Kolymbia Beach Hotel

The Kolymbia Beach Hotel -- renovated in 2007 -- is a sleek, modern all-inclusive resort that exudes tranquility for the steady stream of European couples and families who make recurring trips here. The hotel is perched on green lawns that overlook the beautiful blue Aegean sea, and the sprawling gardens even have fragments of ancient ruins on-site. White paved pathways lead past the stylish outdoor lagoon pool -- kids stick to a separated side, while adults soak up the sun on a wood-plank deck topped with yellow lounge chairs and umbrellas -- and on toward the shingle beach, where beachfront cocktails await can be ordered to your umbrella-shaded lounger.

The lobby mirrors the modernity of the building’s exterior with its minimalist decor and sleek marble flooring, and opens onto a sofa-filled lounge area and a popular lobby bar, with plenty of tables to accommodate even a sold-out hotel. The beach cafe tends to be livelier than the main restaurant, purely due to its location and ocean views. Basic entertainment is provided nightly.

The hotel is situated on a quiet street, overlooking Kolymbia Beach and the Aegean, in short walking distance from other hotels and a mini-market. The historic town of Rhodes is 35 minutes by car; popular sights there include the Palace of the Grand Master of the Knights of Rhodes, the Archaeological Museum of Rhodes, the Ancient Theater, and the Ancient Olympic Stadium. Lindos -- home to an acropolis, plenty of shopping, and a lively nightlife scene -- is another popular day-trip destination, 33 minutes away by car. The airport is a 39-minute drive.

Kolymbia Beach Hotel's rooms all have light-colored wood accents, mostly modern and minimalist decor, and stylish touches like recessed lighting behind the beds; Standard Rooms, however, tend to have more basic furnishings and sparser decor, as well as plastic patio chairs. Bathrooms are clean, with modern fixtures and sleek sinks. Double rooms have bright pops of orange tiles in the bathrooms and colorful window coverings. All rooms come with air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, tea and coffee, and private balconies with views of either the mountains or the sea. Mountain-facing rooms tends to be darker than the ocean-view rooms.

Kolymbia Beach Hotel's all-inclusive dining options cater to both families and couples. The lobby bar -- with wooden floors and distinctive design touches serves a full range of cocktails, as does the more casual beach bar. The restaurant is tailored for families with rattan chairs, wooden high chairs, and a large buffet of standard all-inclusive fare that includes beer on tap. The beach restaurant -- also a buffet -- is on a covered terrace that overlooks the hotel's section of the pebbled beach, covered in blue rattan umbrellas and white-cushioned loungers.

In addition to the beach, the large lagoon-style pool, with a separate kids' area, has plenty of loungers and sea views. There's also an indoor kids' club with an outdoor playground and organized games, though the beach and pool are probably the most popular activities. To make sure every need is met, the resort also has an on-site mini-market and rental car desk. Note that parking is free but Wi-Fi costs extra.