Odyssia Beach Hotel

The beach was perfect and only a short walk away, and we liked the atmosphere, the food, the rooms, and the pleasant staff. The pool was nice too, though a little small. There were a few problems around it: the filtration was sometimes switched off and the water got dirty quickly until we complained and they restarted circulation. People also went in without showering, and the only showers were down on the beach. At the restaurant, the manager, an elderly man wearing makeup, sometimes shouted at guests and seemed very stressed.

The sea is less than a minute away, there are supermarkets and coffee shops nearby, and Rethymno is a 15-minute bus ride. Those were the main advantages for us. But we definitely wouldn't return. We spent two weeks there as three people, and the superior room we booked wasn't really any bigger than the others, most of which were up to 20m2. It was very uncomfortable for three. The hotel could use more care with cleanliness and general order. Things felt dirty and poorly cleaned, and the restaurant dishes were a problem of their own. There was nothing for children to do, not even board games unless you paid. Breakfast was the same every day for all 14 days, and dinner only included mussels a couple of times and shrimp once. There was no kettle or coffee maker in the room, and no tea or coffee with dinner, so we had to buy it at nearby cafes. The dishes were so old and sometimes dirty that eating from them was unpleasant. We found the restaurant manager Michalis very annoying. He constantly shouted at staff and went around telling guests what they could do, from which table they could sit at and which cup they could drink from to how they should dress. After I complained to the hotel's general manager, he left us alone. Room cleaning depended on which woman was doing it. Beach beds, umbrellas, and towels all cost extra, though we hadn't been warned, even though we'd bought a full package. The lunch restaurant's a la carte dishes were basically made from food left over from breakfast or dinner.

I went to Melody Spa at Odyssia Beach for a back and neck massage with Tanya, even though we were staying at the sister hotel Omiros Boutique. It was amazing and really helped my sore back. The location is so handy, right beside the hotel, beach, bar, and shops. I definitely want to go again before our holiday is over. Such a good experience 🩵☀️

This smaller boutique hotel is in a lovely spot with direct access to the beach, and Rethymno is within walking distance. The staff were very friendly, and it's great for families with kids. There's enough choice for everyone at both the breakfast and dinner buffets, and the local food is delicious. You can rent a car just around the corner. A really good base for exploring the western part of Crete.