Thieves with room keys. Be aware
A poor start. Arrived late due to long transfer. No snack or sandwich on arrival (in their reply on Google they said my agent "Super Escapes"-Via Metro newspaper - did not let them know!) I was told I could buy crisps and snacks in their In-House shop; we were not even offered those for free. I asked him for a discount and his reply was "don't even think about it". That tells you everything about him. I had to pay. A few days later a young girl was a Euro short for her items-he let it go, yet could not offer me free Pringles on late arrival! He was an obnoxious individual. He visibly smoked on duty also. Hopefully he may retire early or drive trucks?
I asked if I could pay the 70 Euro "climate-tax" on my credit card. He said that the hotel would get charged a lot from the credit card company. But yet he allowed me to pay for Pringles on my credit card. So it's more likely that they keep a large percentage of the Euros for themselves, otherwise why not allow credit card payment!
He misdirected to a our rooms, with luggage in hand. It was dimly lit and tripped on raised kurbs twice. I went back to him and he re-directed me again to the right area. He did not offer help. My just-turned teen daughter started to cry.
The room was new, but not twin beds (I paid £100 extra to Super Escapes for). Instead we had 2 single mattresses in a marble fixed housing, that you could not separate. It has sharp corners of that bed housing caught my shin a few times. (The reply was "there is no extra charge for twin beds, as this is not considered an additional service).
The food was self service buffet, the food was edible, but nothing special. The Mesa and Greek cold food was good, as was the watermelon and sweets. Tuesday was Indian cuisine which was much better. Restaurant staff were kind and attentive, who also served you drinks based on a plastic coin based system (All-inclusive)
The main location was a little rocky, but with a ladder to help decent into the sea. A little walk away, and some through shallow part of the sea (5 mins) was a sandy beach. Clear waters to snorkel with some fish to see by rocks. The pool areas were nice and not over-crowded. It was close to the pool bar and outdoor buffet area.
Unfortunately, my British pounds were stolen from my wallet in my suitcase the one day I did not padlock it that one time; and my A15 Samsung mobile phone, which was spare for emergency. I did lock my door and patio door; so I can only conclude anyone with a room key had access and stole my cash and phone. The lesson here is not to take sterling and keep euros on your person at all times, even if it is to pay the "climate tax"(or who knows where the cash goes tax)
I reported the incident to the Greek police(3.hours wait), they said they would email me the report (They said it was illegal if they gave it to me - how ridiculous!). I even emailed and called them from UK, but they are just rude on the phone and don't care. I received my report, only after complaining the UK Embassy in Rhodes!
To sum up it is NOT a 4 star hotel as Super Escapes said. It's a 3 star and dated. Food was Ok, Greek cold food was fresh and better. Cocktails were done well and beer was good too. No WIFI in rooms apart from the reception at best, where the large aircon unit is broken. No safes in rooms-and rooms not safe.
The night manager is not a manager at all, he's poorly educated, inconsiderate and local. When I questioned him about the "twin" bed, his counter argument it was "double" room. He should be hospitable in the hospitality business.
The female day manager is also in the same category as the night manager. She DID find me a bigger room, but I decided not to bother, as we unpacked and were 2 days in.(in the Google rebuttal they said I had a dispute about my daughter about it ! Yeah right!)
I over heard her instruct cleaners how to clean. The cleaners were from the African continent, I know this because I asked them.
I asked the General Manager (male) if he could give me a letter to say my items were stolen (the police came to the hotel, so he would have known). But he said only the police can do the report and that they will 100% send it to you (only after complaining buddy)
The bar and restaurant staff were just fantastic, kind and helpful. They are the only credit to this restaurant. The trainee Indian woman there is also a credit to the place (Maybe they should run the place?)
I spotted some lovely hotels going south to the police station in Gennadi to report the crime, and would have loved to stayed in one of those. Next time maybe. Lindos is a nice place to visit also.
The saying "It's All Greek to me" is certainly beginning to sound real. Rhodes is a beautiful place with some crystal clear waters in some places. Just a pity about the poor management at Ilyssion hotel and a thief.
Iam looking forward to the rebuttal from them . Should be interesting.