Rethymno Mare Royal & Water Park

The gardens are the highlight here: green, clean, and carefully maintained, with peaceful outdoor spaces. The water park is fun for families, and the hotel has what you need for a comfortable stay. Most of the other facilities are functional and generally good, though fairly average compared with other resorts nearby. A nice option if you value a calm setting and well-kept grounds.

Everything was tidy and spotlessly clean, with spacious rooms and no crowds or noise. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner at Apollon were excellent, with a large range of very good dishes. The restaurant staff were perfect, the receptionists were great, and the two brothers at the Artemis bar were wonderful. Rethymno Mare Royal is closer to the sea, and I can recommend it. It was the best hotel I’ve stayed at on vacation. I only wish I’d remembered the staff members’ names so I could thank them individually.

The food was amazing, with plenty of choice, and the rooms were good, fairly spacious, and had climate control. I really liked the pool, including its adults-only section. The beach bar had the best service. Most staff were really nice, though a few bartenders seemed to hate their jobs and wanted to hide behind the bar, so the service was about 80/20 in quality. One thing I passionately dislike is the poolside tiling. Why use tiles that get so slippery when wet right next to the pool? Be careful carrying drinks.

The staff are super friendly, and the swimming pools, small water park, and bars beside them are all fine. The cocktails are nice, and the bartenders are lovely to talk to. Food could use some improvement, but all in all it was more than acceptable. It’s decent value for money, though a bit isolated. If you skip the all-inclusive rate, you’ll need a car to get to nearby villages. The beach is across the road, just a short walk away.