Zacosta Villa Hotel

For quality chill time and personalised service, this small but perfectly formed sleeperie – just steps from Rhodes' historic centre – is hard to beat

If you like to feel special, sleep in style and get under the skin of a place, book into Zacosta, a diminutive hotel-villa-hybrid run by the ever solicitous Greek bachelor-boy John Pelidis. Named after the 15th-century Grand Master Piero Raimondo Zacosta, this 3-room B&B is set near the Unesco-classed medieval ramparts, amongst narrow, cobbled alleys in Rhodes' Old Town.

Enter into a spacious Moorish-style interior courtyard with sunloungers, cushioned benches and a large table where you can enjoy alfresco breakfasts, or one of John's barbecues in summer. A vine-shaded entrance opposite opens onto the cosy bar-cum-breakfast area, and the small but comfort-packed Giardino room is just across the hallway. Climb a narrow flight of stairs to the first floor and you’ll find the bijou Raimondo room, with its view over the courtyard below. Cross the landing and you’ll enter the more grandiose Gran Maestro suite - boasting a kingsize canopy bed, spacious salon area and candlelit jacuzzi bath. Here, you can really spread out and settle in - though be warned, you might never want to leave. We didn't.

Highs

• Lingering over scrumptious buffet breakfasts in the tranquil courtyard
• John's flexible hospitality and helpful tips; he achieves that delicate balance of tending to your every need without ever being in the way
• Scrummy treats in the rooms, including Rhodian loukoumi (Turkish delight), beautifully boxed sponges and soaps, and lashings of Korres smellies
• Lapping up the superb location - you're an atmospheric stroll away from the Old Town’s restaurant district and nightlife along the harbour
• Tuning into obscure frequencies on the retro Tivoli Model One radios in your room

Lows

• Lack of space in the Raimondo and Giardino rooms
• No twin rooms
• No service at night, but guests can help themselves to coffee and videos, and the bar has an honesty tick sheet
• Difficult to park nearby – call John in advance and he’ll bring a cart for your luggage