Choosing a location for an Autumn break, close to the UK with warm weather, limits your choice. Mention Greece and we think of Olympians, mythical Gods, ancient ruins and of course Greek food. So we chose Rhodes, one of the Greek Islands.
So good is the Old town of Rhodes that Unesco have given it world heritage status.
In late October the weather promised to be around 27 degrees, although that’s not typical this time of year, far from it. In fact this was the end of the season for this island.
Trawling the internet and we found promises of great service, food and good location at the Atrium Platinum, Ixia not far from Rhodes town centre.
Our arrival at this grand fronted hotel with a large reception area with mock birds for lighting on a sky blue ceiling and friendly reception staff were welcome relief after a long day.
This place is not just clean, it’s spotless.
Apparently the hotel is owned, designed and built by architects and it shows.
The architrave is the smoothest, most perfect I have ever seen. Even the doors are more than a standard door. Lines in the tiled floors are perfectly straight.
It’s spacious too.
Our room was part of a family suite, made up of a studio room with 2 beds and its own shower/sink/toilet, separated from the main bedroom by a door leading to a beautiful large modern double room.
I have to say the bed, bedding and pillows were probably the most comfortable and best quality I have ever experienced on a holiday.
The main bathroom is huge, clean, modern and contains his and her sinks, toilet and jacuzzi bath and shower. A nice touch is the magnifying shaving mirror on the right and hairdryer on the left.
Off the bedroom via the large glass patio window is a most unusual balcony, like nothing I have ever seen before.
The first part with two sun loungers and beyond this to the edge of the balcony it’s own plunge pool!
As the holiday progressed the quality of our room, it’s furniture and attention to detail were further appreciated.
It’s the smallest touches that you notice first, like the light, activated by motion in the wardrobe, the two funky yet comfy chairs and coffee table. On arrival there was a complimentary bowl of fruit, biscuits and wine which we went to daily.
Furthermore there was tea and coffee making facilities in addition to a small Nespresso machine. Every day there was also fresh bottled water for us.
We didn’t use the mini bar which was well stocked, but we did find the safe really useful and useable located in an easy to reach location.
The main pool area has loads of sun beds with comfy mattresses and headrests and with each pair there is a canopy which has a tag with QR code and a number. A really clever system that when combined with their downloadable app, allows you to order food and drink without moving.
The main dining area is called Archipelagos, which offers loads of choice and comfy armchairs. They have a buffet system and a set menu choice if you prefer. It’s a strange system where they give a choice of ready mixed mains to choose from in case you would prefer a plated meal rather than choose from the buffet .. in fact one night my wife chose a fish main, to be presented with fish fingers! We both thought it very odd and as we were leaving the Food and Beverage Manager approached and asked if everything was ok. We said, yes but my wife’s main was really not 5 star, only to be told .. that was the Childrens meal! Oops! (It would have helped if the menu had said!)
There is a speciality restaurant located on the 9th floor called Pyofyrus where we ate a delightful meal. The meal and the attentive service were faultless, the ninth floor restaurant which has great views looking over the Med towards nearby Turkey would benefit from additional spatial furnishings.
The hotel offers nightly entertainment in the bar area. There was Greek dancing, a rock band, Latin dancing, Jazz and an evening around the piano.
Taxis can be arranged from the front door by the reception for which they add two euros. If this bothers you walk out the back of the hotel down to the beach where there is a taxi rank.
We tried out the spa too. It’s clean and spacious. The temperature of the water and jacuzzi are perfect! As I had a bad back the powerful jets gave a much needed massage.
There are no signs of how to turn on any of the hydro therapy points however there are buttons located on the edge of the pool.
One of our lunches was at the pool bar where seating is comfortable and overlooks much of the pool area.
There are multiple pools and loads of sun beds with really comfortable mattresses.
If I have one small gripe it is that you need to go over one of the bridges to the pool bar to collect and return towels. For a five star hotel I would expect towel points around the grounds at the minimum or towels waiting on sun beds when I come down in the morning.
Other than this it’s warm and friendly and well worth a visit.
If peace and quiet, relaxation and tranquility is what you’re looking for then the Atrium Platinum would make a great choice. If however you’re looking for more entertainment and activity in the day then hire a car and explore the island.
We took a cab into the old Rhodes town.. stunning! This UNESCO world heritage site rightly protects this medieval city.
This walled city is in pristine condition and offers a unique insight from the 12th century.
There are loads of places to stop for a drink or eat and loads of quaint shops offering jewellery, clothes and local goods.
The Atrium Platinum is well deserving of 5 stars. It’s clean, spacious, friendly and relaxing.
If Rhodes is on your radar then the Atrium Platinum makes for the perfect base. It’s a hotel that genuinely cares about their guests.
You’ll not be disappointed.
Take a look at their website here for more details.
