Southern Dreams Apartments

The pool was a lovely place to cool off on hot summer days. It was clean and well looked after, with plenty of sunbeds and umbrellas, and there's a cute little bar for evening cocktails and beer. We stayed at Southern Dreams Apartments Gennadi for four nights in July as a family and found it hard to leave. Our apartment had two small, cosy bedrooms with big wardrobes and very comfortable beds. The living room was spacious, the kitchen had everything we needed, including a stove, toaster, and large fridge, and every room had its own air conditioner. We also loved the roomy, breezy terrace in the evenings. Tsampika and Kostas, the owners, and the lovely cleaning lady made the stay feel special. Before we arrived, Tsampika sent detailed information about the apartment and nearby attractions. They were always kind and helpful and clearly cared about our comfort. The location was great too, about a five-minute walk to the heart of Gennadi, where tavernas, bars, a large grocery store, bakery, ice cream, and fresh produce shops were open from early morning until late evening. We'd definitely stay here again if we return to Rhodes.

The beach was the highlight for us. Gennadi's water was incredibly clear and blue, with fish, no foam, and no jellyfish. The pebble shore had a relaxed, off-mainstream feel, and even between morning and midnight there was a good chance of finding a free umbrella and sunbeds. Two restaurants sit right by the beach, so we could spend the day swimming and eating Greek food. With no large hotel complexes in Gennadi, that quieter atmosphere really stood out. The complex has about 12 apartments, so it feels cosy and family friendly. Our apartment was spacious, nicely furnished, and had a large kitchen and bathroom with a washing machine. The pool was great and could fit up to 8 people. The beach is exactly 10 minutes on foot, with the bakery and supermarket about 5 minutes away and a group of restaurants roughly 6 minutes away. The setting around the apartments is less appealing. The small buildings are a little in the middle of nowhere, amid dried-out meadows, charred trees, dusty empty fields, and the ruins of broken cars left to rot. The roads are only partly paved, so a car with off-road capability is very helpful.

We were only about 10 minutes from the beach, and the local pubs and restaurants were an easy five-minute walk away. The accommodation and pool were fantastic, with a friendly, family feel. A huge thumbs up from David and Deb.

A few days before our trip, our reservation was cancelled, and the property did nothing to help with a really stressful situation. They just told us, “Booking is your operator. Call them.” Getting our money back wasn't the issue. It was the much higher last-minute prices, with only two properties available, and the worry that our holiday would be ruined. We spent hours on the phone with Booking. If you have a problem with your reservation, it isn't refundable, but if the property is at fault, they return your money and leave you to struggle with the situation.