Hidden havens are something of a holy grail for us, especially on a bustling island like Rhodes; so this tranquil 6-room sleepery was a real revelation. Tucked right beneath the ramparts of its UNESCO-classed medieval Old Town, you'll be met at the taxi drop-off by amiable manager Alex, who leads you through a web of low-arched, echoing alleys to a daunting looking wall.
Within, softened by lanterns, two towering palm trees, pink bougainvillea and a rippling Jacuzzi-pool, you’ll find a listed 14th-century knights' lodging, lovingly renovated over 4 years in close consultation with the Greek archaeology department and local craftsmen. Overseeing it all, from behind the scenes, is British artist Felicity Marshall. With the help of her son Alex, she runs the place in a relaxed yet professional way. A medieval fountain looks out onto a spacious green courtyard, a 500-year-old domed hammam is still in use as a private steam room (in one of the suites); even the radiators are made of marble.
From the light-filled breakfast lounge, next to the lovely Knight's Chamber, an external flight of stone stairs lead steeply to a salon on the first floor. Papered with books from floor to lofty timbered ceiling, this magnificent communal space is the kingpin around which the hotel's 5 other suites revolve. Some have mezzanine bedrooms (handy for kids), others are more romantic with hanging candelabras and stained-glass windows - but all have that happy combination of medieval grandeur and modern comfort.
Highs
- A welcoming oasis-like retreat after a day spent wandering the city walls and narrow cobbled streets within
- Gorgeous outdoor courtyard with a Jacuzzi tub and sunloungers, plus lots of shaded nooks and a dipping pool for cooling down after a day of sightseeing
- Rhodes Town itself - a medieval gem (especially out of season), with narrow alleys, atmospheric restaurants, grand palaces - all on your doorstep
- Superbly comfortable Coco Mat kingsize beds decked out with natural fibre linens
- A green hotel: low-energy light sources, solar-powered hot water and eco-friendly toiletries
Lows
- Noise from the street (especially in summer); light sleepers should choose rooms giving onto the courtyard or shut the window and switch on the air-con
- A steep staircase to suites on the upper floor - folk with mobility problems should book the Knight's Chamber
- It's difficult to park near the hotel - call Alex in advance and he'll send a cart for your luggage
- Breakfast is simple, but adequate
Best time to go
The hotel is open all year round. If you’re keen on exploring the area without the crowds, pack a brolly and come in winter when the weather’s generally warm, but occasionally rainy. Fans of animated nightlife and lively beaches will want to be here from June to September, but book well in advance to ensure a room during these frenetic months.
Our top tips
Pack a book about the Crusaders - the chunky Oxford Illustrated History of the Crusades comes highly recommended - as you'll become fascinated by virtue of staying here. If visiting outside of summer, bring warm jumpers for evenings - things can get surprisingly chilly.
- Boutique Hotel
- 6 rooms
- Breakfast (+ restaurants nearby)
- All ages welcome
- Open all year
- Pool
- Spa Treatments
- Beach Nearby
- Pet Friendly
- Disabled Access
- Car not necessary
- Parking
- Restaurants Nearby
- WiFi
- Air Conditioning
- Guest Lounge
- Terrace
- Garden
- Gym
Rooms
Apart from the Knight's Chamber on the ground floor, all of the suites are accessed via a steep stone staircase leading to the salon on the first floor. Each is architecturally different, though there are common themes: stone arches and marble floors, Turkish fireplaces, brass braziers, hanging iron candelabras, colourful kilims and stained glass windows, plus fabulous deep-pile Coco Mat beds (the Greek equivalent of Hypnos or Sealy). And given the local penchant to over-decorate historic buildings, the decor is mercifully unkitsch, with walls washed in earthy pastel hues, and no plastic in sight. Bathrooms are stocked with eco-friendly Apivita smellies and have marble basins and baths with massage showers.
If you want luxurious privacy and fabulous views over the city’s cannon-ball pocked ramparts, pick the top-floor Grand Master’s Suite, reached by a narrow and steep private staircase. We loved the beautiful big ornate bedroom and the massive bathroom.
For families or folk seeking extra space, the Ottoman and Crusader Suites with their original 5-metre high timbered ceilings, have a separate mezzanine floor with a seating/sleeping area, whilst the Rodos and Pasha Suites have their own lounges. If you love a bit of pampering, choose the Pasha Suite, which has that stunning private grey marble hammam. If you’re less mobile, the Knight’s Chamber, which opens onto the ground floor courtyard, is your best bet.
Features include:
- Bathrobes
- Hairdryer
- In-room treatments available
- WiFi
Eating
Served out in the peaceful and serene courtyard, on little white-clothed tables, breakfast is simple but nice. We enjoyed creamy Greek yoghurt served with fruit and local honey, followed by omelettes. It was all washed down with fresh orange juice and filter coffee.
On chilly mornings, the lounge is a cosy place to eat, but when the sun shines - as it does most days - it’s much nicer to enjoy your meal under a parasol in the courtyard, feeding crumbs to the birds that come to sip at the fountain.
No other meals are served, but there are dozens of options nearby. Huddled around Menekleous street and the web of alleys leading from Sokratous street, most of the Old Town’s main restaurants are within easy reach of the hotel. You’ll find a great Greek atmosphere and fairly good value food. Dinner at Marco Polo’s one night is a must - the stunning courtyard garden has got to be the prettiest dining spot in the old town, the food is glorious and they have the warmest staff. For fresh fish, Alex recommends Nireas, who do delicious seared tuna with sesame seeds. cTa Petaladika is good for appetizers such as hummus, tzatziki and courgette fritters, which you might follow with succulent lamb kleftiko.
Features include:
- Bar
- Breakfast
- Restaurants nearby
Activities
- Visit the Old Town's grand Master Palace: 24 rooms jam-packed with antique furniture, sculptures, mosaics and other oriental artefacts
- Soak up stunning views as you take the vertiginous 4km walk around the city walls, built on top of the Byzantine fortifications between 1330 and 1522
- Get to grips with modern Greek art at the municipal art gallery, which showcases the country’s best 20th-Century offerings
- Soak in the Kallithea Springs, a thermal spa centre an hour from Rhodes that’s been in use since ancient times and is said to cure everything from eczema to backache
- Make like James Bond at the casino Rhodos, where 300 slot machines and 34 table games are housed in the legendary Grande Albergo delle Rose building, once host to the likes of Tito, Winston Churchill and Moshe Dayan
- Visit the stunning Acropolis above the magical hill-top town of Lindos. Home to a 3rd-century BC temple, this citadel was fortified successively by the Greeks, the Romans, the Byzantines, the Knights of St John and the Ottomans
- Play a few rounds at Afandou, an 18-hole golf course 30 minutes out of town
- Back at the hotel, relax in the courtyard garden, sit in the Jacuzzi or book an in-room massage; whatever you fancy doing, the staff are very helpful, and reception is staffed 24/7
Activities on site or nearby include:
- Cycling
- Golf
- Historical sites
- Horse riding
- Shopping / markets
- Swimming
- Tennis
- Well being
- Windsurfing
- Yoga
Kids
All ages are welcome.
Best for:
Toddlers (1-4 years), Children (4-12 years)
Family friendly accommodation:
Parents with younger kids will probably prefer the Rodos and Pasha suites which have their own lounges so there's space for a rollaway bed. Older children will love the Ottoman and Crusader suites with their mezzanine sleeping areas (n.b. steep steps) providing 1 or 2 additional single beds respectively.
Cots Available, Extra Beds Available
Baby equipment:
Baby cots available on request
Remember baby and child equipment may be limited or need pre-booking
For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection
Location
The hotel is tucked beneath the walls in Rhodes Old Town, on the island of Rhodes, which belongs to Greece's Dodecanese group.
By Air
Fly into Rhodes Diagoras Airport, 17km southwest of the city. There are direct flights from UK and other European countries (mostly charter). Click on the links below for details.
From the Airport
The hotel can book a taxi for you, or you can catch one of the regular buses that travel to and from the airport between 6am and 10:30pm.
By Ferry
From Athens, there is a daily ferry to Rhodes from Piraeus; the journey takes 12-16 hours.
From other Dodecanese islands, there are regular sailings to Rhodes.
There are also less regular sailings to Rhodes from Sitia on Crete, and from Bodrum and Marmaris in Turkey.
Rhodes Port is 1km from the hotel; if you're travelling light you could walk (15-20 mins), or grab a cab (though you'll need to walk the last bit in any case)
By Car
We don't recommend hiring a car for days spent in Rhodes Old Town; but if you want to explore the island, we recommend Holiday Autos, which offers competitive prices.
Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.com.
More on getting to Greece and getting around
Airports:
- Rhodes Diagoras 17.0 km RHO
Other:
- Beach 0.1 km
- Shops 0.1 km
- Restaurant 0.1 km
Our guests' ratings...
Based on 2 independent reviews from i-escape guests
Feedback is only from guests who have booked and stayed through i-escape