Golden oldies or Butlins (Hotels in Rhodes)

Member Name: Helenofellon

Product:	Hotels in Rhodes
Date:	17/02/09 (226 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: A stunning setting

Disadvantages: The entertainment

My husband and I had an 11 night Thomson Gold Holiday in October 2007 staying at the Atlantica Imperial Resort Hotel in Kolymbia Rhodes. This hotel is described as a 5 star Deluxe!

We arrived at 2am on a sunday morning and were greeted by smiling staff and a sparkling glass of champagne. Great start this hotel is going to be fantastic.

A marble entrance with palm trees in the centre and a water fall. It looked wonderful. We were quickly shown to our rooms and our luggage was taken by a porter who did not hold his hand out for a tip.

We had chosen to stay in superior rooms which were like small chalets comprising of a four poster bed, slippers, bathrobes, wine and fruit. We also had a marvellous sea view, which I never tired looking at.

Unfortunately on entering our room the smell of smoke was over whelming, much like a stale ashtray. We decided to ride through the night and ask for a move the next morning. Unfortunately the smell was so strong I did not manage to sleep and felt extremely nauseated all night. My husband arose early and went to speak to the rep and reception. Non smoking rooms do not exist but they would spray the room. This did help a bit but there was always a smell about the room so we tended to keep the balcony doors open which meant mosquitos felt this was an open invitation.

However the rooms themselves were spacious, with plenty storage space so no living out of a suitcase. There was a large TV and CD/Radio. Also tea and coffee making facilities which was replenished daily. The safety deposit box however, cost us 35 euros and we had to pay for use of the mini bar not just it contents.

We had a large bathroom with over shower, the lighting was a bit dim so not very good for applying makeup but after a few days I gave up and went for the natural look for a change. The hotel toiletries were useless no scent but handy for washing out your costumes. There was also a hairdryer which wasn't too bad, did the job and saved me lugging over my own.

We had decided to go half board as we don't like to be tied to the hotel but there is also the option of fully inclusive which a lot of people appeared to uptake ( the tell tale hospital bands)! The dining room was spacious you could sit in the centre with the waterfall and palm trees, the main dining area or on the terrace and dine alfesco. Food was buffet style there was plenty to choose from and it was regularly freshened up. Breakfast consisted of cereals, fruits, cakes, cheeses, cold meats, pancakes and a cooked option. There were freshly made smoothies, champagne, fruit juices, water, flavoured teas, coffees and a selection of breads and conserves. So something for everyone. The evening meals were often based on different theme nights and international meals as well as the traditional greek fayre. Again a huge selection of soups, salads, cold and hot main meals and fantastic deserts. It was a bit of dodging and diving trying to get what you wanted at times. Some people acted as though they hadn't seen food in years!! The waiting staff were very pleasant, there was a decent selection of greek wines and they appeared to know what they were talking about. If you didn't fancy the buffet style there was the option of a la carte for an extra 8 euros per head. A four course meal in a lovely setting on an elevated terrace and you were waited on by extremely pleasant staff. Unfortunately you could still not get away from the entertainment, which I will explain next. It was very intrusive when being waited on by a lovely waiter at a candle lit meal with your loved one on a beautiful terrace!!!!!!

As a Thomson Gold holiday we expected no children, possibly a lot of elderly, but in particular a calm, serene, laid back and fairly quiet environment. We expected the entertainment to be of a greek style and quite subdued. Instead we were subjected to Butlins style entertainment. Loud mouthed reps, and two elderly women who 'sang' whilst plonking on a casio keyboard (not good) infact decidedly attrocious. A very unfunny comic and another chap who thought he could sing. Where was the Karaoke??? I think that would have been an improvement ha ha. There were a small number of people nonetheless, who did enjoy the entertainment but the annoying thing is it was central, outside and you couldn't hide from it. Many an evening dinner was ruined by this so called entertainment. They attemted Tom Jones, Sinead O'connor, Cher, Shirley Bassey to name but a few, it was much the same repertoire every night just in a different order. The group of two elderly women were from Leeds but 'sung' each song in a different accent - weird! Thoughout the day the reps held skittle, darts, lilo, connect four competions, there were quizzes and water aerobics (which was a laugh the first time until I realised it was the same evey day). During the evening, around the time we had our meal, the winners would go up on stage and collect their wonderful prizes to a tape recording of an oompah band!!! Do you get the idea, surely I don't need to go on. Needless to say this spoilt our evenings.

Nevertheless we found a wonderful cocktail bar just five minutes walk away called Antonis who made an amazing Baileys Cocktail mmmm. He had big screen TV for sports enthusiasts and all the latest football/rugby matches were shown. He also had a fantastic CD collection. The bar was surrounded by trees and flowers, and you sat outside on a small terrace.

The hotel itself was a marvelous setting with well tended gardens, beautiful trees and flowers, a free form swimming pool, jacuzzi and lovely effects with bridges, rocks and lights. It was set within a bay with breathtaking views of the mountain of Tzambika. There is a beautiful sand and shingle beach with sunbeds available at a cost of 3 euros per day and a parasol at a cost of 1 euro per day. A bit pricey as they weren't very comfortable but if you hire a car or motorbike and venture out to other beaches the sun beds are far more comfortable and some had pillows. A lot of people tended to use the sunbeds around the pool and pop down to the beach for a swim. It is a bit rocky and most people bought shoes from the local shop to go swimming in. The sea was shallow, warm and very inviting. There were plenty beds around the pool. The hotel information did stipulate that reserving beds is unacceptable and that towels would be removed. This never happened and it was observed that people were out choosing the beds at 06.30 (and they were not Germans)!! The pool was cold but very refreshing and again not very deep, easy to get into, you swam under a bridge and around rock features.

For sports enthusiasts there are tennis courts and a small fitness centre with sauna and massages available at extra cost. There is a watersports centre on the beach with pedaloes, canoes, banana boats etc. Again at a cost but not too dear.

Above the beach is a lovely fish restaurant offering a wide variety of food and wine and good banter. The setting is stunning on a rock above the sea overlooking the beach. There is even an old fishing boat beached alongside and a lighthouse to add to the atmosphere. Further along the beach is another watersports centre and sunbeds and canteen run by sexy Billy (his description not mine), there are even a couple of friendly goats.
So plenty around the hotel.

Rhodes itself was fantastic, we toured the whole island on a motorbike. The resort of Kolymbia is tranquil and unspoilt with three beaches, a selection of tavernas, bars and shops. It is known for it's long approach avenue lined by eucalyptus trees. A very linear road designed by the Italians.

The hotel was a tad disappointing, being a Thomson Gold we expected better. The entertainment was our main gripe, but the smokey room wasn't good. We were also unable to book our late check out room. Apparantely we should have booked this when booking the holiday but nobody informed us. We were not the only people caught out by this and all they would offer us was a half hour slot in a courtesy room. I would not recommend this hotel if you are looking for something special and relaxing. Every tuesday night they let off fireworks, not for the faint hearted they were rather noisy. My poor husband comes from Belfast and does not like fireworks!!!

The holiday cost us £!,600 for 11 nights half board flying from Gatwick - not cheap. However I would fully recommend the Island of Rhodes.
Happy holidays

Summary: Karaoke would have been more fun!!