Illysion Hotel

I went on this half board holiday with my daughter (5yrs), my mum and her partner on the 18th Oct for a week.
We were the only guests to arrive at the hotel that day and the reception looked clean and tidy. My room was fairly clean but smelled of smoke and was very small and so was the balcony. The bathroom was ok but after a shower I realised that water went everywhere and didn’t seem to go down the drain in the centre of the bathroom floor. This was a bit concerning for my daughter who nearly slipped several times. The sea view was the best bit about the room.
My first tour of the hotel was disappointing as the shop in the hotel had hardly anything in it apart from out of date crisps and this didn’t change throughout the week. The pools were a decent size but looked a bit murky, we ended up going into Pefkos and spending the days at the beach. The pool bar was shut and the only animal we saw, apart from the birds, was the deer.
Our first experience of the evening meal was disgusting, for starters we had a spicy sausage, which my daughter wouldn’t eat and there was no alternative, and then some beef smothered in more sauce and for desert a cornetto! As for the salad, it shrank in size as the week went on. My daughter and my mum couldn’t eat the food but me and my mums partner did and had bad deli belly for the following few days. We ended up eating out after that.
The breakfast was ok but very basic but there was no fresh milk and my daughter wouldn’t drink the milk on offer so we had to by a pint everyday for her. The juices on offer were sour and they didn’t even have toast on offer!
Overall the hotel is no way a 3* and as for being family friendly I didn’t see that side of it. As it was the end of season there was no entertainment, very few staff, a bare shop even though we paid the same price as friends who went in the high season and had all these things!
I would visit Rhodes again and I would visit Pefkos too but I will not be visiting Illysion again!

What a fantastic location, stunning views across the bay.
The staff were very friendly, when we had a problem with the shower, Kostas the owner had it fixed within the hour. The rooms are cleaned daily and to a good standard. Our room as most are I think, was overlooking the bay. Stellios, the barman come waiter come entertainer is a really nice guy and Kostas the owner is at the bar most nights and was always laughing and joking with guests.
The one drawback was the food, we would stay here again but next time we would stay bed and breakfast. Some of the meals are ok but they do seem very repetitive, after a few days they all look and taste the same. The breakfasts were what you would expect in Greece so that was no problem but the evening meals had to be ordered the day before and from a set menu. Quite a few of the guests took to eating in the nearby Corralis restaurant and this was excellent.
Sorry to whinge because we did have a fantastic time not least because of the lovely people we met at the Illysion, thank you to, Mick n' Pat from Rubery B'ham, Colin n' Lorraine from Worcester, Roger n' Dianne and last but not least 4 really nice ladies from Southampton Pat, Sue, Dawn and Linda god bless you all for a holiday we will remember forever.

Arriving at 3am might not be the best way of starting your holiday, but we were offered a warm welcome by Kostos the co owner of the Illysion. Check in was both simple and very easy going, the reception was both clean and very classy looking with a lovely marble floor and nice decor. We were unable to appreciate the views we'd heard so much about, but the sound of the Aegean sea could be heard through the reception/bar area.
Finding the room was simplicity itself and it was a pleasant surprise to find the room both spotless and simply decorated in the Greek style (whitewashed walls and a cool tiled floor) Tiredness got the better of us both and we found the beds calling, we found them to be both comfortable and again spotless with new linen and bedspread.
Upon waking the next morning we discovered maybe the only thing that was a little below par and that was the pressure in the shower was a bit low but in time we discovered that if u use it at times when other people wouldn’t be then you'll be 100% happy, the bathroom was again spotless and although basic was entirely sufficient.
Drawing the curtains you'll be left speechless as all the rooms have a sea view and the water is only some 30 yards from your balcony, a cloudless sky and stunning views across the bay towards Pefkos are worth the price you pay alone.
We read a lot about the charge for Air conditioning, ours however was working as soon as we inserted our room key and although we didn’t have the remote to turn it up/down we simply left it running when we were in the room. (we travelled with Olympic, maybe this is part of your deal? We never questioned it and it worked through out our stay) We did however pay the 14 Euros for the fridge, this we found a great help as your going to be drinking a lot of bottled water and having it cold from the fridge was a godsend).
Maid service runs 6 days a week and again we found the staff to be both helpful and very friendly. Breakfast is of the continental style (don't forget you’re in Greece NOT England) a selection of cereals in containers with lids, museli, fruit cocktail, Greek yogurt, honey, bread, rolls etc etc. Tea and coffee and a selection of fruit juice. We were 100% happy with it and if you’re after a fry up then I suggest you go down the road to Pefkos and choose one of the many cafes that do a fry up for 4-5 Euros.
Bar food can be ordered from the poolside bar, you'll be greeted by a lovely Ozzie who doesn’t know anything about helping your waistline! For 4 Euros you can get a freshly made club sandwich which even I had trouble finishing, it fills the plate on it's own not to mention the fries you get it with it. Baguettes, burgers, scampi etc are all freshly made and all at very reasonably priced.
Dinner consisted of 4 courses, a starter, a selection from the salad bar, main course and desert. Each day you’re given a choice of 3 main courses to have for the following day, the traditional Greek dishes were especially nice, and we found the portion sizes to be just right as 4 soon fills you up. This is where you first meet the acquaintance of Stelios!! More later! Some people did seem to compare the food with either back home or some of the Restaurants down in Pefkos where you get simply HUGE servings but for us we found the food both tasty and up to our expectations.
All the staff we came across were 100% helpful and very hard working, being a family run Hotel, it's amazing the hours they put in and at no time did we have any problems with anybody. Katarina (the wife of Kostos) is one of the nicest people I’ve ever come across, she's both helpful, chatty, friendly and would seemingly do anything to be of help. Her daughter Keira at 23 is an asset to both Kostos and Katerina, again working long hours, she always has a smile on her face and follows in the same vein as her parents.
Night time entertainment is in the Venus bar, run by the infamous Stelios after he's finished in the restaurant. The John Travolta of the Illysion (sorry Stelios but you know it's true) What a guy!! Funny, friendly, always having a giggle with the guests, mixes a mean cocktail, and doesn’t skimp on the measures, resulting in a few 2am staggers back to your room.
The guests are mainly English, a few Polish and the odd Russian. Although we went as a couple we met up with lots and lots of great people, everybody seems to be chilled out and it's amazingly easy to get to know some great people. We had a superb time and would go back tomorrow if we could.
There were some people staying that had been back 16 times! Now if that’s not a indication of how good and how friendly the place is then i don't know what is.

Having just returned from Pefkos I had a very enjoyable holiday. I went with my mum, dad and younger sister (I am 19yrs old). The hotel was very nice with a large welcoming reception. The room I shared with my sister was on the 1st floor, which wasn't the lowest of rooms ground floor), however we had no steps or stairs to the room which was nice.
The room overall was basic- as Greek rooms tend to be, however I found it had everything I needed including enough sockets to have the fridge, TV, hairdryer, straighteners and mobile phone charging! As we traveled with Olympic we didn’t have to pay the extra for the A/C however we did pay 3euro a day for the fridge, which came in very useful for sun cream and after sun, as they were nice and cool (and make-up as when I left it on the side my lippie melted).
Hint: music channel on TV channel 2 or 3 is a mixture of Greek and English chart music- good to listen to whilst getting ready for a night out- Most of the time! Sun loungers by the pool were free, however typically towels were placed early am to reserve, so of not by pool by 9am you struggled to get a lounger. However my Mum and Dad preferred the Hotel "Beach" which was a few steps away, always quiet and peaceful, beautiful sea however the sand was gritty and usually a 3euro charge for the loungers down there, however someday they would "forget" to come and collect the money.
Food overall was very good but I did only go to breakfast on the first day as it wasn't for me, but rest of the family found it to be good. Evening Meals at the hotel were good although very Greek e.g. spicy tomatoes, meatballs, mousaka, stifado thus may not have suited everyone. However the fresh salad bar was always excellent and something for all tastes. Entertainment was average but you have to make it what it is i.e. my sister and I partaking in Greek dancing and karaoke.
Staff very friendly and speak excellent English. The only negative thing I will say is watch the reps, we ordered a few trips inc. Rhodes by night- which was fantastic and hire of a car which turned out would have been cheaper to get a taxi to Main Town Rhodes and we ordered a sports car and when it arrived it was a Fiat Panda! HA HA. Faliraki water park good and worth spending a day there. OH and it you go to Rhodes Old Town beware high heels and the cobble streets don't mix, thankfully I found a shoe shop and bought some very nice flip flops!

Just thought I would revisit this site 1 year on from writing review no1. It would seem that not a lot has changed in the last year, dirty rooms, rude ignorant staff and charges for everything. The Jacuzzi located behind one of the swimming pools was filthy 1 year ago.
And something I did not mention last year was that the goat in with the reindeer died during our stay, dehydration and blatant neglect, the proprietor was not concerned despite several of us talking to him and raising our distress about the situation. Maybe the food has improved, I do hope so! It would seem they are only nice to loved up couples and newly weds if that is the clientele they wish to attract perhaps they ought to say so! Such a beautiful location with such potential a great shame!
The common theme throughout this hotels review is the fabulous Correllis down the road, thank goodness for them!

Myself and my wife stayed at the Illysion hotel for 2weeks and I will tell you this, the entrance to the hotel was beautiful, then we got shown our room which was not very clean.
There was a smell of smoke, also there was hair everywhere. But the views of the med were fantastic as all the rooms are sea view, as we had to pay extra for that to the travel agent which was not right anyway.
The hotel is run by the whole family father, mother, daughter, son, etc, the mother and daughter are very unpleasant as they only talk to you if you are spending money in their hotel. They do not like you to complain, as I did, as to why we had to pay 3euros per day for the use of the fridge. They where not interested about it also you have to pay 3euros per day to use the sun loungers in the hotel area that you are staying in!
Anyway the bed and breakfast was very plain as all the cereals where in open big bowls which was not very nice the only thing good about breakfast was the yogurt, so the whole experience about Pefkos was the Corrialli restaurant just down the road as the food in there was absolutely beautiful also the owner Yanni let us use his showers before our flight as it was early morning and the Illysions shower room is not very clean.
Would I go back to Rhodes: Yes
Would I stay at the Illysion : No
Would I go back to Pefkos : Yes as the rest of the people are so friendly I would go back.

We stayed at the Illysion hotel in Pefkos in Rhodes. It should not be rated a 3* as I would rate it a 1*as the entrance is beautiful and that is what you pay for. As the rooms where really bad also there was no Jacuzzi as it has not been cleaned out for years also you have to pay 3 euros per day for the use of the fridge also if you don’t pay they put a padlock on it so that you don't use it, as I had a dispute regarding this and got no where with it.
Also they do charge you for the use of the sun beds as well and that is another 3 euros per day I had taken my own fan with me as I was not paying 8 euros per day for the air condition so the cleaners told them I had a fan in my room, when I came back from the beach the owner called me to the reception desk to say that I had to pay for the use of the fan and I said what! You are joking and she told me that I did not hire it from them so I can't use it.
So I went into my small room, it is very small and so is the balcony, you can't even cross your legs it's that small. Anyway I did go into my room and there was this huge sticker on my fan telling me that it was not forbidden to use it as it did not comply with there regulations.
The best part of my holidays was the sun and the restaurant called the Coralli and it was just along the road as the staff there where very nice and made you feel very welcome. So beware.
It you where very well catered for there also Yanni and staff where great also they where shocked when I was telling them about the Illysion, other than that hotel it was great.

What a fantastic hotel we were there on honeymoon from Plymouth in Devon, nothing was any trouble for the staff there the owner was really nice and as for the bar manager stellios what a guy he is a real asset to this hotel most pubs in the uk would love to have him, totally agree with Fay and Toby with there comments on this hotel we are going back next year for two weeks in may this hotel has the most spectacular views over the Aegean sea not to be missed
We met some really nice people there on honeymoon especially Fay and Toby john and Debbie and of course Eleanor
You have to try this hotel out its super but you will always find someone who will love to complain if you don’t like it at the illusion suggest you try Beirut or the Gaza strip

My stay at the Illysion Hotel in Pefkos will be a memory I will hold with me forever. My husband and I my got married in nearby Lindos and we couldn't fault a thing. The family who run the hotel, along with the atmosphere and general clientele were delightful.
As we walked into the hotel, we were awe-struck by the view that greeted us. With the bar area and terrace looking out on to the Mediterranean, we instantly felt a relaxing air about the hotel.
We were made to feel that anything that the hotel owners could do to make our holiday as special as possible was no problem at all and we were more than satisfied with their efforts.
We went half board and were very happy with the food served. Each evening we were asked to choose from a menu of traditional Greek cuisine and more English dishes for the following evening and I must say that we were never disappointed with any of our choices. Plus, the choice of salad to self serve was absolutely delicious and very fresh.
Where the hotel is situated, you are very close to the beautiful city of Lindos where you can visit the historical Acropolis, relax on the beach in Lindos bay or more picturesque St Pauls Bay (where we got married and you can see many other happy couples tying the knot). You also have a wide range of shops and bars to visit.
Despite all of the beautiful tourist sites on Rhodes, we felt so relaxed in hotel Illysion, that we didn't feel the need to venture very far at all. While we sat by the pool in the day, the food served in the pool bar was exquisite and cooked by a very friendly lady.
For any children that visit the hotel, there are a few animals about the place, including some very cute rabbits and a reindeer that looks like Bambi, don't worry, she doesn't just rely on scraps from us tourists, she is fed daily by our friendly pool bar cook!
Our wedding day went so perfectly and it was helped along by the lovely family who run the hotel. The wife and husband were charming, chatting to us daily and their hard working daughter was a credit to her parents. The man who works behind the bar and works in the restaurant did an amazing job with our wedding reception and he was always very polite and accommodating.
Overall, my husband and I were so happy with this location and hotel that we were actually contemplating another visit there for our first wedding anniversary. The memories of the beautiful Pefkos with it's laid back and friendly atmosphere and the hotel Illysion with it's relaxing environment and efficient hospitality will never be forgotten and I hope other people will be lucky enough to have the same experience.

We had a fantastic holiday in Pefkos staying at the Illysion hotel. The hotel staff could not have been friendlier. Being a 'family run' concern made it even better, the entire place was run by mother, daughter, father, son, uncle, cousin etc!
Even the cleaning ladies (the room was cleaned DAILY and sheets and towels changed DAILY) were wonderful. ALL of the staff were a constant delight at every opportunity, they were very welcoming and could not have provided a better service, which I have yet to find in any 'commercial chain' hotel.
The hotel itself was very good for Greece, yes a 'bit rough' around the edges in places but by Greek standards very good, and very clean.
The view from our room was exquisite! We were on the ground floor looking straight over the sea, and to sit on the bar's balcony on an evening and watch the sun set over the bay has to be seen to be believed.
Overall a thoroughly enjoyable holiday which we will be repeating in July 2006 taking others with us!