Aquila Porto Rethymno

Staying all inclusive with family. Lovely hotel and our room is very nice with a balcony looking over the pool, with a view of the beach. Most staff have been very helpful and friendly, particularly in the restaurant, reception, around the pool and beach and the maids. Ernest was particularly pleasant and efficient around the pool. Unfortunately this is let down by the bar staff. Service is extremely slow, even when it’s quiet. We ordered drinks one evening and when they hadn’t arrived 45 minutes later I asked the female waitress if she could tell us where our drinks were (one with bleached hair pinned up and wears glasses). She briefly looked over her shoulder in the direction of the bar and abruptly told me there were many more tables before us. I said “but 45 minutes” and she walked away. So rude! Had she actually gone to investigate and come back to us to tell us how much longer they would be, I would have been much happier, but she was downright rude and dismissive. After an hour we saw another table get their drinks within 15 minutes. I asked the male waiter about our drinks and he went to the bar to investigate. He returned with our drinks and offered us drinks from the menu that weren’t in the all inclusive package. Presumably as an apology but no one actually apologised. The waitress’s manner was disgusting. We’ve given up on the bar for the rest of our holiday. We’ve eaten in the a la carte restaurant this evening. The food was average (much better in the main restaurant) and although the a la cart restaurant has air conditioning it wasn’t on and it made the whole experience very hot and uncomfortable. There’s the usual sprint for sunbeds at 8.30am every morning with people putting their towels out and then not lying on them for hours. But I guess you have selfish people all over the world these days. For the first 3 days of our holiday we were raving about this hotel and its facilities but the rudeness from the waitress and slow service in the bar has tarred that for me. If you avoid the bar and stay in an all inclusive deal it’s brilliant.

We popped in to their cafe/restaurant on the beach front for lunch and were made to feel awkward and unwelcome. We were visiting there as we weren't staying. We had popped in as we were considering staying there next June. We felt judged with our clothes etc. Whilst they accommodated my request of a green salad as it wasn't on their lunch menu (we paid Vissili next door for that). It was an uncomfortable experience. So they won't have our hospitality next June.

Beautiful hotel with lovely food (show cooking everyday with a variety of options like gyros, burgers, roasted lamb, pasta, sushi etc..) kind and helpful staff, very clean room and facilities, and fantastic evening entertainment. All the guests we spoke to in the hotel were also very lovely and we met some great people. Everyone was in high spirits and couldn’t praise the hotel and Crete enough. Great location to the old town with a long strip of trendy bars and restaurants which are lively in the evenings. The harbour is fantastic and I recommend ‘Seven Brothers est. 1969’ for dinner along there. The main pool is a lot warmer as it is exposed to the sun during the day, however the pool deck pool is more shaded and colder. Like most hotels, you do get a note if you leave your belongings on the sunbed and not around, however we noticed that a formal notice says that you have 1 hour to be away from them, whereas the staff said 20-30 minutes, which made us feel very rushed to get lunch and come back. The staff are incredibly attentive, but maybe too attentive as we was checked 1-3 times a day if we needed anything in our room which was great at first but become a little annoying near the end, as the timings were inconvenient.

From the minute we arrived at the hotel we were struck by the warm and efficient service. I had emailed in advance to request a double bed, Eleni from customer services was so helpful and when we checked in staff welcomed me as a returning guest, had stayed previously at the Aquila beach. Our room had a good sea view was very spacious and well equipped. It was cleaned daily and was spotless. The restaurant staff were very friendly service was excellent. Food was of a high standard and plenty of choice. We loved the sax player on Sunday morning. We mainly used the beach. Plenty of beds, service for drinks was great with Dimitris working so hard, always service with a smile. My husband loves a negroni and the barman mixed a stunning one for him every night. Bar staff and service again excellent. We thoroughly enjoyed the gala night food and wine superb. The location to the town could not be better with some great shops near to the hotel. We would highly recommend the hotel and we will be back after a wonderful 10 day break. Thank you to everyone at the hotel.

Pro: Immerse yourself in the heart of this hotel's prime location. The staff's helpfulness is a standout, and the pools offer a refreshing retreat. Beach lovers will appreciate the proximity just across the street. Ample lounge chairs are available, with the first two rows requiring a fee. The lobby's sitting room is a cozy spot with comfortable chairs and couches. The evening entertainment was good. Cons: I stayed here almost 30 days, and they gave me a room with a terrible bathroom. I found out later that many of the rooms were upgraded and had proper bathrooms. The hotel website needs to mention the type of bathroom given to me. I was duped. It's 2024, and this type of bathroom should not exist in a five-star hotel. The so-called double beds were just two single beds shoved together and uncomfortable. I am a world traveler, and these, by and far, wore the worst beds I have come across. The mattresses were cheap and way too soft. The one chair in the room and two on the balcony could have been more comfortable. Sometimes, during my stay, my room was not cleaned until after 5 o'clock. There was no price list for items in the refrigerator. If you need water, you can get a six-pack of large bottles for 2 Euros at a store close to the hotel. The hallways are far from the two elevators. The hallway carpet is dingy. The hotel does not deserve a five-star rating. I would not stay here again.

The Hotel is very clean and tidy with very good food although the price of drinks in the bar and restaurants were excessive. The resorts was closing down for the season so it was a little difficult to judge and is a two hour coach journey from the airport.