Rhodes ready: two romantic sanctuaries for beach lovers

Words: Emma Blackmore

With ancient ruins, turquoise waters and plenty of adrenaline-inducing activities for thalassophiles, Rhodes, the largest of Greece’s Dodecanese islands, is famed for its sun-drenched beaches. To experience the best – and to skip the crowds – you’ll want to head to its east coast.

Lindos Grand Resort & Spa

What’s the vibe?
A five-star, adults-only beachfront haven with uninterrupted views of the serene coves of Vlycha, complete with seven restaurants, two bars, luxury beach beds and a pampering spa.

Checking in
Floor-to-ceiling windows leading to your own terrace guarantee spectacular views of the shimmering Aegean from every corner of your room. Open-plan bathrooms have walk-in rainforest showers, while white cotton bedlinen, natural wood and grey stone add to the light and breezy feel.

Write home about
Relax without a care in the world by the vast freshwater infinity pool – one of the largest in Rhodes – or take a dip in your own L-shaped private pool that wraps around the majority of the rooms. Bed to pool in seconds? It doesn’t get any better than this.

Location
On the island’s eastern coast, an hour from Rhodes airport, the hotel is a stone’s throw from the charming village of Lindos, home to a cliff-top ancient Acropolis dating back to 300 BC. Whether you want to make the most of the azure waters by learning how to scuba dive, enjoy the wind in your hair on a boat trip, discover mediaeval castles or hike to Seven Springs – a tranquil woodland with flowing lakes – Lindos Grand Resort & Spa is the ultimate luxury bolthole to kick-start your Rhodian adventures.

Food and drink
There’s plenty to choose from here, from all-day Mediterranean Acqua e Sale and international buffet-style Terra Mare to fine dining at Thalatta run by chef Stavros Manousakis (served with a dreamy panoramic sea view) and fish restaurant Agistri – the royal sea food platter is a must-try. If indulgent antipasti and tiramisu are more your go-to, there’s Italian La Cucina or, if you prefer to travel further than Europe, the Pan-Asian Takara and Japanese Yume Mou (serving up omakase dinners) are unforgettable.

The spa
Personalisation is key to the hotel’s philosophy and the spa is no exception. From Mediterranean skin food facials to jasmine and sea salt exfoliation, massages and full body rituals, treatments combine modern techniques with ancient Greek remedies using natural vegan-friendly products from Rhodes. Unwind in the sauna, Jacuzzi or Turkish bath, or take a dip in the indoor pool. Fitness fanatics will love the indoor air-conditioned and the semi-outdoor gym and the choice of yoga, Pilates and aqua aerobics classes.

Book your holiday

Gennadi Grand Resort

What’s the vibe?
A family-favourite five-star resort by the beach and crystal-clear waters with private pools in more than half of the rooms, sunken gardens, nine restaurants and four bars, including chef Yiannis Kiaourtzis’ fine dining Edesma.

Checking in
Custom-made light wooden furnishings glow under the vast amount of natural light in every room. There’s a Nespresso coffee machine, pillow menu and cool-grey open plan bathroom. Sun-lounger-lined terraces lead to a private pool for 153 out of 300 rooms. Families, meanwhile, will love the two-bedroom suite (sleeps five) with its private pool and terrace, bedrooms separated by a sliding door, cosy lounge and two bathrooms.

Write home about
The weekly ceramic painting and cooking classes taught by local experts. Learn how to rustle up melekouni, a traditional sweet bar made with honey and sesame seeds or discover the history and design behind ceramics before painting your own tile… the perfect souvenir to take home. Plus, kiddies over four will enjoy all sorts of fun at the kids’ club and children’s playground.

Location
Come here to be immersed in Grecian sun, sand, and sea, away from the hustle and bustle of major tourist attractions. Located in the southeast of Rhodes, the hotel lies in a tranquil stretch of coastline in Gennadi, a small fishing village that’s 15 miles from Lindos. Don’t expect to be missing out of any activities, though, because guided hiking and mountain biking, sailing trips and all kinds of water sports are aplenty here.

Food and drink
Come for the four freshwater pools but stay for the food. There’s buffet-style Filoxenia, poolside Ble for the best in Greek meze (the sun-dried octopus is a must) and beach deli Alati delivers straight to your sunbed. Ten2One rustles up everything Mediterranean-Italian (pasta, pizzas, arancini, need we say more?) while στK steakhouse offers premium grass-fed cuts, dry aged for maximum flavour (there are vegetarian and vegan options, too). For gin lovers, Grevin Bar has 25 varieties of premium gin available to try. The ultimate showstopper, though? Chef Yiannis Kiaourtzis’ Edesma, where Greek culinary heritage meets innovation and creativity over seven courses of 14 dishes.

The spa
Pamper the day away at multi-award-winning Kozeen spa (best luxury hammam experience and best luxury island resort spa), a sanctuary inspired by Roman baths. Decompress in the heated hydro-massage Jacuzzi, sauna and steam bath, or float away in the heated pool. Try one of the Greek Earth signatures for treatments that maximise locally sourced ingredients such as honey and olive oil. Pure bliss…

Book your holiday

All holidays with British Airways Holidays are ATOL protected and include a generous baggage allowance per person and a 24-hour holiday helpline. Secure your Rhodes getaway at Lindos Grand Resort & Spa or Gennadi Grand Resort with a low deposit and enjoy flexible payments until you fly.*

*Full balance due four weeks before departure for short-haul holidays. Subject to availability. T&Cs apply. See ba.com/deposits.