Not quite perfect

I have just returned from a weeks holiday at this hotel. I have to say most of the reviews are spot on the hotel is lovely, in a good location, opposite the beach and the staff could not be friendlier. However the views from rooms leave a lot to be desired which we found very disapointing for a 4* gold award hotel. Our room overlooked a busy, noisy road and if like us you like to have drinks on your balcony before dinner you will be very disapointed. Another nightmare was Heraklion airport and this put everybody off on our flight, most people said they loved Crete and the people but would never return due to the airport. On arrival about 5 flights arrived at once and there was no order what so ever to get through immigration it was one big bundle with people fainting and families with small children, and elderly people, being pushed left right and centre. The whole experience took about 2 hours as did the process of departing the airport, as they only have one scanner for everybodys cases (several hundreds of people) and cases have to be scanned before check in. Bear in mind this is only May what will it be like in July and August!!!!!!!

Bravo!!

we visited rethymnon for the first time, 8 years ago. Since then, we go back almost every year (6 out of 8 of our holidays), and we will continue to do so. Porto rethymno is an excellent hotel. Last year we found out that it was upgraded to five stars, although the price list remained the same. The staff is really friendly, and the food is excellent. the beach is really great and was awarded a blue flag for its excellent facilities and its clear waters. I can write a lot about this hotel, but there is no point. I can only say, just go there and enjoy. you will experience what a great hotel this is.

Friendly staff

My wife and I first visited Crete in 2002 and loved everything about the place but it was the hotel and its very friendly staff that made it a holiday to remember for us.

We returned the following year to find that the staff remembered us by name from our previous stay and it was like walking through a time-warp as the holiday was a replica of the previous year.

After a break of one year we are going to visit again this year and are booked for July 2005 and cannot wait.

The hotel really has everything that you would want and expect in a holiday of this nature and travelling to Crete for us means staying at this remarkable hotel.

Really excellent in every way.

Almost perfect

Hey guys lets have a little perspective. Yes this Hotel deserves its 4 stars but it is not totally perfect as all the eulogies penned on this site seem to say. We visited in late September and were very disappointed that, at a hotel at this level we often had to queue to be seated in the dining room, both at breakfast and in the evening, (longest wait was nearly 20 minutes).

The Hotel also has speciality nights where they serve themed buffets. These are laid out around the pool and, whilst the food was generally very good, the Hotel seemed to make no allowances for the weather. We had a couple of cool breezy evenings when our food was cold by the time we got back to our table.

Having said all the above (discounting the crowded and small dining room) everything else about this hotel is really great. The position, the facilities, beach beds/umbrellas and free towels. You'd have to go a long way to find friendlier and more helpful staff who go out of their way to make your holiday enjoyable.

Everything you've wished for

At the end of July, 2004, we've spent 10 days in this superb hotel in a very lively Rethymno and on the very pretty, diversified, island of Crete.

The contrast with the busy coast road, flanked by restaurants, bars & hotels and the lively city is very big. Although situated near the centre, the hotel is an oasis of of peace. It is not old (begin nineties) and was recently renovated. For us it looked brandnew. It has a huge reception area with lounging facility and television. The rooms are spacious, very modern with airco and a global domotica-system. Most of them have a very nice seaview. The staff is indeed, see earlier reviews, very friendly and helpfull. Every day, a number of activities are free to participate in. The pool of the hotel is not that big but the private beach area compensates more than enough for this. This is kept very neat with quality sunbeds and sun-shades. Even for a nonadherent of the sea and the sand like myself, I really enjoyed the gorgious bluegreen sea.

One thing pops out in every review on this hotel : the food : both breakfast and dinner are a lust for the eye with a choice and quality you simply cannot describe. You'll have to see (and taste) it yourselves to believe it. This is NOT a hotel for weightwatchers, the temptations are too big to resist ! Don't say I didn't warn you !

Fantastic food and hotel

We chose this hotel on the basis of other Tripadvisor reviews and we were not disappointed. We opted for half board and could not find another restaurant to match the quality of the hotel buffets! This is something that we have never experienced before.....

The service was very efficient and friendly, there was plenty to do at the hotel if you wanted to join in. We opted to hire a car instead and went out to see the sights. (Hire a car locally it was much cheaper).

The rooms were large, modern and clean, try and get a sea view rather than a pool view.

The hotel had its own section of the beach where they provide you with complimentary sun loungers and towels. We travelled in May 2004 and the beaches were not too busy. A great choice of hotel.

Enjoyed my holiday at Porto Rhethymno

Porto Rhethymnon is an excellent hotel with kind personnel. The hotel itself is very luxurious and has many attractive things. There is a big reception with 'lounge' possibilities (sitting area), a bar, fitness area, own café and it has a terras on the roof with a pool.

Porto Rhethymno also provides in a lot of activities, also for kids. Everyday, except for saturday, there is a program which provides entertainment, like Greek cooking, beach volleybal, etc.

I went there last week, together with my girlfriend and it's excellent!!! The people are very kind in Rhethymno and the food is good and very cheap!

It is perfect for families and couples!!!

Enjoy your stay, I know, I did.

Kind regards,

Soon-Kit Lai

Lovely Porto Rethymno

We have been a guest of the hotel since 1997. The meals are excellent en the service magnificant. When we arrive there is always wine and fruit in the room . To swim in the sea you have to cross a street (often bussy) but it is worth it. Clean shore and clean free towels and chairs) The middle age town center of Rethimnon is within 15 minutes walk . When we arrive there the staff makes us feel at home. This year we will be going back , we cannot get enough of crete, porto rethymno and teh people working there.

Simply the BEST

Stayed at Porto Rethymno between 14/8 and 28/8 and simply cannot find words good enough to describe how wonderful this hotel is. ALL the staff went out of their way to be helpful and we were treated like long lost friends!! Rooms were spotless and spacious, ours had AC which was great after a hot day on the beach and a small fridge. Towells and linen changed daily (if required). Food was outstanding and plentiful and restaurant service was brilliant. Outdoor pool was lovely but not the biggest. Located right next to lovely private (ish!) beach with S/Beds & Brollies free. Also clean Beach towels supplied every day also free of charge (returnable deposit = £7.50). Indoor pool & gymnasiun also all free. 10 minute slow amble to main shopping streets and numerous taverna's serving great food. Cannot speak highly enough of this hotel, best choice we've EVER made and would go back tomorrow!!!!

BEST HOLIDAY EVER!!!!

BRILLIENT

The hotel is 1st class and is central to all amenities. Lovely clean pools and private beach area. We had a brilliant holiday and could of stayed another week. The staff are very friendly and the hotel is very well organized. Will definitely be going back.