Bella Foresta Villa

The outdoor kitchen and BBQ made for lovely evenings, and we really enjoyed the pool and warm jacuzzi. We were 12 people, but the villa was spacious and everyone had their own bedroom and bathroom. We stayed for the week from April 27 to May 3, with perfect weather, and the service was very friendly. No complaints at all, and we’d happily recommend it. Special thanks to Despina and her mother for being so helpful.

The villa is right in the center of Ixia, with the taxi station and bus stop just outside. Restaurants and the beach are an easy walk away. We stayed for a week as a family of eight, ranging in age from 85 down to 2, and there was plenty of room for everyone. Each of us had a bedroom and bathroom, and the two large living rooms and kitchen were spacious, beautifully decorated and felt personal. We spent as much time as we could in the garden and by the pool. The yard is lovely, with a BBQ area, and the walled garden let our 2-year-old wander around without us worrying he might run off. As soon as the gates opened, we fell for the place. The villa quickly felt like home, and the owners have made it both luxurious and personal. Despina and Maria were warm and welcoming from the start. They answered our questions before we arrived and helped with whatever we needed during the stay. Their hospitality went beyond what I expected. I’d highly recommend staying here, and I’d happily return if I get the chance.

Gregory, our local taxi driver, was a real lifesaver during our two weeks. The villa is a bit out of the way, and he became our chauffeur without ever letting us down. He also pointed us towards some excellent restaurants. You do need a car to get around, though, since most taxi drivers complained about going out to the villa. Rhodes town was a 15-minute drive and cost €20 by taxi. We went a few evenings, and Mama Sophia’s restaurant was awesome for platters and cocktails. We had a fantastic holiday in the first two weeks of July with our three sons, their partners and our two granddaughters, who were 8 months and 2 years old. Despoina and her family were so welcoming and nothing was too much trouble. The villa was spotless, modern and spacious, and the pool and BBQ worked perfectly for our group of ten. We had the best time and would definitely come back.

The hosts were very attentive, quickly answering our questions and even stopping by to check everything was okay. Local taxi drivers were helpful and very reasonably priced. We were eight friends who had waited three years for this trip because of Covid restrictions, and it was worth the wait. There’s loads of space, with places to hang out together and quieter spots to unwind. The pool was a good size, and the inflatables were fun. We also loved the hot tub and deck, especially when the lights were on at night, and the outdoor kitchen and dining area were great for BBQs. We also fed a starving stray ginger tabby we named ‘Pickles’. He was in a bit of a pickle when we found him, but improved a lot with food and TLC and became very affectionate. If he visits during your stay, please look after him and enjoy the peaceful surroundings. We’d highly recommend Bella Foresta for a relaxing retreat near Rhodes town.