Harmony Rethymno Beach

My wife and I have just returned from an AI one week stay at Harmony Rethymno. We arrived by coach transfer from Chania Airport (it took 2 hours rather than the advertised 1 hour) and checked in. I was asked to email my booking confirmation to the Reception desk, which seemed a little odd. Tourist tax is 10 euros per room, per night and has to be paid in cash. However, despite being just a couple, we were allocated a family size room on the 1st floor (there are 3 floors, including ground) which overlooked the main pool area with a part sea view. The room was very clean and spacious with a nice balcony but lacked ample storage space (there were no drawers) and the drainage in the bathroom wasn't brilliant and a fair old stint of mopping up was required after each shower. On arrival our Safe (which is free) wasn't working but was fixed within an hour by a highly efficient maintenance man who came back the next day to make sure it was still working okay; excellent service! The air-con was very effective. We had all 3 daily meals in the restaurant, situated on the ground floor near the pool area, which was also very clean and spacious with a good choice of very nice food on all fronts. All alcoholic drinks were served from behind the restaurant bar. However, the wine was of very poor quality and the chairs were hard and uncomfortable. They need to get some softer, padded chairs. We would also hang out in the pool area, which overlooked the beach. Everything was clean and in good order. There was no animation team but they had a Greek night with dancing and also a Party night with DJ. The hotel is out on a limb but the village of Stavramenos is a 5 minute walk away which is home to some very nice coffee shops and a couple of Tavernas. There are also some other restaurants a short walk along the main road outside the hotel. We walked a along the beach a couple of times to a lovely beach bar that sold a wide range of hot & cold drinks. The town of Rethymno is a half hour bus ride away from the bus stop which is a 2 minute walk from the hotel. Get the no 20, it runs half hourly. Timetables are available in Reception. Rethymno has a lovely old town and the Venitian harbor, well worth a visit. Yes, a few bits of TLC required here and there but overall a very nice peaceful hotel.

Ok, so nothing really can be done about the location, it's in the middle of nowhere, nothing to do, no places to walk to, unless you get on the bus (buy tickets from shop in advance) or a taxi or hire a car. (Note 1hr20min direct taxi from Chania airport). Which is why it was a huge disappointment that there wasn't an animation team, no entertainment by day at all. On a Monday night for 2 hours there is a "disco party" and on Thursday night some greek dancing. That's it. There are not enough (old, uncomfortable) sunbeds for the number of guests and the pool is not big enough to accommodate everyone. €10 deposit for a towel. You need beach shoes if you want to swim in the sea, it's a rocky beach. On the plus side, the food was excellent at every meal (although lacking an a la carte or other options), the staff are fantastic, shout out to Santosh at the pool bar. Only the beach bar was open, which could cause long delays at times for drinks, closes at midnight, AI until 11pm. The sunsets are incredible. We had a lovely room with great views over the pool and beach. Please improve on the awful bars of soap. Would I stay here again? Definitely not due to the location and lack of entertainment. I would only recommend it if you are looking for a holiday where you do nothing but lie on a sunlounger all day, that is, if you can get one...

We had a great stay at Harmony Hotel. The staff were very friendly and welcoming, the rooms were clean and comfortable, and the overall atmosphere was relaxing. The service throughout our stay was excellent. We would happily stay here again and highly recommend this hotel to anyone visiting Crete.

Spent a relaxing week, at this smaller hotel. This created a very peaceful atmosphere. Every where was so clean and tidy. Food was delicious and plentiful. Rooms were spacious, the sea view and sunsets were so beautiful. All the staff go above and beyond to help make your stay a very happy memory. My only criticism, is no hand sanitizer around or in the restaurant. I witnessed several people coming out the WC without washing hands.

Harmony Beach Hotel offered us more than we expected. Food was high quality and delicious. Gluten free options were taken care of. The employees (managers, waitresses, cleaners, receptionists etc) were very kind, customer focused and hard working people. Location of the hotel is good, peacefully and only 10+ min driving distance to Rethymno's city center. Overall rating definitely 5/5 and huge recommendation!