Aquila Rithymna Beach Hotel

Just returned from 2 weeks at this hotel and to be honest I can't really fault much. We had booked 2 double rooms but were upgraded to a 2 bedroom suite on arrival. I did not think the room quality was up to 5 star standard but it was perfectly adequate for our needs. Air con worked fine and coped with the 35 degree weather but I think it would have struggled if it had been any warmer. The hotel is ideally located with it's own beach and stands in very large grounds/gardens which are immaculately maintained. We are not sun worshippers but never had any trouble finding plenty of sun beds with parasols for shade. The hotel discourages guests from reserving sun beds so the dreaded 6am alarm call to go out and spread the towels is not necessary. The main pool is salt water and a good size but there are 2 smaller fresh water pools which we tended to use more. There is also a nice indoor pool although the water was a good few degrees cooler than the outside pools. The beach was fine but the line of rocks just under the water made getting in and out of the sea interesting especially when waves were rough. Staff were very friendly to us and although the restaurant can get busy at peak times they always worked hard to ensure we were seated within a minute or so. Other reviewers have complained about being hassled in the restaurant by staff trying to sell you (expensive) tickets for themed meals in the taverna. We only got approached once in 14 days so this wasn't really an issue for us. A polite but firm no soon sent him off in search for other victims! Food quality was very good with plenty of variety. Drinks in the numerous hotel bars were a bit on the expensive side (7-8 euros for a cocktail) but I suppose this is 5 star prices. There are plenty of bars along the road from the hotel selling much cheaper cocktails so you do have a choice. One criticism is the evening entertainment. Whilst the entertainers were of good quality there wasn't much of it. My teenage kids got pretty bored and drifted into the internet room most nights out of desperation for something to do. I would recommend hiring a car for a few days and go exploring. The scenery and mountains in Crete are breathtaking once you get away from the main roads. We used Status Car Rental which is just over the road from the hotel.They were charging much less than the Thompson rep wanted for an equivalent vehicle. Overall we would highly recommend this hotel and would definately consider going back again.

I've just returned from my vacation in Rethymno,spending 10 days in Rithymna Beach(21st July-31st July).In my opinion the hotel is excellent in any case. I stayed in a twin bedded room in 3rd floor,very clean and confortable.The air condition system was in a very good use.Keep in mind that in Greece the previous days were extremely hot. I wouldn't complain about staff.All of them were polite and helpfull.Especially in breakfast and dinner they tried to satisfy our wishes for a good table. I booked this hotel in a half board basis.I noticed a great variety of dishes in the buffet ,quality and quantity.I didn't spent money in local restaurants because of this. In the lobby bar I tried very good coctails(Loggia). The location was perfect,7km far from town.This is an advantage because the town of Rethymno is overcrowded ,with traffic problems.Also there is a beach in front of the hotel,so if you want to swim it's a good solution. About Rethymno I suggest you to rent a car in case you want to visit villages or beaches.I think there are some well organised tours available too.

I will start by saying the the rithymna beach hotel is no longer a Grecotel hotel it is now run by Aquila hotels. First of all i would like to say do not take all of the negative reviews as truth.some people just love to moan I really don't know what they want from a holiday. On arrival at the airport (chania a very small airport)we was met by our thomson rep and taken to our coach(yes taken to our coach not just told you are coach number 20 etc but taken to the coach the transfer time from chania airport to rithymna beach is around 1 hour and 10 mins but the coach transfer is just like a small trip you get to see some great views of the cliffs and the beautiful golden sands at around 40 mins into your trip (sorry transfer you will see some breathtaking palm forest) NOTE IT CAN GET A BIT HOT ON THE TRANSFER COACH SO TAKE SOME WATER WITH YOU you will find a small shop next the the exit of the airport-coach park (also if you are a smoker 200 cigs in this shop cost 29 euros) on arrival at the hotel we were very impressed with decor and general style,(very clean) booking in is easy thay take your passport number you wright out a small form and you get your key card ( like many hotels your keycard is also your passport for the hotel you will need your keycard to buy drinks etc but you can pay with cash) the reception staff were very polite and courteous and arranged for a golf buggy to to take us and baggage round to our room The room was very very clean again like many hotels around the world you need to put your keycard into the door to open it and once inside the room put your keycard into the small box on the wall for your lights to come on etc. the safe in your room is free with a key (note if you lose the key you will pay 29 euros) so keep it safe but not in the safe lolol the aircon in your room is great one review on tripadvisor said that the hotel turn it off i must say we never see this, our aircon was alwas on the hotel is very large and can take you a good 20-25 mins to get around the grounds, the gardens are some of the best that we have seen in a hotel ( you can go on a garden walk around the hotel it takes around 30 mins the cards around the plants tell you all about them, now for the beach .......WOW.....the beach is very very very clean with over 300 beds the beach bar is great you can use your keycard at the bar or pay cash you will always get a bed any time of the day. the pools at the rithymna beach are 10 out of 10 one very large saltwater pool next to the taverna (more on the teverna later) one indoor pool (next to the gym) one small outdoor pool next to the beach , one large pool at the end of the hotel and one small baby pool(1 foot deep) also at the end of the hotel the salt water pool is great for families with around 2 feet deep to 9 feet deep (if you are after a good suntan get in that saltwater pool) The food in the main restaurant was a buffet, breakfast starts at 7.30 to 10.30 and dinner at 7.30 to 10.30 the restaurant is very large with a nice outside sitting area that overlooks the sea the food was very good and in ample supply, my little girl loved the cakes and ice cream,Meals were excellent, there is something for every one, I'm quite a faddy eater but found the food to be excellent next to the saltwater pool you will find a large taverna restaurant (NOW I MUST SAY THE FOOD IN THIS TAVERNA IS SOME OF THE BEST FOOD I HAVE HAD IN CRETE) a good lunch in the taverna cost around 35.00 euros for 3 people but this is not your average lunch the food is top class and a lot of it. Night time at the taverna can be a lot of fun the staff are great. we went along to the gala night and again the food was very good.cost around 70 euros for 3 people but if you like good food with great waiter service give it a try we also went to the crete night this is buffet night cost around 40 euros for 3 people the after show is great.(please note if you are on half board you will get 15% off at the taverna) the bar in the hotel is great (nickos you cannot miss him gray hair) the head barman is always on hand to mix you that special drink all the bar staff are very polite and helpful and make a great night for you (10 out of 10) This is a big and spacious hotel and we never felt crowded at all all of the staff are very polite and helpful The room maid kept our room spotless. this hotel is ideal for families who want a large, clean safe environment for their children to play and for themselves to chill. Couples, don't be put off, it's not a scraming hell, there is plenty of room for santuary,It has great swimming pools, great restaurants and very very friendly staff. we have been to many hotels around the world and this hotel for service, food, and style is EXCELLENT. we went to mexico last year and put this hotel along side that we went in july and the weather was 35+ so you need to drink lots of water as i said if you want a great sun tan get in the saltwater pool Go and visit and have a great time in the sun. (sorry my little girl did not go to the kids club but it did look very good) if you would like to ask anything please do

Can you imagine a so called luxury hotel where - you stay hungry after meal though there are plenty of food around but only some are eatable? - the restaurant stuff (waiters) is ignorant if you are lucky, agressive if you are not? - the AC system is centrally problematic while there is 40C outside (9C water circulation instead of 4C, the system is old and badly managed - we asked for repair 3 times than got tired of it)? - the rooms look 20 year old - need renovation immediately? - the pool area is not kept - in the afternoon there are still dirty glasses and broken ashtrays around from the morning? - the flagship playhouse for the children is closed all times without any explanation? Would you stay there and pay 5* price? Neither did we. We had checked out and moved to Creta Palace after a few nights and we did it pretty well.

What can I say for this fantastic hotel? Everything was excellent. The staff, the food, the beach, the room, the location, the pools were great. This is my smallest review since I can't describe anything. Everything was really perfect. In this hotel you can find anything you want.

We stayed at this hotel in May 2006 with our son who was 15 months old. We booked it from the Thomson Platinum brochure, having been impressed with hotels from this brochure previously. We were not disapointed. The hotel was beautiful - the bar and reception areas were large and tastefully decorated. We think that the hotel might have upgraded our room from the standard double room as we had a seperate "living area" in the room which was perfect for us as we put the cot there. The location of the hotel is fantastic - right on the sandy/pebbly beach so it is easy to pop to the beach just for an hour or so. The pool areas were lovely and clean. The only thing we would say is that the pools were quite cold but we did get used to it by the end of the week. The food in the restaurant was of a high standard although it was a bit repetitive at times. Having said that, there was plenty for our 15 month old to try. The staff in the restaurant and bars could not have been more friendly and highchairs were always available. We usually try to see some of the surrounding area when we go away but on this holiday we didn't leave the hotel except to pop to the supermarket.

We chose this hotel as we stayed in a Grecotel last year and don't like going to the same place twice. This hotel is much older than the Kos Imperial we stayed in last time, but we still found it good. Our allocated room was on the top floor and access was via 2 sets of stairs then a tiny lift - not ideal with two buggies! The staff relocated us when we asked and gave us a ground floor room - we still had one flight of stairs to contend with. The staff were all friendly and helpful, something that seems common in Grecotel hotels. The facilities and food were good, though I felt they were not as good as the Kos Imperial. What was better is the local facilities - there are bars, restaruants and shops outside the hotel, great for evening strolls. The hotel run kids club has great facilities, but when we went few english people left their children there meaning our daughter didn't want to stay. Overall the hotel was good and Crete was stunning (get a car!)

We travelled to this resort with Thomson fly. There were no flight delays and the private car transfer worked smoothly. Have to say the food on the way out was dreadful, why to airlines continued to attempt to serve a warmed up cooked breakfast, a continental option would work mush better. The food on the way back, chicken roast lunch for my son and chicken and leek pie with vegetables for my husband and myself was surprisingly good. The Hotel was clean and smart with efficient reception staff. We stayed in a family bungalow which was very spacious. A large bedroom with a double bed, TV, dressing table, small table and two chairs and ample closet space, then a sliding door into a lounge area with two sofas, one of which was converted into a bed for my son. This second room opened up onto a small patio area with two chairs and table. Immediately in front of this was a grassed area leading onto an infinity pool (very cold) and then steps down to the beach. The pools in the main area were much warmer, though not heated. The beach was course sand leading into a very pebbly sea, shoes may be needed. The first couple of days the red flags were up and the waves were pretty huge then, all went calm and the sea was easily swim able. The food was average buffet food, though a nice choice of tasty desserts. The waiting staff in the restaurant were friendly and again, efficient. In the evenings there was various entertainment put on, usually by the staff. Not the West End but okay for a bit of background noise/a bit of a laugh. My four year old son loved their attempt at ‘Cabaret’. Immediately outside of the resort are a couple of shops selling snacks, water, milk, beer, wine, toys, t-shirts and some touristy stuff. There was also a Taverna/Bar. A 10/15 minute walk takes you to a small strip of bars, shops and restaurants. Rythemno was a 15 minute taxi journey costing only 8 Euros each way. I would not recommend any of the restaurants in the harbour area, very overpriced and not very well cooked however we had to great meals at the restaurant next to the fortress – Melina. Again not cheap but nice surroundings with a lovely terrace over looking the town and a small safe play area for the children. Please note that this is not a cheap country. Expect to pay more or less the same as at home. Overall we had a very good holiday. I would recommend the hotel for families and the nearby town is worth a visit or two. We are considering returning to this hotel, with the in-laws in tow as it is suitable for those with mobility problems, lots of ramps and a very useful lift.

My family and I have just stayed at this hotel and found it to be very clean and spacious with good facilities and it is on a really lovely beach (soft sand/shingle with large rolling waves from the sea). The only problem for me was that I had specifically asked the travel agent for a hotel with entertainment to suit all of us, adults, teenagers and children, and we were extremely disappointed with what was on offer here. The little children have lots to do in their own village but the teenager's club was boring unless you like sport or darts. There was no disco, which was the impression we got from our travel agent's brochure. There was only one theme night whilst we were there, this was the Cretan night, repeated every 15 days, they were promoting an Arcadian night as we left. Thing is you have to book for these, they are not part of the half board. The half board entertainment takes place on the little stage of the Taverna, which is a lovely place to eat but once again you have to pay extra to eat there and then you get good seats. You CAN go and be shown to a table just to have drinks, which we did some evenings. You don't get a very good view of the stage though from these tables toward the back or the far sides as there are lots of trees in the way. The sort of entertainment here was a guy playing the classical guitar, a short show put on by the (holidaymaker) children which they had learnt in the children's village (nice for their parent's of course), a kareoke night (which I can't stand) and a 'light' show by people wearing dark suits. Nothing exciting or memorable. Contrary to what another Trip Adviser member has recently said the day time programme was extremely low key, apparently some guests recently objected to the noise. I only saw one member of the entertainments team make an announcement for water polo. We also heard music for water aerobics on the last day we were there, which was very nice. The rest of the time during our stay the main pool was deathly quiet. There was no atmosphere and it was more like lying in sombody's back yard as you could hear the heavy traffic from the main road the other side of the hedge. The other outside pools were nice, but still no music, and had more sunbeds free - yes, the ones by the main pool were often reserved despite the signs forbidding this. We did not see any children running about or misbehaving, of any nationality. To the person who mentioned that the British guests always have something to moan about I would say that some families make sacrifices to pay for a good holiday and you should get what you pay for. I do not feel that I did on this occasion. The entertainment was a very important aspect to our family for various reasons and the brochure was misleading. This is what Trip Adviser is all about, giving prospective guests personal opinions on different aspects of hotels to help other people make a more informed choice of where to stay. Apart from the entertainment I think this is a great hotel, we did not have any problems with the airconditioning and the food was brilliant. We will not be going back though.

We had high expectations of this flagship 5 star hotel but were disappointed for a number of reasons. The main problem was with the air conditioning which didn’t seem to work properly and our room was extremely hot, especially at night which made it difficult to sleep. We complained to reception 3 times and to the Thomson rep twice and all we were told at the time was that someone would look into it but no one ever got back to us. We later found out that the air conditioning was only switched on from 22 May and then only between 10 am and 4pm. We complained to Thomson after the holiday and they just referred to the small print which says that the air conditioning is centrally controlled. So beware of any hotel with centrally controlled air conditioning, even those with 5 stars. Other things that may be of interest to anyone considering staying at this particular hotel are: Various areas of the grounds, particularly the pool by the beach, were regularly visited by stray dogs. The hotel staff did nothing to discourage them and in fact some of the waiters even fed them food. The main restaurant had a nice outside seating area but that area didn’t have a non-smoking section. The TV didn’t have a childrens channel. The buildings were not in as good a state of repair as other Grecotels we have stayed at (Corfu Imperial and Kos Imperial) and some of them could do with some Polyfiller and paint. Although there are lots of good things about this hotel (I shan’t bother repeating what other reviewers have said) overall I don’t think it is as good or as family friendly as it’s made out to be nor is it particularly good value for money.