Ella Elissa

On the waterfront at Kallithea, Ella Elissa is an adults only retreat where 15 freshwater pools, contemporary Rhodian architecture and a collection of sea facing spaces create an unusually expansive resort just outside Rhodes Town.

Water is everywhere at Elissa. Rather than gathering life around one enormous central pool, the resort uses a series of pools to break up its 209 rooms, suites and bungalows into smaller pockets, with gardens, terraces and low rise buildings stepping gradually towards the coast. The result is a hotel that feels far more intimate as you move through it than its size might suggest.

The architecture takes its cues from Rhodes without attempting to recreate the past, combining stone, pale surfaces and warm natural tones with clean contemporary interiors. Shaded pathways and planted courtyards soften the transition between different parts of the resort, while verandas and open terraces draw attention back towards the water. It is a particularly effective layout for an adults only hotel, giving guests plenty of choice over where and how they spend the day.

Rooms & Suites

Rooms and suites continue that emphasis on outdoor living, with private terraces and views towards the gardens, pools or sea. Deluxe Rooms keep things simple and spacious, while Sea View categories make the most of the resort’s position on the east coast and the changing light across the water.

The Junior Suites introduce more generous living space, with selected categories opening directly onto shared pools. These are among the most appealing choices at Elissa, particularly the Sea View versions where the pool becomes an extension of the terrace and the coast remains visible beyond.

Open Plan Suites sit at the top of the collection, including a Sea View option with shared pool access and a distinctive suite combining its shared pool with a private sauna. These categories work especially well for guests planning to spend a significant part of the day around their own accommodation rather than always heading towards the main pool areas.

Dining

Four restaurants give evenings at Elissa plenty of variety. Fanes is the main dining room and the natural starting point at breakfast, while the other venues each take a more defined direction as the day progresses, allowing dinner to feel different from one evening to the next.

Kavos makes the most of its position close to the water with seafood at the centre of the menu, while Fournoi turns towards the grill and the flavours of the Mediterranean. Masari changes direction again with Asian influences, adding another dimension to a dining collection that also includes menus developed with Michelin starred chef Alex Tsiotinis.

Three bars carry the day from coffee through to late evening, with drinks available around the pool as well as within the main hotel. The choice of settings is a real strength here, particularly around sunset when the terraces and waterfront become natural places to linger before dinner.

Experience

The 15 freshwater pools are the feature that really defines Elissa. Spread across the resort rather than concentrated in one place, they create different areas for swimming, sunbathing and quieter afternoons, while shared pool accommodation gives some guests an even more private version of the experience.

The beach adds another dimension immediately in front of the resort, with water sports available for days that call for something more active. Tennis and organised experiences provide further options, but there is an appealing freedom in simply moving between the sea, pools and shaded gardens without needing much of a plan.

Rhodes Town is close enough to become part of the stay rather than a full day excursion. An afternoon wandering through the medieval streets followed by dinner back at Elissa works particularly well, giving the resort a connection to one of the Mediterranean’s most fascinating historic cities while preserving the space and ease of a coastal retreat.

Wellness

Ella Wellness & Spa is substantial enough to warrant proper time during the stay, with an indoor pool, hammam, sauna and dedicated treatment spaces creating a complete wellness environment away from the outdoor pools and beach. A fitness centre adds another option for guests who prefer to keep some routine while travelling.

The spa also provides a welcome change of pace after a morning in Rhodes Town or a long day beside the water, with its quieter atmosphere offering a natural pause before the resort begins to shift towards the evening.

Where

Ella Elissa is located at Kallithea on the east coast of Rhodes, approximately 7 kilometres from Rhodes Town and its UNESCO listed medieval centre, with Rhodes International Airport around 17 kilometres away.

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