Capsis Hotel

When we visited Rhodes we stayed at the Capsis Hotel, one of the World championship official hotels. The first impression of the resort, considered 5-star, with several pools, gym, games and even entertainment room, is good. The rooms are clean and plenty of food, but the first problems appear when taking the elevator at meal times. Not to mention the lines for the buffet… And a deckchair by the pool? Only if you get there by 6 a.m.! Our conclusion was that it was too big and needed refurbishing. But if you are expecting a good 3-star hotel and don’t mind the crowd, the hotel is worth it and top marks go to the service. The staff members are friendly, dedicated and tireless.

Another official championship hotel is the “Rodos Palace Luxury Convention Resort” – much more luxurious and next to the Capsis. The General Meeting, Main Match registration and closing party will be held there. We didn’t have a look at the rooms but the social areas are attractive, well cared for and the convention room is fabulous. With three pools, 18 restaurants and several bars, the hotel has different room categories, including suites with private pools.

Rhodos Palace Luxury Convention Resort

Both are on Ixia beach just over six miles from the airport, nine miles from the stand and almost two miles from the town of Rhodes. The beach isn’t the most attractive but the water is crystal-clear, like everywhere around the island, in fact. A drugstore, a small food store and several restaurants and bars are some minutes away on foot. According to the information published on the championship site (http://www.wsh2011.org/), transport from and to the airport and shooting stand will only be guaranteed if the reservation is made through the event organizers.

Other Options

Hibiscus Hotel

And for anyone who’s not too happy about these two hotels, there are more than a hundred others close to the stand. One particular feature is that practically all offer the “all inclusive” system, with wristband, including in the package even alcoholic beverages, but there is the option of half-board. For those who wish to be in the hub of things, we suggest a hotel in the town of Rhodes close to the harbor, casino and aquarium. We visited some hotels there, for example the Hotel Mediterranean, with simple rooms and a small pool, but very clean. Another was the Aquarium view, very simple and no pool, but the pool of the slightly more up-market neighboring Cactus Hotel can be used. And lastly, the Hibiscus Hotel, also in front of the beach.

Vallian Village Bungalows

If you don’t mind being farther away and are focusing solely on the championship, we discovered the Vallian Village Bungalows, two or three minutes by car from the Range, very cheap and with a good pool.  The rooms and bathrooms are extremely simple but the hotel also offers meals and its seemed to be impeccably clean.

Back to Ixia beach, site of the two official hotels, where there is the largest concentration of 4 and 5-star hotels. The Sheraton needs no introduction and seems to be new or refurbished. It is considered by many to be the best in the region. Aquis Miramare Wonderland with its bungalows pleased many shooters. The veranda of its main restaurant, next to the sea, has a breathtaking view but the hotel is so big that a little train runs through the premises.

The Ixian Grand Suites

If your bungalow is far from reception and the little train doesn’t go by when you want, you have to walk at least 10 minutes to reach the exit. Our favorites were the modern, sophisticated 5-star “The Ixian Grand Suites” with extremely good taste, suites with private pools, like the Rodos Palace, but much smaller and less noisy; and the recently refurbished 4-star Avra Beach Resort, which also has family bungalows for four people. This hotel belongs to a Greek shooter and, in fact, has special rates for the championship period.

But if you prefer to stay at a more fashionable and attractive beach, stay in Faliraki. The distance to the stand is the same, but you will be on the other side of the island close to places like Anthony Quinn Bay, Ladiko and Tsambika beaches, and 18 miles from Lindos. There are a number of hotels along the shore. We thought the best was the recently refurbished and very charming Faliraki Beach Hotel.