Sun Palace Hotel

The large water park and outdoor pool areas set this hotel apart from its competitors in the Faliraki area, and also draw large crowds that can be boisterous. The Splash World water park -- open seasonally -- has a tiki-themed play area, multiple open and enclosed slides (with age/weight restrictions), and a half pipe. There's a kiddy pool with a small waterfall, a Wave Pool with inner tubes and a faux sandy shore, and a Lazy River winding past a patio area dotted with tan lounge chairs and white umbrellas. The main pool hosts lively water polo and volleyball games, while the smaller Relax pool also attracts families with children. The lobby is a quieter scene, with black sofas, large marble pillars, and pops of orange: a bright front desk, curtains, and tables. The grounds -- with lovely mountain views -- include gardens and pathways lit by lampposts. Some areas, though, are a bit unkempt, including patches of brown grass and a mucky fountain in front of the hotel.

Faliraki is located on the northeastern side of Rhodes, one of largest islands in the Dodecanese of Greece. The Sun Palace Hotel location is ideal for tourists who want to explore the medieval town of Rhodes, which is a quick 19-minute drive. Boat trips that leave from the town of Lindos -- a 45-minute drive away -- are popular among travelers. Couples often walk about 20 minutes (or drive five minutes) to King Arthur's Club, a sports bar with free Wi-Fi, a lively atmosphere, and a hypnotist show. The beach is a five-minute walk from the hotel. Rhodes International Airport is a 20- to 25-minute drive.

The hotel offers standard rooms, bungalows, and family rooms. Decor is very plain: tile floors, wood bed frames, and bedspreads and curtains in shades of brown, beige, and orange. All rooms include air-conditioning, mini-fridges, safes, writing desks, simple bathrooms with shower/tub combos, and balconies or terraces. Flat-screen TVs are in some rooms, and others have tube TVs. Views of the pool area, mountains, or gardens are available from balconies, which are decorated with casual patio furniture and charming wooden garden roofs (in some rooms). Request one of the rooms nearest the water park for a quieter environment and more modern interior decor. It is not uncommon to find some furnishings in minor disrepair.

On-site dining is a casual affair. The main restaurant, the Apollo, is a family-friendly environment with basic wooden furniture, small flat-screen TVs, a buffet, and large arched windows that provide a lot of natural light. There’s also a terrace with casual patio furniture. Pizza is available at a small, outdoor self-service pizzeria. The pool bar has seating under a trellis draped in purple bougainvillea. The lobby bar is stylish, with arched doorways, and dark brown wicker sofas and coffee tables. The water park snack bar is a popular spot, offering a self-service ice cream bar and small buffet.