Ataviros Hotel

At the foot of Mount Ataviros, the highest mountain in the Dodecanese, you stay in a family-run aparthotel with a distinctly Greek village feel. Stone-built walls, tiled floors and wooden-beamed roofs give the rooms a rustic character, while air conditioning, free Wi-Fi and private bathrooms keep the practical side of life in order.

This is a useful base if you prefer a mountain village to a large coastal resort. You have a swimming pool, an all-day restaurant and a bar on site, so the evening does not require a hunt for somewhere to eat. The hotel's information is available in English, Greek, French and German, which makes planning your stay straightforward even though no on-site staff language is specified.

The address is in Émbonas, on the central-west side of Rhodes, around 450 metres above sea level and roughly 32 miles southwest of Rhodes Town. The setting is mountainous rather than seaside, with views towards Mount Ataviros, the village and the Aegean Sea. Sunset, in this case, is part of the geography rather than a slogan.

Kopria Beach is about 6 miles away by road, around a 16-minute drive. For a change of scenery, the Castle of Kritinia is about 5 miles away, while Ancient Kamiros is roughly 11 miles from the hotel. Bakis Brothers is around 0.1 miles away, and Maroullakis Taverna and Bakery Makarounas are each about 0.2 miles away, giving you a few local options beyond the restaurant on site.

The choice is less about chasing a particular label and more about deciding how much room you want around you. Couples can keep things simple with a mountain-view double room, where the king-size bed and view do the job without turning the room into an apartment. If you want a balcony as part of the evening routine, the double or twin room with balcony gives you that outdoor space; the pool-view rooms put the swimming pool directly into the outlook.

For families or anyone travelling with more luggage than intended, the apartments make more sense. The Superior Apartment accommodates up to five and has two bathrooms, while the Standard Apartment sleeps up to four and also has two bathrooms. That second bathroom is the sort of detail that matters more than another decorative cushion when several people are trying to get ready at once.

Rooms are airy and simply furnished, with tiled floors, wooden-beamed ceilings, air conditioning, satellite television, a wardrobe and a refrigerator. Soundproofing, a private entrance and balconies facing the mountain, village or sunset add useful touches to the night. Daily housekeeping is available, and selected accommodation includes kitchen facilities with a refrigerator and cleaning products.

Breakfast is continental and buffet-style, with the option of taking it in your room. Lunch and dinner are also served, either beside the swimming pool or in the in-house restaurant, so you can stay close to the hotel rather than turn a tired evening into a logistical exercise.

The cooking is Mediterranean Greek, built around olive oil from the owners' centuries-old trees, produce from their own production and ingredients from selected local producers. Vegetarian and vegan dishes use local products too. It is a clear sense of place, not a menu trying to impersonate every country at once.

There is one bar, serving coffee, soft drinks, alcoholic drinks, cocktails and mocktails. Wines come from local producers and selected labels from across Greece, while the cocktails and mocktails use fresh fruit from the hotel's own produce. Room service is available, and special-diet menus can be requested.

The large outdoor swimming pool is the obvious place to slow the day down. It is open from 1 April to 30 October and sits within the green mountain landscape, with sun loungers, umbrellas and pool or beach towels available. If your preferred post-adventure plan is horizontal and unambitious, the sun terrace and garden provide the necessary equipment in spirit, if not in technical diving terms.

Massage is available on site, and there is a shared lounge with a television for an easier evening. Walking tours, hiking and bike tours give you ways to explore the surrounding landscape without committing to a full expedition; bicycle hire and car hire are available too.

For a more cultural day, the hotel can connect your stay with places such as the Castle of Kritinia, Ancient Kamiros, the Temple of Ataviros Zeus, Monolithos Castle, Seven Springs, Butterfly Valley, Lindos Acropolis and Filerimos Hill. Temporary art galleries and evening entertainment are also part of the activities offered on site.

Rhodes International Airport is roughly 22 miles away by road, around a 35-minute drive. An airport shuttle is available to arrange with the hotel, and car hire is available on site. Free private parking is provided nearby without the need for a reservation, which is handy in a mountain village where arriving by car is likely to be the simplest option.

Check-in runs from 14:00 to 23:30 and check-out from 08:00 to 11:00. You need to provide photo identification and a credit card at check-in, and you should give the hotel your expected arrival time. Luggage storage and a tour desk are available, while express check-in and check-out can keep the transition between travel and holiday reasonably painless.

Children over two are welcome, with cots and extra beds available for some accommodation types. Smoking is not allowed, and quiet hours run from 01:00 to 07:00. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property, room service is available, and laundry can be arranged.