Aegean Pearl

We had a really enjoyable stay at the end of the season. The food and service were excellent, with plenty of varied options to satisfy even fussy eaters. The beach is just across the road, and there were lots of beach beds, though that may have been because it was very late in the season. It’s a long walk into town, but taxis are only a minute away. The hotel starts the long promenade, so there’s a lot of traffic. It’s more noticeable from the private pool rooms at the front. It didn’t affect our sleep, but it’s worth knowing.

We had a great stay and would like to come back. The room was wonderful, with an amazing sea view and soundproof windows. It was calm even when we left the windows open. We could always find sunbeds at the beach and pool. The hotel is in a quiet corner by the sea, with a long promenade leading to shops, tavernas, and the old town. The food was good, though some evenings were a bit boring and others great. One suggestion: keep the pool open past 6 pm. Evening is the best time for a swim, so it was a shame it closed then. Bigger beach umbrellas and updated furniture would also be nice, though neither was a big issue.

The hotel has a lovely beach and a relaxing pool, and the room is spacious and restful. The hotel staff are professional and friendly, and the dining room team work hard and are very welcoming. Bar staff are extra friendly too, though the drinks are poor. The wine is probably the cheapest you can buy on Crete, and the beer is weak. Breakfast and dinner were only OK. The dinner choices were limited and generally disappointing, mostly chips, rice, yogurt, fruit, and fried chicken. At breakfast, scrambled eggs were served in big batches at 7.30am for reasons I couldn’t work out, so by 8.30 they were lukewarm, as were the beans, fried eggs, bacon, and pancakes. We were fine with the room layout, though I can see the drawbacks of the open plan design, including the lighting when someone is putting on makeup. We weren’t told that a sister hotel shares facilities and pools, which should have been mentioned as it wasn’t in Jet2 hotel information. It’s a little like an all-inclusive hotel, except you pay separately for drinks and daytime food as you go. That can add up to more than choosing all-inclusive from the start. If food matters to you, I’d suggest BB and eating out for better food and wine, which would probably save money.

Mrs. Popi at the restaurant made our meals especially enjoyable. She was so kind, polite, helpful, and sweet. The hotel itself was spotless, with fresh, tasty food and a friendly staff. It’s right by the beach, and shops, cafés, and other services are only a short walk away. We had a wonderful time at Aegean Pearl in Rethymno and would love to return.