A fabulous and historical place, a fabulous restaurant, a fabulous hostess, an efficient husband, an oriental dream in a romantic garden. This hotel is much much more than it seems. Thank you !

We just returned from a two week stay in Greece and the Marco Polo Mansion was an exceptional hotel. The proprietors, Efi and Spiros, took great pains to make all their guests comfortable and welcome. The rooms were spacious, the decor eye-catching. Efi even took it upon herself to contact Olympic Airlines when our flight was cancelled. The restaurant was the best we found in Greece, bar none. Efi's combination of traditional Greek and Italian cuisine was fantastic. Without a doubt, the place to stay in Old Rhodes.

unique in rhodes, one of the very few left in whole world...

From the moment you step out of the cobbled laneway and into its quaint garden of lemon and orange trees, Marco Polo Mansion promises a warm and friendly stay. Owners Efi and Spiros Dede have lovingly refurbished this former Turkish mansion into a homely Mediterranean villa. The walls are awash with earthy tones of yellows, blues and reds, and the many pieces of Greek and Byzantine art dotted about the property serve as a reminder of its complex and intriguing history. The rooms are spotlessly clean and comfortable and the bathrooms spacious. The garden is beautifully decorated with colourful plants, flowers and fresh herbs.

Breakfast is an indulgent affair and is served in the shade of the pretty courtyard. It comprises various teas, coffee, fresh fruits, orange juice, cereals, thick Greek yoghurt, homemade jams and numerous pastries and breads. The courtyard doubles as a dining area in the evenings, where the local residents’ constant presence is testament to the quality of Efi’s home cooking. There is no menu card: the options are reeled off by mouth at each table. Spiros is indeed fanatical about the delightful Greek menu, a changing spread of tasty starters, mains and desserts, which promises to satisfy even the fussiest of palates. Should you have trouble deciding, Spiros (who I forgot to mention is actually Billy Crystal’s long-lost identical twin) will be more than happy to make suggestions. My favourites were the oven-baked feta with tomato and spicy red pepper, lemon-marinated courgette strips stuffed with creamy ricotta and pine nuts, lamb souvlaki with orange and honey glaze, canapés of pork fillet topped with Manouri cheese and figs, or how about sweet fruit-stuffed ravioli for dessert? Have three or four of these courses, guzzling nice local white wine, enjoy multiple limoncellos or similar digestifs afterwards (or perhaps a sweet Muscat dessert wine) and the bill will come to 20 euro. Dine here once and you simply won’t want to eat anywhere else on the island!

Efi and Spiros have nurtured this family-run pension since 1999: their genuine charm surpassed only by their insatiable appetite for hard work. They buzz around endlessly to ensure that every need of their guests is met, jumping effortlessly between Greek, Italian and English, doting but not overbearing. Their passion for hospitality is clear to any who cross their threshold.

We were attending a conference in Rhodes and decided to get away from the mundane western style hotels too frequently on offer at such events. I have long been a fan of The Family-run Guesthouse, and my admiration of places like Marco Polo and its proprietors is only bolstered by this recent experience. To those of you who insist on room service, air-conditioning and mints on the pillows: stay at home. Why do you bother traveling at all?

Thank you Efi and Spiros for a most wonderful stay. After just 4 nights I felt like I was bidding farewell to my own family. I hope to return soon and sip wine once more in your pretty little courtyard!

Leo Galvin,
Dublin, Ireland