"Back yesterday from our October stay and first time to Rhodes.
Arrival smooth - the transfer bus does take the LONG dark back route up to the hotel only to come down again the other side so don't be alarmed at first if you think you're in the middle of nowhere. first impressions- great and classy.
TIP: if you are on a late flight in - everything will be shut - they do provide a little fruit bowl and small plate of dry sandwiches, basic cheese and ham which considering the quality of food in the hotel we did think this was quite poor for arrival / first impression looking back. . partner is Vegan and it was a small roll with half a tomatoe, half a slice of cumcumber and half a carrot on dry bread. so bring a snack!
Rooms are very spacious, we were in room 405 exclusive updated room with private pool.- lovely location a bit higher up with sea view. was the pool worth it? hmm i don't think so. perhaps in height of summer but we had 27 degrees and private pool was cold, some jets wern't working, needed some paint work too on the deck. sun goes off it early afternoon as resort faces east. if i booked again i don't know if i would book the pool rooms but having said that if i didn't have the pool i would probably be jealous of the people who did on a first visit. but its not needed AT ALL for a great stay. balconies didn't feel private. low side walls and balconies literally looking over onto you from above. can feel a bit awkward.
TIP: check out the secret pool just along from these rooms. cold and refreshing but i swam here every day around 5pm before dinner and had whole pool and area to myself. good for the mind as surrounded by pine trees and to get some lengths in before dinner!
Food we found fantastic- exceeded expectations. no need for the other restaurants- the main buffet has everything u need and more. TIP: at 6.30 a long line starts to form. its worth getting there for around 6.15pm in the lobby so you can pick a good table next to a window and also take pics of all the food untouched like a display.
VEGAN friendly - lots of options. a whole corner dedicated with options that changed nightly and were creative, make sure to email ahead just to remind them if you are vegan.
TIP: ask the waiter/chef each night for your vegan desert they will give you a vegan cake each night that's different. my husband really liked this as sometimes deserts are missed etc. he found breakfast the least friendly for vegan, more basic, although still options,. just not as much as dinner and lunch - he loved the open vegan sandwich and super salad for lunch.- but even he said he was so happy with the vegan food it exceeded his expectations. so if you are vegan. feel confident you won't go hungry. seemed like vegan options alot in rhodes old town too.
Iced coffee at breakfast are free but suddenly shoot up to 6 euros each once you are by the pool for the exact same drink. things can feel a little pricey outside your halfboard.
Pool - we got to breakfast for 8.30, done by 9am ( prefered the smaller outside terrace for breakfast) and got good spots by the pool. after 10am it looked to be more difficult to find a spot and definately mid afternoon onwards. but it wasn't a morning rush to get sun beds like some resorts. towels can be picked up/changed by the pool. TIP: the cabanas look nice but are shaded most of the day - not a good choice. We found the sunbeds infront of the spa pool ( we were the first beds in the corner each day) a great spot as had option for sun but also needed shade on one of the beds too as the day went on, you will want some shade! also these are between both pools and we felt more private. if you are slightly along a bit and directly in front of any of the pools(spa and main pool) though be mindful if anyone swims to heavily to the edge you can get wet! so don't go to close to the wall with your books etc.. a few times we saw people get literally drenched whilst reading. like a Sea World Whale show splash zone. bit of a poor design there for the infinity pools.
TIP: most people had footwear they wore to the steps of the pool. as can be slippery.
Staff - we found most staff really friendly, especailly reception and dinner staff, the pool bar staff were a little moody sometimes , not unfriendly , just a little lack-luster for a hotel i would say, more like your local cafe ' cant be bothered energy'.
The shop on site is great for drinks, beers literally 2 euro compared to 7 euro each in the bar! TIP: the gym has a water tank too so good to fill up water up there when its refilled as constant bottles of water from the shop can get pricey.
-2 x Toilet doors don't lock. but are always spotlessly clean.
-be sure to visit the church at the top for great views and greek vibes.
-Bus to Rhodes - bus stop at bottom of resort direct into rhodes - get off last stop and you CAN pay on card on the bus. we did our whole trip with zero cash. same bus back - more like a shuttle bus stopping at the hotels along the way. takes about 20-25 mins due to stops but would be quicker if you were just driving it but very simple and fail proof and no need to spend on private taxi. check out rhodes old town in evening all lite up.
Falarki - a bit trashy! 45 min walk from resort along the road, not much going on outside of this resort at all , no where to walk along beach etc in evening like other holidays and beach did look a bit grubby.in falarki. So glad we choose this hotel over Cooks Club which was our other option and came recommeded. would highly recommend ESPEROS, its classy and designed very well with stunning windows and views, interior choices etc. location perfect - landscape pictureesque with pine trees, olive trees and fir trees, I think they have something really special here. just some fine little tweaks would make this 100% 5 star , i would still give it 5 star but it just fell short on a few simple things which i think if you stayed here you would understand but also quite hard to specifically put your finger on. but you will have a wonderful stay if you choose here. other hotels in the area looked nowhere near as nice!!! we were quite smug getting off the transfer bus!
enjoy your stay!! and take a high SPF! that greek sun is no joke! burnt on day 1 ."