If you’ve ever scrolled through villa photos and wondered whether a wide-angle lens is making everything look twice the size, you’re not alone.

That’s exactly what I thought when we booked Villa Koan at Zen Club Luxury Villas in Kolymbia, Rhodes. The villas looked incredibly modern and sleek, but I half expected them to feel a lot smaller in real life.

They didn’t.

When we arrived, we were genuinely amazed. Villa Koan felt even bigger and more impressive than the photos. Everything looked new, fresh and beautifully finished, and from that first step inside, we had the feeling we’d chosen somewhere special.

This review shares exactly what our stay was like, from the late-night arrival and first impressions to the bedrooms, bathrooms, pool, location and who I think this villa is best for.

Arriving Late At Night: First Impressions Of Villa Koan

We arrived at the villa at around 10.30pm after a long day of travel, tired and a bit frazzled from a door-to-door journey of around 14 hours. It was dark, quiet and very peaceful when we pulled up outside.

Even though we couldn’t yet see the mountains or garden properly, the villa itself already felt impressive. The clean lines, modern design and the sense of space were obvious, even in the evening light.

Getting into the villa was very simple once we worked it out. I’d been sent a key code a few days before, so I was wandering around looking for a lock box. Ben then suggested the code might go on the door handle itself. He was right.

The villa has keyless entry, so you simply tap the code into the door handle to unlock it. Such a small thing, but it felt really modern and convenient, especially when you’re arriving in the dark with luggage and tired children.

(We didn’t need to worry about losing a key either, only a code to remember, which we saved in our phone Notes app and made the kids memorise too, just in case!)

Inside, we were greeted by some really thoughtful welcome touches. On the dining table and in the kitchen there were:

• Breadsticks, crackers and snacks
• A bottle of wine
• A peach juice
• Bottled water chilling in the fridge

After a long day of travel, these little extras made such a difference. We helped ourselves to the breadsticks, wine and juice, cosied up on the sofa for a short while, and then headed to bed.

Even in the dark, that first evening, the villa felt spacious, modern and spotless. We went to bed excited to see it properly in the morning, and to check whether we really were at the foot of Tsambika Mountain as I suspected from the photos and from a previous stay in Kolymbia last year when we had a family holiday to Rhodes.

Bedrooms And Sleep Quality

One of the things that stood out straight away was how comfortable the beds were.

Our bed in the main bedroom was huge, with a very comfortable mattress and a super soft blanket. I often find the first night, or the first two nights, away from home quite unsettled, but I slept so well here. The pillows were comfy too, and the room was dark, quiet, warm and cosy.

The children’s bedroom was also plenty spacious, with more than enough room for them and their things. In the bedrooms there was:

• Plenty of wardrobe space
• A dresser and bedside tables
• Bedside lamps
• A shelf at the top of the wardrobe
• Two drawers in the wardrobe
• A full-length mirror
• A safe with a key, if needed

We all slept well every night, including the kids who desperately needed a lie-in after our long travel day. The overall feeling was that the bedrooms had been properly thought through for real families, not just styled for photos.

The beds were large, there were sheets or blankets to sleep under, depending on the heat and personal preference, there was more than enough space for our clothing and plenty of space around the beds and furniture to put our suitcases or to open them up on the floor without it feeling cramped.

Mid-week, on the Wednesday, our beds were changed and freshly made. This was a lovely surprise, as I wasn’t necessarily expecting a bed change during a private villa stay of this type.

Two Modern Bathrooms And Thoughtful Extras

I either didn’t realise or had forgotten that the villa had two bathrooms. I had it in my head that we were all sharing one.

Instead, we had a really convenient set-up:

• An ensuite bathroom off the main bedroom
• A second bathroom off the hallway for the children

This worked perfectly. Ben and I could have our own bathroom, and the kids had one to share. It made mornings and evenings so much easier, with almost no waiting for showers or the toilet.

Both bathrooms were spotlessly clean and modern. What really stood out were the complimentary toiletries and extras. They included:

• Hair and body wash in a natural-looking brand
• Toothbrush sets
• Cotton buds
• Kids and baby shampoo

I’d packed everything we needed, but if we stayed again I would happily pack lighter knowing how much is provided. It genuinely felt as though they’d thought of everything.

In the wardrobes we also discovered a sewing kit, lint roller, hairdryer and first aid kit, Oh, and there was a pair of slippers each!

There was also a set of white bathroom towels for each of us, plus a separate pool towel each. The bathroom towels were changed mid-week, again on the Wednesday, which was another nice touch and kept everything feeling fresh.

Open-Plan Kitchen, Dining And Living Area

The main living space is open-plan, combining the kitchen, dining area and living room. It felt bright, minimal and modern, but still cosy enough for family evenings in.

The living area has a large L-shaped grey sofa, which we found very comfortable with plenty of room for all four of us, along with a coffee table and a TV. There was also a basket with some books and magazines, which gave it that homely feel rather than a bare holiday rental.

The kitchen and dining space included:

• A kitchen dining table with four seats
• A large fridge-freezer
• A mini dishwasher
• A well-equipped set of pots, pans, utensils and crockery
• Oven and hobs
• A few useful condiments, such as salt and pepper
• Some tea bags
• A coffee machine (Nespresso-style) with pods

We cooked at least one meal a day in the villa and felt like we had almost everything we needed. The only thing we missed was a toaster, but we simply used the grill on the oven to make toast and it was absolutely fine.

Everything in the kitchen felt new, clean and well cared for. The overall look was modern, minimal and spacious, and there was more than enough room for our family of four to relax, cook and eat comfortably.

Outdoor Space And Private Pool – The Star Of The Show

As lovely as the inside is, the outdoor area is really the star of the show at Villa Koan. And at all of the Zen Luxury Club Villas, as they each have a very similar outdoor space!

Just outside the sliding doors you step into a private, beautifully designed garden with your own small rectangular pool. The pool is not heated, which is worth knowing, but this is quite normal for Greece where the season runs through the warmer months.

The water felt cold when we first got in, especially in mid to late October, but once you take the plunge and get your whole body, including your shoulders, under the water quickly, it feels absolutely fine. In fact, it becomes really refreshing. We ended up swimming in the pool most days.

Around the pool and garden there are lots of lovely seating and relaxing options, including:

• Comfy outdoor sofas, perfect for morning coffees and evening Prosecco
• Bean bag chairs, which the kids loved as a bit of a novelty
• Double-bed style luxury sun loungers with deep memory foam mattresses
• A tiki-style sun parasol made from bamboo, giving welcome shade

The loungers were particularly good for daytime naps, reading and simply relaxing next to the pool. Being able to stretch out on a double lounger with a deep mattress felt very indulgent.

There’s even an outdoor shower!

There’s also a great outdoor dining and entertaining area. You’ll find:

• An outdoor bar area with four bar stools
• An outdoor sink
• A gas barbecue
• An outdoor dining table where we enjoyed lunchtime meals together

The garden itself is hard-landscaped but planted beautifully with palm trees, young tropical plants and cacti. It feels luxurious yet low-maintenance, and fits perfectly with the surrounding landscape.

One of the unexpected highlights was the amount of wildlife that visited the garden. During our stay we saw:

• A peacock
• A locust
• A praying mantis
• Lizards
• Butterflies
• Dragonflies
• Damselflies

Looking up towards the mountains, we could also see goats roaming and climbing on the rocks. The villas sit at the foot of the mountains, at the end of a cul-de-sac road, and this gives the whole area a very quiet and peaceful feel.

The garden of Villa Koan gets the sun all day long, which is perfect if you love sunbathing, swimming and living outside as much as possible on holiday. At the bottom of the villa’s garden there’s an olive grove, which adds to the sense of being tucked into the landscape rather than surrounded by built-up resort hotels.

From the villa you can see Tsambika Mountain, which we had climbed on a previous visit when we stayed at the Atlantica Aegean Blue hotel. It felt quite special to look up at a mountain we already had memories attached to, this time from the quiet of our own private garden and pool.

(I’m sure when we climbed the mountain last year, we looked down and saw these villas, or some nearby villas, and said it would be great to stay there!)

Location In Kolymbia – Beach, Tavernas And Local Facilities

Zen Club Luxury Villas are set in Kolymbia on the east coast of Rhodes. The location of Villa Koan suited us perfectly.

Kolymbia Beach is a maximum 5-minute walk away, straight down the road from the villa. The sea here is crystal clear and really beautiful, and we found the water lovely and warm in October in Rhodes thanks to being heated by the summer sun for months beforehand.

Kolymbia town itself is not far from the villa and is very walkable. In the area around the villas and down towards the main road of Kolymbia, you’ll find:

• Tavernas for food and drinks
• A few small shops
• A pharmacy

Some of the nearest tavernas are only a few minutes’ walk from the villa, which makes it easy to eat out without needing to drive. Everything you need for a relaxed holiday is within walking distance.

That said, I’d definitely recommend hiring a car if you want to explore more of Rhodes. The island has so many lovely beaches, viewpoints and villages, and having a car makes it easy to get out for day trips while still using the villa as a peaceful base.

On this trip we used our hire car to visit:

• Seven Springs
• Tsambika Beach
• Rhodes Old Town
• Lindos
• St Paul’s Bay

Self-Catering Villa Vs All-Inclusive Hotel In Kolymbia

On a previous October holiday to Kolymbia in Rhodes we stayed at the Atlantica Aegean Blue hotel on an all-inclusive package, which was amazing in its own way. It meant endless food options, lots of facilities and that classic resort feel.

Staying at Zen Club Luxury Villas felt very different.

Here’s what we preferred about the villa set-up:

• Having our own bedrooms and space for everyone
• Enjoying a completely private pool, rather than sharing with other guests
• The peace and quiet of being at the end of a cul-de-sac at the foot of the mountains
• The flexibility to cook our own meals when we wanted, or walk out to a taverna when we fancied it
• Enjoying meals in peace and quiet instead of being surrounded by hundreds of other guests in a buffet setting!

For us, the villa offered more privacy, more quiet time and a more relaxed pace. We loved being able to spread out, potter around in the garden, and feel like we had our own little home in Rhodes rather than just a hotel room.

If you love busy entertainment programmes, swim-up bars and constant activity, an all-inclusive hotel may suit you more. But if you crave space, peace and the freedom to come and go on your own schedule, the villa experience wins by quite a distance.

My ideal holiday, which we’ll afford one day, would be a beachfront villa with privacy, on an all-inclusive resort, so we have the option of self-catering, all-inclusive buffets, restaurants, room service, shared pools, and our own private pool – the mix of everything in one holiday would be my dream holiday, I’m sure!

Practicalities: WiFi, Quiet Hours And Housekeeping

From a practical point of view, Villa Koan worked very well for us, especially as we need to work remotely when we travel.

The WiFi connection was perfect throughout our stay. There was a QR code to scan, which made connecting really easy. We usually work in the mornings and evenings, sometimes in the afternoon depending on our travel itinerary, and had no issues at all with speed or reliability.

Housekeeping-wise, there isn’t daily cleaning like you might get in a hotel, but we did have:

• Fresh bathroom towels delivered and changed mid-week
• Beds changed and made for us mid-week

For a self-catering villa stay, this felt generous and kept things feeling clean without being intrusive. We’ve stayed in a villa before, such as a villa on a farm in Cyprus, and there was no mid-week change of towels, and honestly, it’s not something we’d expect when staying in a villa, so it was a surprise.

There are also quiet hours in place, including in the afternoon between 15.00 and 17.30. This is worth knowing, especially if you have children, as the villas are close together and part of the appeal is the peaceful setting. It’s ideal if you enjoy an afternoon rest, nap or quiet time by the pool. For us, we were mainly out exploring each day, but on any days we were at the villa, it was perfect timing for us to work and let the kids have some screen time to stop them splashing around making lots of noise in the pool while other guests enjoyed the quiet hours!

It’s also worth noting that there’s no reception or on-site concierge as you might find in a hotel. This is more of an independent style of stay, with everything set up for you in advance, rather than staff on hand all the time. We liked this, but it’s something to be aware of if you’re used to hotel service.

Who Is Zen Club Luxury Villas Best For?

Based on our experience at Villa Koan, I’d say this type of accommodation is perfect for:

• Couples who want peace, privacy and a relaxing base with a private pool
• Families who are generally calm and considerate, and happy to respect quiet hours
• Independent travellers who like self-catering and don’t need a reception or entertainment programme

It suits people who are happy to make their own fun, cook some of their own meals or wander out to local tavernas, and use the villa as a comfortable base for exploring Rhodes.

If you visit Rhodes in late October, it’s helpful to know that:

• The pool will feel cold at first, but refreshing once you’re in
• The sea is surprisingly warm after heating up all summer
• Evenings can feel a little cooler, so a light cover-up is handy
• Having a car opens up the island, while still letting you enjoy the convenience of being able to walk to the beach and local tavernas

Our Honest Verdict – Would We Stay At Villa Koan Again?

In short, yes. Absolutely.

I genuinely loved this villa. The huge comfy bed, the modern bathrooms, the thoughtful extras, the beautifully designed garden, the private pool, the wildlife and the mountain views all combined to create a really special stay.

We didn’t even manage to use everything, such as the barbecue area, simply because our week went by so quickly. That’s usually a good sign. We could easily have spent two or three weeks here, settling into a slower rhythm of pool time, beach walks, taverna dinners and more day trips around Rhodes.

If we return to Kolymbia, I’d be more than happy to stay at Villa Koan again. For us, Zen Club Luxury Villas offered the perfect blend of comfort, privacy, location and peace, with just the right touch of luxury without feeling over the top.

More Great Rhodes Articles:

• Hippo Submarine Cruise in Lindos with Navarone Bay Swim
• Is it Worth Visiting Butterfly Valley Out of Season?
• Chalki Island & Butterfly Valley Review: Is the TUI Boat Trip from Rhodes Worth It?
• Sunset Evening Walk: Kolymbia Harbour and Theotokos Hills
• The Mystery of Unfinished Buildings in Rhodes and the Greek Islands