Rhodes' Kalathos Square: Unbelievable Luxury Suites Await!
Rhodes' Kalathos Square: Unbelievable Luxury Suites Await! - REALLY? Let's Dive In!
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because we're about to dissect Rhodes' Kalathos Square: Unbelievable Luxury Suites Await! and you know what? The "unbelievable" bit? That I was skeptical about. Let's just say I've seen my fair share of "luxury" that’s more like… slightly above average. BUT, I'm also the kind of person who secretly loves a good pampering. So, here’s the messy, honest, and hopefully helpful truth, warts and all:
(Warning: May contain rambling and extreme excitement about a good bathrobe.)
First Impressions & Getting There:
Okay, first things first: Accessibility. I’m not in a wheelchair, but I ALWAYS check this, because a truly great place caters to everyone. They list "Facilities for disabled guests" - good start! But more detail is needed on what that actually means. Are there ramps? An elevator (yep, they have one!)? Accessible rooms? Specifics, people! I’d want to know if it’s REALLY accessible, not just “sort of.” But hey, a good start! And bonus points on Airport Transfer! That's a lifesaver after a long flight.
The Suites… The “Unbelievable” Part?
So, the main event. The Suites! They boast… a lot. Let’s break it down room by room (pun intended).
Available in All rooms: So, naturally, we're talking Air Conditioning (thank goodness!), Alarm Clock (seriously, who uses these anymore?), Bathrobes (YES! And I am very particular about bathrobes. Are they fluffy? This is crucial!), Bathtub (a MUST for some serious relaxation), Blackout Curtains (bliss!), Coffee/Tea Maker (essential for my morning sanity), Free Bottled Water (a small touch, but appreciated), Hair Dryer (duh), High Floor (cool views!), In-room Safe Box (safety first!), Internet Access - LAN and Wireless (double whammy!), Ironing Facilities (because wrinkled clothes are the enemy), Laptop Workspace (for those moments when you have to work, sadly), Mini Bar (snacks and booze at hand? Sold.), Non-Smoking (a must for me, thankfully!), Private Bathroom (always!), Refrigerator (to keep that mini-bar cold!), Satellite/Cable Channels (for vegging out), Seating Area (space to chill!), Separate Shower/Bathtub (luxury!), Shower (obviously), Slippers (another robe-like detail! I'M IN!), Soundproofing (necessary for a good night's sleep!), Toiletries (hoping for something fancy!), Towels (fluffy hopefully!), Umbrella (Greece requires one often), Visual alarm (important!), Wake-up Service (if the alarm clock fails). And, of course, Wi-Fi [free] - crucial, because, you know… the internet. And also, Window that opens is super useful!
My Take: Okay, so far, so good. It's a comprehensive list. All the basics are covered, and some lovely extras thrown in. The Interconnecting rooms if you're traveling with family might be a good fit, but I'm worried about the bed and the shower quality.
Specifically Mentioned Features: A few things stand out, like the Extra Long Bed, and the Sofa. Both are appealing for comfort and relaxation. Considering all this sounds very luxurious, but it can also lead to disappointment when you're expecting everything and only get some things.
Rooms Sanitization: Another critical topic, especially these days. They mention Rooms sanitized between stays, Anti-viral cleaning products, and Room sanitization opt-out available. This is HUGE. Feeling safe is paramount, and they seem to be taking it seriously.
Food, Glorious Food!
Okay, where do we start? Let's just say the dining options are… plentiful.
- Restaurants & Bars: They boast Restaurants, a Bar, and a Poolside bar. A Coffee shop is always welcome. I'm hoping the restaurants are good. I'm also hoping the poolside bar serves a killer cocktail. Happy hour? Yes, please.
- Dining Options: A la carte in restaurant, Buffet in restaurant, Breakfast [buffet] and Breakfast service promises a huge variety. There is a Vegetarian restaurant, and also, Asian cuisine in restaurant, and International cuisine in restaurant! I'm hoping the food is actually good, not just "hotel food" bland. I’m slightly more enthusiastic about the Breakfast [buffet], because I will happily gorge myself on pastries and omelets. Also, Breakfast in room and Breakfast takeaway service are awesome! And Room service [24-hour]? Winning.
- Snacking: The presence of a Snack bar is always a plus. The Bottle of water is a nice touch and considering the climate the Coffee/tea in restaurant will also be useful.
- Other features: They also mention Desserts in restaurant, Salad in restaurant, and Soup in restaurant. The Safe dining setup and Sanitized kitchen and tableware items are a must, given the current situation.
Things To Do & Ways to Relax
This is where the Kalathos Square REALLY starts to shine, IF it lives up to the hype.
- Spa! Spa! Spa!: They have a Spa, a Sauna, and a Steamroom. HEAVEN! They also offer Body scrub, Body wrap, Massage, and Foot bath. Sign me up!
- Pools: The promise of a Swimming pool is always welcome, and they also have a Pool with view. I want to spend hours there, preferably with a cocktail.
- Fitness: They appear to have a Fitness center, or Gym/fitness, which is crucial for burning off all those breakfast calories.
Services and Conveniences – The “Little Things”
This is where a hotel truly shines.
- The Essentials: Air conditioning in public area, Cash withdrawal, Concierge (for booking those must-do excursions), Daily housekeeping, Elevator, Facilities for disabled guests, Food delivery, Ironing service, Laundry service,Luggage storage, Safety deposit boxes, and Terrace. All the basics, and all good things!
- Technology: Internet services are all there, and hopefully work well. Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! (I cannot stress how important this is). They also mention Wi-Fi for special events, which suggests a good set-up.
- Other Services: Cashless payment service, Contactless check-in/out, Currency exchange, Doorman, Dry cleaning, Invoice provided, and On-site event hosting. They also mention Convenience store and Gift/souvenir shop.
For the Kids
- Family Friendly: They have Babysitting service, and Kids facilities, and a Kids meal. This is a big plus.
Cleanliness & Safety – The REALLY Important Stuff
- Sanitizing Details: Anti-viral cleaning products, Cashless payment service, Daily disinfection in common areas, Hand sanitizer, Hot water linen and laundry washing, Hygiene certification, Individually-wrapped food options, Physical distancing of at least 1 meter, Professional-grade sanitizing services, Room sanitization opt-out available, Rooms sanitized between stays, Safe dining setup, Sanitized kitchen and tableware items, Staff trained in safety protocol, Sterilizing equipment. This is a comprehensive list, and a relief. It means they’re taking things seriously.
- Other Safety Features: CCTV in common areas, CCTV outside property, Fire extinguisher, Front desk [24-hour], Non-smoking rooms, Room decorations, Safety/security feature, Security [24-hour], Smoke alarms, and Soundproof rooms.
Getting Around
- Transport: They have Airport transfer, Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], Car power charging station, Taxi service, and Valet parking. Excellent options to get you around.
The Quirks & The Imperfections (Because They Exist)
- Shrine: A shrine? On-site? Hmmm. Interesting. Not necessarily a deal-breaker, but definitely a little unexpected.
- Proposal spot: A proposal spot? Okay, so clearly, they’re aiming for romance here. Possibly a good thing, depending on your vibe.
- Smoking area: They have a smoking area. Sigh. Not ideal for non-smokers,
Okay, buckle up, buttercup. This isn't your sanitized, brochure-perfect itinerary. This is me, actually experiencing Kalathos Square Luxury Suites in Rhodes. Prepare for the rollercoaster:
KALATHOS SQUARE LUXURY SUITES: A MESSY, GLORIOUS RAMBLE – Rhodes, Greece
Day 1: Arrival & "OPA!" Overload (and a near-meltdown)
- 10:00 AM - Airport Chaos (aka, the "Where's My Luggage?" Games). Landed in Rhodes after a flight that felt longer than my entire relationship with that guy from improv class. Immediately plunged into the glorious, chaotic reality of a Greek airport. Let's just say my suitcase and I had a very public separation anxiety moment. Eventually located it, after a tense exchange with a very patient (and slightly exasperated) airport worker. Bless her heart.
- 11:30 AM - The Drive (and Questioning All Life Choices). The transfer to Kalathos. Beautiful scenery! Turquoise water, olive groves… it was all so postcard-perfect, I started questioning if I was actually worthy of this. Was I the reason things always went just slightly wrong? The driver, bless him again, drove like a seasoned rally racer, and I spent most of the journey gripping the seat praying "Don't throw up, don't throw up".
- 1:00 PM - Arrival & Suite Revelation…and the "Oh My GOD" Moment. Kalathos itself: Stunning. The suites? Woah. Honestly, I gasped. The photos don't do it justice. Pool, sunbeds, a view that made my jaw drop… I felt like I'd accidentally wandered onto the set of a James Bond movie. The relief! This was officially the best decision I'd made in years (besides ordering that pizza last night).
- 2:00 PM - Poolside Debauchery (and the Sunburn of Regret). This is where things take a turn. First, the pool. Crystal clear, perfectly chilled. I might have lingered a little too long. Sunscreen? Yeah, I remembered it. Applied? … Let's just say I perfected the "lobster" look. Cue panic. Cue running back inside after realizing.
- 4:00 PM - The Snack Attack & Grocery Store Shenanigans. Managed to get a few groceries. I was utterly useless. Staring at the Greek yogurt in the store was a moment, the whole place was a labyrinth of unfamiliar foods, flavors, and smells. I ended up buying what looked like feta (turned out to be something intensely salty) and the most delicious orange juice I have ever tasted.
- 7:00 PM - Dinner at a Quaint Taverna – The Hummus Incident. Found a tiny, charming taverna nearby. Ordered the hummus. Now, I love hummus. But this hummus? It was a religious experience. I inhaled it. Followed by the moussaka. The wine. The sunset. The sounds of laughter. OPA! I almost started dancing but the sunburn got the better of me. It was pure bliss.
- 9:00 PM - Stargazing, and Existential Dread. Back at the suite. Stargazing on the balcony. Utterly breathtaking. So many stars. I started thinking about the vastness of the universe and my place in it. This always happens when I'm relaxed. Followed by a panic that I'd forgotten something.
Day 2: Island Exploration & (Dramatic) Beach Day
- 9:00 AM - Breakfast & the Great Coffee Fiasco. Coffee machine, check. Coffee pods, check. Me? Not quite. I swear, I brewed one that tasted of actual dirt. Gave up. Ordered Greek coffee from the little cafe a few steps away. So much better.
- 10:00 AM - Renting a Car (Against My Better Judgement). Okay, I swore off driving abroad. But Rhodes is impossible without a car. I rented a tiny Fiat. Named her "Athena" (because, you know, Greek goddess and all). Driving here.. is an adventure.
- 11:00 AM - Lindos Acropolis - The Climb (and the Judgement of Goats). Lindos! The Acropolis! Stunning. The heat? Brutal. The climb was a sweaty pilgrimage. I saw some goats along the way, staring at us like we were silly tourists. I probably was. The view from the top was worth the effort.
- 1:00 PM - Lunch in Lindos Village - The Tourist Trap Tango. Lunch in a taverna in the village. Beautiful view. Overpriced food. Tourists Everywhere. I'm a tourist. I ordered some chicken from the menu which was just a plate of chicken, I don't know why. I should have maybe looked at the menu a little closer.
- 2:30 PM - Saint Paul's Bay – Paradise Lost (and Found). Saint Paul's Bay! The photos don't lie. Gorgeous. Stunning. I found a shady spot, parked myself on the sand, and promptly fell asleep. Woke up to a wave of panic (more sunburn!).
- 5:00 PM - Back to the Suite & Pool Recovery. Soaked in the pool until my skin stopped screaming. Book reading. Quiet, blissful, and a tiny piece of heaven.
- 7:30 PM - Dinner at a recommended restaurant - The Octopus Revelation. Followed the staff's recommendation and went to a local restaurant. Honestly, best octopus I have ever eaten. This whole trip is the best vacation.
Day 3: A Deep Dive into… Doing Nothing (and Loving It)
- 9:00 AM - Sleep In (Finally!). I finally got some decent sleep!
- 10:00 AM - The Art of Doing Absolutely Nothing – Poolside Edition. Spent the entire morning just laying by the pool. Reading, napping, and generally soaking up the sun. The best thing I could possibly do.
- 1:00 PM - Sandwich SOS. Lunch at my favorite restaurant - the sandwich store.
- 3:00 PM - A long walk on the beach - "The sand incident". Realized I did not have any shoes and I had to walk 10 minutes in blazing hot sand.
- 7:00 PM - The Sunset Ritual (and maybe a little wine…). Watched the sunset from the balcony, a glass of local wine in hand. Pure. Magic. And maybe, just maybe, I'm starting to get the hang of this whole "relaxing" thing.
- 9:00 PM - Star gazing with the sounds of the ocean
Day 4: Departure – The Bitter Farewell
- 9:00 AM - Last Breakfast & The "I Don't Want to Leave" Meltdown. Ate my last breakfast. The sadness crept in. Realized that I don't want to leave.
- 10:00 AM - Packing (With Tears). Had to pack my luggage after I went to the beach. Had to say farewell to my new beach friend.
- 12:00 PM - The Drive to the Airport (Again, Praying for No Mishaps). Athena handled the drive to the airport with grace. I, on the other hand, was a nervous wreck.
- 1:00 PM - The Airport Farewell – And the Promise to Return.
- 4:00 PM - Home.
This is just a snapshot. It's messy, it's imperfect, it's real. But it was me in Rhodes. And it was, without a doubt, one of the best experiences of my life. Now, I need a vacation from my vacation… and another slice of that hummus.
Escape to Paradise: OYO 90507 Hotel, Batam Island!
Okay, so "Unbelievable Luxury Suites Await!"... Is that, like, ACTUAL unbelievable luxury, or just... nice paint and a slightly upgraded mini-bar?
Alright, let's be real. I went there. My wife, bless her heart, booked this thing for our anniversary. And yeah, it's… pretty damn unbelievable. Okay, maybe not gold toilets, but close. The thing that hit me first? The *smell*. Seriously, fresh flowers, expensive soap, and this weird, calming scent I still haven't figured out. I walked in and just… exhaled. Like, months of city stress just seeped out of me. The paint? Yeah, it's nice. The mini-bar? Stocked with stuff I’d never dream of buying myself – artisanal water (yes, really!), and little bottles of something that tasted suspiciously like liquid gold. Seriously, I tried not to touch anything on the first day, afraid I'd break something. We're talking proper luxury. Not just a lick of paint. Which, by the way, *was* pretty darn good paint. But beyond that, it's the space, the views… it’s an experience, not just a room. I nearly cried when I saw the balcony, because that view… oh my god, the view.
The website showed... a pool. Is it as Instagrammable as it looks? Because let's be honest, that's half the battle, right?
Oh, the pool. Yeah, it’s… you know what? It’s BETTER. Look, I’m not a pool person, typically. I'm more of a "sit in the shade with a book" kinda guy. But this pool… I was *in* it. Every day. It's infinity, so the water just blends right into the sea. The sun loungers? Fluffy clouds of pure relaxation. And they bring you cocktails. And little snacks. And the staff? Seriously, they’re like… pool ninjas. They anticipate your needs before you even know you have them. I saw one woman spill her drink (accidentally, of course), and *poof*, magically cleaned up and replaced within seconds. It's ridiculously instagrammable, yes, but it's also… a genuinely lovely place to be. I even took a selfie. And I *never* take selfies. Don't judge.
Let’s get down to the nitty-gritty: What's the food situation like? Are we talking bland hotel breakfast buffet, or something a little more… exciting?
Okay, this is where things get… interesting. The breakfast *is* fantastic. I mean, the buffet is there, but it’s not the usual depressing, overcooked bacon situation. This is… beautifully presented, fresh, local ingredients, a million different cheeses (I love cheese!), and the most amazing pastries I’ve ever eaten. My wife, bless her heart, she's a bit of a vegetarian snob, and she found so much amazing stuff. Beyond breakfast, they do have a restaurant on site… The first night, we were exhausted from traveling and, honestly, a bit intimidated by the whole fancy-pants vibe. I ordered the lamb, because, when in Greece, right? It was… incredible. Melt-in-your-mouth tender. But then, and here's the messy bit, I got a bit… overzealous. I might have... okay, I *did* order a second main course. A different kind of lamb! They were understanding. It was a very nice lamb, for the record! It's expensive, no lie, but the quality? Unquestionable. I felt slightly guilty afterwards, but hey, holiday calories don't count, right? (Don't tell my wife I said that.)
Okay, you've convinced me. But is it *actually* relaxing? I need a serious chill-out session.
Dude. Or dudette. Or whatever you identify as. YES. Absolutely, unequivocally, a thousand times YES. I'm a stressed-out city dweller. My default setting is "tense." I went in there with the intention of writing, working, "being productive". I packed my laptop thinking, "I'll get so much done in this beautiful setting!". I didn't. I didn't even *look* at my laptop for three days. I spent the first day staring at the view from my balcony, just… breathing. The second day? Poolside bliss reading trashy novels (it was awesome, don't judge!). The third day? A massage (expensive, but amazing). The staff subtly encourages you to unwind. They're not pushy, but they make it *easy* to do nothing. And you know what? It was glorious. My shoulders lowered. My blood pressure went down. I slept. I actually *slept*. Okay, maybe not *all* the time, I got a bit of sunburn the first day. Stupid me, I didn't wear sunscreen. The staff provided Aloe Vera immediately, though. They really thought of everything... even my stupidity.
Any downsides? Be honest!
Alright, alright, I'll level with you. Yes. There are *some* downsides. Firstly, the price. It's not cheap. Be prepared to loosen the purse strings. Secondly, the "unbelievable luxury" attracts… a certain type of clientele. You know, the effortlessly chic people who probably own yachts and speak five languages. I felt a bit… out of place, at times. Like I should be wearing a monocle. We had a minor kerfuffle with some perfectly tanned people hogging all the sun loungers. Annoying. But, and this is a big but, the good *massively* outweighs the bad. Tiny niggles. Also, the Wi-Fi was a bit patchy in the room sometimes. Minor irritant. Besides that? Honestly, I’m struggling to find real faults. I'm still dreaming about that lamb. And the view. And the pool. Okay, I'm going to book another trip.
What if I get *really* bored and need something to do? Is there anything to see or do around there?
Bored? At Kalathos Square? Okay, I can see the point. I mean, you *could* get bored. If you're incapable of relaxing, that is. But look, there's a beach nearby. Beautiful, sandy, the water is crystal clear. You can rent a sunbed and an umbrella (a must!). And, beyond the beach, which is a quick walk away (or even a shuttle), yes, there's stuff. It's on Rhodes, after all! Rhodes Town is amazing, packed with history, you can get lost in the medieval streets. There’s the Acropolis of Lindos (worth the climb, even in the heat, which, by the way, is intense, make sure you take water!) And plenty of little tavernas and shops. The hotel can arrange excursions if you're into that sort of thing. I heard someone go scuba diving, which sounded awesome. We didn't do any of that stuff. Because… the pool. And the view. And the lamb. You get the picture. But the option is there. Just… try to relax first. Seriously, go to the pool. Just do it.
Post a Comment for "Rhodes' Kalathos Square: Unbelievable Luxury Suites Await!"