Aquila Porto Rethymno

Beautiful hotel, perfectly located in the very heart of Rethymno, and across the road from the beach. Lively atmosphere, close to all the bars, shops and a historic centre. The hotel is very clean and well maintained. Our only gripe is the cost of drinks at dinner (we went half board) - far too expensive.

Really great location on the beach, excellent food, super friendly and helpful staff. Nice spa and really nice swimming pools. Also in walking distance to old town, which is definitely worth visiting, and easy to get out to the country to visit other part of the island.

Staying all inclusive with family. Lovely hotel and our room is very nice with a balcony looking over the pool, with a view of the beach. Most staff have been very helpful and friendly, particularly in the restaurant, reception, around the pool and beach and the maids. Ernest was particularly pleasant and efficient around the pool. Unfortunately this is let down by the bar staff. Service is extremely slow, even when it’s quiet. We ordered drinks one evening and when they hadn’t arrived 45 minutes later I asked the female waitress if she could tell us where our drinks were (one with bleached hair pinned up and wears glasses). She briefly looked over her shoulder in the direction of the bar and abruptly told me there were many more tables before us. I said “but 45 minutes” and she walked away. So rude! Had she actually gone to investigate and come back to us to tell us how much longer they would be, I would have been much happier, but she was downright rude and dismissive. After an hour we saw another table get their drinks within 15 minutes. I asked the male waiter about our drinks and he went to the bar to investigate. He returned with our drinks and offered us drinks from the menu that weren’t in the all inclusive package. Presumably as an apology but no one actually apologised. The waitress’s manner was disgusting. We’ve given up on the bar for the rest of our holiday. We’ve eaten in the a la carte restaurant this evening. The food was average (much better in the main restaurant) and although the a la cart restaurant has air conditioning it wasn’t on and it made the whole experience very hot and uncomfortable. There’s the usual sprint for sunbeds at 8.30am every morning with people putting their towels out and then not lying on them for hours. But I guess you have selfish people all over the world these days. For the first 3 days of our holiday we were raving about this hotel and its facilities but the rudeness from the waitress and slow service in the bar has tarred that for me. If you avoid the bar and stay in an all inclusive deal it’s brilliant.