Illysion Hotel

Just came back from two weeks. The hotel was very clean, room facilities were basic but fair, lovely views of sea. Pool restaurant was really nice over looking the sea. Very friendly staff and owners.
The outside seating area of an evening was very pleasant we called it the "poop deck”. Evening entertainment was just what you would expect and overall a very pleasant holiday would recommend it to friends.
I had to walk back with my lilo because the taxi driver wouldn't let me get in with it. Meals, boring and wouldn't recommend half board due to the many tavernas in Pefkos.

My wife and I have just come back from a 2-week stay at the Ilyssion hotel. We chose the hotel on the recommendation of a couple of friends who stayed there at the beginning of the season, in May. Everything they'd told us about the location and beauty of the place was borne out by what we saw upon arrival and subsequent explorations of the hotel grounds, the beach, the views, etc.
We were given the "largest" room in the complex. This was at ground level underneath the poolside snack bar, adjacent to the animal pen, which housed a beautiful deer, a goat and a lamb. The size of the room was a blessing (given what others have said about the sizes of their rooms), but the early morning cries of the limping goat (like around 3am onwards?) and the gentle odour emanating from the pen was not, to be totally honest, appreciated. The lamb was a little retarded and kept pacing up and down one side of the pen! The deer was a dear and very sociable. He responded to my out of tune whistles, came over and through the wire mesh shared our early evening nibbles with us. The other two avoided us like a plague! Despite what others might have said, we did see evidence of food in their pen. There were always some dry bread rolls and a few buckets of water in the pen.
We never had hot (or even lukewarm water) in the morning (tried between 7 and 10 am). Leaving the tap or shower running for ages did not make any difference. Water pressure often was very low, AM and PM. But, we had a magnificent view of the sea from our patio. Unfortunately, the cigarette smoke drifting from our smoking neighbours up the road from us, and the smell from the animal pen prevented us from enjoying it as much as we would have liked. We did ask (on the first day) if our room could be changed - it couldn't.
We were half-board - not out of choice as this was the only option available. [The holiday rep told me this was the only option offered by the hotel proprietors.] Breakfast was kind of Continental - always the same but nice and adequate. The evening meals offered variety but, I'm afraid, most of the time it was not what we would have chosen to have when on holiday. I won't go into much detail as others have given this enough coverage, but the salads provided an excellent last resort. Having said that, after the first week, we gave up completely and instead ate either at the nearby Corrali's (which was a haven of hospitality, good humour and, above all, fantastic food), or in the village of Pefkos. "Enigma" was our favourite restaurant in Pefkos. It had excellent ambience and high quality food. Its menu had some lamb dishes that you couldn't find in other restaurants. All heavenly!
We found the staff at Ilysssion very pleasant and helpful. The owners, Katarina and Kostos and their daughter, were very nice and friendly and most of the time seemed to have a lot of time for us. Although there were times when the mood was different - perhaps due to over work or "trouble in the mill"!
The view from the Venus bar terrace was out of this world. We loved to sit there and have a pre-dinner drink. My wife likes medium dry white wine. This was not available in the bar the first time we asked for it. And no attempt was made to acquire a bottle for the subsequent evenings. We thought they were nearing end of season and may not have wanted to over-stock unnecessarily. But, it would've made a big difference!
Overall, the Ilyssion hotel is such a lovely place and we would love to go back. But, given the quality of the food, the fact that half-board is compulsory, and the in-the-face evidences of cost-cutting, means that we won't. That is a crying shame because it is such a beautiful location and setting. Maybe we'll check the booking options available and see if they go for B&B!!

You pay for what you get, so seeing as we paid for a 3* hotel, that's exactly what we got! The rooms vary in size and unfortunately we had quite a small room, and a very small bathroom, however we didn't spend much time in there anyway. The rooms aren't wonderfully clean, but I've lived and stayed in worse as a student!!!!
The hotel is about 20mins at least into Pefkos, which has loads of nice restaurants/cocktails bars!
Some tour operators offer free air-con (NOT airtours), though I believe its common to pay for air-con in Rhodes. However I have never had to pay for using the fridge before! And didn't this time, as we were able to remove the pin from the hinge and get into the fridge - Bonus.
Some people complained about all the notices, 'you can't this', 'you can't do that' - remember they are only there because some stupid english person has done it, therefore they need to warn other stupid english people not to sit on the sofa with wet clothes on, dive into shallow end, run around pool etc!
I don't think I would go back to the hotel, been there, done that. If you want a cheap 3* holiday, which has great view and, then its perfect.

1 reader found this review helpful

We have just returned from a 2 week half board holiday at the hotel Illysion Pefkos.
The hotel was set in nice grounds, great swimming pools, nice cool reception area with entertainment every other night, which was great as it was far too hot to be out in Pefkos at night.
Pefkos village is a 20 minute walk from the hotel and by the time you get there, you are ready to get back for a shower it’s that hot. ten minute walk from hotel towards Pefkos, there is a great restaurant called Corallis, next to palm bay hotel, which is also looked nice, staff friendly, food delicious and not too far to walk.
I would recommend to stay at Corallis or palm bay as they have rooms and nice location but looked basic.
The Illysion needs some TLC, the maids do not clean properly, they never once cleaned our bathroom properly, and the top of the TV was caked in dust, plus a nice collection of dirt under the bed. it didn’t bother us to much because we only slept there, we were out all day and most of the night.
The air con is free is you book with Olympic holidays, you pay 50 euro when u arrive and get it back on the departure day, not bad as its airport spending money, that’s if u have time to spend at airport, we had to queue for hour before check in and only had 20 mins when through passport control before our gate closed. The airport is awful!
The staff were ok sometimes, the guy behind the bar could be really moody sometimes, and as people mentioned in other reviews he would be friendly with a select few. The shop does sell out of date goods so always check, we bought mouldy lemonade and they wouldn’t give us our money back as it was opened!!
We did take a half board option however we only ate there twice, first night awful, peas for starters!! yuk!!
We then ate there again as getting fed up walking out to eat as too hot, had moussaka and lamb, not too bad but not nice fresh food! If I go again id have bed+b`fast instead, as brekki is basic, cheese bread, hams, jams etc.
The pool bar is abit expensive, 2 euro for can lemonade, go to carollais supermarket or palm bays and get a 1 euro sandwich which are delicious and some crisps, much nicer!
Overall we had a fab holiday as we met some great people, hi to all, the weather was gorgeous, not one bad day, I would go again but not for a while, you get what you pay for as it is only a 3star, with a bit of TLC and a new chef, it could defo be a 4 star.

The hotel is situated off the main road between the resorts of Pefkos and Lardos, the walk into Pefkos was a bit risky as there is no pavement, luckily the road is not too busy however large coaches and the local buses get a bit close.
The hotel was excellent, the view from our balcony of the bay was breath taking, the two pools were never overly busy. I even read about the low umbrellas around the pool before I left and I still managed to hit my head virtually every day and on one occasion cut it quiet badly.
The breakfast (continental) was what I had expected a basic choice of cereals, ham, cheese etc. coffee, tea and juices. We were there for two weeks and a bit of variety would have helped (pancakes, scrambled eggs, baked beans).
The air con and the fridge was extra (the fridge was padlocked) and you need a fridge to keep your endless supplies of water chilled.
The staff at the hotel were all right, they kept a strict ship they just needed to lighten up a bit.
The area is not over busy which suited us, there is a bus stop right outside the hotel, we took the local bus to Rhodes Town, best to travel early before it gets too hot!! However you will be in the town for midday which we found to be very hot, luckily we went prepared for the sea on the other side of the island was fantastic with high waves crashing onto the beach an ideal way to cool down.
Would I go back, yes one day.

We had a wonderful time at this hotel and will, god willing be returning next year. The hotel staff can’t do enough for you and as for the owners they are top class people; very friendly and made us feel like part of the family.
We met other holiday makers who have been going here for years, some since it opened 19 yrs ago. The location is idyllic and peaceful. My hubby is a very fussy eater but he didn’t starve, there was always something on the menu that he could eat. To Maria and Costas, keep up the good work and we will see you next year.

Stayed at the Ilyssion for a week and thoroughly enjoyed it! We were after a relaxing week in the sun and that is exactly what we got!
The Ilyssion was very clean and the food was what we expected for three star accommodation - continental breakfast and three course evening meal where you choose your main course the night before.
The staff were excellent, really friendly and helpful and the service was also fantastic with the maids doing a thorough and efficient cleaning job each day.
The hotel is about a 10-15 minute walk from the main part of Pefkos making it nice and peaceful but close enough to other bars and restaurants.
We will definitely be returning to the Ilyssion again.

1 reader found this review helpful

Having read some past comments, we went with some trepidation. My husband and I and 2 teenage boys enjoyed this hotel. Yes there were some draw backs, the double bed we shared was so hard and uncomfortable and being wooden based it squeaked with the slightest move. But our sons who were in the next room with twin beds were most comfortable.
The bedrooms were small but very clean as was the rest of the hotel. The air conditioning was free, just a 50 euro deposit for the remote control. Food was plentiful, although a bit hit and miss, however we love Greek food, that's why we go to Greece! Just be aware if you have any fussy kids who may not like all the food served. The salad bar was tremendous. All meals are served in a beautiful air conditioned dining room.
The sun beds around the pools were free and plentiful, no matter what time of day you could always find one. Don't know about the ones on the beach as I didn't use them. All the staff were friendly and helpful despite working very long hours. Most nights you made your own entertainment although a couple of nights, there was Karaoke, a Disco and other entertainment. All rooms including the dining room, the bar terrace etc look out over the sea, you could not ask for a better view.
The one excursion we went on was the Greek Night, at Afandou, quite costly but well worth it, we had a great night. We hired a car and went to Faliraki Water Park and also to Prassonissi beach, this is where the two seas meet (Aegean and Med), it is an amazing place and well worth a visit. Lindos is only a short drive away and the view is stunning.
Would I go to Rhodes again? Yes definitely, it is a beautiful island.
Would I go to the hotel again? - Maybe, although we very rarely go back to same place.

On arriving at the Illision hotel all my doubts were put to rest, straight away katalina greeted us with a big smile, and sent her son down to unlock our fridge. After taking in the brilliant views from the bar/ entrance, we were greeted by Stellios, come barman and head waiter, twin brother of dev from coronation street, who also made feel welcome.
Everybody at the hotel did their best to make our holiday one not to forget, and nothing was never a problem, and from a big smile to having a joke or laugh. Even after working for some 14 hours a day.
Pefkos village was a nice 20 min walk away but half way was Corelli bar, good food as well. Taxi back 4-5 euros from Pefkos, where you would be greeted by Kostos and his son Christos, who would often buy us a drink, or two.
The hotel was always clean, tidy and spotless, from the maid service to the water in the pools, and the pool side bar food, again run by one of the family.
Having been to Rhodes nine times before and seeing what the hotels have to offer, the Illision would be first on my list without a doubt.
If you have any worries about staying at the Illision, don’t worry and just enjoy yourself and relax, every body did when we were their and I sure the next people will.
Thanks to every body at the Illision, and we will see you again soon.

Just got back from a great, hot, two week stay at Illysion hotel Rhodes. Just to put things right, there is no charge for sun beds at the hotel and we always found one at the pools or the sea (unlike the hotel next door).
The owners were great, go out of their way to be helpful, maid service was just as good and so discrete.
Both pools are fresh water. The food is a little same, same but edible, you do need to allow plenty (2hrs sometimes) of time to have dinner, but then you are on holiday so chill out !

Room we had was basic but then we did not want to live in it.
It’s about 20 min walk to the town, and the road is dark and there is no footpath and the Taxis try to get you sometimes, but the hotel will get you a Taxis to town for 4Euros.
No beach, but sandy one 2min walk away, sea SO calm and shallow in front of hotel, but no good for REAL small ones, but shallow pools in hotel for them and play areas.
Air-con was free for us, had to pay deposit for control, fridge was bit of rip off as it’s plugged in and running anyway.
Beware there are many stairs to get around this hotel and no lifts.
The entertainment was a little poor!! If you want a good Karaoke then walk down to the "Med Bar" just outside of town, see Tassos, and Daveoss sing (take ear plugs).
Nice place, nice people, OK food, bit far out of town, WELL RELAXING.