Just back this morning from the Macaris.

There were only 2 of us, but we had been upgraded to Suite 806 which is a 2 bedroom suite on the top floor. Fantastic balcony and great sea views

It was a fantastic suite (probably the nicest hotel room I have ever had throughout the Med!

We had to change our booking so arrived at 4 am, but everything was in order and we had a plate of fruit and a small bottle of chilled wine waiting for us.

Thoroughly recommended!!

PS, if I was being a bit pedantic, a few more English channels on the TV would have been nice!

We (boyfriend and I) stayed in the Macaris for two weeks in September and the hotel proved a great base, here is a summary of the main points;
Food: we stayed B&B, breakfast was reasonable but had relatively little variation. The hotel menu is limited and pricey so we ordered little off this. The food also stops being served at 3pm, but luckily we are near rethymnon here, so it is no problem. I wouldn't go half board here, just opt for breakfast for the best deal.
Rooms: the rooms are 5* - fantastic space, and views and great kitchen, bathroom and living area. The veranda has lovely comfy seats so you can lounge in the sun - make a special request for a high room as the views are particularly spectacular.
Hotel: there is no spa as advertised, and there is a 'half finished' feel to the hotel in places. There is also a lot of consitructiuon work just outside as the area is developing. The service was friendly enough, and the gym was small but equipt. Do not expect entertainment - this hotel suits people who want a private holiday experience and although there are some amenities (e.g. pool table) it has more of a clean 'business' feel at times. That suited us, but is worth bearing in mind. Pool area is good, but could feel small on busy days - it is not massively warm, but warm enough.
In short - we were in it for the room and views, and the brilliant close location to the old town of Rethymnon (10 mins walk to the right), I might have liked to use the spa but this was under-development (although private maseus requests were a possibility in your suite...). We dont have kids, and just wanted a relaxing break away which we got. I do think it is a very good choice for rethymnon, as you get the 'pool/chill' experience combined with the 'cultured city trip' feel.

well, I think that things are quite simple in the case of Rethymno: if you're looking for a modern, fully equipped apartment, with truly LARGE verandas, offering GREAT views to the sea and the city castle: go to Macaris! To add to that, breakfast is very good (offering both international choices and local delicacies), the apartments are spotlessly cleaned every day and you're a short 5-minute car-ride to the old city centre , where all the action is.
I have to say that our (7th floor) apartment was so great that, after returning from our daily beach excursions (the beach in front of the city of Rethymno is not worth visiting), we found it hard to go out and miss a quite evening, sitting in our veranda with a glass of wine and listening to the waves! (I'm not overdoing it here: there is a busy road separating the hotel from the sea front, but the hotel is climbing up a hill and there was no traffic noise at all, at least on our floor).
If I could find something negative this would be the lack of "character" in the hotel's public areas. It is obvious that the property was not build to function as a hotel (the apartments were to be sold, but I guess the economic crisis changed everything). So if you are looking for a boutique - like hotel, book something inside the old town area (where of course one misses the fresh air and lovely views).
I definitely recommend Macaris and hope to go back there soon!

This is an old Hotel that has been totally refurbished to a very high standard. Our one bedroom apartment had great views, a large terrace, high quality fixtures- cant complain.
Good pool area.
The area outside the building is been developed, as in new paths into town, cycle routes etc.
The views of the West Bay of Rethymnon with its Fortress are fantastic. Its only a 10minute walk to the Old Town, and this was with a 6 and 8 year old.