"Warning: this is a long review. Bear with me — I promise it will be worth it.
We arrived at Grecotel Casa Adele in the early hours of 29 June and left a place we already miss on 5 July. A family of three — husband, wife and 17-year-old daughter — who had chosen this place to celebrate 25 years of marriage. A choice we do not regret for a single moment.
The hotel presents itself as a small Cretan village within its own walls — low white buildings connected by stone pathways, olive trees and lush gardens. Cosy, intimate and with an atmosphere that feels genuinely exclusive — despite showing a little wear at the edges in places. It presents itself clearly as a solid 4-star hotel, arguably 4+. With a few simple adjustments and upgrades, this place has everything it needs to reach the very highest tier. In our book, it is already there.
The guests at the hotel are polite and pleasant. The atmosphere is calm and relaxed — this is not a noisy block hotel, but a place where one can actually breathe.
Check-in and first impressions
We were welcomed at the reception by a friendly and efficient receptionist who checked us in within 10 minutes and wheeled our luggage up to room 408 — swiftly, effortlessly and with a smile. Not every check-in leaves an impression, but this one set the tone for the rest of our stay in a way we noticed and appreciated.
The room — a two-storey apartment that exceeded all expectations
Described as a “Grand” double room, the room turned out to be something far more — a fully equipped two-storey apartment that became the first and perhaps greatest surprise of many.
On the ground floor one finds a spacious and thoughtfully arranged living area with two sofas — one converted into a comfortable bed for our daughter — a separate dining area, a fully functional kitchen with everything one needs, a toilet and not one but two generously sized balconies. The kitchen made it easy to prepare simple lunches in the room and save a little on the budget during the hottest days.
A staircase leads up to the first floor, where one finds a large and airy bedroom with an enormous king size bed — comfortable, but we would note that the bed lacks a top mattress, making it noticeably firmer than one might expect at this level. A simple addition of a mattress topper would make a significant and very worthwhile upgrade. The room also features a large wardrobe and a spacious dressing table. To the right at the top of the stairs is a delicate and beautifully finished marble bathroom with shower — small but elegant and with everything one needs. To the left at the top of the stairs opens another large balcony with a peaceful view of the garden and surrounding buildings.
Inside the apartment everything is quiet and pleasantly sheltered from the outside world. All windows can be fully blacked out — something we appreciated immensely after the overnight flight and long days in the sun. Air conditioning on both floors provides wonderful cooling after a day outdoors. The apartment is also situated right next to one of the hotel’s best pools — an added bonus we discovered on our very first morning.
In the evenings one can sit on the balcony and listen to Greek music drifting in from the nearby tavernas. It is in moments like these that one realises one is in exactly the right place — and that one has made a very good choice.
Outdoor areas and one simple improvement that would make a great difference
The gardens and outdoor areas are a fantastic oasis — well-kept, peaceful and thoughtfully landscaped with flowering plants, palm trees and shade-giving trees. A true pleasure to move through, and a natural gathering point for the hotel’s guests throughout the day.
We would however like to point out that the chairs on the room’s terrace lack cushions. The same applies to the chairs at the tables in the large outdoor area where breakfast and dinner are served. At a hotel where one spends a large part of the day outdoors, this is a noticeable omission. This is a simple, inexpensive and highly visible improvement that would considerably increase comfort and turn these areas into the natural resting places they deserve to be. For a hotel that otherwise gets so many details right, this is a conspicuous and easily remedied shortcoming.
Cleanliness and maintenance
The room was cleaned discreetly and presented itself as spotless and fresh throughout our entire stay — without ever feeling disturbed or as though anything had been left to chance. The same applies to the outdoor areas, pathways and gardens — a consistently high standard that one notices without having to look for it.
We would nonetheless like to draw attention to a few matters that should be addressed and that we feel deserve attention: The lock on the bathroom and toilet door on the ground floor should be replaced — it does not function satisfactorily and is not worthy of a hotel of this class. A broken bed leg in the bedroom took a couple of days to fix, and when it was finally attended to, the solution was provisional. We were offered to change rooms but chose to stay — there is something about being settled that makes one reluctant to pack again. We mention it because these are simple repairs that would considerably improve the experience for future guests — and because we believe the hotel is better than this.
We also noticed that on certain days there was a smell of sewage in parts of the outdoor area. It is difficult to say whether this is due to a septic issue, dry drains or something else, but it should be investigated and rectified. It is the kind of thing that casts an unnecessary shadow over otherwise wonderful surroundings.
The staff — the hotel’s single greatest asset
The staff across all departments — reception, restaurant and housekeeping — consistently distinguished themselves as friendly, helpful and genuinely service-minded throughout our stay. One senses that they enjoy their work, that they are proud of the place they represent, and that they genuinely want their guests to have a wonderful time. This comes across naturally and it is infectious. Not every hotel can say that.
The staff are without question the hotel’s single greatest asset, and something that elevates the entire experience to a level that is difficult to quantify. It is not merely about professional service — it is about warm, genuine and effortless hospitality of the kind one remembers long after returning home.
Food and half board
The half board offering is simply excellent and represents outstanding value. The breakfast buffet is fantastic — rich, varied and with freshly made pancakes at a dedicated bakery station. An ideal and solid start to an active day in the Cretan sun.
The dinners consist of traditional Greek food and are consistently of good quality, with regular offerings of soups, meat and fish dishes, pizza, pasta and a dedicated Cretan Corner featuring local specialities, cheeses and desserts. The selection can at times feel somewhat limited over a longer stay, but the food is always well-prepared and reliable. The option of a children’s menu is a thoughtful and welcome touch for families with younger guests.
We do note that the prices of drinks at dinner are on the high side and do not bear a reasonable relationship to what one otherwise receives for one’s money at the hotel. An average dinner with one glass of wine, one beer and one soft drink amounts to around 20 EUR per evening — over the course of a week this becomes a notable additional expense. It is clear that this represents an important source of revenue for the hotel, which is understandable, but which nonetheless puts a small and unnecessary dampener on an otherwise fine dining experience. A word of warning to future guests: it is easy to lose track of expenditure when everything is charged to the room and one does not see the total accumulating.
Beach and pools
Right across the road, just 150 metres from the hotel entrance, you will find the beach. The hotel has its own well-managed beach section with reserved sun loungers and good quality parasols — a dedicated and friendly member of staff ensures that the spots are reserved for the hotel’s guests and that no one takes liberties. Complimentary towels from the hotel are provided and can be used at both the pool and the beach. There is generally good availability of free spots, at least in early July when we visited.
The pools at the hotel are beautiful and well-maintained, and serve as a natural focal point throughout the day. We would like to suggest that the hotel management considers extending the opening hours from 18:00 to 20:00 — or alternatively posting signs indicating that swimming after closing time is at guests’ own risk. Many guests wish to swim into the evening and are already sitting around the pool after it officially closes. An evening swim with the pool lights on is an experience in itself — peaceful, beautiful and much sought after after a warm day. We fully understand that the lifeguards need to finish work at the end of their shift — but a simple and clear sign would resolve this elegantly and make many guests very happy.
WiFi and mobile coverage
One point we unfortunately feel we must raise clearly: the WiFi at the hotel is practically unusable. We appreciate that this is a known challenge at many hotels in the region, but at a time when virtually all guests depend on internet access — whether for work, navigation, entertainment or communication with home — this does not meet the standard expected of a hotel that otherwise delivers at a high level. In addition, 5G mobile coverage in the area is weak and clearly congested during the high season, which further compounds the situation. We would strongly encourage the hotel to invest in an upgrade of its network infrastructure — in our view this is one of the simplest improvements with the greatest positive impact on guests’ daily experience and overall satisfaction.
Silver wedding anniversary — a day we will never forget
On 30 June we celebrated 25 years of marriage — our silver wedding anniversary. The day began with a leisurely and wonderful breakfast for the whole family at the hotel, before we all three spent the morning together in the old town of Rethymnon. We strolled through charming alleyways where Venetian and Ottoman architecture meet in a completely unique blend, visited the historic Rimondi Fountain from 1626 at the very heart of the old town, and allowed ourselves to be swept away by a city that is simply magical to explore on foot.
In the afternoon we all returned to the hotel pool for a well-deserved and relaxed rest in the sun, before all three of us took a taxi back to the old town for the evening’s highlight.
We had reserved a table at Avli Rustic Fine Dining — a restaurant tucked inside a Venetian building from the 16th century, with an indoor courtyard filled with flowering vines, trees overhead and evening lighting that cast a warm glow over the tables. The atmosphere is difficult to describe fully without having experienced it oneself — romantic, timeless and completely unique.
We chose the 6-course tasting menu with accompanying wine pairing. Each course was thoughtful, beautifully balanced and a pleasure to look at — prepared with a clear love for the local and organic ingredients of Crete. The wine pairing complemented the food in a way that elevated both to something greater than the sum of their parts. It was a culinary experience we will talk about for a long time.
What impressed us most of all, however, was the kitchen’s consideration and creativity for our daughter, who does not eat meat or fish. Without us needing to ask twice, the kitchen had put together a complete and fully matching menu for her — equally thoughtful, equally considered and equally beautiful as our own. In high season with a fully booked restaurant, this is by no means a given. It says everything about what kind of restaurant, what kind of kitchen and what kind of people this is.
The restaurant had also purchased flowers and ensured that the evening was marked in a special and memorable way. A perfect ending to a perfect day — for the whole family.
Summary
Grecotel Casa Adele is a hotel with soul, heart and staff who genuinely care about their guests. It shows a little wear in places and there are simple improvements still to be made — but none of them overshadow the overall impression or the warm and wonderful experience we carry with us. On the contrary — it is precisely because the place is so good that we take the trouble to mention them. We believe in the potential here, and we wish the hotel all the very best going forward.
We return home with the finest memories of a silver wedding anniversary we will never forget, warm hearts and a clear and sincere wish to come back. Grecotel Casa Adele is recommended in the warmest possible terms.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐"
