How I Swapped a Standard Room for a Private Pool in Rhodes
I’ve always liked stretching a season past its supposed ‘end’. There’s something about a near-empty hotel, the last of the sun, the final late lunches — it’s like getting a secret version of a place, just for you. That’s exactly how Rhodes turned out for me last November.
I checked in to Cook’s Club Ialysos — a good-looking, adults-only spot tucked on the northwest coast of the island, about ten minutes from the airport and twenty from Rhodes Town. If you like your hotels with a bit of design cred but without blowing half your mortgage, this is the sweet spot. Think chill beach club energy, decent DJs, strong cocktails, surprisingly good food, and just enough buzz to remind you you’re not entirely off-grid.
My booking was for a standard room. I left with a private pool.
How? No mystery really — just a bit of polite hustle. I emailed ahead with a short proposal, pitched a content swap, and asked about upgrade options. A week later I was floating around my own plunge pool pretending it was my office (it was, actually — the Wi-Fi held up, the daybeds were better than my desk chair at home, and I answered emails in swimwear which I strongly recommend).
The room itself was simple but smart, with an earthy, design-led feel — nothing flashy, but all the right details: neutral tones, natural textures, and a bed I didn’t want to crawl out of. The big sliding doors opened straight onto my private pool, creating a seamless flow between indoors and out. Around the main fresh-water pool, the loungers are seriously stylish, and the oversized bean bags add a playful, ridiculously comfortable touch — perfect for working with a laptop or sinking into a long read.
And the food? Surprisingly good for a hotel that leans more beach club than fine dining. One of my best afternoons was spent half-sunk in a lounger, fork-twirling an absurdly good bowl of pasta by the pool — just garlicky enough, perfectly al dente, the kind of plate that you end up ordering multiple times in the same visit.
A quick note if you’re planning your own escape here: yes, it can get a little lively. The DJs spin poolside most afternoons — a bonus if you like your emails with a beat, less so if you’re on a client call. But it’s not full-on club vibes; it’s more curated playlists and cold rosé than all-night blowouts. Grown-up but laid-back — just how I like it. I am absolutely not a party-girl (anymore) so I truly appreciated the remoteness of this place.
One afternoon I swapped my pool for a pilgrimage to Lindos — you probably know the postcards: whitewashed houses stacked up a hill, the acropolis above it all. It’s dreamy, cliché or not. I highly recommend hiring a car — it’s the best way to zig-zag around the island on your own time. But since I was travelling solo and, well, don’t drive (don’t ask), I booked myself onto a little tour instead (yes, they still run in November). Really, they just drive you there, feed you plenty of island intel en route, and scoop you up later — easy. There’s also a bus stop just outside the hotel if you fancy going fully local.
The real highlight though is Tambakio — a beach club and restaurant tucked into St. Paul’s Bay, right beneath the chapel. My uncle got married there twenty years ago, so walking down felt like flipping through an old family album (plus, it’s cat heaven — if you know, you know). Stella was outrageously jealous.
Practical bit: if you go, grab a taxi to the top of the hill, wear shoes you can actually walk in (steep steps, no regrets), and if you’re feeling fancy, flag a beach buggy back up after your last glass of wine.
Other than that, Rhodes does what Greek islands do best — slow lunches by the sea, a little castle-hopping, a lot of aimless wandering through old towns that smell like jasmine and grilled fish. By November, the shutters start to close, but that also means quieter beaches, better deals, and staff who haven’t checked out mentally just yet. Mine were still smiling, still topping up drinks, and not at all ready to pack up for winter.
Work, tan, nap, repeat — with the odd cat cameo and a pinch of nostalgia thrown in. Not bad for a week’s ‘office’.
A few takeaways if you’re in the industry
Don’t be afraid to pitch for perks. A simple, well-worded email can turn an entry-level room into your very own private pool suite. Hotels need travel agents — you bring insider knowledge, booking power, and content creation skills that money can’t buy.
They’d be foolish not to roll out the red carpet for you.
Off-season stays are gold for content creation — fewer guests, more access, and grateful staff open to collaborations. I always book my research trips off-peak.
Places like Cook’s Club show how you can balance atmosphere and affordability without cheapening the vibe — one to watch if you’re shaping your own brand experience.
If you want my packing list, cat count, or a deep dive on how to create images like I’ve shared in this journal — you know where to find me.
