The tiny town of Lindos hugs the hill; mansions built by the Knights of St John bask beyond stone walls (catch a glimpse though open doors), while the bluest of seas shimmers down in the bay (St Paul came ashore 2,000 years ago). A magical place – timeless, untouched. No cars, just donkeys that ferry tourists up to the Acropolis. Follow them up to the mellow stone walls of Melenos, where they stop to drink from a water trough at the front door.
Twelve years in the making and built over 4 terraces with the sea below and the Acropolis above, you arrive to find staggering beauty at every turn. The outside space is magical - the air is perfumed with jasmine and lavender as you explore a jumble of terraces, stairs and courtyards. An open-air bar is lit by paper lanterns at night; the restaurant is shaded by Moorish tents to keep the sun at bay. Enormous bedrooms defy superlatives, with wooden platform beds that hold the comfiest mattresses in Greece. All rooms open straight onto terraces; some have padded stone benches, one has a huge sofa, another has views that tumble down to the beach.
Highs
- Lindos itself, an ancient, largely unspoilt village, with a warren of twisty cobbled alleyways (bring a ball of string)
- We love the tranquil setting on the edge of the village, away from the hustle and bustle, with dreamy sea views
- The sympathetic architecture is like an extension of the village, with cobbled patios and walkways fringed by potted flowers
- Gracious, welcoming and highly professional staff
- There's also a 2-bedroom villa for those wanting added space and privacy
Lows
- Breakfast is the only meal served, but there are plenty of eateries in the village, a short walk away
- No pool, although the beach is a 5-minute walk away
- Lindos can get extremely busy in high season, but many visitors are day trippers from Rhodes Town who leave before sunset
- The hotel occasionally hosts weddings on the roof, which can cause noise until midnight (no later, we are assured)
- Such a special hotel comes at a fittingly special price tag
Best time to go
The island is one of the loveliest in the Mediterranean and if you avoid high season (mid-July to the end of August) when Lindos heaves and the weather can be exceptionally hot, you’ll have it mostly to yourself. May is probably the best month to come; you can swim in the sea from then until early October.
Our top tips
If you want to escape the crowds, take a day trip to the satellite island of Halki (1 hour by boat from Kamiros Skala) where you'll find beautifully clear waters, a lovely village and an end-of-the-world atmosphere. You might even combine it with a visit to ancient Kamiros, our favourite archaeological site on Rhodes.
- Boutique Hotel
- 12 bedrooms + 1 villa
- Breakfast + bar
- All ages welcome
- Closed: 24 Nov 2024 - 30 Apr 2025
- Pool
- Spa Treatments
- Beach Nearby
- Pet Friendly
- Disabled Access
- Car not necessary
- Parking
- Restaurants Nearby
- WiFi
- Air Conditioning
- Guest Lounge
- Terrace
- Garden
- Gym
- Daily Maid Service
- Towels & Bedlinen
Rooms
Spread over 3 terraces, mosaic pebbled pathways lead to stone steps that drop down to the 12 romantic suites. Terracotta pots spill with colour, views look out over the bay.
Suites vary in size but the style is exquisite throughout: 17th-century inspiration meets 21st-century design. Moorish-style latticed woodwork is complemented by huge cushioned sofas and traditional island platform beds with super-comfy Coco-Mat mattresses. Sensational bathrooms come with cymbal-sized shower heads, luxury Frette linen bathrobes, Korres smellies (the very best) and hand-painted tiles.
Most rooms have a terrace out front, from which you can soak in the 'village' atmosphere of the hotel, exchanging smiles with your neighbours as they pass by on their way to town. Those in the Double Suites have access to a small shared courtyard instead, which may not be private enough for some.
We stayed in a Superior Suite and loved the breezy bohemian décor, huge open-plan living space and terrace with magnificent views over Lindos Bay. Nearby, 2-bedroom Villa Melenos also has stunning views. Lovely hohlakia (pebble motifs) run from the terrace into the lounge. Rooms are simple but traditional and cosy with wood panelling and pretty fabrics, and there's a kitchenette too.
Features include:
- Bathrobes
- Hairdryer
- Safe box
- WiFi
Eating
Breakfast is a sociable affair, served on a terrace with whitewashed wooden tables and cushioned benches shaded by a covered pergola. Feast on bowls of fresh fruit, yoghurt, honey and nuts, freshly baked Greek pastries (though some guests have felt these aren't as fresh as expected), a selection of eggs and cured meats, and good strong coffee. They’ll also bring breakfast to the terrace outside your room if you prefer.
You'll be spoilt for choice when it comes to lunch and dinner, as Lindos is certainly not short of eateries, full of character and fresh Greek flavours. Head into town and try old-fashioned Mavrikos for local seafood prepared with a creative twist or Tambakio in St Paul's Bay, where you can dine with your feet in the sand. Round the headland at Lindos Beach you'll find Almyra, a family-run restaurant on the seafront offering beautifully presented gourmet dishes.
Features include:
- Bar
- Breakfast
- Restaurants nearby
- Room service
- Vegetarian options
Activities
- Walk down to the sandy beach (2 minutes down, 5 minutes up) and hire sun loungers and a parasol. Or walk to the end of the small jetty and plunge into clear blue water; a very Mediterranean spot, with echoes of the Cote d’Azur, circa 1965
- Take a boat out for the day, or go diving, kayaking, snorkelling, waterskiing and fishing in Lindos Bay
- Hike up to the Acropolis before breakfast to beat the heat. Home to an ancient temple, this stunning citadel was fortified successively by the Greeks, the Romans, the Byzantines, the Knights of St John and the Ottomans
- Visit Rhodes old town, a stunningly preserved Crusader fortress (50 mins' drive), with cobbled alleys and magnificent medieval architecture
- Drive to Prasonissi, on Rhodes' southern tip, much-loved by windsurfers
- Take a cooking course at the hotel - prepare traditional Greek cuisine and then sit down for dinner together (lessons in English & Greek, in groups of up to 8)
Activities on site or nearby include:
- Boat trips
- Fishing
- Golf
- Hiking
- Historical sites
- Kayaking
- Sailing
- Scuba diving
- Shopping / markets
- Snorkelling
- Swimming
- Traditional cultures
- Windsurfing
Kids
Melenos Art Boutique Hotel is not an ideal place for very small kids as there are lots of steps and some high drops. That said, children under 2 years old stay for free.
Family friendly accommodation:
Two-bedroom Villa Melenos is a good option for families thanks to the kitchen, added lounge space and large terrace. There's also a sofabed so it can sleep up to 5 people. Most suites can hold 3 guests plus a baby cot.
Cots Available, Extra Beds Available
Babysitting:
Babysitting available by arrangement
Baby equipment:
Baby cots available on request
Remember baby and child equipment may be limited or need pre-booking
For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection
Location
Melenos Art Boutique Hotel is set in the idyllic car-free village of Lindos, 50km south of Rhodes town on the Dodecanese island of Rhodes.
By Air
Rhodes (Diagoras) (45km) is well connected with Athens, Crete and other Greek airports, as well as with major European capitals and cities (mostly charter flights).
From the Airport
The hotel can arrange a transfer or you can jump in a taxi. The air-conditioned bus from Rhodes town takes about an hour.
By Car
If you want to hire a car, you can park at the entrance of the village (10 minutes' walk from the hotel). Staff will bring up your luggage.
By Boat
Rhodes Town (50km) has ferry connections from Piraeus (Athens), most other Dodecanese islands, and (in summer) Marmaris and Fethiye in Turkey.
Detailed directions will be sent when you book through i-escape.
More on getting to Greece and getting around
Airports:
- Rhodes, Diagoras 45.0 km RHO
Other:
- Beach 0.2 km
- Shops 0.1 km
- Restaurant 0.1 km