Zoes Hotel

Removed from Faliraki's notoriously rowdy club scene, this property attracts a low-key crowd, and high standards here get the thumbs-up. The entrance's flowering bougainvillea and light stacked-stone set the tone for immaculate settings throughout, and well-maintained lawn gardens around the outdoor pool echo interiors, which were renovated in 2014. The cool-tiled lobby forms open-plan spaces adjoining the restaurant and 24-hour bar, where upbeat blues and yellows give a nod to the marine location. Getting the sun all day, the outdoor pool and snack bar offer plenty of lounging space, lovely views, and a touch of class from dining terraces with dark wicker seating. A colorful fountain feature is lit up at night and atmospheric, but aside from weekly Greek nights, there's no evening entertainment. Note, the hotel is only open mid-May through mid-October.

The hotel sits near a highway running into Faliraki, but many guests enjoy the tranquility of being outside this party town's center. Ladiko Beach, Anthony Quinn Bay, and Traganou Beach are 15, 20, and 25 minutes away on foot, respectively. Head east for nearer, stony shores, and west for sandy stretches. Quad bike or car hires (which the hotel can arrange) are popular alternatives to taxis and busses, the latter of which stop a five-minute walk away. Busses run to Faliraki in five minutes, taking closer to half an hour for Rhodes and its Acropolis, and in the other direction, Lindos. Rhodes International Airport is a 22-minute drive away.

Spacious rooms measure 344 square feet (32 square meters), and are outfitted with a mix of contemporary and dated decor, despite 2014 renovations. Clean-tiled floors contrast earth-toned, pistachio-green, or peachy tones in wall panels, drapes, and quilted or patterned bedspreads. The color palettes are mismatched in Triple andQuad Rooms, as are the stains of wood furnishings. All have furnished balconies or terraces, with either pool, garden, mountain, or distant sea vistas.

Wet bar spaces have sinks, kettles, mini-fridges, and dishes, plus adjacent dining tables, and while they're a handy addition, facilities aren't suitable for cooking. Free safes, AC, and Wi-Fi are bonuses, with further comforts consisting of phones, flat-screen TVs, and hairdryers. Old-fashioned bathrooms have splashes of color from curtains around small showers, as well as daily-replaced towels and wall-dispensed soaps. Note, road noise is audible in some rooms, beds can be twins pushed together (common for Greece), and upper-level rooms are reached by stairs. Rooms can be fitted with cribs.

Features here are reasonable for the pearl rating and price, and guests are mostly pleased with offerings, quality-wise. Surrounded by green lawns, cushioned blue-and-white loungers, umbrellas, and raised dining terraces, the outdoor pool is lovely and receives sun all day. A water polo net and small kiddy pool offer family-friendly fun. The pool and indoor bars serve well-priced drinks, smoothies, salads, burgers, and Greek dishes, while the restaurant has a menu of fresh-caught seafood and grilled items. Included in some bookings, buffet breakfasts consist of cooked English and cold continental spreads accompanied by tea, coffee, and juice. The indoor bar is open 24/7, and has darts, a pool table, and a library corner. 

The on-site mini-market sells drinks, snacks, beach gear, and alcohol. Lobby PCs are free to use. Though small, and housing only a handful of cardio machines and free weights, the gym is a good addition. Pets are not permitted. Parking and Wi-Fi everywhere in the hotel are free.