Rimondi Grand Resort & Spa

"Our stay at this stunning hotel in Rethymno was perfect! From the moment we arrived, the staff made us feel welcome. The property is beautiful maintained- lush gardens filled with well- cared plants, spotless public areas and elegant evening atmosphere. The hotel offers transportation from and to the city and the nearby beach, and that makes it easier to move around. At the resort there are multiple pools, including the only adult pool that is very quiet and the view is perfect for enjoying your cocktail or taking photos. The traditional cuisine was the highlight of our stay, every meal was fresh and full of authentic local flavors. The reception / restaurant and bar staff was really friendly and helpful as well. The traditional nights several times a week was amazing, we really enjoyed and learned the culture through music and dance. We also liked the hotel’s eco friendly approach- the rooms are cleaned upon request and let’s be honest - none needs every day cleaning! We have to show some respect for the environment. The 24- hour reception was really convenient for us, and we were relieved that we can turn to someone for help. Overall, the hotel combines luxury, comfort and authentic Cretan hospitality. It is the perfect destination"

"We stayed for the first two weeks of October at the Rimondi Grand Resort & Spa — our first time in Crete. The hotel is lovely, quiet, and relaxing. Our room was very pleasant, it included TV, WiFi, safe and fridge with a balcony and a distant sea view. Breakfast was excellent with plenty to choose from, and the staff were extremely helpful and friendly throughout our stay. For a last-minute deal, we didn’t expect too much, but we were pleasantly surprised! We loved being able to message reception on WhatsApp to arrange cleaning as it wasn't necessary to have it done every day. The laundry service was excellent and great value for money — collected in the morning and returned that same afternoon. You have to be aware that if you need fresh towels every day you do need to request them the day before. The free shuttle bus to the beach was great, and the two restaurants by the beach were excellent and worth a visit. A special mention to Despina who is a wealth of information as well as being kind and funny. She runs the kafeneion stasis which is situated in the middle of the resort, this is where you can order the best coffee also where you order and book the shuttle bus to the rethymon for a charge of €22 ( Oct 2025) return for 2 people and the free service to the beach. This is also where you get the beach towels for a €20 deposit each which is refunded when you return the towels, I have read some reviews here saying this is a rental which it is not. The hotel grounds are a little steep, so it might be a bit challenging for anyone with walking difficulties, but for us it was no problem — just good exercise! If like me you are a cat lover you will be in for a treat as the resort has a small population of cats and kittens who are great characters! Crete is a stunning island with beautiful people — we can’t wait to come back!"

"First things first.. this NOT a 5* luxury hotel as advertised on the hotel’s web site. The scenery is lovely but that’s it. It is isolated with the nearest beach approx a 15 minute drive away. A mini bus takes you to the beach, which is complementary but has to be booked a day before. The hotel regards this beach as their own private beach, it is not! The hotel has a restaurant and bar here but it is not part of the ‘All Inclusive’ package so any food or drink here would need to be paid for. The tourist tax, payable on arrival must be paid in cash and is charged as 5* accommodation. Conveniently there is an ATM right outside the hotel’s entrance. There is a charge to get cash. Room balconies look onto other bedrooms, the curtains are see through. Some rooms are positioned so badly that when walking to the restaurant, bathrooms are visible including the inhabitants! My room was definitely not a 5* (picture attached). It was dark, overlooking someone’s bedroom, dismal and depressing. I asked to move to a different room and was told there wasn’t any and that the rooms were all the same. I insisted on another putting my point across. Both ladies at reception were very rude, dismissive and defensive and finally said to come back tomorrow. I was given another room the next day, although not much better but with a better view. No pictures on walls. Furniture looks like it’s been there since the 70’s. There is a mini bus that will take you to Rethymno and back to the hotel at a charge of €11 per person at certain times of the day. It is cheaper by taxi! If you want your room cleaned, you have to ask and give them 24 hours notice!..how ridiculous, who has been to a 5* hotel where you have to ask to have your room cleaned?? Hotel doesn’t provide water… only on arrival. Pools are not heated. Sunbeds are old. If you want a pool towel you have to give a €20 deposit! We wanted to look at the ‘spa’ before deciding whether to use it but were told you have to pay first then you can look! Ridiculous! Drinks— watered down, even the Pepsi! Juices at breakfast watered down. Cocktails, not many to choose from, are from an already made up carton. Beware.. you can only have alcoholic drinks at certain times, I would advise to buy your own as those included in the AI are all watered down and basically rubbish. Contrary to the website there is no ‘Mixologist’ to make your cocktails and there is no mint 😀 Food- breakfast.. fried eggs sat in water. Food was lukewarm. There was even dried up peas one morning! We guessed the scrambled eggs may have been a dried packet version. Lunch - usual salad, potatoes..pork…chicken, spaghetti bolognaise every day. Dinner the same..pork, chicken and…spaghetti bolognaise! The food is not 5* quality. Entertainment non existent. The pictures on the hotels web site are not a true reflection of the hotel as it is now. Good things - Prit who takes your suitcases to your room and gives you a lift is so friendly, obliging and nothing is too much trouble for him. If you are familiar with a 5* hotel in Greece and choose the Rimondi Grand.. you will be very disappointed."