Atrium Platinum Luxury Resort Hotel & Spa

The Atrium Platinum Resort & Spa is a modern luxury hotel with nine floors. It takes design inspiration from the nearby, beautiful Ixia Bay and shingle beach, with a lobby that invokes the spirit of sea. The blue painted ceiling is covered with faux white birds and accented by a wispy, blue electronic backdrop behind the front desk. Common areas are open and bright, with lots of natural light and two glass elevators with sea views. But the minimal interior decor -- despite interesting architectural designs and recessed circular ceiling lights -- can feel stark and unfinished. The corridors, for example, have white unadorned walls and metallic doors. The hotel appeals to families and couples with a resort-size, white pool area that includes a bar, oversized chessboard, circular hot tubs, kiddy pool, bridges, and stunning sea views.

The resort sits atop an isolated hill on the island of Rhodes -- with 137 miles of coastline. The airport is a 19-minute drive away. It's at nearly the northernmost point of Ixia, and a 10-minute scenic drive to Rhodes City, where the Colossus of Rhodes statue stood above the harbor until 224 BC when an earthquake destroyed it. The ruins of the castle of Monolithos are an hour-and-a-half by car, and the Kritinia Castle is about one hour away. Within walking distance are other resorts, hotels, restaurants, and seaside activities like windsurfing, jet skiing, paddle boarding, and diving.

Modern sandy-colored decorations and natural lighting, with pops of metal and color, fill the spacious rooms at Atrium Platinum Hotel. Along with nice writing desks and flat-screen TVs, some rooms have lovely balconies or terraces. Bathrooms have showers with whirlpool tubs, bathrobes and slippers, and high-end toiletries. Some suites have separate bedrooms, private pools, and living rooms -- top-of-the-line suites fit up to four people, have a large veranda and private pool, and offer flowers and Greek wine on arrival.

The on-site luxury spa greets guests with a theatrical wave-like light fixture, giving way to five treatment rooms, a Vichy shower, a sauna, and solarium. The indoor pool -- in view from the gym -- has a pink mural wall and ocean-inspired recessed ceiling light. There are two chic bars serving casual Greek fare -- one is poolside and the other is indoors with floor-to-ceiling windows. There are five restaurants for guests to choose from, including Elia, serving a la carte Greek cuisine in a minimalist space with large arched windows looking onto the pool. The main restaurant Archipelagos serves an extensive, fresh buffet of Greek specialities for breakfast (included in the price); table service is available for dinner. Half-board rates are available. There are also retail shops, including a rental car service, clothing and accessories store, and a hair salon.