Rhodes has long been one of Greece’s most popular islands for easy, sun-soaked getaways, and all-inclusive holidays here are more in demand than ever. With direct charter and low-cost flights, family-friendly resorts, and increasingly polished adults-only properties, it is one of the Mediterranean’s most convenient spots for a no-surprises escape.
Choosing the right area and resort, however, makes a big difference to your experience. The island stretches almost 80 kilometers from tip to tip, and its main resort zones have very distinct personalities, from lively Faliraki to laid-back Kiotari.
How All-Inclusive Rhodes Holidays Work Today
Before diving into specific areas and resorts, it is worth understanding what “all-inclusive” on Rhodes typically means. The island has a long tradition of package tourism, but many properties have upgraded in recent seasons, moving beyond the old stereotype of basic buffets and crowded pools. Knowing what is usually included, and where the fine print lies, will help you compare options realistically.
Most of the larger resorts on Rhodes now operate several board types, from half-board to full-on ultra-all-inclusive. At the upper end, that can cover nearly all food and drink, non-motorized water sports, children’s clubs, live entertainment and a range of wellness or sports activities. Budget-friendly options may limit premium drinks or à la carte dining, or operate “light” all-inclusive where only certain hours and venues are covered.
The island’s all-inclusive scene is also diversifying. Established family favorites are adding waterparks and kids’ splash zones, while adults-focused resorts emphasize spa experiences, quiet pools and more sophisticated dining. Location still matters: western-coast areas like Ixia are breezier and good for windsurfing, while eastern-coast zones such as Faliraki, Kolymbia and Kiotari offer more sheltered beaches with calmer seas, better suited to young children.
Best Areas in Rhodes for All-Inclusive Stays
Rhodes is big enough that choosing the wrong base can leave you spending too much time on buses or in taxis. All-inclusive holidaymakers often want a mix of waterfront relaxation and at least occasional access to the island’s culture, from the medieval old town to Lindos’ whitewashed alleys. These are the main coastal belts where all-inclusive resorts cluster, and what each area is best for.
Ixia and Ialyssos: Convenient “Sunset Coast” Near Rhodes Town
On the northwest coast, Ixia and neighboring Ialyssos form a continuous strip of hotels and pebble beaches just a short drive from Rhodes Town and the airport. This “sunset coast” is one of the island’s classic all-inclusive zones, with mid-range and upper-midscale resorts lining the seafront. The steady Aegean breeze here makes it popular with windsurfers and kitesurfers, and breaks the heat in high summer.
These areas suit travelers who want resort facilities and good value, without being isolated. You can be in the old town’s cobbled streets in 10 to 15 minutes by taxi or bus, then retreat to a quieter pool scene at night. The trade-off is that the beaches are mostly pebbly and the sea can be choppy, so families with small children may prefer the east coast’s sandier bays.
Faliraki and Kallithea: Lively Beaches and Waterparks
South of Rhodes Town on the east coast, Faliraki has evolved from its party reputation into a broad, family-friendly resort area with one of the island’s longest sandy beaches and a significant cluster of all-inclusive hotels. It is also home to the island’s main waterpark, which makes it a magnet for families who want slides and splash zones as part of their stay.
Just to the north, Kallithea is quieter and more low-key, known for its rocky bays, restored spa buildings and clear water that attracts snorkelers and divers. Several all-inclusive resorts here take advantage of the dramatic coves and proximity to Rhodes Town, while offering calmer evenings than central Faliraki.
Kolymbia: Relaxed Mid-Island Hub for Couples and Young Families
Further down the east coast, Kolymbia has grown into a popular resort hub set between Faliraki and Lindos. Tree-lined streets, a sheltered bay and easy access to inland attractions such as Tsambika Mountain and Seven Springs give this area a more relaxed, “holiday village” feel. It is especially appealing to couples and young families looking for a quieter base with a good range of modern, mid-sized all-inclusive properties.
Kolymbia is a convenient compromise area, about halfway between Rhodes Town and Lindos, so day trips in either direction are manageable. Nightlife is more subdued than Faliraki’s, mostly focused on hotel bars and a handful of local tavernas.
Kiotari and South Coast: Secluded, Resort-Focused Escapes
On the southern half of the east coast, Kiotari and nearby beaches have developed into a chain of high-density resort complexes. Distances from Rhodes Town are longer, and public transport options thinner, so this area primarily suits travelers who are happy to spend most of their time within the resort or exploring nearby Lindos and the south coast by hire car.
The upside is a sense of space, broad beaches, and some of the island’s more up-to-date all-inclusive hotels, including several with strong family facilities and adults-only wings. The atmosphere is laid-back and self-contained, ideal for those who view Rhodes primarily as a beach and pool destination.
Lindos and Vlycha Bay: Culture-Plus-Beach Combinations
Lindos is Rhodes’ postcard-perfect village, a maze of whitewashed lanes beneath a dramatic acropolis, with pretty coves on either side. The village itself has limited large hotel development, but nearby Vlycha Bay and the coastal strip north and south of Lindos host several upscale resorts, some offering all-inclusive packages or full-board plans that function similarly.
This area is ideal if you want a blend of resort comfort and scenic, historic surroundings. You will pay a premium for the setting, and some properties do not go fully all-inclusive, but for many visitors the ability to stroll or take a short taxi ride into Lindos’ tavern-style nightlife is worth it.
Top All-Inclusive Family Resorts in Rhodes
Families traveling to Rhodes often look for the same mix of ingredients: safe swimming, spacious rooms, reliable food options, kids’ clubs and entertainment that does not feel intrusive. Several properties around the island are consistently highlighted for delivering strong value for money and facilities geared toward children of different ages.
D’Andrea Mare Beach Hotel, Ialyssos
On Ialyssos Beach near the airport, D’Andrea Mare Beach Hotel is a perennial favorite for families who want manageable scale and a lively, sociable atmosphere. The resort runs a classic all-inclusive program with buffet meals, snacks, and drinks included, along with a sizable outdoor pool complex. Recent guest feedback highlights the food variety, including themed nights and options suitable for vegetarians and children.
Families appreciate the dedicated kids’ pool, small waterslide features and playground area. Room categories range from doubles to one-bedroom apartments and family rooms with semi-separated sleeping areas, useful for parents who want a bit of evening privacy while young children sleep. Proximity to Rhodes Town means you can easily mix pool days with cultural excursions.
Atlantica Aegean Park, Kolymbia
Set at the base of Tsambika Mountain in Kolymbia, Atlantica Aegean Park has built a reputation as one of the island’s most complete family-focused all-inclusive resorts. The setting gives a sense of being tucked between sea and hills, with extensive gardens and direct access to a section of beach suitable for swimming and snorkeling.
The resort’s key selling point is its splash park and waterpark-style slides, which cater to both younger children and older kids who want more adrenaline. Multiple pools, sports courts and daily activity programs keep energy levels high, while the all-inclusive set-up covers buffet meals, snacks and drinks, which simplifies budgeting for longer stays.
Esperides Beach Family Resort, Faliraki
On the outskirts of Faliraki, Esperides Beach Family Resort is a long-established choice specifically targeting families. Recent updates have focused on modernizing rooms and communal spaces, while maintaining a broad range of kid-friendly features: water slides, splash zones, playgrounds and organized activities for different age brackets.
The beachfront location on a sandy, gently shelving bay is a major plus for families with smaller children. Buffet restaurants provide a wide selection of Greek and international dishes, and separate kids’ counters during main meals help speed up dining with younger guests. Evening entertainment leans toward light shows and family quiz nights rather than late-party scenes.
Blue Bay Resort & Aquapark, Ialyssos Area
In the Ialyssos area on the west coast, Blue Bay Resort & Aquapark combines seafront access with its own onsite waterpark. This makes it attractive for families looking to balance beach time with slide-filled days without leaving the hotel grounds. The waterpark section typically includes multi-lane slides, tubes and a lazy river, plus dedicated shallower areas for smaller children.
The resort operates an all-inclusive concept covering main meals, snacks and local drinks at specified bars, and offers a mix of hotel rooms and family units. The west-coast breeze can make the sea wavier here, but many families view that as a positive in the peak of summer heat, and stick primarily to the pools when the wind picks up.
Best Adults-Only and Couples-Focused All-Inclusive Options
While Rhodes is strongly associated with family holidays, there is a growing number of adults-only or adults-oriented resorts that package all-inclusive convenience with a more tranquil, design-conscious environment. These are popular with couples, groups of friends and honeymooners who want to avoid the noise of water slides and kids’ clubs.
Grecotel LuxMe Dama Dama, Kallithea
Grecotel LuxMe Dama Dama, on the northeastern coast near Kallithea, is a flagship example of Rhodes’ newer-generation all-inclusive resorts. Although not strictly adults-only, it is strongly oriented toward couples and style-conscious guests, with a focus on upgraded dining and service. The property sits on a long stretch of beach and offers tastefully decorated rooms and bungalows, some with direct pool access or sea views.
The “LuxMe” all-inclusive concept typically covers several à la carte restaurants, patisserie and gelato bars, poolside snacks and a wide range of drinks, including some branded spirits. A spa and wellness facilities, yoga classes and thoughtfully curated excursions, such as visits to Rhodes’ medieval old town or local wineries, appeal to guests who want more than just sunloungers and cocktails.
Upscale South-Coast Resorts in Kiotari
Kiotari’s long beachfront hosts a cluster of large-scale, often upscale resorts with all-inclusive or ultra-all-inclusive programs. Several include adults-only wings or quiet pool zones, allowing couples to enjoy the facilities of a big resort while avoiding the busiest family pools. The atmosphere here is slower and more resort-focused than in the north, with guests tending to stay onsite for most meals and entertainment.
These properties generally offer multiple restaurants, including Greek and Mediterranean à la carte venues, spa centers, and evening entertainment that leans toward live music and low-key shows. They also provide a good base for day trips to Lindos and the lesser-known beaches of the south coast, particularly if you hire a car.
Smaller Boutique-Style Resorts around Lindos and Vlycha
In and around Lindos, several smaller hotels and boutique resorts offer all-inclusive or comprehensive full-board packages that function similarly, with breakfast, lunch, dinner and selected drinks included. Vlycha Bay in particular is known for peaceful, adults-friendly properties set right on the sand or shingle, with an emphasis on relaxed, low-rise architecture and attentive, personalized service.
These resorts suit travelers who value tranquility and scenic surroundings over big pools and entertainment programs. Evenings tend to revolve around long dinners, a drink at the hotel bar, or short trips into Lindos to wander its alleys and rooftop bars. For couples seeking a more romantic take on all-inclusive, this region is hard to beat.
Choosing the Right Rhodes Area for Your Travel Style
With so many distinct resort zones, narrowing down where to stay on Rhodes is as important as choosing the hotel. Thinking about your priorities, and how much time you plan to spend offsite, helps align your expectations with what each area offers in practice.
For First-Time Visitors Who Want Easy Sightseeing
If it is your first visit and you plan to explore Rhodes Town, nearby ancient sites and maybe some inland villages, basing yourself in Ixia, Ialyssos, Kallithea or the fringes of Faliraki provides the best compromise between resort comfort and convenience. These areas sit within a short driving distance of the island’s main city, which concentrates many of its cultural attractions, from the Palace of the Grand Master to the harborside promenades.
Here you can use local buses or reasonably priced taxis to dip into town on several evenings, while still returning to an all-inclusive base with pools and beachfront access. Bear in mind that beaches in Ixia and Ialyssos tend to be pebbly and windy, while Kallithea and Faliraki offer softer sands and more sheltered swimming conditions.
For Families Who Prioritize Pools, Slides and Safe Sea
Families with water-loving children will typically be happiest on the east coast, where seas are calmer and sandier. Faliraki, Kolymbia and parts of the south coast around Kiotari are particularly appealing. In Faliraki and Kolymbia, proximity to the main waterpark and to resort-based splash zones means there is usually some form of slide or aqua fun on offer without long transfers.
When choosing among these, think about how much nightlife you are comfortable with nearby. Central Faliraki can be lively in high summer, while outlying bays and Kolymbia itself tend to be quieter. South-coast resorts in Kiotari are more self-contained, with most evening activity centered on the hotels themselves rather than external bars.
For Couples and Relaxation Seekers
Couples seeking relaxation above all may find the south coast, Kallithea, and the Lindos/Vlycha region the most satisfying. These areas combine attractive natural settings with resorts that put more emphasis on spa facilities, adults-only or quiet zones, and higher-end dining experiences within the all-inclusive framework.
In practice, this can mean fewer boisterous pool games and more attention to details like sunset views, couple’s treatments and wine lists. For those who still want occasional buzz, choosing a resort within easy taxi distance of Rhodes Town or Lindos provides the option of dining out and strolling atmospheric old streets without committing to a city stay.
Practical Tips for Booking an All-Inclusive Rhodes Holiday
Once you have narrowed down a region and a shortlist of resorts, a few practical considerations will help you get the best out of your all-inclusive stay. Rhodes is heavily seasonal, with very different dynamics between May and October, and booking patterns have shifted in recent years as demand rebounds and airlines adjust capacity.
Timing Your Trip and Avoiding the Crowds
Peak season on Rhodes runs from late June through August, when European school holidays drive up both occupancy and temperatures. If you are flexible, May, early June and late September often offer a better balance of warm weather, more space at pools and on beaches, and wider room choice at all-inclusive properties.
Families tied to school calendars may still prefer July or August, but should be prepared for fuller resorts and more competition for sunloungers at popular times of day. Booking early is advisable in any case for sought-after family hotels and waterpark resorts, which tend to fill well in advance for these months.
Understanding What “All-Inclusive” Really Covers
In recent years, many Rhodes resorts have refined or tiered their all-inclusive offerings. Some now run differentiated packages, from standard to “ultra” all-inclusive, with varying access to à la carte restaurants and branded drinks. Before booking, check:
- Which meals are included, and whether à la carte restaurants carry supplements or usage limits.
- Hours of operation for snack bars and included beverages.
- Whether certain facilities, such as tennis courts, spa areas, or watersports, incur extra charges.
- If kids’ clubs and evening entertainment are seasonal or year-round.
Clarifying these details avoids surprises and helps you compare resorts on more than headline price alone.
Factoring in Transfers and Offsite Plans
Rhodes International Airport lies near the northwest coast, so resorts in Ixia, Ialyssos and Kallithea are closest in terms of transfer time, often under 30 minutes by road. Faliraki and Kolymbia take a little longer, while Kiotari and the far south coast can mean journeys of well over an hour, depending on stops.
If you intend to spend most of your holiday within the resort, a longer transfer may not be an issue. However, if you anticipate multiple days in Rhodes Town or frequent outings around the island, basing yourself closer to the north may prove more convenient and economical in terms of transport.
The Takeaway
All-inclusive holidays on Rhodes have moved well beyond their package-tour origins, with a spectrum of resorts now catering to very different travelers. From family-friendly waterpark hotels in Faliraki and Kolymbia to more serene, design-focused properties near Kallithea, Lindos and Kiotari, the island offers enough variety for both repeat visitors and first-timers.
The key choices come down to area, atmosphere and what you expect your all-inclusive plan to cover. Think first about how much you want to explore beyond the resort, then choose a coastal zone that matches your priorities, whether that is convenient access to Rhodes Town, safe swimming for children, or romantic scenery and quieter evenings. From there, compare resort offerings carefully, paying attention to included facilities and guest feedback.
Handled this way, an all-inclusive break in Rhodes can deliver exactly what it promises: days that revolve around sea and sun rather than logistics, evenings where dinners and drinks are straightforward, and the freedom to explore a storied Greek island at your own pace, knowing that your base is taken care of.
FAQ
Q1: Which area of Rhodes is best for a first-time all-inclusive holiday?
For first-time visitors who want both resort comfort and easy sightseeing, the stretch between Ixia, Ialyssos, Kallithea and the outskirts of Faliraki works well. These areas keep you within a short drive of Rhodes Town, where many of the island’s main sights are concentrated, while still providing beach access and a good choice of all-inclusive hotels.
Q2: Is the sea calmer on the east or west coast of Rhodes?
The east coast, where Faliraki, Kolymbia, Lindos and Kiotari are located, generally has calmer, more sheltered seas and sandier beaches. The west and northwest coasts around Ixia and Ialyssos are breezier and often pebbly, which can be ideal for windsurfing but less so for very young children.
Q3: Are all-inclusive resorts in Rhodes good value compared with eating out?
For families or anyone who plans to eat most meals at the hotel, all-inclusive packages often represent good value, particularly in high season when restaurant prices in popular areas can add up. Couples who expect to dine out frequently in Rhodes Town or Lindos may find half-board or bed-and-breakfast more flexible.
Q4: Do Rhodes all-inclusive hotels cater well for dietary requirements?
Major resorts on Rhodes are increasingly experienced in handling common dietary requirements such as vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free or dairy-free diets. Buffet labels are improving and staff are generally responsive to questions. If you have severe allergies or complex needs, it is advisable to inform the hotel in advance and confirm options on arrival.
Q5: What is the best time of year for an all-inclusive Rhodes holiday?
For pleasant temperatures and fewer crowds, May, early June and late September are often ideal. The sea is warmest from late June through early October. July and August are the busiest and hottest months, which can be fun if you enjoy a lively atmosphere, but expect fuller resorts and higher prices.
Q6: Are there many adults-only all-inclusive resorts on Rhodes?
While Rhodes is strongly family-oriented, there are several adults-only or adults-focused properties offering all-inclusive or ultra-all-inclusive packages, particularly around Kallithea, parts of the east coast and near Lindos. Many larger resorts also designate adults-only pools or quiet zones even if the entire hotel is not restricted to adults.
Q7: How long should I stay to enjoy Rhodes on an all-inclusive basis?
A stay of seven nights is a good starting point, allowing plenty of time to relax by the pool and beach while fitting in two or three excursions to Rhodes Town, Lindos or inland attractions. Shorter four or five night breaks work if you plan to focus almost entirely on the resort, while ten to fourteen nights suit families or those wanting a slower pace.
Q8: Is it worth renting a car if I am staying all-inclusive?
Even on an all-inclusive holiday, renting a car for at least a couple of days can be worthwhile if you want to see more of Rhodes than your immediate surroundings. It gives you freedom to visit quieter beaches, hilltop villages and archaeological sites at your own pace. If you prefer a purely pool-and-beach break, organized excursions and taxis are adequate.
Q9: Are waterparks included in all-inclusive packages in Rhodes?
Some resorts have their own waterparks or splash zones included within the all-inclusive concept, while others partner with external parks where entry might be discounted rather than fully free. Always check the specific hotel’s description to see whether onsite slides are part of the package and if there are age or height restrictions.
Q10: How far in advance should I book an all-inclusive Rhodes resort?
For peak summer dates, particularly if you are targeting popular family resorts with waterparks or specific room types, booking several months in advance is sensible. Shoulder-season trips offer a little more flexibility, but early booking still tends to secure better room choices and promotional rates, especially for larger groups or connecting family rooms.