Sometimes relaxation has to happen quickly. When everyday life gets noisy, the to-do lists never end and you realize: now is the time to get away. It was clear to us that we needed a place that would slow us down immediately – without compromising on style, cuisine or comfort. A retreat that feels like a deep breath. Our choice fell on the Casa Cook Rhodes – a hotel that had been on our list for a long time. And one that not only met our expectations, but exceeded them.
Hidden between the mountains and the sea, on the edge of the small coastal town of Kolymbia, lies this adults-only retreat – and almost seems to become one with the landscape. Sand-colored buildings, crisscrossed by paths and streams, quiet courtyards and the scent of warm stone and herbs. Everything here breathes serenity and a well thought-out but unagitated style. Above all, the entire design is so restrained and close to nature, luxury is created by lots of space and the absence of things that crave attention. The clientele is young, chic and international.
The Casa Cook world is not new to us – we were already on Samos two years ago. But the concept continues to evolve. The group now has a total of 16 properties, originally conceived with great sensitivity by design professional Remo Masala for Thomas Cook, the brand now belongs to the real estate division of Goldman Sachs – but the feeling on site has remained the same: personal, attentive and authentic.
The property is larger than you might initially expect. It has a total of 119 rooms, which have been designed for life at a slower pace. Each category has a private veranda and direct access to a private or shared pool. When we booked, only the Loft Suite with veranda was available. A split-level room on the first floor with access to the pool and a huge Jacuzzi in the middle of the room. Frankly, we didn’t like this room 100%, in fact the large jacuzzi was not necessarily recognizable on the description pages. Thanks to the super friendly service team around Guest Relation Manager Tsampika, however, this was easily resolved and we were able to upgrade to a private villa with its own pool and garden.
We can recommend this category without reservation. Like the Prestige Suites with private pool, the villas are part of the newly built area of the resort, which was only completed in 2024. In addition to significantly more space and privacy (each villa has its own garden, enclosed by high walls and dense hedges with a sheltered view of the surrounding mountains or olive groves), the interior design is particularly impressive: high-quality materials, solid wood furniture and significantly more storage space make the difference noticeable. The pool is accessible via a stone staircase, whereas the older part is accessed via small ladders, which is of course not quite as practical.
If you get a little bored in your own villa or suite, it is only a few steps to the large pool area and the Olive Restaurant.
The Olive Restaurant is run by Lia, who greeted us by the pool with warm aplomb during our first few days. On the menu: delicious snacks for lunch, selected wines and a small, well-curated selection of cocktails.
However, the heart of the hotel beats in the Kitchen Club, which becomes a stage for fine flavors and quiet DJ sets in the evening. As in all Casa Cook hotels, the cuisine is a real highlight: breakfast combines a buffet with à la carte options, with the focus on Greek ingredients, homemade bread and fresh fruit. In the evening, half-board guests are served a menu with a choice of four courses. Of course, the restaurant is also open to all guests in the evening. Typical mezze can be selected from the extensive menu, whole fish are carved at the table and there is a large focus on grilled meat and seafood. It’s all good and coherent and fairly priced. A real highlight: the saganaki, breaded in panko and fried to an extremely crispy crust. Top! Also particularly nice: the personal service provided by Orestis and Klajdi, who quickly familiarized themselves with our preferences. The service concept is noticeably well thought out – friendly, attentive and pleasantly unagitated.
The town of Kolymbia itself is less charming: characterized by simple family hotels and water parks, little inspiration, little atmosphere. If you are mobile, you will find an excellent fish restaurant in nearby To Palio Nisaki at the old harbor. Lindos is also worth a visit – the cab ride there costs around 40 euros, but a rental car is still recommended.
The Casa Cook Rhodes is more than just a stylish hotel – it’s a place to take a deep breath. For a long weekend or even a week or two. For all those who appreciate aesthetics, pay attention to quality and know that true relaxation is no coincidence. The new private villas in particular set standards: understated luxury and plenty of privacy.
We are already looking forward to another visit to one of the Casa Cook hotels – the resorts in Egypt or the brand new Madonna concept in the Italian Alps are still new to discover.
