The Electra Palace Rhodes is ideally located a few miles away from Rhodes City and from the airport. More than that it is one of the rare hotels near Rhodes City to have a direct access to its own private beach when most of the other one can only propose a swimming pool but no beach. A real plus for sunny lazy holidays by the sea enjoying the all-inclusive service tailor made for couples and families.
Rhodes is one of the Dodecanese islands in South-Eastern Aegean Sea the sunniest corner of Greece. Rhodes is world famous for its Colossus, considered to be one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. But if this gigantic statue that used to guard the entrance to Rhodes city harbour is long gone -if it ever existed at all- there are many more good reasons to visit the island.
Natural beauty, beautiful beaches, lovely mountain villages, archaeological sites, good food and of course the impressive medieval Rhodes Town summarize all the reasons why we love Greece.
Rhodes-fortifications
The Medieval Town of Rhodes
Although the old city centre may look like an open-air mall invaded by tourist and gift shops, you will find there a true historical site. The enchanting city o is an architectural wonder if you can arrive early enough to beat the crowds, and its medieval part, built by the Knights Hospitaller, is a UNESCO World Heritage monument.
If you arrive early, before 8 a.m., all shops and restaurants are closed, and the small cobbled streets are relatively deserted, allowing you to at least imagine for a little while the town as it was when the Order of the Knights of Saint John of Jerusalem, the Hospitaliers, built the ramparts, the fortress, the cathedral and churches.
Iconic Knights Street
The Knights arrived in Rhodes in 1309 and settled in the former Byzantine town that had been built around the ancient Acropolis. Rhodes was to become the great centre of the Order’s Kingdom. It reached its peak at that time enjoying great glory, wealth and reputation. From Rhodes the Knights were able to put up strong resistance to repeated Turkish attacks. This golden age during which both the commercial port and the city stood impregnable lasted for 200 years. Eventually they had to leave Rhodes in 1522 when Suleiman the Magnificent put the city under siege for six months. They left for Malta leaving behind them a unique architectural gem.
Start your visit walking around the ramparts that are today surrounded by pleasant flower gardens. The sea is just a few metres away and you will have nice views of the port with its numerous excursion boats waiting to take tourists to nearby islands, yachts and sailing boats as well as fishing boats.
Rhodes Grand Master Palace
After walking through one of the city gates you will discover a maze of small cobbled streets lined with high stone houses mixing medieval and Renaissance influences. Don’t miss to visit the former palace of the Order Master that is today the Museum of Rhodes. The strong high walls hide vast beautiful rooms that have been restored during the Italian occupation in 1912. The Italians carried out archaeological digs on the island and gathered their discoveries in the palace. The antique mosaics paving the floors are truly magnificent and you will also admire tombstones, paintings, and statuary.
Former Knights hospital
The former Knights’ hospital is now the Archaeological Museum. This huge gothic masterpiece will take you from rooms to gardens filled with ancient Greek statues, pieces of pottery of different periods, everyday objects and jewels.
Rhodes as several other worthwhile museums too.
Electra Palace has a private pebbly beach
Electra Palace All-Inclusive Resort
The 300-room Electra PalaceResort is ideally located to visit Rhodes city and the island. The distances in Rhodes are not long and you can easily reach the main sites of interest while staying in the same hotel. For added convenience, there is a car rental agency right in front of the hotel entrance. Rhodes town is just a few minutes’ drive and the furthest point of the island, the famous kite surfing outpost of Prasonisi Beach, is a one-hour and fifteen minutes’ drive.
The vast wooden sundeck-by-the-beach-at-Electra-Palace-Rhodes
The Electra Palace is very well-maintained and absolutely spotless, with wide open spaces and plenty of room for every, whether in the lounges, bars and restaurants, on the long beach, or on the sundeck around the swimming pool.
A seaview room at Electra-Palace-Rhodes
All the rooms have big floor-to-ceiling bay windows and a balcony with garden, pool or sea view. They are pretty large with coffee and tea set, free WIFI, flat screen TV, safe, and air conditioning. In the stylish bathroom you will find bathrobes and slippers, which are useful when you go to the hotels Spa and Wellness centre.
Restaurants Galore!
With ten restaurants and bars, you will have many dining options during your stay. Cuisines of the World is the main restaurant that serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. The buffet proposes different menus everyday with international and Greek tastes. Drinks and cocktails are part of the all-inclusive offer.
Authentic Greek food at the-Eastern Mediterranean Grill
The Eastern Mediterranean Grill is next to the swimming pool and open for lunch and dinner. It offers a good choice of Greek dishes and is popular with guests. Near the pool, the Sugar Cube is the meeting point for all gourmands who can enjoy ice cream, cakes, coffee and tea.
The hotel has two à la carte restaurants open for dinner upon reservation. You can opt for Asian flavours at Asian Fusion or for Italian tastes at Al Convento.
Every day you will also enjoy live music at the Lounge Bar or you can have a drink at the Wave Bar, a popular place to admire the sunset. Once a week, a DJ party invites all dance fans to the pool area for a fiesta under the stars.
Electra Palace has its own private beach
Practical Info
If you want to go kite surfing, windsurfing or jet-skiing while staying at the Electra Palace you can go to the close-by water sports club that is only a few steps away on the same beach.
Before booking at Electra Palace note that the hotel is close to the airport. This is very convenient to get to and from the airport to the hotel but planes may be flying over the sea in front of the hotel during daytime hours.
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BeSeeingYou In: Rhodes, Greece
Good to Know: The beach at Electra Palace is a pebble beach and swimming shoes are recommended
WOW! Factor: Rhodes means “rose” in Greek, which is fitting given then number of flowers found around the island
Tip: There is a car rental agency right outside the hotel entrance
Author bio: Annick Dournes
Photos: ©Frederic de Poligny or ©Annick Dournes
