Sunlight Apartments

4 readers found this review helpful

Second year I have been back and not the last. I guess it depends what people want for a holiday. If you want lots of nightlife, lots of activities for kids etc then Tholos is not for you. If you want a relaxing, family holiday or a chilled out holiday with friends and to meet lots of friendly people, then Sunlight Studios is a fantastic place.
The family, as many have already said, make this place what it is. Friendly hospitable and relaxing. It is the only place I have been where so many people keep going back, year after year and you are welcomed as part of family.
The accomodation is basic but then why do you need luxuries when the only real time you stay in your room is when you're sleeping?
Mikes and Billy's are the best place for food, and if you want to see Rhodes then a hire car is the best option. It doesnt take long to get to the best beaches, mainly on the east side of the island but the pool at Sunlight is also clean and a great way to spend a day in the sun.

4 readers found this review helpful

Kostas,Irene and family are some of the nicest people you will ever meet. They make you feel so welcome into the apartments and will do anything they can to make you feel at home. The beach is 15mins away and on your way will pass a few shops which sell your beach essentials.When looking at the pool area you would think you were at a 5 star hotel it is very peaceful and pretty, surrounded by trees and flowers. The rooms however are what you would expect of a 2 star apartment, they are very basic including a two hob cooker, fridge/freezer(frezzer compartment about the size of a shoe box), a wardrobe and a safe. The shower is also very basic and tends to splash everywhere but dont worry its fun. Yes the rooms are lets say 'basic' but you will receive top service (and irenes cooking is amazing).

3 readers found this review helpful

About 10 mins taxi ride from the airport, Tholos is a sleepy little place, really. The apartments are a little way up a lane running perpendicular to the coast road. Continue up past the apartments and you reach the 'old' village which has a tiny general store and a taverna - and no people - at least that's how it seemed when i walked up there on a couple of occasions.
Tholos has a pebble beach - good job too as it's helluva windy and you'd come back sandblasted otherwise. The sea is fairly clean and can have sizeable breakers due to the constant wind. Kite surfing is a popular activity here.
There are a few tavernas and tourist shops strung out along the main coast road, but be warned, the tavernas are exceptionally quiet, many having no customers whatever for much of the time. I'm told this is due to the five 'all-inclusive' hotels along this short stretch of beach at Tholos. Of the ones that remain and thrive, I'd say Billy's Place and Mike's offered the best food - starter + main meals for two with a couple of beers or a bottle of wine coming in at around 22Euro. Rhodes town, which is well worth a visit is a 40 minute white-knuckle bus ride away. I like it quiet but In all honesty there's nothing to do here unless you travel. It's even difficult to explore the surrounding hills as there aren't many footpaths. I'd say two weeks here would drive you mad.
Having said that, if you're coming here and you're used to basic Greek accommodation then the Sunlight Apartments shouldn't disappoint. I think this is probably the friendliest and most welcoming accommodation I've had anywhere in Greece. Kostas and his family are a joy and the facilities are fine too. The pool is well maintained and clean, with poolside showers (why don't other people ever use these?). The surrounding gardens and pot plants are wonderful too. It's well looked after and it shows (though I wish he'd remove the football shirts hung up around the bar - they always add an air of tackiness and a suggestion of barmy Brits abroad. Actually, thinking about it, I can't understand why people do this, I wouldn't nail my pants to the rafters so why footie tops?). Anyway, home cooking here is excellent and the Greek night barbecue is good value. The whole family are very friendly and genuinely interested in your wellbeing.
The apartments for couples are on the ground floor and are quite small - family apartments are upstairs and much bigger. Ours was just OK - fridge was on it's last legs and, as usual in Greece only 75% of the lightbulbs were operational. Shower was great, there's air-con if you want it at 5Euro/day and a safety box in the room for 7Euro/week.
So, would I come here again? No. I probably wouldn't, simply because there's bugger-all to do.
However, If I did return, Kostas and his family at the Sunlight would probably be my first choice.

I'm really sorry to be adding a bad review about these apartments, the family that own them are lovely and very welcoming as seen in the previous reviews. However we stayed in one of the studio apartments for one week and the main reason for the bad review was the cleanliness of the apartment. I have read that the bigger apartments are lovely and they are on the 1st floor, but the studio apartment is tiny. This is not something i find a problem in itself, i have travelled the world staying in poor living conditions and we were not in the apartment much anyway. But the apartment was only cleaned once during the whole week. We had to empty the bin ourselves and the bag of rubbish i left outside the apartment was left there for 4 days. Our towels were only changed once during the week and i had to go and ask for some toilet roll in a bar full of people as we had ran out with 2 days left to go. The fact that we were on the ground floor of a dirty apartment attracted lots of ants and insects, and the stray cats of the area tended to gather outside too, meaning we had to have our door closed all the time. It was the ants that were the main problem really, not nice to think of them around you in bed at night.
It was a real shame because otherwise the pool area and complex itself was lovely. Tholos itself is a small but nice village. Its well worth hiring a car to tour the island and a visit to the old town is a must.

2 readers found this review helpful

Fab place to stay, myself my daugther and my son go to the sunlight every year, so frendly and nothing is ever to much trouble.
Pool is so relaxing and irenes cooking is just the best ever! Greek night which is held every friday night is great fun and is like one big family where everyone seems to get on with each other like they have known each for years!
kostas and irene (the owners) look after you so well that you wont want to leave!
They have three sons that help with the running and they are just so nice and will help you with any thing! including serving at the lovely cosy bar untill your ready to drop!!!!
excellent place to stay!

2 readers found this review helpful

A very welcoming and warm hotel where the staff (family run) we do there up most to help you and provide the best service they can , which includes playing pool with you! The rooms are clean spacious and equipt with hob and sink and fridge (basic needs for self catering option).
The highlight of this hotel is the pool area. The flowers and pool area are fantastic! It is very clean and there are many seating areas around the pool including chairs sun beds and a swing!
Overall i think this is a fantatsic hotel and anyone wanting a relaxing and quiet break should definetly visit!
Sam

2 readers found this review helpful

I have just returned from 10 days at the Sunlight Studios and Apartments with my husband and 10 year old son, and felt that I must give them a glowing report on the Internet.
We booked an apartment directly with them, which was easy to do and they didn't ask for any payment up front.
When we arrived, they were waiting for us and were very welcoming. Kostas the owner helped us up to our apartment, which was large, very clean and modern. The apartments are 17 years old, but Kostas (who built them himself) maintains them every winter to keep them up to date. The air-conditioning was very welcome, at an additional 5 euro a day. There is also a safe deposit box in the room for 1 euro a day.
Whilst the apartments are large, I believe that the studios are much smaller, as they are half of the size. The apartments are upstairs, which may be a problem to people with walking difficulties.
The pool, gardens and bar area are lovely, kept neat and tidy by the family.
We had a wonderful time at their Greek night and BBQ, with very tasty chicken, pork and pasta. Plus of course, all the salads etc that you could eat. The price of 13 euros was worthwhile, but did not include any drinks. They were very good at not making people try the Greek dancing unless they wanted to.
Check out is at midday, and it may be worthwhile paying the extra for a 6pm stay if you have a late flight.
Our flight was not until midnight and Kostas struggled to get us a taxi. His son Lucas offered to drop us at the airport for a nominal fee to cover his petrol. This sums up the friendliness of the whole family, and we really enjoyed staying with them.
We would highly recommend this as a place to stay.

2 readers found this review helpful

Wonderful place run by wonderful people. Sunlight Studios is owned and run by Kostas, Irenie and family and nothing is too much trouble.
Tholos village is within walking distance and well worth a visit. The beautiful butterfly valley is also worth visiting but you need to take a taxi as it is rather too far to walk to.
If you do not want to eat at the apartments there are a number of good restaurants very close by. If nothing else you must try the Sunlight Salad and Garlic bread made by Irenie - wonderful - not to be forgotten! The Greek evening is a must if only to taste the wonderful food and watch George dancing.
You are guaranteed a superb relaxing holiday, and the pool and gardens are the nicest we have seen during our many visits to the Greek Islands. If you are looking for a little more hustle and bustle you can jump in a taxi to Rhodes Town, another must. You can also take a bus but this will take you around an hour. Do try and take time to go horse riding with Kentavros at Tsampika Beach. You don't need any horse riding experience and it really is a day to remember. (Wear long trousers if possible). Hire a car and tour the island, it really is worth while.
We will definitely be visiting Rhodes again and would not think of staying anywhere else but with Kostas and Irene at the Sunlight Apartments.

1 reader found this review helpful

We have just came back from our holiday in Rhodes and we stayed in the Sunlight apartments for 2 weeks; we had a great holiday.
Very clean accommodation, the pool area and gardens. Greek night and snack bar fantastic, ideal for families. Irene’s cooking is very good. The family who run the apartments are very friendly and make you feel very welcome and part of their family.
The area around the apartments is very quiet, a small traditional Greek village with a traditional bakers and Stavros supermarket can be found 10 minutes walk away. Village is worth a walk around, very pretty, also very good restaurant and bar in the village. The main strip in Tholos is about 15 minutes walk away with about 10 - 15 bar/restaurants. Mikes and Billy’s good for food, Dundee’s for the latest football matches and free pool and snooker for the kids. Beach not nice - pebbles and volcanic sand and the sea is rough. Beaches on the other side of the island better.
Electricity power station spoils the skyline of the area and puffs out smoke most of the time. I would return to the Sunlight apartments.

2 readers found this review helpful

We have been going to these apartments since 2002 and all ways have a wonderful welcome. The whole family really look after you.
Although the accommodation is very basic, it is extremely clean and well looked after. Air conditioning and safety deposit boxes have now been added. (at a local charge) The Greek night is brilliant, lots of dancing and loads of food.
It is an excellent base to explore the island from, simply the most relaxing holiday will have.