Aquila Porto Rethymno

Hotel is in a great location all staff we had encounters with during our stay were friendly and helpful! The restaurant area is small for the size of the hotel which we noticed more during our last few days here as more people arrived. Room was clean and spacious only thing I would say is the bathroom was dated and we found getting out of the bath/shower very awkward and slippery as so did other guests we spoke to during our stay could do with changing to just a large shower rather than a bath!! We didn’t spend a lot of time at the hotel during the daytime as the pools are in shade and not a lot of sun loungers around either pools so couldn’t really get one but the beach opposite was lovely and you can get sun beds and parasol for free on the hotel part and also order drinks Abbé who was working on the beach during our time was great he was friendly efficient and very good at his job especially in the heat!!

Our week at this hotel got off to a frustrating start. Upon arrival, we were told we’d received an upgrade — great, we thought — only to be told it was for one night only. We queried this at check-in but were told there was no alternative. After a long day of travel, we gave in and went to the premium suite. While the room was lovely, we were annoyed — we didn’t want to unpack and repack just to check out and wait around for another room the next day. We raised this with Guest Relations, and to her credit, she followed up later in the evening. But the only option offered was to stay in the suite for an additional €144 per night — which we understandably declined. The next day, we stored our bags and later accessed our new room, which, apart from the view, wasn’t hugely different than the suite. Frankly, the whole situation felt like a clever upsell tactic, rather than a genuine gesture. As for a gesture, showing someone a better room, then taking it away from them doesn’t make sense and inconveniences the start of the holiday. The room we eventually ended up in for the week was fine, it faced another building which didn’t bother us. The room was big enough and clean to a point. The bathroom was dated and well worn. Not unclean but as clean as could be. The shower water pressure is really good and it can be made hot; not that you’ll want that after a day in the cretan heat. We personally didn’t use the pool areas but they are small and congested as other users have stated. What Worked Well: • Rooms were clean (though a bit dated). • Staff were generally friendly and helpful. • Beach access is excellent, and loungers are free (except the first few rows, which are €15/day). • Mini bar was restocked periodically. • Beach towels provided. • Toilets accept paper — which isn’t always the case in Greece. • Drinks service on the beach — though the QR code menu doesn’t show alcoholic options, staff can take those orders directly. Location: Exceptional. You’re just five minutes’ flat walk from the old town and port, with cafés, shops, and restaurants lining the route. The beach is right across the road — calm, clear waters, though with a stone shelf and a drop-off that’s manageable once you know it’s there. There are plenty of nearby options for boat trips, car hire, excursions, and day trips to Santorini or Milos. A bonus: the area is free of aggressive street vendors, making walking around much more pleasant. Food & Drink: The food is of decent quality, though the selection is somewhat limited — likely due to space. You must book dinner slots, but we never had trouble getting a table. Drinks at meals are table-served, so service can be slow. Wine and beer are available, but a self-service option (common in many all-inclusives) would help speed things up. Evening drinks are served via table service at the café near the entertainment space, which again leads to long waits. Allowing bar orders could ease the load on staff and improve the exper

I was incredibly disappointed with the quality of the accommodation. I've stayed in 3* accommodation in Greece, which was far better than Aquila Porto. It was such a let down to pay for a 5* hotel, expecting a bit of luxury and ending up with a room that was beyond repair. Take a look at the pictures and make your own mind up. A huge let down! 😞