Goji Vegan Hotel Rhodes – review of our stay

After a couple of years, we are back to Greece – this time, to an island called Rhodes (Ródos), which is part of the Dodecanese group of islands. It is located in the south-eastern Aegean, next to Türkiye and is one of the largest islands in the Mediterranean. We spent a week at the beginning of autumn staying at the new exclusive vegan hotel – Goji Vegan Hotel in Rhodes.

This was one of our easiest vacations to plan – I didn’t spend any time searching for hotels, of course, and we found a direct flight (from Helsinki to Rhodes). We did all the bookings over 4 months prior to the trip and waited patiently.

The land circled by the sea where once the great king of the gods (Zeus) showered upon the city snowflakes of gold..

– Ancient Greek Lyric Poet Pindar describing Rodos in the 5th century BC

About – Goji Vegan Hotel

Hotel Location & Getting There

The Rooms

Breakfast & Dining

Vegan in Rhodes

Rhodes Travel Guide

Map of Rhodes

About – Goji Vegan Hotel

GOJI is the first exclusively vegan hotel in Rhodes. The hotel is a family-owned business, that has been operating on the island for over 14 years. Taken over by the next generation and turned into a fully vegan business, GOJI Vegan Hotel has now made the change to ecological and compassionate ways – ways in which many hotels still need to catch up.

The hotel has undergone renovations and the original building has been repurposed. You can still see signs of the old interiors, it’s a combination of classic style and modern elements.

Giannis, the hotel owner, and family are around most of the time – they recognize you, and are there to welcome you and offer help directly when needed. As we arrived, we received shots of Greek liquor upon check-in. Yamas!

Vegan Hotel in the Greek Islands

GOJI is the third vegan hotel to open in the Greek Islands, and what’s more, one that’s also suited to most budget travellers (the other hotels happen to be luxury hotels). It classifies as a 3-star hotel, with 10 standard and 2 deluxe studios, a pool and restaurant.

The hotel has a beautiful facade that stands out in the neighbourhood – you can feel the new life the hotel has begun. It’s located in a residential zone (airplane noise only), with no big hotels around – we prefer this more intimate setting over all-inclusive resorts.

The hotel is pet-friendly, so furry friends are welcome. They have their own dog Sakis on site, who can be seen happily barking at the cats around sometimes! GOJI is adults-only, and they accept guests aged 13 and over. We do feel that the hotel atmosphere is more suited to couples, for a romantic vacation.

I have come to hear that they are working on a new project for the year 2025, so stay tuned!

GOJI re-opens for the 2024 season on the 1st of May.

Location and Getting There

Hotel Address: Mikinon str., Ialysos, Rhodes, tel. +302 2410 98235

Rhodes Diagoras International Airport has direct flights from most major European cities. Goji Vegan Hotel is only 10 -15 minutes from the airport by public bus. The buses go towards Rhodes Town and make a stop at Ialysos. We simply waited for a bus to arrive at the stop outside the airport and bought tickets on board. If you have lots of luggage, it makes sense to book a taxi. Transfers booked via the hotel cost 40 EUR.

Nearby: The nearest beach is a 10-minute walk from the hotel. It’s a pebbly beach (gets sandy in few metres in). In the surrounding village centre, you can find several souvenir shops, restaurants, bars, tour companies, and car rentals. There is Supermarket Seva for groceries and snacks. They also stock really nice (cruelty-free) aloe vera body lotions.

You will find plenty of stray cats in the area, and unfortunately, not all in a good condition. Some houses keep guard dogs, some of whom are tied up. These are a few distressing things regarding animals in Rhodes FYI. There are several shelters and charities that neuter strays, see here. The cat family living in the hotel backyard are cared for.

The Rooms

Check-in from 2 PM; Check out at 10 AM (flexible subject to availability)

GOJI is a standalone hotel with 12 rooms. There are two types of rooms you can book – Standard and Deluxe. There is no major difference between the room types, however, the Deluxe studios are more spacious and can accommodate 4 persons with a double bed and a sofa bed. All rooms come with a private bathroom and kitchenette.

The interiors are spacious and a modern-minimalist design with an ecological touch. The cork wall is a lovely element. Cork is an eco-friendly material that’s formed from the dead cells of cork oak tree bark.

The beds are HUGE and comfy – 2 large single beds put together, with vegan mattresses and pillows. Cupboards and storage space is plenty. There’s TV with YouTube and Netflix.

All rooms also have a balcony. Ours was side facing, looking over the backyard. It’s a good spot to chill from the heat but there’s not a lot of privacy from adjacent balconies. The soundproofing is fine when the doors are closed, and it does block most of the airplane sound. The bathroom is small, with a tub/shower area and wash basin. Love the eco-certified shower gel and shampoo by ”Good to Declare” available to use.

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Daily housekeeping and room maintenance happens during breakfast time. Towels and sheets changed upon request, or otherwise every 4 days. There is a small facility to cook, with a boiler, stove and a few utensils.

A note about drinking water in Rhodes: a lot of travellers debate about the water quality on the Greek islands, but Rhodes has water springs and a dam, and tap water is generally safe to drink on the island.

Dining at Goji Vegan Hotel

Along with your stay at GOJI, comes an authentic Greek dining experience (I highly recommend choosing dining with your stay) The hotel provides traditional Greek plant-based food. The food is home-made by the family and brought to the poolside dining area of the hotel.

Our stay was on half-board basis, which includes breakfast and dinner. If you stay for lunch at the hotel, there’s a possibility to order something from their snack-bar menu.

Breakfast:

The day at GOJI starts with a breakfast platter by the poolside between 8-10 AM. It’s not a buffet but a fixed set (with daily variations) served at your table. It typically consists of a soothing coconut yogurt bowl with muesli, fruit, berries and nuts; fresh fruit juice, a choice of coffee or tea (coffee for us!), slices of bread or crackers with cheese, cherry tomato, butter and jam.

There’s also some different little baked goodie everyday. Our favourites were the muffins, sweet pastry and ‘nutella’ quesadillas! These plant-powered breakfasts get you going for the day in Rhodes. Gluten-free can be done easily, upon request. The only downside there might be to the breakfasts is that you don’t get to choose what you get on a day.

Dinner:

A 3-course dinner is served by the poolside between 7-9 PM. As with the breakfasts, the food arrives promptly to your table. Keep in mind that the family makes and serves everything here so there is no ‘restaurant staff’ who cater to you. Daily dinner at the hotel includes a salad and piece of pie as a starter, a main dish, and a dessert.

The starter is typically a salad bowl and a slice of Greek pie, stuffed with veg, mushrooms. The mains were different everyday – we had Greek fava, then on one day it’s a lentil stew, gigantes beans, another day it’s orzo or moussaka (delicious)!

The portions are good and filling, the salad bowl is to share. It’s homemade Greek food different everyday – not focused on meat alternatives, but mainly wholefoods. There is vegan cheese and yoghurt, though.

We are surprised with a different dessert at each meal; I was always excited when the dessert arrives. Here’s all the treats we got:

• Loukoumi – a sweet flavoured block of sugar with sugary coating, also known as Turkish delight.
• Vanilla Submarine – a spoon of sticky sweet vanilla fondant served in a tall glass of cool water.
• Greek Halva – a block made with tahini, sugar/syrup with nuts and flavour like vanilla/cacao.
• Spoon sweet – hours of boiling local aubergines in water and sugar and days to set in syrup, the sweet is stuffed with dates and such. Kydoni sweet is made with quince fruit.

Desserts are often served with a shot of sweet liqueur. What’s best about these traditional treats is that some are vegan by default or easily made without animal products.

Hotel Facilities and Services:

Relax on a sunbed by the pool, under an umbrella. Beach towels are available for rent at 2 EUR per day with a deposit. Pool is open 8 am – 6 pm.. no nighttime by the pool, as there’s no one to keep watch and ensure safety. The pool and bar area are closed off after dinner time.

As for communal activites, yoga classes are offered once a week in the mornings on the verandah. Please let the reception know a couple of days in advance if you plan to join.

The hotel has a snack bar by the pool that serves up great cocktails and beverages. Definitely try the Rhodian Sunset!

Giannis and his team have done a great job of recreating a wonderful eco-conscious atmosphere in the Rhodes travel scene, offering a place where all travellers can enjoy Greek hospitality, wholesome food, and a lovely space. I highly recommend GOJI for a rejuvenating stay in Rhodes!

BOOK YOUR STAY AT GOJI:

Vegan in Rhodes

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We had all breakfasts and dinners at the hotel – which was great and I do recommend the half board option at GOJI! Here’s our other food finds from the island, mainly in Rhodes Town and popular tourist locations. All these, plus more, are marked on our map of Rhodes.

🌱 Kostas Village Taverna

Ferenikis 8, Ialisos 851 01, Greece

For our first lunch in Rhodes, we headed to this place, a 5 minute walk from the hotel. Kostsas is a family run Greek taverna and there’s traditional Greek plant based dishes on the menu. There is a ‘vegetarian’ menu section and the staff was helpful with vegan options. They said they could make several dishes vegan and recommended the Veggie Pita to us.

The dish came as a huge portion along with fries and was very filling. The pita was warm soft and fresh with a mix of grilled veg – aubergine, zucchini, bell peppers and also mushrooms! They don’t use cheese but only hummus. As you can see we also had the dolmas and beetroot dishes. All this and a beer + coke cost us 37 EUR. I struggled to finish all this but enjoyed our first Greek dining experience here.

🌱 Annie’s vegan food pop-up / The Walk Inn

Dorieos Square 1, Old Town, Rodos 851 00, Greece

This was a pop-up café during summer in Rhodes – a hidden gem in the medieval town. Good coffee, cakes and vegan plates.. I hope they continue next summer! We had banana bread and frappes (they had sold out of food that day). The Walk Inn pub at the same address has some food on offer (vegan pizza).

🌱 T-Veg Lindos

Lindos, Rhodes, Greece

T-veg is definitely a must-dine, on the way to the acropolis. A vegan restaurant at a prime spot – the very beginning of the town, with views of Lindos bay and acropolis – how nice! The terrace is a lovely space on two levels and the staff is the best! They have burgers, salad bowls and also make the best Pita gyros in Rhodes, trust me.

The pita was good sized, soft and fresh, filled with fried tandoori-flavoured tofu, and fries on the side. They do a really good Greek Frappe – just what I needed before I made my way up to the acropolis! It’s a bit pricey, like other restaurants around, but definitely worth it.

🌱 Ono by Marouli

28 October street, Amarndou corner, Rodos 850 00, Greece

Veggie spot in Rhodes town – some of the best nuggets I’ve tasted at a restaurant recently! These really were golden – perfect crunch, and great texture. If I remember correctly, these were soy-free made of peas and wheat protein. We got a Moving Mountains burger as well. I’m not usually a fan of Beyond Meat kind of stuff – this was similar, but I think it was really good!

🌱 RuBisCo

Sokratous 67, Rodos 851 00, Greece

If you’re looking for a juice-fix or some sort of detox, then there’s RuBisCo right in the Old town of Rhodes. It’s easy to find – located on the main shopping street. They are family business and sell fresh juices, in addition to smoothies and snack sandwiches.

🌱 Zaytouna & PITAFAN

Ermou 60, Rodos 851 00, Greece

Zaytouna is a Lebanese spot on the same street as Rubis Co, where you can find good falafel-pita. PITAFAN can be found a bit further ahead, when you walk towards the harbour – they offer a vegan gyros option. I got the falafel pita with hummus for just about 5 EUR from Zaytouna – no photo of it as I had it on-the-go, but I remember the falafel was delicious!

Vegan options spotted around Rhodes.

These are the spots where you can find some good food. If you go outside the tourist centres, the options may be limited. A few cafes here and there offer plant based milk and treats – Gregory’s, for example. There are plenty of places that offer falafel-pita at least, so you definitely won’t go hungry in Rhodes! Most places close off-season so make sure to check their socials for up-to-date opening times.

Rhodes Guide

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Rhodes is a sizeable island and don’t expect to see everything on one trip. You would need at least 4-5 days to explore all the main sights at a manageable pace. We do, however, suggest staying at least a week so that it is not too rushed and you can also find some (much needed) time to relax in between!

Check out the full guide on the blog: The Complete Rhodes Travel Guide

We travelled to Rhodes solely for Goji as they opened doors in 2023. And while the stay at Goji Vegan Hotel is worth the trip alone, don’t miss the ancient sites of Lindos, the medieval town of Rhodes for some history and sandy beaches and bars for fun!

Keep an eye on YouTube for clips from the trip! Here’s our itinerary and suggestions for things to do in Rhodes:

The best time to visit Rhodes..

Rhodes is the most Eastern Greek island in the Aegean and has a hot Mediterranean climate. Even though we visited at the beginning of September, it was still very hot (32 degrees, felt like 38 degrees). Summer season runs from the end of May to mid-September. There was no rain except for a thunderstorm one evening.

Note that the risk of wildfires is high during peak summer in some arid areas of Greece. Rhodes is still recovering from the devastating wildfires that spread on the island in July 2023. The towns are generally safe but flights may be affected so check the situation before you go.

Travel Insurance is always a good idea: If you don’t have a general insurance that covers travel, purchase one for the duration of your trip. SafetyWing is a reliable and top-rated global travel insurance company. Find your plan: SafetyWing*

We’d certainly prefer a later time for our next trips, considering the fact that it was too hot to enjoy at times. Sitting by the pool at Goji was not an issue! It was my first time in Rhodes and we planned to explore more of the island, but didn’t manage to do it all. J also had heat exhaustion and we ended up skipping the snorkelling boat trip around Rhodes. I will, however, suggest all the best activities for your trip below : )

Getting Around Rhodes..

Distances between towns are significant and you would definitely need a car/taxi/bus to get to places. We tried to rely on the public transport but it wasn’t always convenient – waiting times are long and buses don’t follow the schedule. If you leave from Rhodes Town central bus station, it’s easier to get a bus. Tickets costs about 3 EUR.

We rented a car on two occasions – to get to Butterfly Valley and on another day, to Lindos. It was rented on the spot from a car rental near the hotel and cost 40 EUR per day.

Sightseeing and Things to do..

Medieval City of Rhodes

Rhodes Town and the medieval centre is located on the northern tip of the island. It is one of the best-preserved medieval towns in Europe and is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Encircled by imposing stone walls, it’s a mosaic of Byzantine, Ottoman, and Crusader influences – you will come across buildings from both the Gothic and Ottoman period.

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In Greek mythology, Rhodes is known to be the birthplace of the sun god Helios. The Colossus of Rhodes, a giant statue of Helios and one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, was said to have stood at the spot between the deer statues, according to legend. What remains now is merely the myth.

At the heart of the Old Town lies this masterpiece of Gothic architecture that once served as the seat of power for the Knights Hospitaller – The Palace of the Grand Master of the Knights was originally built as a Byzantine fortress in the 7th century. Today, it houses a museum showcasing artifacts from the Byzantine and medieval periods, including sculptures, mosaics, ceramics, and religious objects.

Walking on the walls of the palace is allowed on weekdays, 12:00-15:00. The tour costs 2 EUR and starts from the Palace.

The Archaeological Museum of Rhodes is not far from the Palace. Among the notable exhibits here are the marble statues of classical Greek gods and goddesses, intricate mosaic floors from ancient villas, and funerary stelae (stone slabs) with inscriptions in ancient Greek.

A combined ticket (10 EUR per person) gives you entry to Palace, Museum and the decorative arts exhibitions.

Butterfly Valley

The Butterfly Valley in Petaloudes is home to a large number of the species Panaxia Quadripunctaria, aka Jersey Tiger moth or Spanish Flag. Their life cycle is such that they are in the adult phase during summer months (June-September). We were lucky to see them during this time. They then reproduce, lay eggs, and are in the pupa phase the rest of the year.

The entry fee is 5 EUR. It takes about an hour to complete the route (a hike of a couple of kilometres). There are three entry points to the valley: one at the bottom, the main entrance in the middle (accessed via the monastery route), and one at the top. Each has a ticket kiosk, wc, and snack bar. Parking lots are easily found at the middle and bottom points.

Lindos Acropolis

The temple of Athena Lindia is one of the top sights in Rhodes and was believed to be a centre of the cult of the goddess. It’s found at the acropolis of Lindos – the ancient capital of the island. Definitely not to miss when in Rhodes for the ancient ruins and views!

You can reach Lindos by road or a boat tour. It takes about an hour to get there by bus from the other side of the island. Public buses go every now and then from Rhodes Town bus station to Lindos. Tour buses can take you from a pickup point and back in a few hours and typically cost 15 EUR per person. If you have a rental car – there are free parking lots before the town and Lindos beach.

From the parking area, it’s a walk through the town and up the stairs to the acropolis. It only takes 15-20 minutes and isn’t a very strenuous climb; anyone in good health can easily manage it. Please don’t use the donkeys!

Entrance fee to the acropolis is 12 EUR and the site is open daily 8 AM – 7 PM. Note that it’s extremely hot during summer so wear hats and have plenty of water. Go later in the evening, for sunset, if possible!

Seven springs (Epta Piges) is another popular spot. Tour buses usually do day trips to Lindos and Seven Springs together. You can check out the Seven springs as well, by car on the way or after Lindos. We decided to skip this one as it didn’t fit into our schedule.

Archaeological sites worth visiting

Filerimos – a hill with a medieval monastery and quaint surroundings with peacocks roaming the grounds. It is not far from Ialysos town. Entry fee of 6 EUR to the monastery.

Rhodes Acropolis – smaller scale ruins found on the way to Rhodes town. There’s a partially restored stadium and amphitheatre – free entry, non touristy but tricky to get to.

Monolithos – on a big mountain in the south-west, has medieval castle with good view, nice beach.

Kamiros – known to be one of Greek’s best preserved classical cities, the ruins of Ancient Kamiros, was a hillside city dating back to the 6th century B.C., with well-preserved Roman-era marketplace, temples, and villas.

Beaches

Rhodes island is a destination for many sunbathers and windsurfers. Beaches vary from coast to coast; while some are sandy, some are pebbled and rocky. Shops by the beach sell beach shoes in case you don’t have waterproof sandals. The water was warm in September and suitable for swimming, but be careful not to venture too far in. While the bright blue waters may look inviting, the depth and tides can pose dangers.

Here are beaches worth checking out:

• Elli – at Rhodes Town, has a jumping tower, beach bars, expensive sunbeds.
• Ixia – long pebbly beach with windsurfing activities.
• Faliraki – one of the longest sandy beaches, a vibrant resort area with bus routes from Rhodes Town.
• Prasonissis – at the southern tip of the island, where two seas come together.
• Lindos – sandy, intimate beach near the acropolis; sun loungers and umbrellas available, sea caves.
• Tsambika – this was our favourite, said to be one of the best sandy beaches in Rhodes – shallow, turquoise waters, great for swimming with tavernas, beach bars, and water sports facilities. It’s easy to get there, driving from Lindos. Tsambika monastery has great views, if you climb the 298 stairs!

Other than these, there are some beautiful bays in Rhodes, and they can be explored on a boat tour. More info below, when I tell you about the best boat tours in Rhodes!

Best Boat Tours in Rhodes

There are plenty of local tour agencies for sightseeing, day trips and boat tours. Most of these start from Rhodes town and boats leave from Mandraki harbour. The day tours tend to start around 8 -10 AM, so aim to be there in time! There’s sunset trips if you prefer that too. Some tours offer hotel pick-up for a fee. A couple of agencies that operate in Ialysos can arrange a pick-up from GOJI.

If you are sure of the day, I suggest you pre-book a tour online, a few days in advance as the good ones get full pretty quick.

Many boat tours are all-inclusive with unlimited beer, wine and a buffet lunch. We were happy to find several tours that advertised veggie options for lunch. Lazy Day Tours was one of them.

A more luxurious – Opera Rib Boat beach safari, provides snorkelling gear, Gopro, Greek meal on board and the staff told us they do vegan and other dietary requests. You can get discounts if you book on the spot, as they are usually looking to fill the boats at the last moment.

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The boat tour we planned to take (also think it’s the best way to explore the bays of the island) is the caves tour to Kallithea, Anthony Quinn and Traganou*

On our last day in Rhodes, we went on a short boat ride with the ‘semi-submarine’ Poseidon: We purchased tickets on the spot from their stall at the harbor. They offered us a discount for the tour that was about to depart (15 EUR for a 1-hour tour).

It was a brief trip around the marina, but I enjoyed the sightseeing and the underwater views.. would have loved if we ventured further out into the sea. There was no “diving show” as promised; only one diver descended to drop fish food to the eager fishes. The ship is neat, staff is friendly, and a photographer takes your photo and sells them as a souvenir (we bought it).

Many tour operators advertise themselves as “the best tour” of Rhodes with “100% customer satisfaction,” but these often turn out to be tourist traps. Ensure that there is enough space on the boat, it’s not overcrowded, and that there’s proper food available on board before booking!

Day Trip to Symi

This small Greek island, with a picture perfect harbour lined with colourful neoclassical houses is a charming place to explore on a day trip from Rhodes. The fastest way to get to Symi is the speedboat tour from Rhodes, which gets you there in about an hour. Reserve a full day for this as tours usually leave from the harbour by 10 AM and return by 6 PM.

While most Symi day trips give you a few hours on land, it’s not enough to explore the entire island. So, focus on a sight and choose the boat tour that takes you there! St. George Bay looks beautiful to us – boats stop here and give you time to swim. Another sightseeing option is visiting Panormitis monastery.

I hope this helps you plan your trip to Rhodes! Don’t hesitate to leave a comment in case of any questions – about the hotel, food or things to do. And if you found this post useful – please like and share it! I’d also be happy to also answer your questions via Direct Message – follow us on Instagram @veganhaventravel

Map – Rhodes

As I mentioned earlier, this is an honest review of our stay at Goji Vegan Hotel in Rhodes, we were not given a free stay to post a review. We believe in supporting vegan businesses as far as possible and paid a regular price for accommodation at the hotel. However, Goji Vegan Hotel was kind enough to upgrade our stay to a half-board on this occasion.

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Last updated on September 16th, 2024