Iris Apartments Reviews

We have just returned from what seemed like the longest weeks holiday we have ever had, it was so boring.
We asked for relatively quiet hotel location but this was asleep.

The accommodation had been upgraded by the operators from a studio to an apartment. All that meant was, there was a bunk bed at the patio windows end of the room that were so big we couldnt realy see out of the windows for it. When we got onto the balcony it was so overgrown with vines that one end was completely covered so we just couldnt see past them and the front edge was half covered also.

The kitchen was very very basic to say the least. One chip pan one frying pan and one cup size pan which we had to use to boil water because there wasnt even kettle, and toast was out of the question with no toaster.
The beds were very uncomfortable and noisey and after two nights i had to realign the wooden planks the mattress was laying on and turn the mattress over and around just to try and get some sleep.We could here every footstep being made by anyone in the adjioning rooms.
because the water heating is solar powered, a few times the people upstairs had ran a couple of baths for themselves late evening, used all the hot water, which meant we couldnt even have a shower unless it was with cold water.

The ONLY entertainment on hand was a country western siger in one of the bars in the village that sang twice a week. Not realy what we had hoped for.
If we went into the village after dark , the walk there was a little scary.It starts of at the top of the pool steps onto a dirt track lined by a wall of dozens of metal spikes sticking out of the retaining wall on one side. This wall is about twenty foot long and the spikes stuck out about two foot, if anyone tripped they would have been seriuosly hurt.Then the rest is lined with a couple of houses then bushes. Which at night with the poor lighting didnt have us feeling safe at all.
The main street of the village itself is lined with many restraunts and a few 'supermarkets' and further along in the main square pubs, all selling more or less the same thing, but be careful walking the main streets because with no footpaths and the number of scooters and cars make it unsafe.
We tried the local 'train' to the beach once but when we saw it was just that,a beach and nothing else, we stayed on and went straight back.
Having said all that,the people themselves are very friendly and we spoke to couples that have been going to Afandou for upto 30 years, some twice a year. Granted these people were in there mid 50's and older,so it just depends on what you want from a holiday. But for us it was far to quiet with no entertainment and overall a very boring holiday.

Afandou is a real Greek village not a purpose built resort.

It was nice to mix with the Greek people going about there usual daily tasks. There are plenty of restruants and bars in the village all serving good food.The owners Mike and Dimitis of The Accopulca bar in the square made everyone welcome.Rhodes is a lovely Island so hire a car and get out and see it. Hire a car in the village as it is much cheaper than hiring from the holiday company as are the excursions.

The weather was excellent the last two weeks in September.

The only downside of the holiday was the accomodation. The rooms are supposed to be for 2/4 people. There is no way 4 people could be comfortable in these rooms. The holiday company should be advertising them as studios for 2. This was the opinion of everyone we spoke to and for this reason would not be returning to the Iris hotel.The cleaners were not very thorough with the cleaning. Our bathroom shelf, mirror,sink, shower were not cleaned the whole fortnight we were there. After 10 days we cleaned them ourselves. The balcony was never swept or mopped either.The bar staff were very friendly and snacks reasonably priced.The pool was nice and a reasonable size but the tiled area was very slippy and therefore dangerous.

We will be going back to Afandou as the people were very friendly but definately not to the Iris hotel.Pity as it is in a good situation.

When we first arrived, we wondered what we had come to, but it wasn't until the rep told us the short cut to the village that our minds were put at rest.A lovely village with plenty of excellent places to eat. You can eat in a different taverna each night for two weeks. The Four Seasons, Bon Viveur, Neon, The Life Garden, Tasty Roof Garden and Michaelistas being our favourites.
The rooms were basic but adequate although the maids prescence could have been felt a bit more!
The beach was a 20min walk away and was quiet but clean.
Lindos and Rhodes were a bus ride or a taxi ride away depending on how extravagant you want to be or how quick you want to get there,both well worth a visit.

On the whole had a highly enjoyable and relaxing holiday

Afandou is on the side of a mountain. Pro: Gorgeous Views (the sunrise was lovely)
Con: Everywhere you go is uphill, one way at least.
This is not a holiday for someone with significant walking impairment!
Iris apartments is basic, but the staff were brilliant.

Our room was clean, and in good repair. The one time we needed to report a problem it was repaired immediately with no fuss. The cooker had two hobs, the refrigerator was immaculate, there was a fry pan, large pot and cover, and utensils. There was also a small ";greek coffee"; pot. Wardrobe was ample size. Only complaint is that the beds were extremely firm, but oh well.

The complex was well maintained, clean, and covered in flowers and trees. There is a small garden area on one side of the apartments, and from the other you can see the main road and the beach. The area around the pool has flowers and trees (fig, lime, olive and flowering trees). The pool was shut at dusk. There were plenty of loungers and umbrellas, but the hotel was not full and it does allow residents from other hotels to use the pool, so in high season it might get a bit crowded. The pool was lovely- small, but deep at one end (2.5m) and shallow at the other, with a separate small toddlers pool. One thing- there were some cracked tiles and one person cut their foot, but we were told that it is repaired fully at the end of season.

Food at the snack bar was good but a little pricey- a large diet cola in a cup was 1.80 euros- but water was .60 euros, so we stuck to that. There are two pool tables and a large satellite telly.

The bar prices were average, but alcohol portions were generous. George, the overnight staff, kept the bar open all night- and was always cheerful, funny and personable. It was lovely to sit out on the balcony over the pool area, listen to the music and have a drink.

John and Irini were the other regular staff, and they couldn't ever do enough for us. There is even a little library so you cna trade your summer books :) Renting a fan for two weeks was 28 euros, a safe deposit box was 25, and the cost to cash a travellers cheque was lower than at the bank.

Iris is in the middle of two areas; from the front, you can walk down the steep drive and you are on a main road. To the left is a large mini-mart, but they do not take travellers checks and were a bit cranky in there. There are a few shops and tavernas on the main road. Our advice? Skip it. With a few exceptions, everything is better and cheaper in Afandou village.

From the back of the hotel, there is a dirt track that becomes a concrete road that leads onto Afandou village. There are numerous feral cats (of course, it's Greece!) who were exceptionally friendly. Wear comfy shoes. A torch isnt strictly necessary- there are lights- but might be useful until you get to know the road.
The road leads down a steep hill into the village, and right past people's houses onto the main road. From there, you can go left or right.

Right: Bars, the square, a few restaurants, clothing shops, trinket shops, chemists, a wonderful pastery shop (get cake there- you wont be sorry) and a wonderful tiny little jewelry shop where they will give you Ouzo with lemonade. The prices on the Sterling were excellent, and they even made two sterling bracelets larger without any extra charge (The name of the shop is Zouroudis). Tavernas to make sure to visit: Mimis, and try the Afandou Special dinner. Sergios was good, but sloooooooow even by greek standards. Michalitsa's had excellent food and good service. Danielle's had wonderful pizza and a dish called Chicken fantasia that is worth having. Behind Irinis Jewelers to the left is a grocery shop that has good prices and products. We bough groceries and water there, then walked to the square and got a taxi back to the hotel- 5 euros.

To the left, restuarants and a couple of bars. You have to go to Mediteranneo- it was the best and most wonderful taverna we went to. The fish plate was wonderful, everything was smashing. We didn't have Gyros, but we were told that Gyro King was really good. There was another restaurant that I cant remember the name of that had English Breakfast for 5.50 euros (well worth it) and we were told that Four Seasons was a good restaurant but we never went there.

We had a few drinks and watched the footie at Diva's bar.
On the main road in Afandou village there is a little tourist train that will take you to the beach for 1 euro. Look for the blue and white signs with the picture of the train on them. It runs exactly on time, but pay attention- like everything else, it takes a siesta in midafternoon. The beach is pebbly and gets deep quickly, but the water was lovely, clean and warm. It cost 3 euro each for brully and lounger. There are many different beach areas, so try different areas.

Faliraki is a taxi ride away (10 euro) but it was rather dull and more expensive. The beach however is beautiful there.
We took the bus into Rhodes town- 1.60 euro each- but the bus was absolutely packed to the gills, and he still crammed more people on.

Excursions from the rep were pricey- and we found that you could easily get similar trips more cheaply in the village. Car hire was half the price through the village as it was through the rep. The rep was disinterested and really didnt do much for us.

We would return to Iris and Afandou- it was a relaxed, lovely and peaceful holiday, with plenty of opportunities to do things- and thanks to the hill, we both lost weight! LOL! Don't let the hill put you off- seriously, unless you have a disability, you can easily do the hill and its not an issue.

Our scores? Iris 8/10 (basic, but good)
Afandou 8/10 (very friendly, diverse, but no real nightlife)
So, book your trip, stay at Iris, eat at Mediteranneo, and get a nice bracelet at Zouroudis, and have as good a time as we did :)

What a great holiday! We booked a late deal and what a bargain we got.

The Iris Aparthotel is very clean, ideally situated, comfortable and has a great swimming pool and lovely, helpful and genuinely friendly staff. The accommodation is basic in keeping with anywhere else I have been in Greece. Situated halfway up a rather steep hill (not suitable for all) it is within walking distance of the beach and even nearer to the town, which is accessed via a short dirt track at the back of the property. It's lit at night, so no need for torches.

The town was busier than we expected for late season - it is a ";proper"; town, rather than purpose built and has a lovely atmosphere. But it was far from crowded. Plenty of bars and tavernas, we ate somewhere different each night, and still had others to choose from. The Tourist Train runs regularly from the town square to the beach - but beware! The driver is manic and at times we thought we were on a ride at Alton Towers! That said, there were no young children on board, and I'm sure our gales of laughter were encouraging him!

Bad points - none really. We wanted a relaxing, friendly and peaceful holiday and that's exactly what we got. If you want late nite raves and parties, Faliraki is only 10 minutes down the road. As the Apartments are just off the main Rhodes Town / Lindos Road travelling to both is easy. Highly recommended.

Afandou is a lovely resort with a wide sweeping beach which has all facilities it is clean and the sea is beautiful. Iris apartments are in a super location with a 10 minute walk into the village which has more than enough bars and restraunts to keep every one happy. in the opposite direction it is a 20 minute walk to the beach which as described above is super.

The apartments themselves are tired looking and in need of some T.L.C. Whilst there we had them cleaned once only and in the feirce heat did not think this was adequate.If asking at reception if one could have clean towels it was stated that servicing was as per contract!! I felt there was a lack of manpower to maintain all that needed to be done but overall this did not spoil the holiday. Flights on time overall good

The accommodation was very basic but no different to anywhere else in Greece.

The rooms were cleaned regularly and the towels and sheets were spotless.It would be no good for the very elderly,those with walking difficulties or the disabled as the surrounding areas are very steep.All of the staff were extremely friendly especially George who served on the bar and manned the reception at night.

The food everywhere was absolutely gorgeous we especially liked mimi's a small traditional taverna in the village.The beach was stony but it was a cheap taxi ride into nearby Faliraki which has a beautiful beach.Lindos is well worth a trip and if you go into Faliraki you can go by boat which picks up on the beach.There is also a fantastic beach going down towards Lindos in a bay.

After you have had your evening meal there are a few bars in the square where you can sit and have a lovely drink and the waiters are friendly and entertaining.It was a very enjoyable holiday.