Amy Adejokun
Section editor
Equidistant from La Chanee and Heraklion, and 7 miles from the small port of Rethymnon, the Rethymno Mare is a club hotel with a good price-quality ratio. This address is recommended for families.
Rethymno Mare Water Park - © Studio Profoto / Theodor Foutzopoulos / Rethymno Mare Royal & Water Park
Rethymno Mare Water Park - © Rethymno Mare Royal & Water Park
The Rethymno Mare is relatively well-located on the island, as it is almost equidistant from La Chanee (43 miles) and Heraklion (37 miles), two historical cities, the first being the former Cretan capital, and the latter being famous as the centre of the world. Closer to Heraklion international airport than to La Chanee airport, the hotel is located close to a large number of touristic centres and only 7 miles away from the famous Cretan port of Rethymnon.
The hotel offers three types of rooms: standard, superior, and suite. Distributed in the three-storey main building and several other small buildings (2 storeys), there are 190 rooms, all with a balcony or a small terrace. They have air conditioning (mostly individually controlled), television (36 channels), sometimes a safe, a direct telephone line with international access, a refrigerator. The bathroom features a tub or shower (20% of the cases) and a hair dryer. Note: the upper floors dominate the surroundings.
Built on the hillside, the Rethymno Mare is full of stairs and mazes, sunk in a sea of flowers. Since its construction in 1988, the hotel has been renovated twice, in 1994 and in 2000. The two main terraces, perched several feet above (near the pool and the lobby-bar), offer a beautiful view of the sea. However, the hotel's direct surroundings are somewhat bare, its amenities are outdated, and the decor lacks harmony. The elevator is unreliable, and the swimming pool area is very crowded.
Two restaurants are available to guests: the main restaurant with, unfortunately, no harmony in the decor, but with very friendly staff, offering several buffets, and the tavern by the pool, open from 10.00am till midnight, where you can enjoy various local specialities. There are two bars: one by the pool, and one in the lobby, near a terrace.
The beach is ordinary, and bordered by a small road; a main road separates it from the hotel. A five minute walk is necessary to reach it. With a disappointing appearance, it offers showers, deckchairs and parasols (for a fee for half-boarders).
Open from April to the end of October, the hotel welcomes a primarily German, Austrian, and Belgian clientele and offers an all-inclusive formula, or half-board. Because of its numerous and steep stairs, this hotel is not recommended for people with limited mobility.
massage, stretching, spa, Turkish bath
tennis, water skiing, gym, aqua gym, aerobics, football, volleyball, beach volley, basketball, golf, mountain bike, jet ski, sailing, paddle boats, canoe, dance, step, archery, badminton, water-polo, sports
Anonyme.
Magnifique hotel, très agréable
Grande chambre bien équipée Beauté de l'hotel très fleuri gentillesse du personnel bar et cocktails
Pas d'animation pour les ados le soir Un peu isolé
The Minos Mare is a comfortable, lively hotel located along a quiet, pleasant beach. It includes a small wellness centre with an indoor swimming pool, a fitness room, and a sauna.
This exclusivity of the Heliades tour operator is an entirely French-speaking club. Simple and convivial, it is located on the seashore, in the Rethymnon area.
The Creta Royal is an upscale hotel built on the seashore in a large, well-maintained park. Moreover, its location is ideal, very close to Heraklion and Crete's most beautiful archaeological sites.
Looking over the long beach of Rethymnon, the hotel could be mistaken for a high rise block of flats when seen from afar. Once inside, you will have a big surprise. Somewhat reminiscent of a cruise ship, the space is full of twists and turns, pontoons, parquet floors, and pretty little swimming pools... Thanks to intelligent renovation work, the hotel makes use of every nook and cranny to offer a maximum of services to its guests. There are many bay windows to allow maximum use of the natural light.
The Theartemis Palace is an outdated and imposing hotel, but it enjoys a good location near the historical centre of the town and can count its renovated rooms among its plus points.
The Pearl Beach is a friendly establishment which is actually much larger than it might look. Located at the far end of the long Rethymnon promenade, its best assets are undoubtedly its spotless and very stylish spa and its location near the historical centre of Rethymnon.
Set on the coast road, the May hotel is a small and very simple hotel surrounded by a lush green rectangular garden. Everything about it is outdated, but you will be greeted by a warm and friendly welcome. It is a shame that the hotel doesn't have a beach though and that the restaurant isn't any more pleasant.
Dimitrios Village Beach Resort is a moderately-sized hotel complex built by a large beach on the bay of Rethymnon. Its accommodation enables you to spend your holidays in complete independence, if you so wish.
What a pleasure it is to wander around this hotel with all its green foliage, how neatly-kept and diversified it is! The Aquila Rithymna Beach stands on the seashore, with enough amenities to satisfy any guest: swimming pool enthusiasts, activity and sports lovers, but also gourmets and children of all ages. We must also make a special mention of the babys' club.
The Aegean Pearl faces the sea and offers all the services of a 5-star hotel. It offers an alternative to the city hotels and all-inclusive hotels in a relaxed, Zen ambiance. Ideal for a very peaceful stay next to the sea.
The Creta Royal is an upscale hotel built on the seashore in a large, well-maintained park. Moreover, its location is ideal, very close to Heraklion and Crete's most beautiful archaeological sites.
This isolated 5 star Cretan village facing the sea combines modern and traditional architecture. Natural elegance and sophistication are the order of the day at the Royal Blue Resort, which is particularly proud of its wonderful spa. If you're looking for a beach holiday, however, you can forget it, although there are some 30 private pools within the hotel grounds.
Located a few miles from Rethymnon, the Rethymno Palace opens onto delightful gardens. The rest is somewhat disappointing for a five star hotel.
This family-owned ecotourism establishment is run by three brothers who decided to invest in alternative tourism and organic agriculture. You are sure to have a unique holiday here interacting with the locals and taking part in a variety of activities that will allow you to discover a different side of Crete. One of them is a ceramics studio where you can learn about this art through demonstrations by professionals, but which also offers practical workshops during which visitors can try moulding and creating their own authentic ceramic pieces. You might also wish to attend a concert featuring traditional music or take part in the grape or olive harvest, which is ideal for those looking to do something different while enjoying the nature.
The large and well-maintained El Greco is located just outside the tourist resort of Rethymnon and is particularly noteworthy for the high quality all-inclusive option it offers. The emphasis on service is undoubtedly one of the hotels strong points, along with its proximity to the sea.
Looking over the long beach of Rethymnon, the hotel could be mistaken for a high rise block of flats when seen from afar. Once inside, you will have a big surprise. Somewhat reminiscent of a cruise ship, the space is full of twists and turns, pontoons, parquet floors, and pretty little swimming pools... Thanks to intelligent renovation work, the hotel makes use of every nook and cranny to offer a maximum of services to its guests. There are many bay windows to allow maximum use of the natural light.