Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
remains of the
acropolis of
Hellenistic Rhodes
, atop Monte Smith. Formerly known
as Áyios Stéfanos, this hill was renamed for a British admiral during the Napoleonic
Wars. While the ruins cover an extensive area, there's not really all that much to see
- a restored theatre and stadium, plus three columns of a temple to
Apollo Pythios
.
It's striking to realize that the ancient city stretched from here all the way down to
the sea, however.
The cemeteries
While the vast
municipal cemeteries
at Korakónero, just inland from Zéfyros beach
2km southeast of the centre, might not sound like a hot tourist destination, they can
be strangely compelling. This is one of the very few remaining spots in the Balkans
where the dead of four faiths lie in proximity, albeit separated by high walls. The
easterly
Greek Orthodox section
, the largest, holds the fewest surprises. The small
Catholic section
is not only the last home of various north European expatriates, but
also demonstrates that a fair number of Italians elected to accept Greek nationality
and stay on after the 1948 unification with Greece. The
Jewish section
(Mon-Fri
8am-1pm) has, understandably, seen little activity since 1944, and is full of
memorials in French to those who were deported. Opposite its gate, across the busy
road, a small
Allied War graves
plot holds 142 burials. Just south of the Jewish
section, the “
Muslim
”
section
(ie Turkish) is the most heavily used and best
maintained of the three minority cemeteries.
ACCOMMODATION
RHODES TOWN
8
opposite).
Reservations
and
cre
dit-card
deposit
OLD TOWN
Ì
Andreas
Omírou 28D
T
22410 34156,
W
hotelandreas.com; see map, p.518.
Perennially
popular
pension
, imaginatively converted from an old
Turkish mansion, with switched-on, international
management. The eleven rooms vary in size and price;
some sleep four, and there's a fabulous “penthouse”. All
have a/c; eight have en-suite bathrooms, while each of the
other three has the key to its own dedicated bathroom,
down the corridor. Excellent breakfasts (€6-8 extra) and
evening drinks are served on the terrace bar, which has free
wi-fi and great vi
ews.
Two-night minimum stay,
reservations essential.
€55
Avalon Boutique Hotel
Háritos 9
T
22410 31438,
W
avalonrhodes.gr; see map, p.518.
Fourteenth-
century manor house, tucked into a quiet courtyard very
near the Grand Masters' palace, and stylishly
re-modelled to hold six bright, modern and very
luxurious suites, each with an open-air terrace. The
friendly family team serve breakf
ast in
your unit, the
courtyard café, or the vaulted bar.
€215
Ì
Marco Polo Mansion
Ayíou Fanouríou 42
T
22410 25562,
W
marcopolomansion.gr; see map,
p.518.
Superb conversion of an old Turkish mansion,
opening off one of the old town's most charming lanes,
with a hammam on site. All rooms are en suite,
exquisitely furnished with antiques from the nearby
eponymous gallery, and equipped with cotton pillows
and handmade mattresses. The cheapest rooms face the
garden. Large buffet breakfasts are provided in the
garden snack bar, open to all later in the day (see
mandatory. Closed Nov-March.
€100
Niki's
Sofokléous 39
T
22410 25115,
W
nikishotel.gr;
see map, p.518.
Attractive and very welcoming little
hotel. All rooms are en suite, most have a/c, and those on
the upper storey have fine views; there's also a shared roof
terrace, and guests have use of a washing machine. Pay a
little extra for a private balcony, or a room that sleeps three.
Someone
will
wait up for late-night arrivals. Rates include
breakfast.
€50
Nikos Takis
Panetíou 26
T
22410 70773,
W
nikostakishotel.com; see map, p.518.
Miniature
“fashion hotel” in a restored mansion close to the Grand
Masters' palace. Set up by two of Greece's most
celebrated fashion designers, whose flamboyant 1960s'
work is on show throughout (and sold in the ground-
floor boutique), its eight rather extraordinary units
range through themes from Moroccan to medieval, with
opulent furnishings, plush fabrics everywhere, stone
arches and painted ceilings. Pebble-mosaic courtyard,
with
fine views over town, for breakfast and drinks.
€170
Ì
Spirit of the Knights
Alexandridou 14
T
22410
39765,
W
rhodesluxuryhotel.com; see map, p.518.
Gorgeous traditional home in a very quiet back alleyway
of the old town, in full view of a peaceful stretch of
walls. Sensitively converted to create a lovely boutique
hotel, it holds six exquisitely furnished and very distinct
suites. Breakfast served in a pleasant garden courtyard
that also holds a large jacuzzi. The front desk remains
open around the clock, and nothing is too much trouble
