Atrium Ambiance Hotel

The shower setup could use some work. Water ended up all over the bathroom floor, and sometimes the room smelled because of it. We also found the pool shaded much of the time, perhaps because we were there in October. That didn’t matter much to us since we spent most days at the beach. We stayed for a week on half board and had a lovely time. The staff were friendly and attentive, the food was delicious with plenty of choice, and our room was cleaned regularly to a high standard. The dining area and outdoor bar were both great. I’d definitely recommend the hotel.

The layout of our room was odd: there was a huge mirror across from the bed looking straight into the shower, which had no curtain or door. That might be fine for a couple, but ours was a three-person room. The toilet was in its own small room with no window or ventilation, which felt unhygienic. We were also right by the stairs, and the poor sound insulation meant we heard cleaning staff and other guests. We got woken up around 7:30 or 8 almost every day. The hotel looked modern and pretty, and everything was clean. The staff were easily the best part, friendly and helpful. We liked the location, near the beach and about a 15-minute walk from the historic centre. Breakfast was especially good, the food options were enjoyable, and our bed was very comfortable. Some of the other details were less satisfying for the price, about €180 a night. The food was good, though desserts often disappointed. Free coffee meant just filtered coffee, with no machines or fresh juices, and anything similar cost extra. Only house wine was offered by the glass; other wines came by the bottle. Extra drinks, including wine, felt overpriced. The pool was nice but smaller than it looked, really only good for a quick dip and not much of a swim. Buildings around it left it cold in the afternoon, and nobody seemed to use it after 5. We stayed for 10 days in August and September, and expected more from a four-star hotel at that price. If you book here, I’d steer clear of rooms near the stairs.

The staff deserve a special mention for being so friendly and helpful, especially at the front desk. The rooms were spacious, clean, and well kept. The location is right in the heart of Rethymno, just a few metres from the beach.

I’d suggest choosing a Superior room if you can. The hotel is modern and comfortable, close to the beach and within reasonable distance of the old town. Staff were friendly and quick to respond, and the bar was nice. Breakfast and dinner had lots of options, with tasty food that included a good range of traditional Greek dishes alongside international choices. They also put on themed evenings several times a week, like Greek night. I even received a birthday cake, which was a lovely gesture.