The first largest Greek island – picturesque Crete – is rich in resorts for a full summer holiday, acquaintance with historical sites and entertainment on the water. Rethymno, a compact city with more than 33,000 people, is one of those places in demand among foreign tourists.
The area of the resort is 26.77 sq. km. This is about 4 times less than the territory of Heraklion, but 2 times more – Chania. Rethymno – the third most populous and second largest city of the island – attracts tourists with its 13-kilometer sandy beach, water activities, Venetian architectural masterpieces and amazing natural landscapes.
Every year Rethymno is visited by tens of thousands of different travelers. For guests of the resort and its surroundings, the doors of more than 400 different hotels are open. The most popular among vacationers four-star hotels. Among them, there are a dozen leaders, about which tourists most often leave positive reviews.
Rimondi Boutique Hotel
In 2011, the luxurious hotel “Rimondi” opened its doors in the historic center of the city. Now, in 2021, Rimondi Boutique Hotel is a cozy hotel complex consisting of two buildings: Estate and Palazzo. The hotel is located on the territory of the Old Town near the famous historical and cultural sites of Rethymno:
- Venetian harbor;
- Archaeological Museum;
- City Park;
- Venetian Loggia – a unique architectural monument;
- Sultan Ibrahim Mosque;
- churches: St. Francis and Our Lady of the Angels;
- Rimondi Fountain;
- Fortezza is a well-preserved Venetian fortress.
Stylish and spacious rooms are located in renovated two-storey buildings built during the Venetian rule. Foreign tourists choose Rimondi Hotel for three main reasons:
- a quiet deserted corner of the Old Town;
- high level of service and friendliness of the staff;
- advantageous location in the historic quarter near the famous sights of Rethymno.
Rimondi Hotel offers accommodation and recreation in 33 cozy rooms of five categories, including 13 “suites”. The interior of the premises is decorated in brown and white colors. The total area of each room is from 20 to 55 sq. m.
Guests can enjoy breakfast in the spacious restaurant, which serves Cretan and Greek dishes, including local wines. Next to the pool, located in the courtyard, there are tables of a small bar. In summer, the restaurant has an outdoor terrace.
Guests of rimondi Hotel can relax in the spa. Specialists offer 30-50-minute massages and a variety of rejuvenating and wellness treatments. Guests can also relax in the spa’s Turkish bath. The hotel has qualified staff, massage therapists, cooks and maids. Visitors are almost always satisfied with the quality of service, friendly staff and delicious dishes of the restaurant.
Mikhail Voropaev, Moscow. Boutique hotel “Rimondi” left only positive emotions and impressions. Stayed in it with his wife. The main thing that suited us when choosing is the proximity to the city center. My wife was very pleased with the massage in the spa. I swam in the small pool almost all evenings. The restaurant tried local dishes. The waiters are very accommon. Another big plus – near the hotel there are many taverns and cafes. As we learned from one of the employees, there are more than 30 of them within 200 m of the hotel.
Pepi Boutique Hotel (Adults Only)
Next to the Archaeological Museum and Mikrasiaton Square on one of the old streets “hides” Pepi Boutique Hotel. The four-star hotel positions itself as Adults Only. Only 224 m, if you walk along the city streets, separate pepi Hotel from the neighboring hotel Rimondi.
Hotel “Pepi” began to receive guests in the autumn of 2009 A small two-storey building accommodates 18 cozy, well-equipped rooms of five categories. The area of each of them is from 20 to 48 sq. m. Guests of Rethymno prefer to stay at pepi Hotel for three reasons:
- proximity to historical sights;
- a small hotel with a beautiful compact courtyard;
- the opportunity to relax in a romantic atmosphere.
In the courtyard of the hotel there is a small rectangular swimming pool, available for vacationers only during the warm season. Here, next to the tall palm trees, there are several comfortable sun loungers. Guests of the hotel have breakfast and lunch in a cozy coffee corner. It serves Cretan dishes prepared in accordance with ancient traditions.
The doors of the old wine cellar are open for guests, where free excursions are regularly organized for vacationers. During the event, tastings of Greek and Cretan wines are certainly held.
Alena Sviridova, St. Petersburg. I chose the Pepi Hotel for two reasons: the location in the Old Town and the opportunity to spend a holiday in a romantic atmosphere with my husband. Expectations were fully justified. Quiet courtyard and quarter. Cozy rooms. Good breakfasts. My husband was very pleased with the fast and stable internet. I was also pleased that the prices are not as high as in many other 4-star hotels in Rethymno.
Palazzino di Corina
“Villa Corina” – so you can translate the name of the hotel. Palazzino di Corina opened its doors to its first guests in October 2010 “Palazzino di Corina” positions itself as a historic mini-hotel. The hotel is located in the old quarter near the objects well known to tourists:
- Venetian harbor;
- St. Anthony’s Catholic Church;
- Museum of Modern Art.
Guests of the hotel can choose one of 29 spacious rooms of four categories. The area of each of them is from 16 to 35 square meters. m. Thanks to antique furniture and interior, stylized under the Middle Ages, the restored premises of the three-story building retain an old atmosphere. Connoisseurs distinguish three main advantages of Palazzino di Corina over many other hotels of the resort:
- cozy atmosphere of the medieval era in the rooms and other rooms;
- location in the old historical district of the city;
- the opportunity to visit more than 40 restaurants, taverns and cafes located within 300 m from the hotel.
The Palazzino di Carina has a compact courtyard with a small swimming pool. Palm trees in tubs turn this cozy place into a miniature tropical garden. Breakfast is served in the small dining room. The hotel will suit those tourists who want to relax in a relaxing atmosphere, get acquainted with the taste of local dishes and wander in the evenings through the nearby streets, rich in historical sites.
Valeria Kozyrev. Voronezh. In Rethymno, she spent a vacation with her husband for the first time. Hotel Palazzino di Corina was chosen because of the ancient atmosphere, which is immediately felt when you look at the photos of those tourists who have already stayed here. When we saw the hotel in reality, we were not disappointed. The hotel is quiet. There was a feeling that we were in the distant past, where there is no fuss, cars and noisy crowds of people. Although smartphones and the Internet reminded us of our XXI century.
Hotel Byzantine
Next to the famous Gate of Guor, built by the Venetians in 1568, there is a small hotel “Byzantine”. Byzantine began to receive guests in July 2013 Near the hotel there are several objects that may be of interest to tourists:
- city park;
- Archaeological Museum;
- Churches: Metropolitan, Four Martyrs and Saint Barbara;
Hotel Byzantine is housed in a renovated building dating back to the Byzantine era. The façade and interior of the hotel look like a large house built in the traditional Greek style. Tourists stay at Byzantine for three reasons:
- in the hotel vacationers can feel the features of the Greek leisurely lifestyle;
- nearby are the southern quarters of the Old Town;
- guests are served by friendly staff and the host of the hotel “Byzantine”.
Hotel Byzantine will include 9 small rooms of five categories. The total area of each of them is from 18 to 35 square meters. m For vacationers there is a compact dining area where you can have breakfast. In summer, guests relax at tables in the courtyard decorated with flowers and subtropical shrubs. If desired, you can climb to the roof, where there is a cozy terrace for sunbathing.
Danila Komarov, Novosibirsk. In sunny Rethymno, my wife and son and I were three times. During the last vacation we stayed at the Byzantine Hotel. The hotel seems to be specially created for a family holiday. The rooms are quite different from those that are usually found in hotels. We got the impression that we became a Greek family living in our own apartment for a few days. The pastries served for breakfast are prepared according to local recipes. The rooms are quite cheap. The owner, who met us himself and made out the berth, is very friendly.
Achillion Palace
130 m from the port of Rethymno and 255 m from the beginning of the city’s sandy beach rises a modern six-storey building of the hotel “Ahillion Palace”. The hotel was inaugurated in December 2009 And the hotel has recently been successfully renovated.
Achillion Palace, located to the east of the Old Town, will suit lovers of a relaxing holiday and a pleasant pastime on the beach. For guests of the hotel there are 72 modern rooms of six categories – from standard to junior suite. In addition to a set of devices and items that provide a comfortable stay, Achillion Palace has everything you need for food, summer leisure and business meetings:
- a restaurant serving Greek dishes for breakfast;
- two bars – by the pool and in the lobby of the hotel;
- conference hall for up to 120 people;
- summer terrace with a large rooftop pool;
- subtropical garden in the courtyard of the hotel.
Tourists who do not have enough opportunities to relax in the hotel and on the beach, can visit the multiplex cinema Cineland Pantelis, located near the hotel.
Alina Popova, Volgograd. My friend and I chose the Achillion Palace Hotel for two reasons: there is a beach nearby and the Old Town is not far away. The rooms are homely and clean. Service at a decent level. Very beautiful views from the balconies. In sunny weather, we enjoyed admiring the seascapes. There are no complaints about breakfast, internet and quality of dishes in the restaurant.
May Beach Hotel
4.6 km east of the center of Rethymno is a three-storey building of the beach hotel “May”. May Beach Hotel has been welcoming guests since May 2011 From the doors of the hotel to the nearest beach – 420 m. Hotel “May” – a great option for tourists vacationing with their families. It will also suit those who can not imagine their vacation without beach entertainment and sports games.
Tourists will easily choose a suitable option for themselves from 76 well-equipped rooms of three categories. The area of each of them is from 21 to 28 square meters. m. The space of the premises expands due to balconies, from where you can see the green area on which everything that makes the rest interesting and diverse is located:
- tennis court;
- large swimming pool;
- palm garden;
- several playgrounds: children’s, for games – billiards, chess, table tennis and darts;
- swimming pool with three small slides for kids.
The total area of the hotel is 10 thousand square meters. m Next to the pool, surrounded by branchy palm trees, umbrellas and sun loungers are installed. Guests of the Mai Hotel can experience Greek, Mediterranean and Cretan dishes and drinks in three gastronomic establishments: the main restaurant and two bars – inside the building and near the large swimming pool.
Konstantin Averin, Moscow. The May Beach Hotel was chosen by my wife. It is located just off rethymno. The first thing that catches your eye when you come to the hotel is a large green area with palm trees and a swimming pool. We could not leave the hotel and find something to our liking – table tennis, swimming in the pool, billiards, chess. A big plus is that The May Hotel has its own parking, which accommodates up to 20 cars. The beach is not far away – 5-7 minutes walk. The hotel has staff who speak different languages well. Sofia is one of them. Breakfast and dinner in the hotel restaurant. Buffet lunches were served at the pool bar. Very tasty local dishes.
Ammos Suites
About 900 meters east of the port of Rethymno is the four-storey building of the Ammos Suites hotel. The hotel began to receive vacationers in May 2014 “Ammos” is only 14 m from the city sandy beach, located across the street. It is this advantage that attracts fans of a relaxed summer holiday here.
Ammos Suites has 15 small rooms of two categories: Deluxe Suite and Suite. The area of each of them is 20-55 sq. m. In the compact courtyard of the hotel there is a swimming pool, around which 8 sun loungers and 4 sun umbrellas are installed. There is also a snack bar. Guests of Ammos have breakfast in the hotel’s restaurant, where, sitting at tables, you can watch the colorful seascapes for a long time.
Valentina Kiriyenko, Dubna. My friend and I were choosing a hotel for a beach holiday. “Ammos” is perfect for this purpose. The rooms are small but clean. Pleased with the polite staff of the hotel, especially Regina – hotel manager. In the vicinity of “Ammos” there are many cafes and taverns, very close to a small supermarket. The hotel’s swimming pool was not used. Preferred the beach and the sea. A wonderful holiday flew by, as usual, imperceptibly.
Theartemis Palace
At 210 meters from the sandy beach there are two five-storey buildings of the hotel Theartemis Palace. The luxurious hotel opened its doors in November 2009,” Feartemis Palace is located 1.6 km from the historic centre of Rethymno. From the hotel, the beach is a walk along Panepistimiou Street. The Old Town is a 20-minute walk away.
Theartemis Palace offers a choice of 245 rooms of 10 categories. The total area of each of them is 20-40 sq. m. Next to both buildings there are large outdoor pools. Near the artificial reservoirs there are sun loungers. For vacationers in the hotel open the doors of several gastronomic establishments:
- Gin Bar – cozy cocktail bar;
- Daphne – the main restaurant;
- Ariane – round-the-clock bar;
- Semeli – summer restaurant;
- Arbona is a small pool bar.
On the territory of the hotel daily for vacationers are arranged evenings of Greek music and national dance. Guests of Theartemis Palace can use the services of several rooms:
- simulator;
- spa;
- for table tennis and billiards;
- for business events.
Mark Solovyov, Ekaterinburg. The theartemis Palace hotel was chosen by the wife. We lived in the main building on the 4th floor. We were satisfied with everything: a spacious room with a balcony, delicious breakfasts in the restaurant, proximity to the beach, excellent service, fast internet, a large swimming pool. You can list for a very long time. We decided that if we were to rest in Rethymno in the future, we would stay only at Theartemis Palace.
North Coast Seaside Suites
In March 2020, a new hotel west of Rethymno opened under the simple name “Apartments on the North Coast”. So you can translate North Coast Seaside Suites. The hotel will suit passionate fans of rest on the Cretan beaches. It is unlikely that fans of parties or all-inclusive meals will want to stay here.
The hotel offers accommodation in 13 rooms of 7 categories. The area of each of them is from 20 to 35 sq. m. The hotel is located directly on its own beach, to which a wooden deck leads. On the sea coast, covered with fine sand, sun umbrellas and sun loungers are installed.
Breakfast is served in the hotel’s rooms. More than 20 restaurants, taverns and cafes are located within 200 m from the hotel complex. If desired, you can prepare lunches and dinners in the kitchen area equipped in each room.
Mikhail Savelyev. This hotel with a long name was chosen by my girlfriend. The main reason is that it is located on a sandy beach. The hotel is new so the rooms are very clean. The staff is friendly. The beach is easily accessible by a wooden path. Towels are provided at reception. The hotel is the best option for those who like to sunbathe, stay away from the city noise, swim in the warm sea.
Macaris Suites & Spa
In Rethymno there are many options for fans of beach pastime. One of them is the Macaris Hotel,which opened its doors to the very first guests in 1990 In 2001, the hotel building was completely reconstructed. The hotel is located about 800 metres west of the historic centre of Rethymno.
“Makaris” offers accommodation and recreation in 42 luxurious rooms of five categories. The area of each of them is 50-95 sq. m. Breakfasts for hotel guests are served in the spacious hall of the restaurant. The bar, located by the outdoor pool, offers a wide selection of cocktails and soft drinks. For vacationers in “Makaris” the doors of a modern spa center are open, which includes several rooms:
- billiards room;
- Turkish bath;
- heated swimming pool;
- massage rooms;
- Gym.
Guests of the hotel are happy to relax on the spacious veranda, located on the roof. From there you can see the sea sparkling in the sun, as well as the powerful walls and towers of Fortezza. The sandy beach stretches very close along the facade of the hotel.
Each tourist has his own preferences. Therefore, the choice of a particular hotel for recreation depends on the desires and goals that travelers set for themselves, going on vacation to picturesque Rethymno. Boutique hotel “Rimondi” will be the most suitable option for those who want to combine acquaintance with the Old Town and beach entertainment. This hotel will also suit tourists who can not imagine their holiday without treatments in the spa and local cuisine. Therefore, “Rimondi” can be called an ideal option for a holiday in the diverse Rethymno.
Selection of hotels Rethymno on map
