Rethymno is the third largest town on the greek island of Crete. There are two sides to Rethymno; the endless big beach hotel strip that stretches from the east and the Rethymno old town in the west. The old town shows off a mix of architecture ranging from Venetian minarets to buildings styled from the Ottoman empire and Turkish-domed mosques. The utterly charming town center is set around a historic harbor where cafes spill out onto the old stone pavements right down on the harbor front. This is the perfect place to while away the afternoon over a coffee or evening beer.
Location
The Aquila Porto Rethymno is arguably the best-located hotel in Rethymno, with its beachfront location directly on the promenade of Rethymnon and a mere ten-minute’s stroll from the beautiful old town.
Style & Character
This hotel is all about the beach. The beachfront is an absolute highlight of this hotel, with the deep blue sea bordering a thick white sand beach pinpricked by hundreds of conical royal blue umbrellas (see photo above).
Rooms
All room types have been furnished in an uplifting Grecian style with oatmeal browns and blues to compliment the view outside. The look is stylish, and the furnishings sit comfortably on the hardwood floors. The bedrooms are housed in a modern, U-shaped building.
Service & Facilities
The hotel has two outdoor pools, both of which are inviting, and one indoor pool, which is also well-maintained. A large sunbathing area on the beach is just forty meters from the hotel across a road. The beach is made up of pure white sand and shelves gently into the sea, making it an ideal spot to spend the day. Plenty of sun loungers & parasols are available for guests, and a permanent lifeguard is on site. The hotel provides beach towels free of charge, with a nifty cotton bag to carry them in!
Food & Drink
The breakfast here is lovely, with plenty of choices. The staff are also noteworthy and work extremely hard to be competent, sociable and friendly. Lunch and evening meals are also very good, with food from the grill station or a buffet-style offering. The a la carte restaurant is also worth a try and serves meals with appealing Cretan wines (the local wines are cheap and decent). The dining room is spacious and has doors that open onto the pool area. You can eat outside right into the late summer warmth of October.
Conclusion
Whether you are looking to wander the cobbled and historic lanes laden with shops, restaurants and bars or to bask on the never-ending sandy beach, Aquila Porto Rethymno will bewitch you.
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