Oceanis Park Hotel

The Hotel Solemar is a modest hotel in Ixia beach that is geared toward budget-conscious families. The property is surrounded by lush mountainside, but the hotel itself has a basic concrete exterior. The drabness continues into the lobby, with beige leather seating and tiled floors, a flat-screen TV, and recessed circular lighting. The hallways have a cool, green spiral staircase, but rather dull furniture. Younger guests enjoy the bright yet undecorated game room (all white and beige), complete with pool table, air hockey, and ping pong. Parents, meanwhile, have the lobby bar at their disposal -- with black bar stools and poolside bar with terrace seating. Other gathering places center around recreation: There's a sandy volleyball court, along with an outdoor pool and kiddy pool in an area dotted with yellow and blue umbrellas and lounge chairs.

The Hotel Solemar is on Rhodes Island, or the Rose of Aegean sea, the fourth largest island in Greece's Dodecanese. A beautiful shingle beach is located across a busy street, which runs in front of the hotel. Nearby there are water sports, tennis courts, and mini golf. A trip to the airport by car takes 16 minutes. Historical landmarks like the Knights of Saint John Venetian castle, Temple of Apollo Pizio, and Acropolis of Rhodes are a 10-minute drive away in the city of Rhodes. The Archaeological Museum of Rhodes is 13 minutes by car.

Room types include Doubles, Singles, Studios, or Apartments -- there are 24 apartments and five studios in total. All rooms are decorated very simply, with slightly worn wood furniture and white bedding. The TVs are older and quite small, wall decor is scant, and floors are tiled. All except single rooms have balconies. Bathrooms are basic, with stall showers and aging fixtures. Some rooms have unattractive views of the parking lot. Studios and Apartments have separate bedrooms, dining tables, and kitchenettes (with microwaves, mini-fridges, toasters, kettles, and coffeemakers).

For cocktails and all-day dining, guests have the option of an on-site family-friendly restaurant with buffet and two bars. The restaurant has homey blue window coverings, white casual tablecloths, and rust and yellow painted pillars. The buffet is lacking in variety -- a somewhat bland take on Greek cuisine. Guests can choose rates that cover just the room, breakfast, half board, or full board. The lobby has a light-grey bar with black leather stools where guests can sip cocktails. There are additional side tables and modern wicker chairs in the lobby, where guests can take drinks.