We stayed at this hotel and arrived a day late due to our flight being delayed. Our room was not ready when we got there and had to sit in reception for half hour whilst they got it ready. Once we found our room which was a trek up lots of stairs and hills there was no towels in our room so had to track the maid down to get some. I felt that the room itself was very basic and not in keeping with the 4* rating and our garden view was a dried up field. Overall we had a good time the bars were nice and the food was good and there was entertainment for those who wanted it. Bus tickets are sold in the little shop into rethymnon which I would recommend doing. Also should you wish to hire a car the reception will sort it out for you. It did appear like we were the only Brits there. If you have a disability or dislike stairs and hills then this hotel is not for you. Therefore apart from the room being below standard I had a nice time. Also tipping the staff seems to help you get served better.

We enjoyed our week's stay here, although it had an end-of-season feel about it and some of the advertised activities weren't happening. The food was wonderful and the staff were very friendly and helpful, and the animation team led what activities there were with enthusiasm and charm. The gardens are beautifully floral.
The main difference from the Olympic brochure was that it was in no way as flat as the pictures showed - 123 steps from reception to our room, which was not on the highest level. Admittedly there were a few small lifts to bypass some of the steps, and a steep road without steps, but if I were someone with walking difficulty I'd have had trouble.
Our 'garden view' room looked out on a wall behind which was a piece of scrubland with goats and rubbish, the bed was the firmest I've ever slept on and the airconditioning fought a losing battle with the heat generated by the fridge. But the room was clean and the fridge came in handy for storing water and drinks. We were fascinated by the way the geckos were able to disappear into the smallest gap, e.g. into our bathroom alarm switch.
We also were amused by one of the many tiny cats playing rather timidly with the most enormous caterpillar I have ever seen.

I decided to buy a last minute holiday and went with my sister and friends, we are around the age of 30. The room where we stayed wasn't the best as didn't have modern furniture but it was nice and clean, my bedroom was close to the restaurant and reception, but the hotel is huge so you will always be far from somewhere like from the pool or annimation team, or the beach or the other pool, so people don't see those things and complain for nothing. We went for the all inclusive deal, the food was very nice, a bit of everything for every taste, plenty of options. The drinks were ok, they are local I guess and just taste like every all inclusive holiday that you go to, people still complain about those things but they should know that! The annimation team were cool, was a guy with a curly hair with a very funny accent, I used to go around the pool and do the exercises sometimes or used to just be around to listen to his funny accent (I am brazilian and have an accent too) lol but his accent was the best haha. In general the staff were great, the manager was great, the staff in the restaurant, reception staff, bar staff always smilling and happy to help, which we don't normally get in a all inclusive holiday deal, in a way they made our holidays, also there was a man every monday, wednesday and friday playing the piano e singing, it was fabulous, very kind and friendly people, just loved. The hotel was kind of in the middle of nowhere but the hotel had everything you needed, but if you go to somewhere like Crete which is an amazing island, it's worth to rent a car and go around other beaches. I would defo go back to this hotel. It was hard to say good bye, some nice people that probably will never see again. It's all good, all life experience. I know everyone have different rooms, different holidays in different times of the year but some people were born to complain, they are used to not having a life and find any single thing to whinge about it, so they will complain anywhere they are about anything, it doesn't matter how perfect everything is. Don't let any negative reviews change your mind about this place. Have a great holiday anywhere you go to anyway :)

We've just come back from a 2 week stay at the Rethymnon Mare and having booked only 2 weeks before travelling were delighted with our choice.

We have two young children who loved their stay and were more than happy with the food and facilities. There is also a chinese restaurant but we didnt feel the need to use it as the food was varied at the main restuarant. (if you are looking for english food then there are chips etc everyday and occasionally bacon and sausages) we like trying different dishes so the variety suited all of us including our kids.

The all inclusive was excellent although it closes at 11pm, although to be fair with 2 kids that was late enough anyway for our needs.

Two very clean pools one which was quiet for the more leisurely clients and the pool at the top of the hotel which was where all the entertainment took place. Entertainment was avilable including a Kids club for younger children but most of the entertainment was aimed at the over 14's and adults but our kids were happy enough just playing in the pool. The entertainment staff do work hard and we enjoyed joining in the daytime activities when we felt the urge to do so...the evening entertainment was different!!! but you dont go on holiday to see what you can see on the TV at home do you?

Nikos in the lobby bar deserves a special mention for his quality cocktails and for his well kept and organised bar along with his friendly chat and attitude. Nikos in the Hotel restaurant also desrves a mention for his friendlly approach to customers and he made our stay very pleasent.

Rethymnon itself was a bus journey away for 1 euro 60 cents for anyone over the age of 7, so 6 and under go free with tickets purchased from the hotel mini market.

There are quite a few steps upto the pool bar area but thats simply a consequence of the Hotel being built on a hillside. Our kids managed to negotiate the steps easily and there was a road at the side of the hotel for those who wished to avoid the steps and for wheelchair access.

The beach at Skaleta isnt very wide but there are other beaches within travelling distance if thats what you are looking for.

We had a lovely time and met some very nice people from all nationalities.