The Kresten Royal Villas & Spa

The Kresten Royal Villas has many beautiful areas and a generally friendly staff, but falls short of the luxury experience advertised. The lobby is beautiful with high ceilings, a stunning candelabra chandelier, decorative panels dividing spaces, and a full-size sculpture dominating the center of the room. Past the reception desk, though, design is more functional, with comfortable, but bland, sitting areas. Likewise, the Italian restaurant has appealing, modern aspects like funky chairs and a gray color scheme with deep-red accents. However, empty walls and silhouettes of dogs do little to create an Italian atmosphere. Outside, long rows of two-story villas stretch along the green lawns. Flower beds and trees along the paved pathways add to a homey feeling, but the trim, lush gardens of a high-end hotel are lacking. Guests appreciate the efforts of the staff, but find them unable to keep up with the workload, particularly in the busy season. Couples and families who keep their expectations in check will likely enjoy their stay. 

The hotel is situated on a hillside in the city of Kallithea on the northeastern coast of Rhodes, one of the larger Greek Islands. There is little within walking distance, so transportation is needed to reach sights. It is a 12-minute walk to a small shopping area with a couple of markets, an internet cafe, and a car rental. It is a three-minute drive from the hotel to reach Kallithea Springs, a natural hot spring with reputedly therapeutic properties. A decent water park with slides and a kiddy area is an eight-minute drive from the hotel. It is a 10-minute drive to the city of Rhodes with its many restaurants, shops, and museums to explore, and a bus with service to the city stops an eight-minute walk from the hotel. Rhodes International Airport is a 22-minute drive from the hotel, and the port is a 12-minute drive away. 

Standard rooms are spacious but basic with neutral colors and an orange accent wall. Two twin beds pushed together to form a double bed are covered with a dated comforter -- white with red and yellow stripes -- and a red runner. A gray sleeper sofa and a simple light-wood table, dresser, and desk create a functional room. A painting with an ocean theme hangs over the sofa on otherwise blank walls. All rooms have a mini-fridge, free safe, coffeemaker with free coffee and tea, a 26-inch flat-screen TV, and an Ethernet port to access the Internet. Also included are robes, slippers, and beach towels, as well as furnished balconies or terraces -- with at least partial sea views. Modest but well-kept bathrooms are modest have plenty of counter space and a glass shower stall or shower/tub combo. Hairdryers are provided, and free toiletries include shampoo, shower gel, and soap. 

Upgraded rooms include options for separate living rooms, double sofa beds, jetted bathtubs, and private pools. Color schemes and decor elements vary somewhat in different room types, but are overall unsophisticated. Private pools are lined up in rows off the back of villas; some have shrubbery between them for a modicum of privacy, others only have a strip of grass.

This all-inclusive resort has a solid list of features for couples and families. Three restaurants offer plenty of choice for dining, though guests with high expectations tend to come away disappointed. The main restaurant serves an American-style breakfast buffet, plus Mediterranean cuisine with Greek specialties for lunch and dinner. A la carte options include an Italian restaurant and a Greek restaurant, which all-inclusive guests may choose from twice per week. 

Three pools offer plenty of space to swim and sunbathe, with the choice of salt or freshwater. They're surrounded by plenty of sunbeds with red or ivory umbrellas. The saltwater pool is a long strip overlooking the ocean with a smaller wading pool to one side. A small, gravelly strip of beach is surrounded by giant rock formations that hinder sea views. A pier built over the rocks has a ladder for access to the clear ocean waters. 

The spa offers massages and has a steam bath, sauna, and heated indoor pool. The spa includes a fitness room with a nice variety of equipment, but guests report that it is poorly lit and machines don’t always work. A simple game room offers air hockey and table tennis, and outdoor courts are available for tennis, soccer, and volleyball or basketball. A mini-club for kids includes a bright, spacious indoor play area with supervised activities, and there's an outdoor playground. The animation team provides daytime activities and nighttime entertainment for both kids and adults, though guests generally find the evening entertainment lackluster. Wi-Fi is free as far as the signal reaches, though it's generally only reliable around public areas.