Chapter 1 of 18
How to choose a hotel in Rhodes without choosing the wrong area
Choosing the right hotel in Rhodes can completely shape your trip — and it's one of the easiest places to get it wrong. Rhodes is a large, diverse island: the wrong area can mean long daily drives, crowded beaches when you wanted peace, or quiet evenings when you expected life and energy.
Start with the coast. The east coast is calmer, with most of the sandy beaches; the west coast around Ixia and Ialyssos is windier and pebblier but close to Rhodes Town and the airport. The Rhodes beaches guide explains how beaches change around the island.
Then think about airport distance. Some of the island's best resorts — especially Lindos, Kiotari and Gennadi — are 60–90 minutes from the airport, which can feel long after a flight. Planning a hotel pickup in advance makes the first day much smoother.
- First visit, no car: Rhodes Town, Faliraki or Ixia — see where to stay in Rhodes without a car.
- Families: Kolymbia, Faliraki, Kiotari or Pefkos — see where to stay in Rhodes with kids.
- Couples: Lindos, Kiotari, Kolymbia or Gennadi.
- Quiet and relaxation: Gennadi, Lardos or Kalathos.
- Nightlife: Faliraki for clubs, Rhodes Town for bars and live music.
Chapter 2 of 18
Luxury hotels in Rhodes
High-end resorts for travellers who want space, calm and excellent food without leaving the hotel. Most of the island's top luxury stays are on the east and south-east coast.
Chapter 3 of 18
Boutique and small luxury hotels
Smaller hotels with character — in Lindos village and inside Rhodes Old Town — for travellers who want atmosphere and personal service over big-resort facilities.
Chapter 4 of 18
Family-friendly hotels
Resorts with kids' facilities, pools and easy beach access. For which area suits your children's ages, read where to stay in Rhodes with kids.
Chapter 5 of 18
Adults-only hotels
Quiet, grown-up hotels for couples and friends who want calm pools and relaxed evenings.
Chapter 6 of 18
Budget hotels and studios
Clean, simple and friendly places that leave more budget for days out.
Chapter 7 of 18
Hotels in Rhodes Town
Walkable, cultural and full of restaurants and nightlife, with the island's main bus station. Choose between luxury hotels by Mandraki, boutique stays inside the Old Town and good-value city hotels. Before booking, read the Rhodes Town area guide.
Chapter 8 of 18
Hotels in Ixia & Ialyssos
Resort hotels on the windy west coast, close to Rhodes Town and the airport, with sunsets over the sea. Ixia has more luxury resorts; Ialyssos is more local and sporty, with better prices. Before booking, read the Ixia and Ialyssos area guides.
- Also recommended here (no booking link yet): Paleos Apartments
Chapter 9 of 18
Hotels in Kallithea
Spa resorts and calm bays a short drive from Rhodes Town — a polished east-coast base for couples and families. Before booking, read the Kallithea area guide.
- Also recommended here (no booking link yet): Kalithea Horizon Royal
Chapter 10 of 18
Hotels in Faliraki
Family resorts, a long sandy beach, the waterpark and nightlife. Choose the main beach area for walkability and stay away from Bar Street if you want quiet nights. Before booking, read the Faliraki area guide.
- Also recommended here (no booking link yet): Anika Studios, Calypso Beach Hotel
Chapter 11 of 18
Hotels in Kolymbia
Peaceful resorts in a green, central location, with easy access to both Rhodes Town and Lindos. Before booking, read the Kolymbia area guide.
- Also recommended here (no booking link yet): Marianna Palace Hotel
Chapter 12 of 18
Hotels in Lindos
Iconic village stays, boutique hotels and sea views. Expect hills and summer crowds, and higher prices. Before booking, read the Lindos area guide.
- Also recommended here (no booking link yet): F Charm All Suites – Adults Only, Lindos Gardens Resort Complex, Little Lindos Sea View Studios
Chapter 13 of 18
Hotels in Pefkos
Relaxed beach stays near Lindos, family-friendly and coastal, with tavernas you can walk to. Before booking, read the Pefkos area guide.
- Also recommended here (no booking link yet): Pefkos Blue Hotel, Stella Hotel Pefkos
Chapter 14 of 18
Hotels in Lardos
Relaxed and affordable beach stays close to Lindos. Before booking, read the Lardos area guide.
- Also recommended here (no booking link yet): Costa Lindia Beach Resort, El Vita Apartments
Chapter 15 of 18
Hotels in Kiotari
All-inclusive beachfront resorts on a long, quiet coast — easiest with a car or a pre-booked transfer. Before booking, read the Kiotari area guide.
- Also recommended here (no booking link yet): Kiotari SEA & SUN studios
Chapter 16 of 18
Hotels in Gennadi
Peaceful resorts, upscale stays and a quiet coastline in the south-east. Before booking, read the Gennadi area guide.
- Also recommended here (no booking link yet): Panorama Hotel Gennadi, TUI Magic Life Plimmiri (Premium Section)
Chapter 17 of 18
Choosing a hotel location by season
The best hotel location in Rhodes changes with the time of year.
- Spring (April–May): Rhodes Town and Lindos are ideal for sightseeing and culture.
- Summer (June–August): Faliraki, Pefkos, Kolymbia and Kiotari are the best areas for beach holidays.
- Autumn (September–October): Lindos, Pefkos and Gennadi offer warm seas with fewer crowds.
- Winter: Rhodes Town is the most practical base for long stays.
Chapter 18 of 18
Hotel, villa or apartment?
Hotels make sense when you want meals, pools and service handled for you. If you want more privacy, a private pool or space for a family or group, look at villas in Rhodes instead.
For a short curated shortlist rather than the full list, go straight to my Top Hotels in Rhodes.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best area in Rhodes for first-time visitors?
Rhodes Town is almost always the best choice: it's walkable, full of food and nightlife, and close to the Old Town, beaches and bus connections. If you want beaches plus culture, Ixia or Ialyssos are about a 10-minute taxi ride from the Old Town.
Which area of Rhodes is best for families?
Kolymbia, Faliraki, Kiotari and Pefkos. Faliraki and Kolymbia have the most facilities; Pefkos and Kiotari are calmer. See where to stay in Rhodes with kids for more.
Where should budget travellers stay in Rhodes?
Faliraki, Afandou, Pefkos, Ialyssos and Rhodes Town all have good-value studios and hotels. Faliraki pairs affordability with nightlife; Afandou and Pefkos are quieter.
Do I need a car if I stay in a Rhodes hotel?
Not in Rhodes Town, Ixia, Ialyssos or Faliraki, where buses cover most trips. A car is very helpful in Lindos, Pefkos, Kiotari and Gennadi, where buses are less frequent.
What is the difference between Ixia and Ialyssos?
Both are on the windy west coast. Ixia is closer to Rhodes Town with more luxury resorts and quieter nightlife; Ialyssos is more local, sporty and windsurfing-focused, with better mid-range prices.
Which hotels are on the best beaches?
Popular beachfront hotels include Lindos Blu on Vlicha Bay, Mitsis Alila on Faliraki Beach, Atlantica Aegean Blue on Kolymbia Beach, Boutique 5 on Kiotari Beach and Gennadi Grand Resort on Gennadi Beach.
Where should I stay if I don't want all-inclusive?
Lindos, Rhodes Town, Kolymbia and Pefkos have the best independent restaurants and tavernas within walking distance.