Lardos Bay Hotel

The hotel Lardos Bay is resort-style hotel that's popular primarily among Italian and Russian leisure travelers and families. The 1994 property is split among four buildings with flat Mediterranean facades in yellow and white and surrounding lawns strung with brick walking paths accented in palm trees. Inside, there's a faintly provincial feel with tiled floors and some wicker-backed chairs in the bar area, but decor is a simple affair, with dated details here and there. The secluded location and all-inclusive meal options mean lots of guests spend time on-site. The central hangout spot (other than the nearby beach) is the outdoor swimming pool, which also features a kids' pool and a pool bar. In the evenings, there's entertainment, or guests relocate to the bar off the lobby, which is host to bi-weekly disco nights. 

Lardos Bay Hotel is situated in a sparsely populated area outside of Lardos Village on a road that runs parallel to Lindos-Gennadi Avenue. The street itself is mostly surrounded by uncultivated land, though there are a handful of local bars in walking distance, and Lardos Beach -- the main attraction here -- is about a six-minute walk away. Lardos Village is a 25-minute hike on foot, but only about a five-minute drive. There's a bus stop close to the hotel, though some guests find buses too infrequent, and recommend renting a car or scooter (which can be arranged through the hotel) to get around the island. Regional sights include the Pefkos resort area (11-minute drive), St. Paul's Bay (15-minute drive), the Pefkos resort area (11-minute drive), and Acropolis of Rhodes (50-minute drive). Rhodes International Airport is about an hour's drive. Free parking is available on-site, and airport shuttles can be arranged through the hotel.

Rooms vary a bit in terms of looks but, all are pretty basic. Still, they're clean and roomy, with tiled floors, white walls, and wood or wood-laminate furniture. More recently renovated rooms feel a bit fresher, with newer furnishings and matching bed runners and drapes, while other rooms feature more tired furnishings or dated bedspreads. Updated rooms have more stylish bathrooms, too, with gray tiled floors, beige walls, and square sinks, while older rooms may have white or beige tiling and show signs of wear. Most rooms have shower stalls, but some have combo showers and tubs with shower curtains. Room categories include Standard and Superior Double Rooms, plus Family Rooms designed to accommodate four guests. In-room amenities are practical: wall-unit air-conditioning, mini-fridges, safes, hairdryers, and TVs (either older tube-style or flat-screens). Wi-Fi is generally included but may cost an extra fee. Rooms have private balconies or terraces with sitting areas, though not all "sea views" are stunning. 

Amenities here are solid and cover the standard checklist for a mid-range resort-style property. There's a fairly roomy outdoor pool surrounded by lounge chairs, plus an adjacent small splash pool for kids. Other family-friendly amenities include a volleyball court and indoor and outdoor games tables (ping-pong, pool, air-hockey). There's a little playground with a seesaw and swings, but it's dated. A stage is set before chairs for evening entertainment, though some guests find the entertainment can get repetitive. Though it's not directly on the property, the beach is, of course, a main draw with a nice string of sand and sea. The hotel has lounge chairs and thatched umbrellas, but their use at the beach costs an extra daily fee.Dining facilities include a big pool bar with a covered sitting area, an indoor "disco" bar and lounge area (throwing a disco-style party a few nights a week), and a restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating. The indoor dining space is more cafeteria than restaurant, offering Greek- and Italian-influenced buffet meals three times a day. Most room rates include breakfast, but all-inclusive packages are available that include all meals, though alcoholic beverages are limited. The buffet meals are decidedly average, with some guests complaining about lack of day-to-day variety. The hotel also has a mini-mart with grab-and-go snacks and souvenirs. The front desk is open 24-hours, and the staff can help arrange tours, car or scooter rentals, airport transfers, or laundry service. Massages, manicures, and pedicures are also available on-site, but there's no full-service spa or gym. Wi-Fi is usually included in the room rate, though at times it does cost an extra fee.