There are hotels that give you a comfortable place to sleep between island adventures. Then there are those that make you happily question whether you need to leave at all.
The Ixian Grand & All Suites is firmly in the second camp. Set directly on Ixia Beach on Rhodes’ west coast, this adults only five star resort has the Aegean Sea as its constant backdrop, alongside beautiful pools, excellent dining, a lovely spa and the kind of comfort that makes slowing down feel like the obvious choice.
If you are looking for a polished adults only escape in Rhodes, whether for a couples’ break, a celebration, a girls’ trip or simply a few days where your biggest decision is pool or beach, then read our full review of The Ixian Grand & All Suites below.
The hotel is around 15 minutes from Rhodes International Airport and approximately 6km from Rhodes’ UNESCO listed Medieval Old Town. It is well placed for exploring, but the real joy is that you can make this holiday as busy or as blissfully unproductive as you like.
For us, it was the suite, the sea view, the food and those small daily luxuries that made the stay feel especially memorable.
First Impressions: The Sea Is Always In View
The Ixian Grand makes the most of its setting. The Aegean is not a distant glimpse between buildings. It is the backdrop to almost everything.
From the pool, terrace, restaurants and beachfront suites, the sea is always there. It shifts from pale turquoise to deep blue through the day, then becomes the backdrop to some particularly lovely west coast sunsets.
Unlike some Rhodes hotels described as beachfront, The Ixian Grand sits directly beside Ixia Beach rather than across a main road. The beach is pebbled, with hotel loungers and shaded areas arranged along the water’s edge. It is an easy place to spend an afternoon, moving between the sea, the pool and a well timed cocktail.
The hotel feels particularly well suited to couples, friends travelling together and celebratory escapes. It is adults only, but it is not hushed or overly formal. There is enough life around the main pool and in the evenings to give the hotel a real sense of atmosphere, while the suites and garden areas offer quieter pockets when you want a slower pace.
Is The Beachfront Grand Suite Worth It?
In one word, absolutely!
We stayed in the Beachfront Grand Suite Sea View with a Private Rooftop Pool, and it set the tone for the entire trip. The suite is generously sized and thoughtfully designed, spanning across two floors. It features a king size bed, lounge area, walk-in wardrobe and large bathroom.
The standout feature, without question, is the view.
Every morning began with the Aegean in front of us. The light on the water changes constantly, and it is the sort of view that never becomes background scenery, however many times you look at it.
The bathroom has a large bath positioned beside a huge window looking straight out to sea. It is a very convincing reason to take your time getting ready for dinner. A bath with that panorama feels properly special, and turns an ordinary end of day routine into one of the best parts of the stay!
Upstairs, the private rooftop pool added another level of escapism. The bright blue water of the pool against the larger expanse of sea below is beautiful, particularly in the early morning and late afternoon. It also gives you the privacy to disappear from the main resort whenever you fancy it.
The Beachfront Swim up Sea View Grand Suites are equally striking. These ground floor suites offer direct access to a long pool that runs in front of the rooms. If stepping straight from your terrace into the water appeals, they are a brilliant option. For the added privacy and elevated views, though, I would choose the rooftop pool suite again.
There is a welcome range of rooms across the property. Guests can choose from inland view rooms, garden and sea view Deluxe Rooms, spa bath rooms, garden swim up rooms, private pool suites and beachfront suite categories. That range makes the hotel work for different budgets and styles of stay.
If you can upgrade to a suite, though, I think it is well worth it. The added space, beautiful setting and access to the suite restaurant make it feel like a different level of holiday.
A few details that made the room even better:
- The minibar was restocked daily.
- There was a coffee machine in the suite.
- Room service made leisurely mornings very easy.
- We enjoyed crepes and coffee one morning while watching the first waves roll in. It was hard to find a reason to leave after that.
What Is There To Do When You Don’t Want To Do Very Much?
As it turns out…quite a lot!
The hotel has two main outdoor pool areas. The principal pool is closest to the beach and is where much of the daytime energy sits. Blue Pool Bar is close by for cocktails, soft drinks and light bites, so there is no need to interrupt a very serious sunbathing schedule.
The second pool is set further into the gardens, surrounded by white architecture, arches and domes. It is calmer, quieter and a little more tucked away.
The contrast between the pools and the sea is one of the hotel’s most photogenic features. The blue water, pale stone and deeper Aegean beyond all work beautifully together. From the beachfront suites, it makes a particularly striking view.
The sun loungers deserve a mention too. They are properly padded and comfortable enough to spend several hours on, which is not a minor detail at a beach hotel.
When evening comes, there is varying live music overlooking the pool. It creates a gentle sense of occasion without turning the night into a production. The entertainment that works perfectly with a cocktail in hand and a table by the water.
Cocktails, Dining And The Joy Of Having Options
One risk of an all inclusive hotel is that dining can become repetitive after a few days. The Ixian Grand avoids that well, with four restaurants, two bars and a snack option that makes it easy to change things up.
Vis a Vis is the main restaurant, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner in a buffet format. It is modern and spacious, with views towards the gardens and pools. The selection is broad, combining Greek dishes with international choices, fresh salads, grilled vegetables, fish, meats and plenty of desserts.
For something more traditionally Greek, Milonges is the Mediterranean à la carte restaurant beside the main pool. It is a lovely place for a relaxed lunch or dinner, serving mezze, local ingredients, grilled dishes and Greek wines.
Muza Htista offers something completely different. The restaurant focuses on Nikkei cuisine, bringing together Japanese and Peruvian influences. Think sushi, ceviche and bright, fresh flavours. It is a great choice when you fancy a break from Mediterranean dishes – doubtful of that though!
Then there is Alazonia, reserved for suite guests. It is more intimate and more considered, with a calm atmosphere that makes it particularly lovely at breakfast. The floor to ceiling windows offer spectacular views, and if you time it well, you can enjoy dinner whilst watching the sun go down.
For daytime cravings, the snack bar near Milonges is ideal for easy choices such as gyros, paninis, salads and ice cream.
The cocktails were lovely throughout our stay. Blue Pool Bar is naturally the place to go during the day, while Truman’s Lobby Bar has a slightly more polished evening feel.
There is an all inclusive drinks menu as well as a separate signature cocktail list. We were pleasantly surprised to see that the all inclusive menu offered a wide range of good quality cocktails, ranging from mojitos and pornstar martinis to negronis.
The Claude Bosi Dinner Was A Real Highlight
The standout dining moment of our stay was a special event at Milonges with Claude Bosi, the two Michelin starred Chef Director of Brooklands by Claude Bosi at The Peninsula London.
It was an exciting addition to the hotel’s dining programme, but what made it especially memorable was being able to see Bosi and his team cooking. Watching the team at work gave the evening a real sense of access and theatre. This was not simply a famous chef’s name printed on a menu.
The meal balanced refined French technique with ingredients and flavours that still felt right for a Mediterranean setting.
It began with marinated tomato, smoked goat curd and verbena, followed by codfish with lemon thyme, capers, sea lettuce and shellfish. The main course brought together lamb loin and belly with romesco and mint.
Dessert was equally considered. First came a candied lemon posset with Greek basil ice cream, followed by floating island with fig leaf custard and black cardamom caramel. Passion fruit pâte de fruit and nougat completed the meal.
There was also an optional Greek wine pairing featuring Alpha Estate rosé, Sauvignon Blanc Fumé and Xinomavro red. It was a smart choice, grounding an internationally celebrated chef’s menu in the country we were visiting.
Enjoying it close to the Aegean, within the hotel’s relaxed evening atmosphere, made it even more distinctive. What’s not to love?
Is There A Spa? Yes, And Make Time For It
The spa is another compelling reason to put your plans on hold.
The spa offers a range of massages, facials, beauty treatments and wellness packages. There is also an indoor heated pool, which is particularly welcome if you are visiting in spring or autumn, as well as an on site gym.
Do I Need To Leave The Hotel?
There is no pressure to. That is rather the point.
With room service, restaurants, bars, pools, beach access, live music and a spa on site, The Ixian Grand works brilliantly for guests who want a proper switch off break.
But if you do feel like exploring, you are well placed. Ixia has nearby bars, restaurants, pharmacies and everyday essentials within easy reach. Rhodes Old Town is close enough for an easy afternoon or evening visit, with medieval streets, harbour views and the Palace of the Grand Masters.
We spent a day in Lindos, around 46km away, and it was well worth the journey. Its narrow, winding streets are filled with little shops, cafés and whitewashed buildings, while the Acropolis rises dramatically above the village.
After wandering through the streets, we headed down to the rocky beach, where the water was beautifully clear.
Returning to the hotel afterwards was part of the pleasure. There is something satisfying about a day out that ends with a cocktail beside the pool, a sea view from your suite and no need to think about where dinner will be!
The Verdict
The Ixian Grand & All Suites offers a very easy kind of luxury. It is not trying too hard to feel ultra exclusive or overly formal. Instead, it does the fundamentals of a great Greek island stay exceptionally well: a true beachfront position, wide Aegean views, good food, a strong variety of rooms, beautiful pool areas and enough choice to make the holiday your own.
The suites are the real star. The private rooftop pool, bath overlooking the Aegean, restocked minibar, in room coffee and slow breakfasts on the terrace all made the stay feel indulgent in a way that was relaxed rather than showy.
If you are looking for an adults only Rhodes escape where you can explore the island one day and barely leave your suite the next, this is a very convincing choice.
FAQs
Where is The Ixian Grand & All Suites?
The hotel is directly on Ixia Beach, on the west coast of Rhodes, Greece.
Which sea does The Ixian Grand overlook?
The hotel overlooks the Aegean Sea.
Is The Ixian Grand adults only?
Yes. It is an adults only five star resort.
How far is the hotel from Rhodes Airport?
Rhodes International Airport is around 7km away, or approximately a 15 minute drive.
How far is Rhodes Old Town?
Rhodes’ Medieval Old Town is about 6km from the hotel.
Can you visit Lindos from The Ixian Grand?
Yes. Lindos is around 46km away and makes an excellent day trip by car.
Which rooms are best for sea views?
The Beachfront Grand Suite Sea View with Private Rooftop Pool and Beachfront Swim up Sea View Grand Suite are the standout options.
Does the hotel offer different room types?
Yes. There are inland view rooms, garden and sea view Deluxe Rooms, swim up rooms, private pool suites and beachfront sea view suites.
What restaurants are at The Ixian Grand?
Vis a Vis is the main buffet restaurant. Milonges serves Greek and Mediterranean cuisine, Muza Htista offers Peruvian and Japanese Nikkei cooking, and Alazonia is reserved for suite guests.
Is there a spa and gym?
Yes. The hotel has a spa offering treatments, an indoor heated pool and a gym.
Does The Ixian Grand offer evening entertainment?
Yes. There is live music in the evenings overlooking the pool area.
Ready To Discover The Ixian Grand & All Suites? If an adults-only Rhodes escape with Aegean Sea views, beachfront access, private pools and exceptional dining sounds like your kind of getaway, then start planning your next Greek island escape today.
