Mitsis Faliraki Beach Hotel & Spa

The hotel delivers luxury with interior and exterior designs that combine the air, water, and wood elements found at the beach. The lavish designs at the entrance -- despite a rather unattractive parking lot -- include arched doorways and a stylish moat that winds around a terrace, with comfortable white couches and palm trees. Large glass doors lead into the lobby, where whimsical wooden cutouts line the front desk and second-level balcony, complementing the dark wood ceilings and chocolate-colored sofas. Bulletin boards in the lobby post the entertainment schedule. An occasional portrait artist can be found set up with a canvas and easel, as well. The pool areas are also stylish: A small kiddy pool has elephant and bunny slides; the water park pool has a twisty, yellow slide; the main pool has a bridge, waterfall, and plenty of blue umbrellas and lounge chairs on the palm tree-lined deck; the relax pool is large and flanked by greenery and the hotel’s restaurants.

The hotel sits on the east side of Rhodes island on a rather uninteresting, quiet street in Faliraki. The location is about a 20-minute drive from Rhodes town, where guests can visit the Grand Master of Knights Palace and the Ancient Olympic Stadium. Eight minutes by car takes guests to a water park. It’s a five-minute walk to the beach, where there are boat rides and parasailing available. The car ride to Rhodes International Airport is 23 minutes. Lindos, popular for its nightlife scene and shopping, is 47 minutes by car.

The Mitsis Faliraki Beach Hotel offers contemporary rooms that mimic the decor in the common areas: neutral-colored furnishings, heavy window coverings, and dark wood furniture that feels sophisticated. Features include marble floors, mini-fridges, safes (for a fee), writing desks, flat-screen TVs, bathrobes and slippers, and standard bathrooms with modern metal fixtures and shower/tub combos. Views of the sea and pool area are available on request. Balconies in some rooms have unattractive views of the parking lot. Upgraded rooms come with balconies that have access to a shared lazy lake pool.

The intricate wooden cutouts and dark wood furniture in the lobby continue in the dining and bar facilities, which line the pool area. Some restaurants have a casual vibe, appealing to families, and others are romantic for couples. Dark wood ceilings and stylish rattan lighting fixtures fill the lobby bar, which has a terrace facing the sea. The pool bar is modern with a gelato parlor. The sushi, Italian, Greek, and Mexican restaurants are small but stylish with wooden cutout dividing screens and pool views. The main restaurant has wooden cutout ceiling lights, dark furniture, and a buffet. There is also a seasonal beach bar. Lunch picnic baskets are available. On the beach, there’s a volleyball court, blue-striped lounge chairs (for a fee), and umbrellas. The spa offers a nice array of beauty treatments and massages, including fruit-based treatments.