Sheraton Rhodes Resort

From the outside, the Sheraton Rhodes Resort looks a bit lackluster, with a multi-level white and gray concrete exterior fronted by palm trees. Design feels more luxurious inside, however. The lobby has pitched atrium ceilings, wood floors, stylish furniture in earth tones, a white grand piano, and a marble front desk before a yellow accent wall. The low ceilings and dim lighting in some hallways, however, feels dreary. Manicured gardens are a highlight of the grounds, particularly a pitched roof walkway with a bougainvillea trellis. Families and couples tend to congregate around the three outdoor pools, which have wooden terraces with glass railings that overlook the sea. There’s a small kiddy pool with a lawn area, and a sixth-floor pool with beautiful views and white cushioned lounge chairs. Indoors is the heated spa pool with a skylight ceiling, a distressed wood deck, and stylish rattan lounge chairs.

The hotel is located on prime west coast real estate. It’s a short walk to the Ixia shingle shores through a private tunnel, an 18-minute drive to Rhodes International Airport, and about eight to 10 minutes to the medieval town of Rhodes (with the Ancient Olympic Stadium and the Acropolis of Rhodes). A bus, which runs every 15 minutes and stops outside the hotel on the busy coastal road, takes travelers to Rhodes in 10 minutes. There are numerous bars and restaurants in walking distance. Surfers Paradise, with windsurfing rentals and classes, is a seven-minute walk from the hotel.

The hotel offers Aegean, Junior, and Family Suites; along with Classic, Superior, Deluxe, and Family Rooms -- all with balconies or terraces with sea or mountain views. Decor includes wooden floors, neutral modern furnishings, dark wood furniture, and pops of purple or green. Additional features include flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, beach towels, coffee/tea machines, DVD players (on request), and Wi-Fi (for a fee). Aegean Suites have two flat-screen TVs and a living room. Family Suites feel like apartments, with two flat-screen TVs, a living room, dining room, free Wi-Fi, and in-room breakfast. Bathrooms are modern with marble floors, telephones, and bidets.

The resort caters to families with a kids' club, outdoor playground, and self-serve ice cream parlor. Adults have plenty of activity options, too, with courts for squash, tennis, and basketball, plus a very spacious fitness center. The spa is serene and earthy, with treatment rooms for massages and facials, a sauna, and chromotherapy pool; a hot tub is available for a fee. Restaurants appeal to families and couples: They include the poolside Castellania restaurant, the Italian L'Onda restaurant, the stylish Mediterraneo restaurant with sea views, and the Greek@Sheraton restaurant with patio furniture. The small pool bar has a tiki roof, while the lounge bar is chicly furnished inside with high ceilings, and includes an expansive wood terrace. For business travelers -- or weddings -- there are 15 modern meeting rooms and a ballroom that can respectively fit 650 to 800 people. The beach -- accessible via a private tunnel -- has two changing rooms and blue-tiled showers, a lifeguard stand, and cushioned lounge chairs with umbrellas.