... Now if you feel so strongly about where you want to stay ,why would you book a holiday like this? Beats me !
We finally had our turn and were told we were staying at the Summer Dream Apartments near Theologos ( which is shortened to Tholos even by locals )
It was early evening and ... Read review
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Advantages: Set between beach and countryside,clean ,spacious apartment,good value Disadvantages: Off the beaten track a bit, poor beach
...we were staying at the Summer Dream Apartments near Theologos ( which is shortened to Tholos even by locals )
It was early evening and pleasantly warm. Not oppresively hot or humid but warm and calm. Our coach set off for the Summer Dream Apartments and as there were no other stops before us we were at the apartments within 20 minutes..
THE HOTEL
**************
We had travelled alone, myself and ... ...in. On these counts the Summer Dream totally fitted the bill. Of course the price was rock bottom as well. I read it is now ( don't know if it was then ) a three star hotel. But you have to remember Greece always grades higher than is really applicable.
We were told that the area around here was very safe and you could wander at any time of night or day. Back then it was, and you could, I'm not so sure it still would be.
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BACKGROUND *******************
In February 1996 ,with the north east wind biting we hot footed to the travel agents to try and book a late spring deal for mar / apr / may . We were sorely in need of a holiday as my husband worked for a brewery then, and had had no leave over Christmas and New year .
The travel agent persuaded us to go for an allocation on arrival for the accomodation and resort. As the price was very good we thought we would chance it although we had never booked like this before.The destination was to be Rhodes a Greek Island, one of the Dodecanese.
THE ALLOCATION **********************
After a non eventful flight from Manchester airport we arrived at the airport near Paradissi on Rhodes Island. This is quite a decent size airport with reasonable facilities. This airport is only 6 kilometres of flat road from these apartments.
We waited in the queue for our travel rep listening wtih apprehension to a heated arguement. A holidaymaker was ranting about his allocation of accomodation in Kremasti ,as he wanted Rhodes Town. Eventually he stormed off to get a taxi and find his own accomodation. Now if you feel so strongly about where you want to stay ,why would you book a holiday like this? Beats me !
We finally had our turn and were told we were staying at the Summer Dream Apartments near Theologos ( which is shortened to Tholos even by locals )
It was early evening and pleasantly warm. Not oppresively hot or humid but warm and calm. Our coach set off for the Summer Dream Apartments and as there were no other stops before us we were at the apartments within 20 minutes..
THE HOTEL **************
We had travelled alone, myself and my husband and we had booked a self catering apartment. Only being the two of us we thought it might be quite small. I know it was probably as it was out of season ,but we had a two room apartment with two singles beds ,a convertible sofa,which became a double bed and two sofas that were quite comfy to sprawl or even sleep on.
As you entered the hotel there was a small reception which was manned 24 hours a day,with seating area and a small bar. The reception had safety deposit boxes which you could hire with a refundable deposit at the end of your stay. These were placed behind reception and you had to ask to access them. You were given the key and the box when needed. I did wonder about the safety of them,in case the reception was left unattended during the night ,but someone always seemed to be there. We did not experience any problems with this.You can exchange currency or travellers cheques at reception also. When we stayed the reception staff were friendly and excellent.
Our apartment was on the second floor . It had easy access and was cleaned on a very regular basis. It had light coloured,marble floors which were lovely and cool in the day, but a bit noisy on a night. The furnishings were blue. We had an outside balcony ,with an arch, and the usual plastic seating on it. There was a fridge and cooker. There was a reasonable sized dining table and chairs and the seating area was arranged away from the sleep and kitchen areas.We never used the cooker as the local tavernas were very reasonable but we used the fridge ,even for the after -sun and jelly beans-lovely if you put them in a fridge.
Our apartment was at the front and so we had a view of part of the grounds and the road outside. This was not as bad as it sounds as it was only a minor road leading to a main road at one end and a dirt track at the other. I remember strolling on to the balcony my first morning and seeing a tourist suantering along the road with the essential 5 litre of water. Looking past her to the left was a beautiful sea view with Turkey on the horizon. Leaning out and looking right I could see a farmer planting on his small holding.As we later discovered this road lead to Tholos village.
Rooms at the rear of the apartments had fabulous coutry side views. The check in and out times are the usual - noon.
When we stayed here ,as it was early in the season , we did not use the pool ,but we did have a couple of days sun worshipping on the sun beds near it. These were ok but nothing special.There is a separtate childrens paddling pool.Kids also have a playroom. There is a babysitting service available. If you need a crib etc you need to state this when booking this hotel.
Apparently,talking to other guests there is a bit of a damp problem in the ground floor rooms,so watch out.
We did not eat at the hotel at all so cannot really comment. The details are:- 1) A main restaurant on the first floor,buffet style with good views.Serves a variety of foods ie greek, international, vegetarian, childrens dishes with a choice of soft drinks,beers and wines. 2) Pool Bar ,various snacks and drinks served. 3)Main bar usual beers ,wines and spirits.
The aparthotel has two floors and 67 air conditioned rooms.At the time when we stayed there was no TV but I understand there is now in each room.Ther is also a telephone. We took plenty of books ,a ghetto blaster ( remember those?),some c.d's and some tapes of books. It was good not having any TV and somehow made it more relaxing.
There is limited free parking at the front of the hotel. The grounds are pleasant and well kept but not large or spectacular.There are the usual assortment of cats and when we were there two hotel dogs,which of course we adopted.
THE AREA **************
What we loved about this holiday and accomodation was it was great as a base.
You could come out of the hotel grounds and turn right. After a pleasant walk along a flat road you started to go through a dirt track in the countryside heading uphill. After a short walk you entered the village of Tholos. Here you could partake of traditonal Greek food. There were quite a few tavernas and some restaurants which the locals used. You could get calamari (squid ) or traditonal kebabs for a reasonable price in great settings. This village was very scenic and when we were there in April all the Spring flowers were out. I think later in the year the island can be a bit dry. When we were there it was Easter. We had celebrated it here already but their's was slightly later. In this village one evening we watched the traditonal procession from the church . Everyone had their Sunday best on and they carried a statue of christ which beacme a bonfire. There was much singing and dancing in the streets but it was still all quite respectful.
The Easter theme continued and everywhere you went locals were giving you Easter biscuits or painted hard boiled eggs? Even people who could not speak English,as some on the ferry to Symi did, would thrust these in your hands. We found local tavernas near the hotel always gave you complimentary drinks etc at the end of the meal to encourage you back . Tipping was the usual 10% but not obligatory.
We walked on through this village one day, and did a long walk around ,which took us to the valley of the butterflies ,and back round the main road. If you're up to it and you take your time it's really enjoyable .The scenery was fantastic but parts were a bit hilly. Take plenty of water because we passed one taverna then nothing till we got to butterfly valley.
Butterfly valley is supposed to get loads of butterflies at a a certain time of year ( not when we were there and I think they are really moths). It is still a good place to visit.
Coming out of the hotel and turning left you headed a very short walk down to the main road. You could cross this road and walk alongside the Doretta hotel to the beach. Then, it was a bit of a tatty beach-I don't know about now-but it was sandy -ish. The sea was nice and warm and if you sat here the only distraction were the planes coming in and out of the airport.
There were some shops and tavernas on this road. The locals were great.You could walk along the main road away from Rhodes town direction and do another round trip back to the apartments. This walk took in a few more tavernas,local scenery,shops and even a small holding were you could buy fresh lemons or oranges straight from the tree !
From this main road you could take some pleasant walks.Near here you could hire bikes which we did one day for a good price.It is so flat in parts that the biking is easy. From ths road as well you can take buses to the south of the island or to Rhodes Town.
There are some nice places to stop off on the way such as Kremasti or Paradisio.
Rhodes town is wonderful to spend a day as there is so much there. Traditional sites,churches,aquatic museum,the old stone walls,Mussolinis palace,Mandraki Harbour( where my husband went fishing ) ,a good beach,loads of restaurants,shops etc. The bus station is here and you can travel on to Lindos for example for a cheap price and quite easily. We used these buses loads and had no problems. But if you want you can hire a car back in Tholos ,or if you miss the bus get a taxi, but get a price first..
Very near the apartments on the main road there were a few shops and bars. You need to buy water as you are advised not to drink the local. Right outside our hotel towards the end of our stay we say a large, bright green lizard which is a native of Rhodes but not as common these days.
CONCLUSION ******************
I have tried to look back at this holiday objectively even though I have very fond memories of Rhodes. As we didn't pick this accomodation we were not looking for any particular attractions from the hotel itself. But we did want somewhere clean , comfortable, safe , friendly,in a good setting and with some scenery thrown in. On these counts the Summer Dream totally fitted the bill. Of course the price was rock bottom as well. I read it is now ( don't know if it was then ) a three star hotel. But you have to remember Greece always grades higher than is really applicable.
We were told that the area around here was very safe and you could wander at any time of night or day. Back then it was, and you could, I'm not so sure it still would be.
The accomodation has been altered a little since we were there but looking in brochures the rooms still look the same as does the outside.Little white buildings with blue paintwork.
We arrived 20th April and were staying a fortnight. What we did see as soon as May came was that the bars were a bit rowdier and everywhere a bit noisier,so we were glad our holiday was finishing. You however may want this so high seasonis probably for you.
This accomodation now does all-inclusive which may be good for you . I think I would still just view it as a good value base to see Rhodes but get off the beaten track also. Sitting on that balcony ,reading ,and giving Turkey a wave, on a clear morning certainly had a charm all of it's own.
