Your stay — 12 Islands
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The Property — 12 Islands
Standing in the lobby, you feel the no-frills Fifties charm: terrazzo floors, sun-faded canvas chairs, a small reception desk stacked with local bus timetables. The 12 Islands is a solid 3-star beachfront hotel on the northern coast of Rodos town, a 20-minute walk from the old city walls. Its USP is genuine unpretentiousness – a clean, quiet base for travellers who want to spend their days out and need a decent pool and sea views without the resort markup. Best suited to couples and solo travellers on a budget who value location over luxury.
Chronicles of Rodos
Rodos town was founded in 408 BC by the ancient Greek city-states of Ialyssos, Kamiros and Lindos, who united to build a planned urban grid on the island's northern tip. Its medieval Old Town – a UNESCO World Heritage site – was shaped by the Knights of St John from 1309 to 1522, who fortified it with moats, ramparts and the Palace of the Grand Master. Ottoman rule from 1522 added minarets and hammams, while the Italian occupation in the 20th century introduced rationalist public buildings and the rhododendron-lined Mandraki harbour. Today the city remains a layered palimpsest: Byzantine churches, mosques and a bustling market co-exist with tourist shops, and the local year-round culture thrives on coffee, tavernas and a slow Mediterranean pace.
Best Time to Visit
Full Rodos guide →Best months
May and October – daytime temperatures hover around 24°C, the sea is swimmable but the streets are half-empty, making it easy to explore the Old Town without queues.
Peak / festival surge
July and August; temperatures regularly hit 33°C, cruise ships crowd the harbour, and Greek families flood in for summer holidays. Hotel prices double from June levels, driven by European school breaks and Rodos town's big event: the Medieval Rose Festival (late May–early June) sometimes extends into August with knight tournaments and street theatre.
Budget shoulder season
April and November offer 20–22°C, frequent blue skies and hotel rates roughly 40% lower than July. You get the Old Town nearly to yourself, though some beach clubs and non-chain tavernas close by mid-November.
Weather & packing
The Meltemi wind often whips up from the north in July afternoons, making the sea choppy but cooling the air. Pack a light windbreaker for evening harbour walks and a quick-dry sarong or towel for the beach – hotel towels are tiny and for the pool only.
Live City Briefing — Rodos
- The Rodos town marina is currently closed for a two-year renovation (until 2027), so all yacht berthing has moved to Kolymbia harbour, 25 km south. This means less footfall around Mandraki's waterfront bars this summer.
- A new direct bus line (route 101) now runs from the airport to the old town's Plateia Rimini every 30 minutes during daylight hours, bypassing the regular city bus. It costs €2.50 one way and saves 15 minutes on the old route.
- Several Old Town streets – including Ippoton and Sokratous – are undergoing cobblestone repairs and drainage upgrades through October 2026. Expect daytime detours and some noise from 8am to 3pm in the southeastern quadrant.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to 12 Islands, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the 2nd or 3rd floor with a side or rear orientation, away from the main road. Higher floors reduce street-level noise and offer better sea glimpses towards the bay.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid ground-floor rooms and any facing the street directly. Ground floor suffers foot traffic, luggage noise, and potential street-level interruptions.
Best views
Upper floors on the side or rear of the hotel: partial sea views over low-rise buildings, or a quieter outlook over the local neighbourhood and gardens.
Quietest floors
Floors 2 and 3. No lift in a 3-star hotel means less foot traffic and noise from other guests.
🔊 Noise notes
Street-facing rooms get traffic rumble from the main coastal road, especially during summer evenings and early mornings when deliveries and tour buses pass.
Insider tips
Check in early or request a late check-out to secure a quiet room, as the hotel has no lift and higher floors are more work for staff to service. If you drive, park behind the hotel (ask reception) to avoid the street-facing spots which can be blocked by tour coaches.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — 12 Islands
Free WiFi throughout hotel. Speed approx. 15 Mbps download, stable for browsing and video calls. No login credentials needed; connects automatically on device.
One lift serving all three guest floors. No stairs-only sections, but the lift is narrow (max 2 people or one suitcase per trip).
No physical newspapers. Digital newsstand is not available. Two Greek daily papers at reception desk for reading on site only.
Standard check-in from 14:00. Early bag drop allowed from 11:00 (free). Late check-out until 13:00 for €30; after 13:00 charged full night.
Free of charge at reception. Secure room for luggage; ask at desk for storage after check-out.
No step-free access at main entrance (one step up to lobby). No wheelchair-accessible rooms. Not suitable for guests with mobility impairments.
No on-site parking. Nearest public car park: 'Rodos Marina' parking lot, 200 m south, €10 per 24 hours. No EV charging on or near property.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: Hotel occupancy tax: €1.50 per room per night. Paid at check-in.
Deposit & card hold: First night charged at booking. €50 incidental hold on credit card at check-in.
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Oapos Georgios (700 m · ~9 min walk)
- Church: Άγιος Νικόλαος (1.3 km · ~16 min walk)
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 174 m · ~2 min walk
Edem Hellenic Market — 487 m · ~6 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Euro, EUR
ATMs are everywhere and give the best rates; avoid exchange bureaux at the airport and tourist spots like Rhodes Town due to poor rates and high commissions.
Cards are widely accepted in Rodos Town and tourist areas, but many small shops and tavernas in the old town prefer cash; contactless is common.
Not expected but appreciated: round up the bill in restaurants (5-10% if service was good), leave small change for taxis, tip hotel porters €1-2.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A plain Greek coffee or freddo espresso at any local kafeneio or bakery cafe costs around €2-3.
A gyros pita from a takeaway spot is the standard budget lunch, about €3.50-4.50.
A main course of moussaka, souvlaki or grilled fish at a simple taverna runs €10-15.
Gyros and souvlaki pitas from small shops along the main streets of Rhodes Old Town and New Town are the cheapest eats, especially around the market area.
Supermarket chains like LIDL, AB Vassilopoulos and Sklavenitis are common and cheaper than corner minimarkets.
For affordable clothes, head to the H&M or Zara in the New Town mall; for cheap souvenirs and beachwear, the shops along Orfanidou Street or the Old Town market stalls.
Local bus (KTEL) rides within the island are the cheapest way, about €1.80-2.50 per trip; from the airport, the public bus to Rodos Town costs €2.50 (a taxi is €25-30).
Eat where locals eat, away from the main tourist drag in Rhodes Old Town. Fill up water bottles from public fountains (tap water is drinkable on Rhodes). Buy your own sunscreen and drinks at a supermarket instead of beach bars.
Good to know — Rodos
Type C/F · 230V
safe
$1 ≈ €0.88 · EUR
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Rodos, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at 12 Islands
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 174 m · ~2 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Olympic Palace Resort, Ixia → Rhodes Town (Mandriaki harbour)
💡 This line runs right along the coast road. Get off at 'Akti Miaouli' for the old town walls or 'Plateia Eleftherias' for the main shopping. Pay the driver, no ticket needed.
Rodos City Centre Terminus → Rodos Paradise Villa area (stop: Pefki Street)
💡 The bus drops you 5 mins walk from the villa. Check the last departure time—return after 8pm requires a taxi. Timetables are posted at the terminus, rarely updated online.
Akti Miaouli stop (100m from Elakati) → Faliraki Beach
💡 The same bus continues to Anthony Quinn Bay and Ladiko Beach—get off at the 'Faliraki Center' stop for the main beach. Return buses tend to fill up by 17:00; catch one before 16:00 to get a seat.
Stella's Country Home (Koskinou) → Rodos Town (Mandráki)
💡 Catch the bus from the main road (Leoforos Kallitheas) — it's a 5-min walk from Stella's. Buses run later in summer; check the timetable at the stop as it changes seasonally.
Olympic Palace Resort, Ixia → Rhodes Town centre
💡 Call a taxi via 22410 24300 — they arrive in under 10 minutes. A ride from the hotel to the old town usually costs €10-12; confirm the fare before getting in.
Stella's Country Home (Koskinou) → Rodos Town Centre
💡 Use the 'Rodos Taxi' app or call +30 22410 65000 to flag one. For a flat rate, agree the fare before getting in — drivers often quote €15-18 for tourists, but locals pay €10-12.
Stegna Village Stop → Rodos Town (Mandriki stop)
💡 The bus runs along the coast road — sit on the left for sea views. It stops near the old town entrance, not the bus station.
Diagoras Airport (RHO) → Avenue of the Sea stop near Olympic Palace
💡 The bus stop is 150m left of arrivals. Buy a ticket from the kiosk at the stop or the driver if no kiosk; exact change helps. The hotel is a 5-min walk from the 'Rhodes City' side of the stop.
Airport Bus Stop (outside arrivals) → Mandraki Bus Stop (near Elakati)
💡 Buy a ticket from the kiosk inside arrivals—cash only. The bus drops you about 800m north of the hotel along the coast, so walk south along Akti Miaouli for 10 minutes.
Rhodes International Airport → Stella's Country Home (Koskinou stop)
💡 Bus number 01 or 02 from the airport stop outside arrivals. Get off at 'Koskinou Square' — Stella's is a 10-min walk uphill. Have small change ready, the driver doesn't give change.
Diagoras Airport Bus Stop → Rodos City Centre (nearest stop to villa: Rhodes Town Terminus)
💡 No direct bus to the villa—you’ll need a taxi from the terminus, which adds €10–15. The bus is cash only, exact change recommended. Buy ticket from driver.
Rodos Airport Bus Stop → Stegna Village Stop (near B&B)
💡 Get off at the Stegna signpost, not the main road — it's a 10-minute walk downhill. The bus can be crowded in July, so have coins ready for the driver.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at 12 Islands?
Request a room on the 2nd or 3rd floor with a side or rear orientation, away from the main road. Higher floors reduce street-level noise and offer better sea glimpses towards the bay.
Which rooms should I avoid at 12 Islands?
Avoid ground-floor rooms and any facing the street directly. Ground floor suffers foot traffic, luggage noise, and potential street-level interruptions.
Is 12 Islands noisy?
Street-facing rooms get traffic rumble from the main coastal road, especially during summer evenings and early mornings when deliveries and tour buses pass.
Which rooms have the best views at 12 Islands?
Upper floors on the side or rear of the hotel: partial sea views over low-rise buildings, or a quieter outlook over the local neighbourhood and gardens.
What are insider tips for staying at 12 Islands?
Check in early or request a late check-out to secure a quiet room, as the hotel has no lift and higher floors are more work for staff to service. If you drive, park behind the hotel (ask reception) to avoid the street-facing spots which can be blocked by tour coaches.
What time is check-in at 12 Islands?
Check-in at 12 Islands is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does 12 Islands have Wi-Fi?
Free WiFi throughout hotel. Speed approx. 15 Mbps download, stable for browsing and video calls. No login credentials needed; connects automatically on device.
Is there a city or tourist tax at 12 Islands?
Hotel occupancy tax: €1.50 per room per night. Paid at check-in.
Where can I eat cheaply near 12 Islands?
A gyros pita from a takeaway spot is the standard budget lunch, about €3.50-4.50.
What is the cheapest way to get around from 12 Islands?
Local bus (KTEL) rides within the island are the cheapest way, about €1.80-2.50 per trip; from the airport, the public bus to Rodos Town costs €2.50 (a taxi is €25-30).
When is the best time to visit Rodos?
May and October – daytime temperatures hover around 24°C, the sea is swimmable but the streets are half-empty, making it easy to explore the Old Town without queues.
Top Attractions in Rodos
💡 Come at dawn or dusk for photos without crowds. The lanterns look magical after sunset, and the architecture is best seen without souvenir stalls in the way.
💡 Go early morning before 09:00 for photos without crowds. The nearby Jewish Quarter has fewer tourists.
💡 Walk it at dusk when the street lamps glow and most tourists have left. Look for the carved coats of arms above each inn doorway.
💡 Sunset from the pier is excellent. Bring water shoes if you want to wade. The fish market nearby is lively at 08:00.
💡 Best light for photos is just before sunset. Grab a cheap souvlaki from a harbour-side kiosk and sit on the rocks near the windmills.
💡 Start at the Liberty Gate end; the path is mostly flat and takes about 40 minutes. Good for early morning.
💡 Climb at sunset for clear views over the bay and modern city. No ticket needed.
💡 Bring bread for the peacocks – they'll follow you. It's a 20-minute walk from the centre or a cheap bus ride (€1.20).