The best hotels in Rhodes, from beachside boutique stays to Old Town residences

Rhodes was among the first of the Greek islands to welcome holidaymakers en masse. Large scale, all-inclusive resorts stretch along its sheltered east coast, securing its reputation as a family holiday favourite. Many of the older, mainstream hotels have since transformed themselves into fancier five-star getaways. The result is a richer spectrum of beach holiday hotels on the fourth-largest island in Greece.

Away from the shoreline, Rhodes also delivers a big dose of culture and history. Rhodes Town’s walled, medieval core is a must-visit gem packed with palaces, pebbled streets and an archaeological museum. The museum includes treasures such as the Aphrodite of Rhodes: a marble statue that’s just as exquisite as her more famous counterpart, Venus de Milo.

Rhodes’s other big-hitter, Lindos, also has heaps of historical appeal. Elsewhere, there are beach clubs, wineries, hiking trails and traditional tavernas. Discover it all – plus one of Greece’s longest tourist seasons – with a stay at the best hotels in Rhodes.

For other Greek island hotel guides, including the best hotels in Mykonos, the best hotels in Santorini, the best hotels in Corfu and the best hotels in Crete, see our guides.

James Litston

At a glance

Kolymbia

With its palm trees, cacti and clean lines borrowed from mid-century modern architecture, there’s more than a hint of California’s Palm Springs at Casa Cook Rhodes. Set against the natural backdrop of wild Tsambika Mountain, this chic, adult-only retreat is all about relaxing in comfort and style.

All rooms open onto either a shared or private swimming pool, there’s an excellent spa offering interesting treatments (including Ayurvedic) and the on-site bar and two restaurants are so good that there’s little temptation to leave. Helping to keep the atmosphere casual is friendly, upbeat service. The nearest beach is just a 10-minute walk away.

Address: European Union Street, Rhodes 85102

Price: From £128

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Lardos

Living the high life comes with a focus on wellness at this all-inclusive resort in the southern half of Rhodes, not too far from Lindos. Accommodations (many of which have their own pools and terraces) at Aulus are designed to be super-relaxing; it’s the kind of resort where guests rarely leave their private sanctuaries, so the property always feels quiet, even when fully occupied.

Further enhancing this chilled-out vibe are Soma Spa’s treatments and open-air yoga, plus adult-focused activities such as wine tasting and cookery classes. That’s not to say children aren’t welcome; there are dedicated facilities to keep the little ones entertained.

Address: Lardos Beach, Rhodes 85109

Price: From £249

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Lindos

Lindos owes its charm to the wealth accrued by seafaring merchants long ago, who built homes here in a style more typical of the Cyclades. The last house on the path leading up to the temple-topped acropolis has been transformed into Melenos Art Boutique Hotel: a 12-suite beauty with lovely views over the town’s beach and the sea.

Inside, it’s all hand-carved stone facades, decorative ceilings and pebble mosaic floors, with bursts of colour from original works by Greek and Australian artists. It’s packed with character, providing a Lindos immersion that’s refreshingly set apart from the village’s heaving day-tripper crowds.

Address: Lindos, Rhodes 85107

Price: From £228

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Prasonisi

Prasonisi, way down at Rhodes’s southern tip, sits beyond the tourist trail. A good two-hour drive from Rhodes Town, it nevertheless has a dedicated following thanks to one key factor: water sports. If you’re into wind-winging, kitesurfing, or windsurfing, Prasonisi is for you – and Prasonisi Lighthouse Boutique Hotel is the place to stay.

It’s a three-star but the rooms have a modern, fresh design and balconies open onto the garden or directly onto the pool. Better still, it’s attached to an excellent taverna where the owner and staff lay on the warmest of welcomes.

Address: Prasonisi Beach, Kattavia, Rhodes 85109

Price: From £119

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Rhodes Town

Rhodes Town’s medieval heart is a marvel, packed with centuries-old architecture and twisting streets lined with shops, bars and galleries. Stay in the midst of it all at this fantastic, small boutique hotel that occupies a townhouse built in the early 1300s. Each of the guest rooms at S. Nikolis is individually styled, pairing stone-block walls and wood beam ceilings with antique furniture and sumptuous fabrics (some even have four-poster beds.)

The arch-roofed Medieval Suite (separate from the main building) and romantic Chamber of the Princess are particularly special. Adding to the magic is a roof garden, which is the perfect respite from the crowded streets.

Address: Ippodamou 61, Rhodes 85100

Price: From £120

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Rhodes Town

If the Old Town itself sounds too urban, head outside the walls and past the marina to Elli Beach, where you’ll find beach clubs, views of Turkish mountains and refreshingly cool, clear waters. More Meni features tasteful, boho-chic styling, a rooftop pool bar and just 18 rooms, creating an intimate, friendly and chilled-out retreat. The restaurant acts as its hub; start the day here with a buffet breakfast, then stick around for its Mediterranean menu.

Address: Nikolaou, Savva Diakou 3, Rhodes 85100

Price: From £125

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Kolymbia

Of Rhodes’s many mega-resorts, few have a setting as charming as that enjoyed by Atlantica Aegean Park. Being set at the base of Tsambika Mountain – a cedar-topped limestone peak – gives it a wonderful sense of being immersed in nature. There are also extensive gardens and direct access to a strip of beach that, thanks to submerged rocky outcrops, makes it an ideal spot for snorkelling.

It’s the hotel’s facilities, though, that make it such a magnet for families, with pools, a splash park, sports and games, plus a waterpark with proper slides. It’s all-inclusive too, guaranteeing good value.

Address: Brussels Street, Rhodes 85103

Price: From £187

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Vlycha

This four-star beachfront retreat right on the sandy sweep of Vlycha is perfect for do-very-little escapes. With just 39 rooms and attentive service, the vibe at Lindos Aqua Terra is very relaxed, though there are water sports and boat rentals available on the beach (plus the lovely sight of sea daffodil blooms dancing in the breeze in late summer).

A real advantage of staying here is that it’s barely a five-minute drive from Lindos, so guests can explore the historic village’s mosaic-lined streets before the crowds descend. For those who can’t bear to leave, the beach and pool offer complimentary gazebos and loungers.

Address: Vlycha Beach, Rhodes 85107

Price: From £232

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Ixia

Located between Rhodes Town and the airport, this property (one of three Atrium hotels across the island) is an entirely hassle-free option for family holidays. With a spa, three pools, three bars and five restaurants (including a la carte and buffet options), every conceivable essential can be found on site, with the addition of beach time and water sports available just across the street (there’s even an underpass, so the kids can cross safely.)

For further convenience, guests can book on a half-board basis or different levels of all-inclusive. Best of all, it’s just 10 minutes by bus from Rhodes Town’s medieval heart.

Address: Illiados Street 1, Rhodes 85100

Price: From £114

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Kalithea

Elevating the all-inclusive bar is this luxury seaside property between Rhodes Town and the coves of Kalithea Springs. From the rooms, suites and bungalows to the restaurants and facilities, everything here is executed to the highest standards – and all of it is included in the price.

As well as nine restaurants (with cuisines as diverse as Greek, Italian and Peruvian), guests can even sample local flavours at a selection of nearby tavernas. With pools, slides, sports and entertainment also available on-site, Eden Roc is a winner for upmarket family holidays.

Address: Kalithea Ave, Rhodes 85100

Price: From £176

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The hotels featured in this list have been carefully selected by The Independent's expert travel writers, each with a deep knowledge of the destinations they cover. Our contributors either live in these locations or visit frequently, ensuring a personal and informed perspective. When picking which hotels to include, they consider their own experience staying in the hotels and evaluate location, facilities, service and all the other details that make for an exceptional stay for all types of traveller.

What currency do I need in Rhodes?

Greece uses the euro (€).

When is the best time of year to visit Rhodes?

Summer is usually the most popular time to visit these Greek islands, with high temperatures and long days of sunshine. However, with the hot weather also comes larger crowds. To avoid the hustle and bustle, it may be best to visit before or after the summer months if you don’t mind temperatures a few degrees lower.

The month with the highest daily average max temperature is July, at 30C.

What are the best routes for island hopping?

Ferries can be taken from Rhodes to Symi, Karpathos, Kos, Kalymnos, and Tilos, to name a few. Ferry routes can even be taken to destinations in Turkey, such as Fethiye and Marmaris.

Our favourite Greek island-hopping routes include the Argo-Saronics, which goes between Athens, Poros, Hydra, and Spetses, and the Cyclades, which travel between Santorini, Milos, Sifnos-Serifos, Paros, and Mykonos, and the Ionians, which jumps between Lefkada, Kefalonia, Ithaca, Kefalonia, and Zakynthos.

For more details, see our guide on the best cruise routes and how to explore Greek culture.