Elysium Resort & Spa

Having visited the island of Rhodes since childhood, I’ve stayed at a number of different hotels over the years. For the past decade or so, most of my time has been spent in Faliraki, particularly at the well-known Palladium hotel. From its rooftop terrace, I had often looked across at the neighboring properties—most notably the striking lights and beach parties of Elysium Resort & Spa. This time, I decided to finally experience it myself. What follows is a fully impartial review of this resort. We booked a suite, which granted us access to the Elite Club level. This included airport transfers, a private check-in experience, and a more exclusive rooftop breakfast separate from the main buffet. In terms of value, the package felt genuinely well-justified. Guests also had access to an Elite lounge offering coffee, cold drinks (including alcohol), and light snacks—ideal for escaping the midday heat or waiting out a late departure. We personally didn’t use it much, largely because the space itself felt somewhat underwhelming, lacking any meaningful view or atmosphere. Our room was spacious—close to 70 square meters. It featured a large bathroom, separate toilet, living area, kitchenette, and a generously sized bedroom with an adjoining walk-in wardrobe. The terrace stretched the full width of the suite at around 16 square meters, accessible from both the living room and bedroom. It offered a sea view, although the low floor and glass railing meant the pool area felt almost directly beneath us, creating a slight sense of being on display. Sun exposure on the terrace was limited to a brief window in the late morning. As a bird enthusiast, I also noted that swallows had made themselves at home across many terraces. While charming, they did occasionally leave their mark a little too freely. On the positive side, watching their precision flight throughout the day was a highlight in itself. The bed, however, was disappointing. After the first night, my back and legs were so stiff that I had to make use of the complimentary full-body massage included in the suite. A necessary intervention—credits to Ms. Kiki for that. A small but appreciated detail: daily delivery of chilled water and assorted treats meant we never once needed to buy water from the hotel shop. The room was also equipped with strong, reliable air conditioning across both main spaces, ensuring consistent comfort at all times. The Elite Club breakfast was one of the strongest parts of the experience. Served on the rooftop, it offered impressive views over the sea and hotel grounds. Arriving early is recommended if you want an outdoor table, though in practice it was rarely crowded. The selection was solid, with additional à la carte options included at no extra cost—avocado toast, porridge, omelettes, and specialty coffees. We made a habit of trying something different each morning, complemented by smoked salmon, cheeses, and fresh fruit. Room service breakfast was also included once during our stay. It was, quite frankly, excessive. Despite our best efforts, a significant amount went untouched. Best suited for larger groups—or for those planning to repurpose leftovers as beach provisions. We also spent considerable time at the beach bar, which became a personal favorite. Sea views, a relaxed atmosphere, and well-executed cocktails made it an easy choice. Light meals such as Greek salad, burgers, and gyros were also available. We did not make much use of the pool bar, as we tend to spend most of our time outside the hotel rather than within its grounds. The à la carte restaurant Fresh offered a more sheltered alternative, located on the shaded side of the property where even midday heat felt manageable. We tried the stone-grill concept, where diners cook their own meat on a heated stone. While some may question paying for self-cooking, it is ultimately part of the experience—and one that has become popular in various destinations, including Spain. That said, the cut of meat did not quite match expectations set by their own advertisements. Despite indications, the meat was entrecôte rather than tenderloin, and contained significantly more fat than anticipated. The rendered fat tended to splatter across both table and clothing, which detracted slightly from the experience. Still, aside from that, the meat itself was tender and cooked exactly to preference thanks to yours truly. The rest of the menu offered a wide variety of options for both lunch and dinner, and we returned several times. The buffet was exactly what one would expect from a large resort buffet—functional, busy, and varied, with something for everyone. If included in your stay, it serves its purpose well, but it is not the highlight of the experience. Service throughout the resort was generally efficient and professional, though at times it felt more operational than personal. Efficiency clearly takes priority over warmth. The staff were multicultural, and not everyone displayed the traditional Greek hospitality often associated with the region. As first-time guests, we also did not receive the same level of familiarity or attention as returning visitors—understandably, but noticeable. Once we engaged more personally with staff, particularly the sommelier, the atmosphere softened and interactions became more relaxed. A small effort clearly goes a long way. Stylistically, the main lobby was not entirely to our taste. The glossy red-and-white design felt somewhat reminiscent of oversized building blocks (aka Legos) rather than a luxury resort entrance. That said, the hotel clearly excels in its entertainment offering, with strong live performances and a lively evening atmosphere for those seeking it. From what I observed at nearby properties such as Palladium, Elysium arguably offers a better setting for guests who enjoy music, drinks, and a more social evening environment. Overall, the experience was very good. Some areas could benefit from light refurbishment—particularly seating in the reception and lounge areas—but this is understandable given the seasonal nature of operations on Rhodes, where hotels run intensively for only part of the year. As Elysium belongs to the same Harmony- hotel group as the nearby Palladium, it is worth considering loyalty benefits when choosing between them. I would not hesitate to return.

Excellent service, good location, ideal place for vacation!

Brilliant location, close enough to Faliraki town and Rhodes Town but far enough to remain not overcrowded or too busy. Feels luxurious. Rooms luxurious and spacious,well equipped, exactly what the picture when you're booking it looked like. Absolute value for money , don't regret a penny spent for this hotel. Clean all round. Not noisy ( unless you're set off by the sound of cicadas) lobby feels very ambient and relaxing, restaurants pools and sunbeds areas busy but not noisy. Lastly but most importantly Staff at this hotel and customer service level, absolutely brilliant. The most of all restaurant staff are simply brilliant. ( Russel and 1 other young man I've encountered come to mind - so professional and so helpful) Restaurant staff was absolutely the highlight of this stay, such a care and helpfulness on display that made my daily dinning experience really memorable. Restaurants were simply a brilliant experience. 100% would stay there again. Well done Elysium.

This was our third visit to the wonderful Elysium hotel. We requested the same room which had been completely refurbished and was of an excellent standard. We loved the double sink in the bathroom snd everything as usual was spotless. We go to completely relax at this hotel knowing we will be very wrll looked after by all. Unfortunately I wasnt well this trip and the hotel were absolutely superb in getting a Doctor to visit me and subsequently arranged for my prescriptions to be delivered back to my room. I was put on a very strict limited diet which was most upsetting as the food is delicious, however, the restaurant Manager Manolis made sure I was looked after with the required special diet for which we will be ever grateful. The entire team at Elysium take great pride in what they do and the excellent Nikitas in the restaurant also just makes your stay that little bit more special. This is why so many people return year after year. We will return again once my health allows and look forward to seeing our dear friend Manolis again… he is one of a kind and will make sure everyone is looked after. The ultimate professional and lovely man… thank you for being so kind. Thank you to everyone at Elysium x