Bauhaus influenced architecture and a pool with a beach club vibe, Cook’s Club Ialysos is intimate and calming.
Cook’s Club Ialysos is the youngest of 10 in the adult-only Cook’s Club family of resorts and the fourth in Greece. It is still just a youngster at barely six months old when I visited, and looks pristine and spotless.
The architecture is modelled on the paired-back minimalist model of the German school of Bauhaus architecture. The cube-like buildings are simultaneously striking and bare, dressed in colours of grey stone and trimmed with dark wood. The aesthetic is a fine blending with the lush surroundings of verdant hues from the hills beyond and the pine and olive trees.
Who for
Cook’s Club Ialysos is an adult-only intimate resort and slightly remote. It would suit young (or young at heart) couples or honeymooners searching for a quiet week away.
Accommodation
There are 83 rooms comprising 18 bungalows, some of which come with a jacuzzi, two rooms with pools and 62 standard double rooms. All have the same minimalist decor with stone and wood decor with floor-to-ceiling glass doors that open to a balcony. There is a TV and a hairdryer, and plenty of plugs and mirrors though hanging space is limited. Tea and coffee facilities are only available in the bungalows, jacuzzi or pool rooms however you can order coffee via room service.
Ensuites are a showroom area wet room style in stone brown. Toiletries include full-size shower gel and shampoo only, but no other amenities, such as body lotion in the standard rooms. But they supply water in the minibar, dressing gowns, slippers and towels for the sunbeds.
Views vary between the gardens, the sea in the distance or the front.
Food & Drink
Their restaurant, Cantina, expands onto a terrace and serves uncomplicated street-food flavours from Asia and family-style Greek food. Vegans and vegetarians are catered for.
Breakfast is also served here and comprises cheeses, fried or scrambled eggs, pastries and fruits. Coffee is dispensed from machines.
Dinner is served in the same restaurant and whether it’s breakfast or dinner, eating alfresco in a cool breeze is really delightful.
We had lunch by the pool ordered from the poolside Captain Cook Bar and ordered burgers and salads.
I particularly enjoyed the Swimming Salmon – pieces of salmon “swimming” in buckwheat, mango and lime. Of course, no poolside jaunt would be complete with a cheeky cocktail or two.
On Friday nights, they have gin and burger nights around the pool.
Facilities
The main hub of the hotel is its sensational pool area – the highlight of the Cooks Club experience. It’s a substantial pool with plenty of beds and beanbags, some with umbrellas on wood decking, and surrounded by nature.
It certainly talks to the Club vibe with a relaxed ambience and all-day background music. It’s so easy to spend days around that pool soaking in the sun and the vibe and leaving you far too relaxed to pack and go home eventually.
There is a well-equipped partly alfresco gym next to a yoga pavilion where every Friday, there is a yoga class that anyone can join. There are themed nights like sushi nights and Gin and burger evenings. Sometimes there is live music too.
A huge plus is that the wif-fi is strong even around the pool area, where I am writing this review.
How much
Standard doubles start from £61 a night for two guests, including breakfast.
What’s nearby?
Cook’s club is a tad remote yet conveniently only a 15-minute drive from Rhodes Diagoras airport: It is also quite close to Kremasti.
The Old Town of Rhodes is a little further, but a taxi can take you there for around 22 euros, or you can catch a bus. They run till around 11 pm, so there is no need to rush back, although they are sporadic.
When you fancy a change of scene, there are plenty of restaurants and tavernas less than a mile away.
Verdict: The highlight is the club vibe around the lush swimming pool that is, in effect, the central hub of the otherwise elegantly minimalist resort.
