Rhodes Island Greece four-day travel guide

If there was one Greek island that could instantly whisk you away to an enchanting Mediterranean oasis it would be Rhodes. And if there were one abode that could encapsulate all the island’s charm and elegance, it would be the Mitsis Alila Resort & Spa. One year has passed since my trip to the island that magically made me feel like time stood still. I planned to write about my experience at the start of this year’s travel season, but travel restrictions, delays, and uncertainty thwarted this plan along with the globe’s summer adventures.  

Why a travel blog post now?

While off-season travel is priced as a second-rate experience, it is the best time to explore unknown destinations. Immersing in culture and history comes easier without the long lines, high traffic and sheer competition to access the hot spots that inevitably come during peak season. With post-coronavirus travel possibly coming during off-season months, a trip to Rhodes and a stay at the Mitsis Alila Resort & Spa could be exactly what you need to satisfy your wanderlust. Especially after months of at-home mandates and social distancing. 

My journey to the Mitsis Alila Resort & Spa in Rhodes didn’t begin with an extensive internet search or word-of-mouth recommendation. It started charitably at an annual fundraiser to support the St. Andrews Greek Orthodox Church in South Hampton. I put my name down for several of the travel options up for grabs, all listed with one overarching caveat – must travel off-season.

Off-season travel is first-class travel without the price tag.

I planned my excursion for October, where everything from foot traffic to temperatures become moderate. But generosity and upgrades become abundant. The amount of attention I received from the staff while at Alila let me experience luxury travel first-hand. It wasn’t just the ultra, all-inclusive 24h 5-star accommodations and a personalized menu of plant-based foods. It was also the conversation with the friendly attendants that surpassed 5-star hospitality – it was home. 

I typically avoid being inside my hotel room for too long while traveling. At Mitsis Alila Resort & Spa though, I felt like my room was part of the experience. Sitting down for morning coffee on a terrace overlooking the breathtaking Aegean sea and sky brought an instant balance to the day. There were Venetian mirrors and art-deco furniture in the spacious suite where we stayed in. But the natural views of the Grecian island that were visible as you readied for a day at the beach, restaurants, bars or poolside, established the sheer splendor of the hotel’s location.

“Makria kai Agapemeni” – Far Away and With Love

If you’re looking for convenience as you continue to maintain your distance and limit contact with different places, you’ll find everything you need at Mitsis Alila Resort & Spa.

With its private sand beach, endless gardens and pools, 11 à la carte restaurants, 6 bars including a beach bar and a champagne bar, a state-of-the-art gym and spa, mini-market, clothing boutiques, and an exclusive fine-jewelry boutique, you have everything you need for a vacation in paradise.

And the best part: it is 100% all-inclusive, meaning that ALL meals and ALL beverages (including alcohol) are included in your stay. Everything you need is right there on the property. The resort is about 20 minutes from downtown Rhodes and features all the amenities you will need and more during your stay. We stayed in the Superior Twin Room with a sea view on the 11th floor, and it did not disappoint. Everything about our experience was perfect with the room overlooking the breathtaking waters of the Aegean Sea, Venetian style mirrors, timeless art, the large lounge space and of course, nothing beats the 24/7 room service! 

One-of-a-kind fine jewelry designed and handmade in Greece…  

If you are looking for a one of a kind, memorable piece to remember your trip by, visit the Kontzamichalis fine jewelry boutique on the hotel premises. Andreas, the owner and creator, will walk you through his magical collections.

I loved the pieces inspired by The Muses, Greek of mythology and the Aegean colors, crafted in 18k gold and set on a handpicked selection of precious stones like sapphire, emeralds, rubies, white diamonds, brown diamonds, black diamonds, and my absolute favorite, pink sapphire.

An all-inclusive, five-star global culinary experience

Like the changing colors marking the close of the day, Mitsis Alila Resort & Spa hosted a variety of cuisine from all over the world. All with a taste of authenticity and the warmth of home from its staff. With 18 restaurants to choose from, all of which offered plant-based options, especially created by the talented chefs, 4 upscale bars, and a tea-lounge and amenities beyond our wildest dreams, we couldn’t have asked for a better vacation experience.

From 24-hour room service to the meals prepared daily by the brilliant chefs, this hotel is unlike any other we’ve stayed in before.

Take your pick from 14 restaurants

Here are my top 10 restaurants at Alila:

• Ellinadiko à la carte: Greek traditional cuisine made with locally produced raw ingredients.
• Italian à la carte: Italian classic dishes ranging from antipasti and main courses from all Italian regions.
• Tex-Mex ala carte: Traditional Mexican dishes with yummy salsa combinations.
• Pan-Asian a la carte: Flavorful dishes from all over Asia, including some of the best sushi we have ever had!
• Ouzeri: Traditional meze (tapas) that pairs perfectly with a glass of chilled Ouzo.
• Brunch: Delicious brunch spot offering a variety of dishes made from local ingredients. We had a delicious plant-based brunch variation, specially prepared and customized by chef Iraklis.
• Champagne bar: What is better than a glass of champagne accompanied by some fruit before turning in? This was my favorite spot at the end of each long day.
• Night bar: Located on the hotel main level, overlooking the gorgeous premises, pools, Palm trees and Aegean waters, here you can enjoy an apéritif, or one of the branded cocktails relaxing to the gorgeous view, or enjoying one of the live bands on stage.
• Tea time: An assortment of different flavors of tea and pastries served every afternoon in this cute tea-spot by the indoor pool.
• Main restaurant: Overlooking the sea, the main restaurant offers all-day dining with local and international meals presented in extended buffets with show cooking.

Daily Plant-based personalized menus

The Chef and his team took personal care of us every day by preparing all of our meals with plant-based ingredients to accommodate our dietary needs and even customized items that were not on the menu. The Chefs are so talented that you would never know you were eating tofu instead of your favorite gorgonzola and goat cheese. 

We had an amazing experience at one of the Italian restaurants at Alila Resort. Chef Iraklis used vegetables and herbs prepared in different ways to re-create the tastes of the original dishes. Here is the meal that the Chef and his team prepared for us:

• Arugula Salad with marinated pear, tofu, walnuts, tossed with pomegranate vinaigrette sauce, sprinkled with Carob honey.
• Italian Brochette with fresh tomatoes, olive oil and olives
• Oyster mushroom salad with olive oil, garlic, fresh onion, and tomato
• Italian focaccia
• Cherry tomato salad with tofu and basil
• Mushroom risotto with truffle, olive oil and raisins
• Pizza Primavera with fresh arugula, cherry tomatoes, tofu, and fresh peppers
• Pasta marinara with vegetables and basil, accompanied with fresh cream
• Gnocchi with fresh tomato sauce, thyme cream, and dill foam
• An appetizer of marinated olives, olive pate, herb-infused olive oil, and white wine and Lemoncello also accompanied our meal.

Overall, our stay at the Alila Resort & Spa was beyond our wildest dreams. We admired the ongoing hospitality and sustainability of the resort. The entire staff and accommodations were nothing short of spectacular, and when it comes to the food, you will definitely experience some of the best meals you’ve ever had in the Alila restaurants.