Villa il Vecchio Cortile

Hotel Description

You know what surprised me most about Villa il Vecchio Cortile? The name literally means “old courtyard” in Italian, and honestly, that’s exactly what you get – but in the best possible way. This place sits right on Stratigou Zisi street, which I’ll admit took me three attempts to pronounce correctly, but it’s actually perfectly positioned just inside the medieval walls of Rhodes Old Town. When I first walked through those heavy wooden doors, I wasn’t expecting much from the street view, but then you step into this gorgeous stone courtyard that feels like someone’s elegant private home from centuries ago. The whole place has this authentic weathered-stone vibe that you just can’t fake – I mean, you’re literally staying inside a piece of history here.

What really gets me is how they’ve managed to keep that old-world charm without making you feel like you’re roughing it. The rooms have these thick stone walls that actually keep things cool during those brutal Rhodes summer afternoons (trust me, you’ll appreciate this when it’s 95 degrees outside), and the beds are genuinely comfortable – not just “for a historic property” comfortable. The staff seems to know everyone who walks through the door, which initially felt a bit overwhelming, but then you realize they’re just genuinely excited to help you figure out the best route to Mandraki Harbor or where to grab the freshest seafood without paying tourist prices. Parking can be a bit tricky since you’re right in the Old Town – there’s really nowhere to leave a car nearby, but honestly, once you’re here you won’t need one anyway. Everything worth seeing is either a five-minute walk or a short hop on one of those local buses.

I’ve stayed at plenty of places with higher star ratings that felt completely soulless, but Villa il Vecchio Cortile has this warmth that comes from being family-run for what feels like generations. The breakfast courtyard becomes this lovely little social hub in the mornings – you’ll find yourself chatting with other travelers over strong Greek coffee and homemade pastries that are definitely not from some industrial supplier. The 9.5 rating makes complete sense when you’re actually there; it’s not trying to be a luxury resort, but what it does, it does exceptionally well. Sure, the WiFi can be spotty in some corners (thick medieval walls weren’t exactly designed for internet signals), and the shower pressure varies depending on time of day, but these feel like minor quirks rather than real problems. If you want to experience Rhodes Old Town the way it was meant to be experienced – walking on cobblestones that have been there for centuries, falling asleep to the distant sound of the Aegean, waking up in a place with actual character – this is your spot.

Rooms

• Estimated price from: $149. One-Bedroom Villa with 1 large double bed for Max persons: 2
• Estimated price from: $149. One-Bedroom Villa with 1 large double bed for Max persons: 2

Reviews

• Sandor from Germany – 29 September 2022 (10/10)

  Die Unterkunft ist total schön und extrem gut ausgestattet.
  Die Gastgeber waren super kommunikativ.

• Ingrid from Netherlands – 21 July 2024 (9/10)

  Perfecte locatie. Rustig en toch dicht bij het centrum. Heel vriendelijk ontvangst. Heerlijk zitje buiten.
  
  What could be improved: Niets

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