Rodos Palace Hotel is one of the largest and most established resorts on the island of Rhodes, combining a classic high-rise tower with sprawling garden suites, multiple pools, and extensive conference facilities. Set just back from Ixia Bay and a short drive from the medieval Old Town of Rhodes, it attracts a wide mix of guests, from package holidaymakers and families to conference delegates and wedding parties.
This guide walks you through the location, room categories, facilities, food and drink, and the overall guest experience, so you know exactly what to expect before you book.
Location and First Impressions
Rodos Palace sits on Iraklidon Avenue in the resort area of Ixia / Ialysos on the north-western coast of Rhodes. The hotel is across the coastal road from the beach, with an underground passage connecting the grounds to its designated section of the shoreline.
The area is a long, developed strip with other large hotels, small supermarkets, car hire offices and casual tavernas, so you will not feel isolated. The immediate surroundings can look a little worn in places, but you are well placed for exploring both the coast and the island’s main town.
The transfer from Rhodes International Airport typically takes around 15 to 20 minutes by taxi or transfer coach, which makes it practical for short breaks as well as longer stays.
Rhodes Town and its UNESCO-listed medieval Old Town are roughly a ten-minute drive away, placing the city’s restaurants, nightlife and historic attractions within easy reach by bus, taxi or hire car. For many guests, Rodos Palace functions as a base where resort-style facilities meet convenient access to the island’s cultural heart.
First impressions depend a lot on what you value. Approaching from the road, you see the hotel’s main tower rising above the gardens and a broad driveway leading to a large, often busy reception. The lobby and public spaces retain a 1970s and 1980s grandeur, with marble, glass and polished surfaces that signal the property’s longstanding role as a flagship resort and conference venue on Rhodes.
Some travelers find this retro aesthetic charming and pleasantly nostalgic, while others simply find it dated. Either way, you get a sense that this is a substantial, full-service complex rather than a boutique hideaway.
Room Types and Layout of the Resort
With several hundred rooms and suites spread across a central tower and an extensive garden area, Rodos Palace offers a wide array of accommodation types. Understanding the layout is key to choosing the right option.
The main building houses standard rooms and some higher-category units, many with sea views from higher floors across Ixia Bay toward the sunset. These rooms tend to be more traditional in style, and feedback frequently notes that some of them show their age in furnishings and bathroom fittings.
Beyond the tower, a network of low-rise buildings and bungalows is arranged around pools and landscaped gardens. These garden suites and bungalows are generally more modern in feel, with fresher decor and, in some cases, semi-private or sharing pools.
Families often gravitate towards these units, as they provide more space, easier access to the pools, and in some configurations, kitchenettes that are useful for longer stays or guests with young children who prefer more flexibility around meals.
Premium room categories include garden view and sea view rooms, larger suites with separate living areas, and VIP suites with shared or private pools. Some of the family-oriented garden suites are designed with separate sleeping spaces and practical touches such as soundproofing and furnished patios.
At the top end, there are presidential-style suites with generous living and dining areas that appeal to VIP guests, wedding parties or senior conference delegates. As with any large, long-running resort, renovation status can vary by block, so it is worth checking which wing or category has been most recently refreshed when you book.
In-Room Features and Comfort
Standard in-room amenities across the property typically include air conditioning, flat-screen television, minibar or small fridge, in-room safe and a hairdryer. Many rooms feature balconies or terraces, with either sea, garden or mountain views, and most are soundproofed to help buffer the noise from entertainment and the busy coastal road.
Premium and suite categories may add features such as larger bathrooms, walk-in showers, whirlpool tubs, additional seating areas and in some cases kitchenettes with basic cooking and serving facilities.
Rodos Palace offers 24-hour room service, including a full in-room dining menu that runs around the clock. Breakfast can be delivered in the morning, a full all-day menu is usually available from late morning through evening, and a late-night menu covers the overnight hours.
This can be particularly convenient for late arrivals, jet-lagged guests or families with sleeping children who prefer to dine on their terrace rather than in a busy restaurant.
Guest reviews suggest a mixed picture when it comes to condition and comfort. Many travelers find the beds comfortable and appreciate the room size, particularly in the bungalows and suites, which are often more generous than those in compact city hotels.
However, some rooms in the main tower are described as dated, with older furniture, worn carpets or bathrooms that lack the contemporary feel many guests now expect of a five-star resort. Air conditioning performance can be a sore point in the hottest summer weeks, and you should be prepared for variations in maintenance standards between room categories.
Pools, Beach and On-Site Facilities
One of the hotel’s strongest selling points is the sheer range of facilities. Rodos Palace has multiple outdoor swimming pools scattered throughout the grounds, including lagoon-style pools that weave between the garden blocks, a separate children’s pool, and an indoor pool under a distinctive dome structure that doubles as an architectural focal point. Guests booking certain suites and VIP units may also have access to semi-private or sharing pools for a more exclusive feel.
The beach lies across the road from the main complex, connected via an underground passage so you do not need to cross the traffic at street level. The shoreline here is mostly rocky or made up of coarse shingle rather than soft sand, which is typical for much of the Ixia coastline.
The hotel arranges sun loungers and umbrellas along its section, and showers are available for rinsing off seawater. Winds can be strong on this side of the island, which makes the area popular with windsurfers, but conditions can be choppy at times, so it is not always the most child-friendly swimming beach.
A long list of additional facilities rounds out the resort experience. On-site you will find two floodlit tennis courts, table tennis, a fitness center, spa and wellness area with sauna, hammam and jacuzzi, a mini club and kids’ playground, indoor playland with electronic games and billiards, a mini market, boutiques and an art shop.
There is a small chapel on the grounds that is often used for weddings and vow renewals. The hotel can help arrange off-site activities as well, including watersports, golf at a nearby 18-hole course, a waterpark visit, scuba diving, sailing, horse riding and excursions to local wineries and cultural sites.
One important point to note is that some facilities and services may carry extra charges, even for guests on all-inclusive packages. Access to certain wellness facilities, premium activities or branded drinks may not be fully covered. The hotel also reserves the right to adjust the range or operation of facilities, particularly at the start or end of the season. Guests should check on-site for up-to-date information on what is open and what is included in their specific board basis.
Dining, Bars and All-Inclusive Experience
Food and drink are central to the Rodos Palace experience. The hotel operates a broad selection of restaurants and bars, allowing guests staying for a week or more to vary their dining without leaving the property.
Ambrosia serves as the main restaurant with buffet-style breakfasts and dinners featuring Mediterranean and international dishes. Additional outlets such as La Terasse and Gallery handle breakfast, lunch and dinner in various formats, while the Pool Restaurant and Aquasplash focus on relaxed daytime options like salads, pasta, sandwiches and kid-friendly dishes.
For guests seeking a higher-end evening, the 12 Nissia fine dining restaurant presents Greek and Mediterranean gourmet cuisine in a more intimate setting. Other themed venues, which may operate seasonally, might include a meze restaurant for classic Greek small plates and additional concept outlets drawing inspiration from regional culinary traditions. The overall ethos is to provide a choice of settings and cuisines, ranging from straightforward buffet fare to more polished à la carte experiences.
Bars are scattered throughout the property. The Amphitrion Lobby Lounge & Bar caters to guests looking for a pre-dinner aperitif or a post-conference drink accompanied by piano music.
The Yacht Bar and poolside bars serve cocktails and refreshments during the day, while the Dome Bar hosts evening shows and entertainment, making it a focal point for night-time activity within the resort. A separate bar within the playland area keeps parents and older children supplied with soft drinks and snacks amid the games.
Rodos Palace markets different board options, including half board and all-inclusive packages. In some promotions there may be an “ultra all-inclusive” concept, which usually extends the range of included drinks, snacks and à la carte access.
However, guests have reported that the exact inclusions are not always clearly explained at check-in, and that some items such as certain premium spirits, branded coffees or specialty restaurants can still incur surcharges. If you opt for all-inclusive, take time early in your stay to clarify what is included, which outlets you can use without extra charges, and how meal vouchers or reservations work for any à la carte venues.
Family Stays, Events and Business Travel
Rodos Palace positions itself as a multi-purpose resort, and families make up a substantial portion of its summer clientele. Family suites in the garden area, often around 65 square meters, can include fully equipped kitchenettes, separate sleeping areas and direct access to pools, which is particularly convenient with younger children.
The hotel’s mini club program offers supervised activities, while outdoor playgrounds and an indoor games zone provide space for children to burn off energy away from the main pools.
Some packages are tailored specifically to family needs, with touches such as cookies and milk at turndown, surprise gifts for children, one breakfast in bed for the family and special access to certain pools or club events. From a practical standpoint, the availability of kitchenettes and larger living areas in some suites makes multi-generational or longer stays more comfortable.
Do keep in mind that the main restaurants and common areas can become very busy in peak school holiday periods, so a degree of patience is often necessary at buffet counters and during evening entertainment.
The hotel is also one of the island’s major conference and event venues. It features a sizable convention center, multiple ballrooms, smaller meeting and breakout rooms, private offices and a dedicated business center.
This infrastructure allows it to host large conferences, exhibitions and incentive groups, particularly outside the peak leisure months. For business travelers, the combination of meeting spaces, on-site accommodation and restaurant options can be highly practical, even if the surroundings feel more resort-like than corporate.
Weddings and celebrations are another focus. The on-site chapel and various terraces and ballrooms give planners flexibility for ceremonies and receptions, while the gardens and dome pool area are popular backdrops for photographs. Couples often take advantage of the hotel’s event planning services to handle décor, catering and entertainment.
The presence of conference and event traffic can, however, influence the feel of the hotel at certain times, especially if very large groups are in-house. Guests not connected with these events may find public areas more crowded or more oriented towards organized entertainment on those dates.
Service, Atmosphere and What Guests Really Experience
The overall atmosphere at Rodos Palace is lively rather than tranquil. With several pools, entertainment programs, family activities and conference groups, there is usually something happening somewhere on the property. Evening shows, live music and animation can run late into the night at the bar and dome areas, which many guests enjoy as part of the classic resort experience.
Others, particularly those seeking quiet or traveling with small children, may find the ambient noise intrusive if their room faces the main entertainment zones or the busy road.
Guest feedback on service is mixed, which is not unusual for a resort of this size. Many visitors report friendly, hard-working staff at reception, in the restaurants and around the bars, especially when the property is not running at full capacity. Others mention slow bar service, long queues at peak meal times and occasional communication gaps when trying to resolve room issues or clarify package inclusions.
The level of satisfaction often appears to correlate with expectations and the price paid; travelers who secure competitive rates tend to judge the experience more favorably than those expecting flawless five-star standards.
Cleanliness and maintenance are recurring themes in reviews. Public areas and pools are generally kept tidy, but the age and scale of the complex mean that wear and tear is visible in places, particularly in older room stock. Some guests have reported issues such as dated bathrooms, signs of damp or mold in certain rooms, and housekeeping inconsistencies.
The hotel and staff do address problems when raised, but prospective guests should be aware that the experience can be variable. Choosing a more recently renovated room category, if available within your budget, can help mitigate some of these concerns.
Value for money is another area where opinions diverge. Rodos Palace is frequently marketed and priced as a five-star property, particularly in brochures and package deals, but some travelers feel that in-room quality and certain services align more with a solid four-star resort.
Additional charges for particular facilities, premium drinks or spa access can add up, especially for families. On the other hand, when offered at a competitive rate, the combination of location, multiple pools, broad dining choice and easy access to Rhodes Town makes it appealing for travelers who prioritize facilities and convenience over cutting-edge design.
The Takeaway
Rodos Palace is a classic large-scale resort on Rhodes that offers extensive facilities, a convenient coastal location close to Rhodes Town, and a wide variety of rooms and suites to suit different budgets and group sizes. It is particularly well suited to travelers who enjoy lively resorts with multiple pools, broad dining options and on-site entertainment, as well as to families seeking spacious garden suites and conference or wedding groups that benefit from the sizeable event infrastructure.
However, it is not a minimalist design hotel or a secluded luxury hideaway. Some of the accommodation, especially in the main tower, feels dated, and service quality can fluctuate when the property is at its busiest.
The nearby beach is stony and often windy rather than postcard-perfect sandy, and guests on all-inclusive packages should be prepared to ask detailed questions about what is and is not included. If you arrive with realistic expectations, choose your room category carefully and secure a rate that reflects the hotel’s age and style, Rodos Palace can deliver a convenient and enjoyable base for exploring Rhodes while enjoying a full slate of resort amenities.
FAQ
Q1: Where exactly is Rodos Palace located on Rhodes?
Rodos Palace is situated on Iraklidon Avenue in the Ixia / Ialysos area on the north-west coast of Rhodes, Greece, just across the coastal road from the beach and around a ten-minute drive from Rhodes Town and its medieval Old Town.
Q2: How far is the hotel from the airport and how do I get there?
The hotel is roughly 15 to 20 minutes by car from Rhodes International Airport. You can reach it by taxi, pre-arranged transfer or hire car. Public buses run along the main coastal road, but most arriving guests opt for a taxi or organized transfer for convenience.
Q3: What are the main differences between tower rooms and garden suites?
Tower rooms are located in the main high-rise building and often offer wider sea views, but some are older in style and show more wear. Garden suites and bungalows are set in low-rise blocks around the pools and gardens, generally feel more modern, and often provide more space and easier pool access, which is popular with families.
Q4: Is the beach sandy and suitable for children?
The beach in front of Rodos Palace is mostly rocky or covered in coarse shingle, which is typical of the Ixia coastline. While the hotel provides loungers and umbrellas and sea swimming is possible, families with young children may find it less comfortable than sandy beaches elsewhere on the island and might prefer to use the pools or visit other beaches by car.
Q5: What board options are available and what does all-inclusive include?
The hotel usually offers bed and breakfast, half board and various all-inclusive packages. All-inclusive typically covers buffet meals at the main restaurant, selected snacks and a range of local drinks, with some promotions extending access to additional outlets. However, certain specialty restaurants, branded drinks and premium services can carry extra charges, so it is advisable to confirm inclusions at check-in.
Q6: Are the facilities suitable for children and families?
Yes, Rodos Palace has several family-friendly features, including a mini club with organized activities, children’s pool, playgrounds, indoor games area and a range of family suites with more space and, in some cases, kitchenettes. The atmosphere in peak season is lively and geared towards families, although main restaurants and pools can be busy at popular times.
Q7: Does the hotel have good options for business travelers and events?
The resort includes a large conference and events center, ballrooms, multiple meeting and breakout rooms and a business center, which makes it a major venue for conferences, corporate gatherings and exhibitions on Rhodes. Business travelers benefit from on-site accommodation, dining and leisure facilities, though the environment is more resort-like than strictly business-centric.
Q8: What kind of nightlife and entertainment can I expect on-site?
On-site entertainment typically includes live music, shows in the dome area, themed evenings and animation activities. Bars stay open late, particularly in high season, and the overall ambiance is social and lively. Guests who prefer quieter evenings should request rooms away from the main entertainment zones and the busiest bars.
Q9: How modern are the rooms and should I be concerned about wear and tear?
Room condition varies by category and building. Many garden suites and some premium rooms have been updated and feel more contemporary, while certain standard rooms in the main tower are older and may show signs of age in furniture, bathrooms or soft furnishings. If modern decor is important to you, request a renovated room or consider a higher-category or garden-based unit when booking.
Q10: Is Rodos Palace good value for money compared with other hotels on Rhodes?
Value for money depends largely on the rate you pay and what you prioritize. At competitive prices, the combination of multiple pools, extensive facilities and proximity to Rhodes Town can represent good value, especially for families and groups. Travelers expecting top-tier luxury at peak five-star rates may feel the dated elements and occasional service inconsistencies reduce the perceived value, so aligning expectations with the hotel’s style and age is important.