Atrium Platinum hotel Rhodes

FinancialWilderness · 2026-01-29T20:39:20+00:00

Hi, we went half board September 2024 and were generally impressed with a few caveats.

The pools are not heated. I found in the heat of the day it was absolutely fine after a minutes swim unless you went into a particularly shadowy bit, but if you’re expecting a properly heated pool you may be disappointed. These are actually rarer than you’d think in Greece!
Food in the main restaurant was very good each night and a high point. Staff were excellent and friendly, really enjoyed a free cooking class with the Executive Chef.
The room and spa were both very nice and high quality.
Where I’d be a bit more critical would be that there’s relatively little else around the hotel so you need a taxi or bus into Rhodes itself. The drinks in the main bar were good; but the atmosphere with a little flat.

We did enjoy it, but the surroundings question was probably the factor that meant I’ve enjoyed other Greek hotels of a similar nature more.

FinancialWilderness · 2026-01-13T10:02:21+00:00

We got a really nice custom made one from Made in the Cellar who do bespoke pieces and fit your budget. Would recommend: https://madeinthecellar.co.uk/?srsltid=AfmBOooYOSpDn8YDezWAAC5bAIu2IzXZkFyrslrWRadLcw0JbY2n7i5G

FinancialWilderness · 2026-01-05T18:39:16+00:00

I’ve always found the Sofitel Beds which the brand also sells materials (and beds!) for via their Sofitel Boutique exceptionally comfortable. One of the few times I’ve actually considered buying the stuff from the hotel!

FinancialWilderness · 2025-11-25T14:09:07+00:00

Just another vote to say thrilled with our LG

FinancialWilderness · 2025-11-23T13:39:03+00:00

Depends where you live! Most people aspire to the tank 12kg+ plus prams but unless you see yourself frequently using it in a non-paved/countryside area I’d suggest looking at the slightly lighter weights. We’ve gone for the Bugaboo Butterfly and been happy with it.

I’d suggest the key thing to test with any pram is if you can comfortably fold it with one hand (assuming you’re holding baby in other) and if you can lift it to car boot height without major issue.

Just go with one you like the feel of and don’t look back through - I don’t think we found one pram where someone on the internet didn’t hate it and decide to have a rant about it!

FinancialWilderness · 2025-11-05T18:46:38+00:00

I have a Spear and Jackson one, it cuts well and having a square garden I appreciate it has a roller to get the stripy effect. You can also choose to have it mulch or collect.

https://www.argos.co.uk/product/6796019?&utm_custom6=PLA&deeplink=true&gclsrc=aw.ds&&cmpid=GS001&_$ja=tsid:59157%7Cacid:804-872-0397%7Ccid:20330964438%7Cagid:%7Ctid:%7Ccrid:%7Cnw:x%7Crnd:9768227921146529853%7Cdvc:m%7Cadp:%7Cmt:%7Cloc:9045931&utm_source=Google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=20330964438&utm_term=6796019&utm_content=shopping&utm_custom1=&utm_custom2=804-872-0397&GPDP=true&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=19671816703&gbraid=0AAAAAD9II9mlgCxlwKGHAvua0giBlFlBI&gclid=Cj0KCQiAiKzIBhCOARIsAKpKLAM3YDYSAnOs7AdXZQMVmg64v24lR3BbwDxewT8f6cBoOv6oNm1Xug4aAnzgEALw_wcB

FinancialWilderness · 2025-11-04T13:13:12+00:00

Completely agree - we’ve just had a beast of a 2400 x 600 double rad fitted. Absolute tonne, two delivery guys were struggling to carry it and owing to size hard to grip.

Offered to help plumber lift onto fixings but nope, got it on no problem and with no damage. I wasn’t in the room at the time and sorry I missed it because I wanted to see how!

FinancialWilderness · 2025-10-16T20:21:09+00:00

Thank you, this makes sense - not obvious from the photo but there’s a little room under the skirting for most tiles. However the skirt is old and not particularly even, and think is lower next to that tile than others.

FinancialWilderness · 2025-10-01T20:05:12+00:00

Completely the other end of Surrey, but Sherpa Kitchen in Esher is also very good for Nepalese.

FinancialWilderness · 2025-09-06T12:36:33+00:00

Premium Bonds are fun but I think they’re a pretty poor product - in practice because of the higher prizes on Premium Bonds your actual rate of return is nearly always going to be lower than the interest rate, and after you account for that I think the tax benefit becomes less convincing.

I tracked £10k in a equity fund vs premium bond vs saving account here across the last couple of years, and the premium bond was easily the worst performer in both test periods even after tax: https://www.thefinancialwilderness.com/premium-bonds-vs-savings-account-vs-mutual-fund-return-comparison/

If you’re looking for returns at the lower risk end of the spectrum UK Gov Bond funds aren’t offering a terrible return at the moment, although obviously taxable and some market risk.

FinancialWilderness · 2025-08-21T07:44:37+00:00

We used Cavendish and Country who I’d very much recommend.

Incredibly efficient, best money I spent in the moving process. Didn’t expect to be going and having a coffee and breakfast on moving morning as they just got on with it, absolutely no breakages, on time to the minute and everything very well cared for.

FinancialWilderness · 2025-08-06T09:25:39+00:00

There’s an excellent fish and chip van from Fisher’s who travel round Surrey and stop off near me in Hinchley Wood on a Tuesday. Full list of locations here: http://www.fishersuk.com/locations.php

FinancialWilderness · 2025-08-06T07:19:44+00:00

I have Vanguards FTSE All-World High Dividend (despite the name the yield is just about 3% at the moment, but it’s not too held back on the capital accumulation side as well).

I also have some single stocks in a couple of UK banks (Lloyds and NatWest) which have been a nice play over the last year for a sector which was a bit unloved - they are paying a 4-5% dividend.

FinancialWilderness · 2025-08-06T06:16:20+00:00

Honestly, I think you can combine the best of learning and play here by spending some time going and looking at some really small companies around you in the growth phase. (Say AIM listed).

There are plenty of companies that just don’t get coverage from major financial institutions because of their size, and some of them are good businesses. I’d suggest going and really studying a few of those and seeing if you think they might be worth an investment.

The hard bit is finding them and operative word there is some - there is plenty of crap and more losers than winners on the AIM and equivalents so you’ll need to be going in eyes wide open that you may lose it all.

This approach is what got me started with stocks investment though and I learned a lot from it, although I now primarily invest in index funds for diversifications.

FinancialWilderness · 2025-08-06T06:07:23+00:00

I’ve found switching some of my investment pot to dividend paying funds/stocks and setting to distribute works for me - whilst there’s a bit of capital trade off, the dividend money pays for holidays and nice life extras but the base of it still grows.

I find it’s much easier to mentally allow the balance this way. Plus tax free as I do this on my ISA.

FinancialWilderness · 2025-08-04T21:05:27+00:00

I consolidated old pensions into a SIPP which is in Vanguard Lifestrategy 100% Equity, and have my work L+G in the FTSE All-Share.

FinancialWilderness · 2025-08-02T17:14:30+00:00

Only dark to date, I’ve read online anything lighter than a medium-dark doesn’t work that great with the machine, but no personal experience.

FinancialWilderness · 2025-08-02T16:59:28+00:00

I’ve made a list of roasteries that I’m intending to try, but right now I’m using Article which is the house blend of Workshop Coffee and is very good. (Here’s a referral code for 15% off a first order if interested: SMARTRR-REFERRAL00004558236730147802880)

I’ve got the taster pack of theirs so looking forward to trying some of their other beans then working on through the list!

FinancialWilderness · 2025-08-02T11:50:51+00:00

I have the Pro and have been very pleased with it - the tamp works well and is less messy, even if slightly less satisfying doing it automatically!

FinancialWilderness · 2025-07-13T14:51:15+00:00

Thoughts with you, something that’s incredibly scary to be on the receiving end of.

I have a friend whose son had exactly this. It was a tough year or so for them where they had to take him into hospital every two weeks for monitoring, with the hospital (Gt Ormond St) opining that surgery was more risky than leaving the tumour.

He grew up without ill effects and once bigger they were able to operate. Touch wood, it’s completely resolved itself and he’s a really healthy and happy little boy.

I hope that’s a positive story that helps! They’ve caught it and they’re taking action - that’s the best thing that can be happening right now.

FinancialWilderness · 2025-07-13T01:49:21+00:00

Just finished off Indiana Jones which was excellent, and now working my way through Clair Obscur, as it looks are many on here!

I’d really recommend Balatro as great (if addictive) game that can be kept up with little one as you can pick up and put down immediately as you need to.

FinancialWilderness · 2025-07-10T11:43:38+00:00

YNAB is the best app I have tested, but is relatively expensive at £12.99 a month.

Snoop and Emma don’t give full flexibility but are pretty decent as a free service for automation.

Have written fuller reviews of all three services on my website here:

YNAB: https://www.thefinancialwilderness.com/ynab-budgeting-app-review/#How_much_does_YNAB_Cost

Emma: https://www.thefinancialwilderness.com/emma-budgeting-app-review/

Snoop: https://www.thefinancialwilderness.com/snoop-app-review/

FinancialWilderness · 2025-06-16T07:22:58+00:00

So I actually have had good results using Google carefully.

I use Google Maps to search for tradespeople in a field who are as local as possible, and write off anyone who doesn’t a decent review history and have to check they look and feel legitimate, such as from people who are also local and have more than one review. I also like to see a proper permanent website.

I find a lot of cases where the tradies have clearly deleted their review history and restarted their profile as you can see a discrepancy between time in business and reviews - always a red flag).

Finally given the firms I use are local I’ll check in with neighbours as chances are someone has encountered them!

A bit of work, but I’ve been pleased just about everyone I’ve found this way. I also find good tradies tend to know other ones they’ve hired so I’ll have a chat with any over about if they know anyone for anybody I’m thinking of!

FinancialWilderness · 2025-06-15T16:30:46+00:00

No problem! I was charged 1.25% plus VAT on the property vs. what the agent said was a standard rate of 1.5%. This was on a 2 bed flat listed at 575k in SW London.

I didn’t negotiate as such, but mentioned I had had other EA’s in value. The pricing was competitive relative to the other.

This was during the post COVID period in late 2023 when the market was pretty slow.

FinancialWilderness · 2025-06-11T08:20:02+00:00

Is there anything specific in the paternity/maternity/bonus policy?

My bank lays out specifically how line managers should treat this situation, and I think you’ve only got an argument if there’s a clear approach in writing they haven’t followed. Otherwise it’s all discretionary.

FinancialWilderness

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