. Now there’s another reason to venture to the southeast corner of the island. Eight miles west along the coastline, Mayia Exclusive Resort & Spa has sweeping Aegean views, two leaf-shaped swimming pools, 13 dining and drinking spots, a glossy spa and private beach. The vibe is cool and contemporary, with gleaming white arches, high ceilings and vast windows framing blue-on-blue vistas. Rooms and suites are decked out in a creamy colour palette, accented with splashes of pistachio green and grey-blue, and monstera deliciosa leaves in glass vases. Pick a Double Deluxe Sea View Room to take advantage of a private balcony overlooking the Aegean or go for a Bungalow Deluxe Swim Up Room for direct access to a shared outdoor pool. Couples should choose a Junior Suite for a private haven with a terrace – a romantic spot to catch a sunset.
It’s all about the gleaming Aegean views at Electra Palace Rhodes. The hotel is right on the water’s edge and a handful of loungers are peppered along the manicured gardens, all the way down to the shore – the perfect perch for sun-seekers. For all the relaxation, none of the sand, hotfoot it to the lagoon-style pool, which is so spacious that two bridges curve over the water. Despite its size, it feels fairly intimate thanks to olive trees and fanning palms creating a few shady little nooks. Escape the midday sun with a soothing spa session, looping around the indoor pool, hammam and sauna, or take a seat at the poolside bar, cocktail in hand. And if you’re holidaying with small travellers, you can relax safe in the knowledge there’s plenty to keep them occupied, from a kids’ club to a jam-packed activity programme (there’s also a crèche for tiny tots). As the sun sinks, hop into the outdoor whirlpool bath – the best place to catch epic Mediterranean sunsets. Restaurants span from Italian favourites at Al Convento to eastern specialities at Asian Fusion, while six bars and cafés include a French pâtisserie, hip poolside haunt and breezy beach hangout. If you want to mix beach hangs with a dose of culture, you’re only a 20-minute drive from Rhodes Town, with its dizzying mix of Byzantine, Ottoman and Italian influences. Wander the cobblestoned alleys of its UNESCO-listed medieval old town to stumble upon ancient buildings built by the Knights Hospitaller.
Peeking out from pine and cypress trees, Esperos Village has a prime position overlooking the Aegean. A cluster of low-slung, white-washed buildings tumble down the bottle-green slopes like a classic Greek village. This hillside hideout ticks all the boxes for an idyllic Greek getaway: impeccable service, exclusive beach club, spacious rooms (some with private or shared pools), and an enticing spa with a hammam, sauna and indoor pool. But the hotel’s crowning glory is its rooftop garden, lined with silvery olive trees and scattered with white day beds overlooking the sea – the perfect spot for a sultry Greek sunset. To one side is a gleaming infinity pool, edged by teak open-air pavilions shading sun beds; to the other is a hip bar with mosaic floor tiles, where mixologists rustle together creative cocktails. The vast terrace dips to a sun deck with sea views and luxury loungers, edged by sweet-scented lavender. Inside there’s also a piano bar adjoining a glossy dining space, with live music and full-length windows, and an inviting Mediterranean restaurant hosting fun barbecue nights. A lovely Greek taverna spills onto a courtyard, with twinkling fairy lights and shady trees, while down on the shore is a chilled beach club and freshwater swimming pool – a short walk down the hill, or an easy shuttle ride. Thatched cabanas with oceanic-blue day beds pepper the beach, while groups of young sun-seekers often team up for a game of beach volleyball on the sand. You’re a 10-minute drive from the nightlife of Faliraki or 20 minutes from Rhodes Town, but if you don’t want to go out at night, a DJ plays live music at Esperos Village a few times a week.A lovely Greek taverna spills onto a courtyard, with twinkling fairy lights and shady trees,
Hugging the north-east coast of Rhodes, this white-washed retreat spills onto the biscuity sands of a Blue Flag-awarded beach. A scattering of terracotta-roofed bungalows is arranged around two long, slender pools, lined by towering palms. Cinematic views come as standard here: the vast Aegean unfurls luxuriously before you, at every turn. For the best sea panoramas, nab the double sun bed perched on a tiny island over the swimming pool or one of the beachside loungers shaded by a sugar-white parasol. Children are well catered for at the hotel, with a kids’ club and pool, complete with waterslides, plus an all-day snack corner in the buffet restaurant. This crisp colour scheme streams through to the rooms and suites, where the walls showcase eclectic artwork. Wood floors and beamed ceilings warm interiors, while jewel tones – ruby red and topaz blue – are paired with metallic finishes to stylish effect. Book a Mini Room Garden View for space-savvy digs opening onto a terrace, or upgrade to a LUX.ME Sky Room Sea View for a penthouse pad with a glass-sided balcony framing Aegean views. There are plenty of family options, but the room to book is the Two-Bedroom Bungalow Suite Sea View for perks like an open-plan living and dining area and three furnished balconies – all just steps from the beach. While there’s not much reason to leave the hotel, a 20-minute drive north takes you to Rhodes Town. The capital is a cultural jigsaw whose many layers of history can be pieced together through its architecture styles – Byzantine, Ottoman, Italian. The Old Town is a living museum, with medieval walls wrapping around a labyrinthine core, where the legacy of the Knights of St John is etched across the old stones. Back at the resort, you'll find a collection of restaurants such as the casual Helios Buffet Restuarant and the Taverna Greek Restaurant. And best of all, they're all included as part of the fantastic LUXURY MADE EASY all inclusive package. Kids can enjoy a wide range of food as part of the Grecoland's Petite Gastronomie programme; there's the Tasty Corner at the kids' club which has mini buffet full of fresh dishes between 11am and 5pm and serves hot and cold dishes at lunch; and at dinner you can eat together as a family family with some restaurants featuring special kid-friendly menus.
Just minutes from the walls of the medieval Old Town, this hotel is a sophisticated retreat for romantics seeking the cultural sights over Rhodes’ ocean views. Overlooking an inactive archeological site, its central location is superb – favourite sights like the Palace of the Grand Master, Knight’s Castle and Mandraki Harbour are all within walking distance. If you fancy a day of sun and relaxation, a number of idyllic beaches are also close by. Inside, this Small Luxury Hotel of the World is a boutique modern getaway. Set within an oasis of tranquil greenery, there’s a beautiful pool out front, while a gorgeous rooftop garden and bar provides an exclusive setting overlooking the island. With a sauna, Turkish bath and private Jacuzzi all accessible to hand, head to the luxurious spa suite in the hotel’s lower levels for a rejuvenating wellness experience. Wining and dining here is a real treat, with poolside seating and serene garden views, a feature of both restaurants. Begin your day with a generous Grecian buffet at La Brassierie Restaurant; an elegant dining room with a poolside terrace which is open all-day if you fancy a local fusion-style meal. For a fine dining experience beneath the stars, Il Parco Restaurant sits romantically entwined within the hotel’s gardens. For pre-or-post dinner drinks, music and chat, there are three bars dotted around the hotel to explore: L’Agence and L’Époque offer cosy seating in the lobby, whilst upstairs the wooden-decked Galaxy Roof Lounge Bar (open summer only) combines exciting drink concoctions and glamorous city views. Rooms are contemporary yet classic in style. Simple designs combine with spacious settings, while wall-to-wall marble bathrooms and private balconies add a luxurious touch to the elegant retreats. Double Rooms are invitingly roomy, with views overlooking the nearby archaeological site, while Deluxe Doubles have the option of a sunnier pool and city view. More space and a separate living room can be found in the Executive Park Suites – each one a bespoke design, with an individual style and constrasting theme.