Kresten Palace — Hotel in Municipality of Rhodes

I wanted to give this place a chance. But I just think they are very under staffed and lacking in high standards. This week we came, there was some pretty rough wind storms, arrived on a Monday and waited untill Wednesday for the weather to improve to finally go out and explore the country. Our room wasn’t cleaned untill 3 days in and by cleaned, I mean the dirty towels weren’t changed, the sunbed towels were still left on the floor in the swim up balcony and nothing was actually cleaned! Cups were still dirty, nothing was restocked. Day 4, we finally got clean bath towels but no sunbed towels and no clean robes which was included in our room price. I had to go to reception on day 4 evening to address the issues of housekeeping really ruining the whole experience for us. The lovely receptionist said she would speak to the housekeeping manager and get this resolved. So this was me hoping it can be rectified because if I don’t say anything, how will they ever know? Well day 5 came today, the housekeeping service came early today and did the bare minimum. The wet rain soaked sunbed towel is STILL on the floor since day 2 and they still didn’t clean it. Floor was not mopped or swept and guess what? We still didn’t get our clean robes or sunbed towels today. I don’t like to leave bad reviews because I think everyone has an opportunity to learn and change things around. But this hotel is dated, needs a lot of renovations done, it just looks dated.

We tried the massages in the hotel, the jacuzzi was frozen cold, this is what they said was normal but aren’t jacuzzi’s normally warm!? The sauna was nice, fits like 3 people max. staff were nice too, I think very short staffed though but the shower in the spa had orange/yellow coloured water coming out of the showers! It wasn’t nice to see this either. The massage I tried the signature massage and I have to share that this is not a normal therapeutic massage. It’s based on how the masseuse feels so some moves were done in the same area on one muscle over and over and over again but the opposite side wouldn’t be touched. It was very unpredictable and choppy. My therapist left the room to attend to 2 different people at the front desk throughout my massage. Like I didn’t mind but some of you might mind so I thought I’d share. But like I said, the massage was very unusual, it jumps from my left leg to my shoulder and get covered up again to a different body part. I believe it was more energy healing than an actual massage. I wouldn’t recommend the spa based on my personal experience, definitely go for an external this massage therapy centre instead of something more professional. We did pick to try the signature massage though and we paid €120 cash

The breakfast- I’m not a fan of. I’ve stayed at real 4 star and 5 star hotels normally so I’m used to freshness and high quality food. Unfortunately it’s free breakfast for everyone so it’s not the best.

We had to eat at the hotel on the first night because of the storm and how late it was, we were charged €20 x2 to our room along with drinks. The food was not good unfortunately. Kinda felt like dried out buffet food at school. My partner couldn’t even get any spaghetti as it had ran out, asked the staff if there will be more and she said yes, so he had a plate of fries and waiting. No fresh food was brought out in the end so he basically paid €20 for a handful of fries. Like food is a big part of our holiday experiences! After the first night of food experience in the hotel, we decided we cannot eat at the hotel because the food was depressing for us. We stopped going for breakfast too just because it wasn’t hitting the mark for us. I think the quality has just gone downhill to longer the hotel has been open. High standards are hard to have consistency so if it’s not a priority here, I think the 4 stars need to be reviewed again.

If you’re thinking about booking this hotel for a relaxing romantic experience, I highly would reconsider this place, the walls are thin and there are a lot of issues here. Good luck and...

Thank you Anna!! Arrival Excellent welcome by the night manager and super helpful and even gave us a meal voucher for the bar (closes at 1pm). Wi-Fi is €5 (3 days) and €8 for 7 days and it’s per device but works very well across the hotel (if you are close to the lobby check for signal)

Room Our room was a double with a sea view 508 and part of the new complex which has an amazing view of the pool and sea. There is a kettle that takes ages to boil, 2 cups and 2 glasses (no teaspoons?) and you need to bring your own coffee (cheaper than hotel) and the fridge can fit big and small bottles. one plug socket near both beds and a few on the wall opposite so luckily I brought a a long extension with USB. The TV is Samsung and only 3 UK channels which are news. Big cupboard space but no coat Hangers!”? Air con was basic (analogue switch) so you have to find right temp to stop the thermostat switching on and off (15c) Room cleaning service where great and usually 11am -3p big balcony but only downside was lady smoking next door.

Mini mart food is more expensive than the uk €4.50 for Nescafé sachets (£1 in UK) so we already brought ours. Fake clothes €15 a baseball cap and €35 a dress. Crisps are €1.50-3 so a few bags of crisp and drinks can cost £11-18!!! The supermarket down road (opposite BP petrol station is cheaper and €4-6 for 6 large bottles of water compared to €13 in mini mart) and Rhodes old town even cheaper. Beware swimming stuff is very expensive at almost £30 for a snorkel mask and cheapest ball is about £4!!!

Kiosk (across from hotel) Is very small and mainly ice creams cakes crisps (no toiletries)

Closest supermarket (4mins walk)

Breakfast Excellent selection of food and 2 selections of cooked breakfasts (scrambled eggs, bacon, mini sausages, fried eggs beans( there also an omelette station. There a cereal station, bread area and 2 x toast stations , continental breakfast meats and cheeses as well as a whole sweet section as cookies and Turkish delight and pastries (similar to dinner). 5”the Greek yoghurt is lovely and they also do flavoured yoghurts and fruit. Coffee machine is filter and not bad (I hate filter coffee) and there is apple, orange lemon and apple juice at 2 drinks stations.

Dinner Don’t expect Greek food which is a shame as some gyros, souvlaki and parlstitio or moussaka would be nice? The food is very similar each night MAIN HOT food changes each day but consists of similar dishes such as veg pasta lasagne (square) etc, fish, chicken, pork or beef with sauce. Rice and chips so can get a little monotonous and repetitive. There’s cold meats and cheeses and a roast station as well as salads and tadziki but no pita bread?

GLUTEN FREE section offering versions (and different food) from the main section.

Desert section Too many cream based cakes and dishes was my only Issue. There is usually different variants of jelly, crème caramel/egg based dish, cream cakes, baklava, 4 ice creams (used in pool bar milkshakes) sponge cakes and cream or chocolate puddings.

POOL Nice big pool and the shallow end is warmer. There are always sun beds and it’s never an issue to get one and people are never aggressive and theres a nice atmosphere at the pool. Umbrellas are bolted to the floor. Theres darts around 11:30-12 and then water Zumba at about 12 (no sports in Wednesdays) The bar has a lot of drinks and the lunch restaurant opposite does a large menu for all tastes. Ice creams about about €3 at pool bar and cheaper in mini mart (up to €2.90) and they sell NUII!! And small pots.

Bar area. There is plenty of seating either upstairs in the reception and bar area which has air con. There is a pool table which is €2 a game, and there are 2 massage chairs that you have to pay for. There are 2 games tables to use for cards etc after dinner. There is nightly entertainment at the bar such as karaoke, piano and dancing etc.

BUS stop to right of the hotel.

TAXI The hotel can call a cab and it’s about €12-15 to Rhodes old town and similar back (usually cheaper)

Nearest restaurants 20mins...

First of all - We enjoyed our off season holiday at Kresten Palace in May (11.05.-20.05.2022 ). The hotel was definitely not full. Price Value was great (ca. 600 Euro per Person). Maybe in the holiday the prices are higher and it would be to expensive.

Kresten Palace Hotel is a good starting point to visit places all over rhodes. If you want to get some advice look at the my reviews on my account. I will attach as much pictures as possible.

Room: We were lucky and got a family room instead of a normal double bed room. It was far away from the lobby so at night we hade no trouble with the music. But i agree, that some rooms are very close to the lobby and will eventually suffer from the music. Rooms have soup dispenser from tork. so nothing special. Fridge was not that clean but big enough to store some wine. In my opinion the newly build private pool rooms are not better value for the price. Enjoy the time at the pool or beach.

Beach: The so called Hotel beach i just a area full of stones with some sunbeds and thats all. No direct entry to water. Tip: Use the sunbeds of Kresten Royal. In the off season nobody was there, so they were fine with it, but it could be a little bit more complicated in the main season. Don't forget water shoes. Attention: The sunbeds directly at the water are not from the hotel. You need to pay for them, also if you have eaten at the fish restaurant before.

Lobby: Bar was used for night program and entertainment.

Reception: Always polite and eager to help.

Room Service: It was always cleaned nicely.

Restaurant and food: Before jugding we need to be clear that the offerings in the main season can be different. Breakfast and Dinner included. Both buffet. Drinks needed to be paid separately. Sadly no themed dinner. Food was not changing significantly. In 9 days Gyros was only offered once. Apart from the desserts the food was not really traditional. Breakfast was kind of english. Desserts were awesome.

Big recommendation: Try to get a table outside. The air conditioning inside the restaurant was way to cold. At some places it was unbearable cold. Although the service outside was the best. Thanks to ANTONIS who was always very aware of the situations and did his best to make us enjoy the dinner. Please don't forget to give a tip.

Fitnesstudio: Machines are broken and not really usable. Definitely needs a renovation. Big minus. I would try to use the Kresten Royals fitnessstudio next time.

Tennis court: Also not that great. Its a conrete court without any maintenance. Dangerous rusty fence which at some parts are fixed very sloppy. The court itself got holes. If it is to hot to play mid-day you can not really play at late noon or afternoon, because the sun is blinding you. Definitly need to put one the sunglasses.

Pool: I can not refer to the pool, because we always used the "beach" or were traveling with the car.

Night program: Was ok.  Seats where limited and often completely full. After 8 days the programm repeated itself.

It is very close to Rhodes Town and you can easily hop on the bus (approx. 3 Euro) which is driving very frequently. When you exit the hotel the bus station is on the left side of the road. Don't be to upset if the bus does not arrive in time. The timetable is not showing the right times but because of the 30 minutes  rythm the longest time to wait is 30 minutes. If you are more than 3 persons a taxi ride (10 Euro to Rhodes Town) would be less expensive.

If you want explore the island, rent a car. Compare the prices of the rental car providers. The one in the hotel lobby is not the cheapest one. We had a  very very reasonable and cheap price with "Rodos Cars- Rent a car". You can check the prices online. They also have a desk in the sister hotel "Kresten Royal" next to "Kresten Palace".

If you are willing to have a walk you can visit a modern supermarket (turn right follow the street 30 min by foot) or the kallithea springs (turn left, follow street for...