Our family of four, with children aged 12 and 9, just returned from a 7-night stay at the 5-star Atlantica Aegean Blue hotel in the Kolymbia resort of Rhodes, Greece. We stayed in a family room with a limited sea view, booked for the October half-term at the end of the Rhodes tourist season.

Here’s my full honest Atlantica Aegean Blue hotel review with lots of photos, covering my impressions of the room, pools, all-inclusive food and drink, staff, and amenities—with insights from a vegan family perspective.

Why We Chose the Atlantica Aegean Blue Hotel as a Vegan Family

This hotel has been on my wishlist for a couple of years, ever since I discovered it on a list of all-inclusive hotels recommended for vegans—possibly from a TUI article, though I can’t recall the exact details since it was so long ago. Initially, I never thought we could afford it, as the prices were always high, so I added it to my bucket list for the future.

However, with some holiday money saved up, I decided to check the prices while planning our trip for the October half-term this year. To my surprise, it was around £3000 cheaper than booking during the summer school holidays, so we jumped at the opportunity!

The main reasons I wanted to stay at this hotel were not only for the luxury 5-star experience and the on-site waterpark for the kids (and us adults!) but also because all-inclusive options usually don’t appeal to us as a vegan family. In our only other previous experience of an all-inclusive resort as a vegan family, I found myself eating chips and salad for the whole week due to limited options, which left me craving a proper home-cooked meal by the end. While chips and salad are nice, they can get old quickly when they’re your only options three times a day!

Typically, we prefer self-catering accommodations, as they allow us to prepare our own meals or find vegan-friendly restaurants to dine out. However, this hotel promised to be different, boasting around 6-7 vegetarian and vegan options at every meal. Confirming by reading reviews online, it seemed to be a hit with other vegans, so I was sold! Since all four of us are vegan, it sounded ideal!

The big question was: would it meet our expectations and truly offer a variety of options? TUI promoted the hotel as having vegan-friendly selections, a children’s buffet accommodating fussy eaters, and food suitable for those with dietary preferences, and allergies, so we had high hopes!

Arrival and First Impressions of the Atlantica Aegean Blue Hotel in Kolymbia, Rhodes

Upon arrival, we enjoyed a quick check-in with no waiting. The efficient and friendly staff scanned our passports, took the tourist tax payment (€70), and collected contact details. We were welcomed with drinks: orange juice for the kids and a sparkling vibrant blue wine for us, matching the hotel’s signature “blue” theme—a nice touch!

The luxurious reception area was spacious, spotlessly clean, and beautifully designed, giving a strong first impression of a 5-star experience. A friendly staff member gave us a buggy ride to our room, carrying our luggage and entertaining our children on the way. At our room, the staff member led us to our room showing us inside, then proceeded to bring our luggage up the stairs to our room. We tried to help but the staff member insisted he would bring the suitcases 🙂

Positive First Impressions of the Room
Our first impression was “Wow!” – the room had great decor and looked luxurious. Our family room was wonderfully spacious, clean, and beautifully decorated with modern lighting. It sure felt like a 5-star hotel so far!

The layout included a large balcony, a big bed for us parents, and a separate sleeping area for the kids, divided by a sliding partition. There were two beds for the children, with a large space in between so we hoped they wouldn’t annoy each other!

There was plenty of closet space, a fridge, espresso machine, kettle, hairdryer, safe, robes, and slippers added to the comfort.

They had provided food and drinks in the little fridge as we had arrived late. These were various fillings in wraps, unfortunately not vegan but they did not know we were vegan on arrival 🙂

The WiFi worked well throughout the room. Although we didn’t ever use it, there was a large TV too. The adult bed had bedside tables with handy plug sockets and USB charging points for our phones.

Noticeable Improvements at First Glance at The Hotel Room

While the bathroom was tastefully fitted with a rainfall shower and slabs of stone for walls, the bathroom’s open-plan design, lacking a fully enclosed toilet or shower, was an inconvenience. We knew there would be no bathroom privacy as there was no bathroom door and the toilet and shower doors, although obscured glass, had large gaps at the top and bottom.

The other thing I noticed was the lack of a fourth balcony chair, there were only three chairs which seemed strange as we had a 2+2 room so there were four of us. Adding sun loungers to the balcony could further enhance the experience as two sun loungers would easily fit on the balcony and allow somewhere extra to relax in the hotel. Luckily we barely needed to use the balcony as we were either out all day, at the pool or it was dark early evening because of the time of year, so we did not wish to sit out on the balcony on a pitch-black evening.

Sleep Quality and Comfort in the Family Room 2+2

The bed was large and very comfortable, providing plenty of space. After an initial adjustment, which I always get when sleeping somewhere unknown, we slept well each night. There is an air conditioning unit to keep the room cool at night.

Daily housekeeping ensured fresh towels, emptied bins, and made beds. If you prefer privacy simply hang the “Do Not Disturb” sign.

The Hotel Grounds

The grounds of Atlantica Aegean Blue are clean, tidy, and well-maintained. As you walk around, you’ll find beautifully landscaped areas featuring lots of flower bushes and tall palm trees, which create a pleasant environment.

The pathways are easy to navigate, making it simple to access the various facilities and the beach. Overall, the grounds are a lovely setting that enhances your stay at the hotel.

All-Inclusive Dining Options and Vegan Food at Atlantica Aegean Blue

Breakfast Buffet
While breakfast included some vegan options—such as beans, mushrooms, tomatoes, and peas or sweetcorn—the selection for a cooked breakfast was somewhat limited. On the plus side, there was fresh fruit available, and guests could enjoy freshly squeezed orange juice!

However, we would have loved to see additional vegan-friendly items, like hash browns, spinach, avocado, and vegan sausages. Unfortunately, we didn’t encounter any vegan pastries or yoghurts during breakfast. Many of the bread options contained milk, making them unsuitable for us, so offering vegan bread would be a welcome addition.

Soy milk was available upon request for coffee and cereal, although its taste could be improved. It would be great to see a variety of different plant-based milk readily available in the breakfast area, as having to request vegan milk and other items at the buffet each day became a bit tedious. Being able to serve ourselves would have enhanced the experience.

Snack Bar
Open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., the laid-back and casual snack bar by the main pool offered a variety of vegan options, including a Buddha salad bowl, vegan burger, fries, fruit pots, jacket potato with beans, and a vegan cheese pizza (available upon request). While we appreciated the short wait times, the vegan cheese was only available on one of the days, which meant we could enjoy the vegan pizza from the snack bar just once during our stay—something we would have liked to have more often.

It’s worth noting that the menu in the snack bar remained the same every day, with no changes throughout our visit. While the offerings were satisfying, a bit of variety would have enhanced our experience.

Dinner Buffet
The dinner buffet was more accommodating for vegans, featuring a rotating theme each night that included a variety of plant-based dishes. We particularly enjoyed Greek Night, which offered delicious options like stuffed peppers, vegetable rice, fresh salads, and green beans and carrots in a herby tomato sauce, potatoes in olive oil and cauliflower in lemon oil. It was delicious!

Other themed nights included Asian Night, where I enjoyed rice with stir-fried vegetables and vegetable curry, and International Night, which featured a stuffed pepper, green beans, peas, sweetcorn, salad, and carrots in a tomato-based sauce.

Here’s a breakdown of the themed nights in the all-inclusive buffet while we stayed:

• Monday: Italian Night
• Tuesday: Gala Night
• Wednesday: Mexican Night
• Thursday: Greek Night
• Friday: International Night
• Saturday: Mediterranean Night
• Sunday: Chef’s Night

My 9-year-old son was a fan of the spaghetti with Napoli sauce, which he requested every evening! He loved it so much that I was surprised to see a “contains milk” sticker had been added to the sauce label on our last night. I’m not sure if the recipe changed for that evening or if they simply forgot to label it correctly earlier in the week, as Napoli sauce is usually vegan-friendly. To note, that’s how we knew what was vegan friendly, and what makes this hotel good for allergy sufferers, as every food product is labelled with allergens and whether it contains milk, eggs, fish, etc.

When we inquired about vegan desserts, we discovered we could request options from the kitchen, as none were displayed in the buffet. The children enjoyed banoffee pies and mousse, which was a nice touch. However, we had to ask a waiter each day for the vegan dessert options, as they were prepared specifically for those with dietary needs. While they mentioned a vegan cheesecake, it was noted that the priority was given to allergies. Although I understand this approach, it would have been great to see some vegan desserts readily available in the buffet, especially given the hotel’s promotion of its vegan-friendly offerings prompting us to stay here.

I did feel slightly uncomfortable having to request these items daily from the same staff member each time, which may have been my social anxiety coming into play; I hope it wasn’t a hassle for the staff. Overall, while the options were better than we anticipated, having more accessible vegan choices in the buffet would enhance the experience for guests like us.

Other themes included Asian night on which I enjoyed rice with stir fried vegetables and a vegetable curry. As well as International night when I enjoyed I had a stuffed pepper, green beans, peas, sweetcorn, salad and carrots in a tomato based sauce. 

Lunch Buffet
The lunch buffet was similar to the dinner service, featuring many warm dishes and a large salad bar. We found the atmosphere to be much quieter during lunch, which we preferred for a more relaxed dining experience. In contrast, the dinner service often became quite busy and noisy with the hustle and bustle of other guests.

For lunch, we mainly opted for salads, vegetables, or spaghetti with tomato Napoli sauce. The quieter setting might be due to many guests being out for the day or enjoying the poolside snack bar.

A La Carte Dining
One complimentary à la carte meal is included per week for all-inclusive guests, while additional meals at the à la carte restaurants come at an extra charge. There are three options to choose from: Asian, Italian, or Greek. These restaurants are very popular, so it’s advisable to book a few days in advance; we simply reserved our spot through guest services located opposite the reception desk.

We opted for the Italian restaurant, excited to see they offered a vegan pizza! When we informed the waitress that we were all vegan, she promptly checked with the chef and returned with even more options than those listed on the menu. We had the choice of vegan pizza (though they only had enough vegan cheese for one pizza!), vegan calzone, vegetable-filled beetroot ravioli, or spaghetti with green vegan pesto. Between us, we ordered one of each of the four available vegan-friendly meals, and everything was incredibly tasty and enjoyable.

Dining in the à la carte setting was a refreshing change from the bustling atmosphere of the buffet. The restaurant was much calmer and quieter, with our table situated further away from others, providing us with a sense of privacy and attentive service. After several days of buffet meals, it truly felt like a treat. We were also delighted to receive a welcome drink as well as one complimentary drink of choice each, and for dessert, we could choose between fresh fruit or sorbet.

Overall, we thoroughly enjoyed our à la carte meal, and I would highly recommend taking advantage of this complimentary dining experience!

Ice Cream and Snack Hut

Included in the all-inclusive package is the ice cream hut which opens daily at 2:30 PM. It quickly became a favourite spot for the kids! They loved indulging in sorbets, a delicious vegan lemon ice cream, and even treated themselves to a bag of popcorn each.

A thoughtful touch is the steps provided at the hut, allowing younger children to easily reach the counter and place their own orders. This made the experience even more enjoyable for them, fostering a sense of independence while they enjoyed their sweet treats!

Lobby Bar

While we never ate or drank there, there is a bar in the lobby too which offers some drinks and pastries. You can sit in the hotel lobby or there is a large terrace outside with views across the complex.

All-Inclusive Drinks at the Atlantica Aegean Blue

Bar Experience

Being all-inclusive at the hotel made ordering drinks at the bar easy—no need to worry about the cost! The alcoholic options included local beer on tap, house wines, cocktails, and a variety of spirits and mixers. The kids enjoyed slushes and juices, as well as water, helping them stay hydrated throughout the day.

The local beer was the nicest option for us, and we did enjoy a mojito one day. But my preferences at home would be cider, spiced rum, and Prosecco, which weren’t an option. It would be nice to see these options added in the future.

While I sometimes chose not to drink, when I did, I found it hard to finish more than a pint of beer. By the fourth day, we decided to buy some cider from the hotel shop, which offered a selection of branded drinks. This was a nice change, but we had obviously hoped we wouldn’t need to buy any food or drink at the hotel.

The bar staff at the main hotel bar were particularly friendly, where we mainly ordered our drinks. There’s also a self-serve drink option in the snack bar. Additionally, there’s a swim-up pool bar nearest the sea, which we didn’t use since it’s in the “blue zone,” designed for quieter relaxation and not suitable for our children who prefer to play in the pool. However, I can imagine it would be a lovely experience to enjoy a drink at the pool bar while taking in the sea view!

Room Amenties

A nice touch in our rooms was the daily restocking of the mini fridge with four bottled waters, four juice cartons, and two beers. We initially thought we might be charged for these, but it turned out they were included free of charge. This was a great bonus and added to our overall experience.

Pools at the Atlantica Aegean Blue Resort

The Atlantica Aegean Blue offers a variety of pools, making it easy to find loungers, especially in October. There’s a shallow kids’ splash pool, a larger pool with three depth sections, a smaller pool for games and activities, a “private pool” as my kids nicknamed it, and a swim-up bar pool.

The “blue zone” pool is perfect for a quieter experience, featuring a swim-up bar and stunning sea views. From this pool, you can access the sea via steps, which was much warmer than the pools during our visit!

We discovered a hidden gem behind some hedges that the kids dubbed the “private pool. ” There, we enjoyed a peaceful day with only one other family on one afternoon and all to ourselves for an entire afternoon another day! Note that this deeper pool at 1.4m doesn’t have a lifeguard, so it’s best for confident swimmers—my 12-year-old could stand, but my 9-year-old couldn’t reach the bottom.

Atlantica Aegean Blue Waterpark Experience

A highlight of our stay was the onsite waterpark, which featured multiple flumes, a lazy river, a thrilling drop slide, a designated splash area for toddlers, and another area with slides and fountains for children aged 6-12. The waterpark was open from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and then again in the afternoon from around 1:30 p.m. to approximately 5 p.m.

We discovered that arriving right at 10 a.m. was ideal, as it was very quiet with no queues, allowing us to enjoy every ride without waiting. However, by 10:30 a.m., the park became much busier, and the rings ran out quickly. During our two morning visits, we managed to experience all the attractions multiple times before the crowds arrived!

Some of the standout features included the Space Boat, Black Hole rafting slides, Kamikaze, Freefall, Multi Slides, Turbo Lance, and Animal Kingdom, along with the toddler pool and lazy river. For safety reasons, children need to be at least 12 years old or have a minimum height of 1.20 meters to use the larger slides. However, we could use double rings with our 9-year-old, allowing him to slide with us on some of the water rides, which was a lot of fun!

The hotel also provides direct access to a small beach on the right side, accessed with your room key, along with additional beaches on either side reachable by swimming from the pool bar. The sea was significantly warmer than the pools during our stay, making it a great alternative for swimming. Plus, there are plenty of water sports, pedalos with slides, and boat rentals available directly from the left beach.

Beach Access from Atlantica Aegean Blue Hotel: White Rock Beach and Kolimbia Beach

The beaches outside the Atlantica Aegean Blue Hotel consist of various hotel beaches, White Rock Beach and Kolimbia Beach.

You can access the sea directly from the hotel via steps behind the swim-up bar, but there was no sand right by the hotel during our stay. The water was warm, warmer than the pool, but it dropped off quickly after just a few meters, so we kept an eye on the children.

To the right of the hotel is White Rock Beach, accessible with your room key card. Loungers are available for hire at €7.50 per day, and you might spot some goats roaming the beach and the adjacent Tsambika mountain.

Walking to the left along the beach strip will lead you to Kolimbia Beach, where you’ll find various sunbathing spots and a cliffside restaurant offering beautiful views. The beach is mostly pebble with some grey gritty sand, so consider wearing water shoes or trainers for comfort.

You can swim or wade from the hotel to access both sides of beaches, and there are plenty of water sports available, including pedalos and boat rentals.

Entertainment and Amenities at the Hotel Aegean Blue, Rhodes

While we didn’t participate in the entertainment, there was a full schedule of daytime activities, nighttime shows, and two kids clubs: the hotel kids club and the TUI kids club for TUI guests. Although we can’t comment on these offerings, it’s clear there’s plenty to enjoy.

The hotel features a well-equipped gym, a soft play area for toddlers, a playpark, a football area, volleyball, a spa and sauna, an arcade, a TV room, and a mini market.

We visited the shop several times for snacks and small treats, including Pokémon cards! The staff were incredibly friendly and joined in on the fun when our son joked about not having money to pay. They playfully suggested he work off the cost by mopping the floor, which led to a hilarious moment where they actually got him a mop and bucket.

In the end, they rewarded him with a lollipop and let our daughter pick a treat too! It was a memorable holiday moment we’ll be retelling for years to come, I’m sure!

Staff

Overall, most of the hotel staff were friendly and welcoming. However, we encountered a few front-facing staff at the snack bar who seemed disinterested and unresponsive, despite our polite interactions in both English and Greek.

In contrast, the shop staff were particularly friendly, as were many in the buffet area. The check-in receptionist and buggy driver also provided excellent service, and all the room cleaning staff we encountered were great.

The Italian à la carte team was wonderful too; we had three staff members attend to us during our meal, and they were all fantastic.

While the lack of enthusiasm from some snack bar and buffet staff was noted, the positive experiences with the majority of the staff made up for these shortcomings.

Hotel Surroundings: Kolymbia Harbour, Theotokos Hills and Tsambika Mountain

The setting of the hotel is stunning, located at the foot of picturesque white rocky Tsambika mountain, providing beautiful scenery from the hotel and its pools. There are plenty of areas to explore on foot directly from the hotel.

Tsambika Mountain
On our last full day, we finally climbed Tsambika Mountain, which is right next to the hotel. We started our ascent from White Rock Beach, which was quite steep! On our descent, we found a less steep path that connected back to the Tsambika Monastery trail, making it a better option for the climb down.

Despite our challenging route, we enjoyed the trek, following red paint stripes on the rocks (perhaps indicating a more dangerous path?!). The climb was rewarded with stunning views of the coastline, and from the top, we could see Tsambika Beach with its golden sands and inflatable aqua park in the water.

Kolymbia Harbour and Theotokos Hills
One evening before sunset, we walked from the hotel to Kolimbia Beach and made our way to Kolymbia Harbour, climbing up Theotokos Hill (also known as Kolymbia Flag Hill) to catch the sunset behind the surrounding mountains. The views were breathtaking and well worth the effort, as we love walking, and it was an easy climb up this hill.

Disappointing Litter Issue
Unfortunately, the area on the main Kolymbia side, on the opposite side of Theotokos hill from our hotel, was littered with trash. It looked as if bin bags had been tipped out, and the mess continued along the roads back to the hotel. The sight of litter along beautiful flower bushes was disheartening, as it tarnished an otherwise lovely location. This issue did not appear to be solely due to tourists; it raised questions about the adequacy of waste bins and whether the local council is collecting rubbish regularly. The side of Theotokos Hill facing our hotel was not littered, however, and offered stunning views of the mountains and Kolymbia Harbour.

Since returning I did a little research and it seems Rhodes privatised it’s rubbish collections. I found this interesting article talking about the issue of litter and why it might be contributing to falling rates of tourism in Greece.

More Things To Do Nearby

There is the main Kolymbia strip of shops and tavernas, as well as more beaches on the other side of Kolymbia Flag Hill, however, we did not explore these during our stay. I did grab a photo of the Kolymbia town map though, as you can see above.

Would We Stay Again at the Atlantica Aegean Blue Hotel?

Yes, we would consider staying at the Atlantica Aegean Blue Hotel and resort again. However, as vegans who prefer less crowded environments, we find that self-catering accommodations suit our family better. This allows us to prepare our own meals while also dining out at restaurants that offer vegan options we enjoy.

The rooms were impressive at first, but the lack of a full partition made it challenging to separate ourselves from our children. This meant my husband and I couldn’t stay up later without disturbing them with our conversations and light. Additionally, the open-plan layout lacked privacy for the bathroom, which could make it hard to go! While connected rooms could offer a solution, they would be beyond our budget, especially since this was already the most expensive holiday we’ve had as a family.

Final Thoughts on the Atlantica Aegean Blue in Rhodes

Overall, our week in Kolymbia at the Atlantica Aegean Blue was a fantastic experience for our family. The hotel provided a comfortable and welcoming environment, with a range of vegan dining options that surpassed our previous all-inclusive experiences. While there were areas for improvement, such as the need for more accessible vegan snacks and drinks, the positives outweighed the negatives.

The staff’s hospitality, the luxurious room, and the delightful themed dinners made our holiday memorable. The on-site waterpark was a hit with the kids, and we appreciated the variety of amenities available for families.

If you’re a vegan family looking for a friendly all-inclusive option in Rhodes, the Atlantica Aegean Blue is definitely worth considering. With its stunning location, excellent facilities, and commitment to accommodating dietary needs, it might just be the perfect choice for your next family getaway!

We booked our holiday with TUI. Read my TUI review to find out how our airport transfers were, organising excursions such as the boat trip to Chalki Island and Butterfly Valley, the Hippo Submarine boat trip from Lindos and more!

Before You Go

Rhodes offers a rich blend of culture, history, and natural beauty, making it a unique travel experience. Whether you’re fascinated by the island’s intriguing architecture such as the Lindos acropolis or the Medieval City of Rhodes, or are looking forward to exploring Rhodes in the quieter, cooler month of October, there’s so much to uncover.

Discover 10 great reasons why visiting Rhodes in October might just be the best decision for your trip!

For an interesting look into the mystery of Rhodes’ unfinished buildings, be sure to check out my guide on the reasons behind the many empty structures across the island.