Your stay — Alkyonides
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The Property — Alkyonides
Alkyonides is a straightforward, no-fuss three-star on Rethymno's long sandy beachfront, a ten-minute walk east of the old Venetian harbour. The lobby is cool and tiled, with a small reception desk and a few armchairs; the real draw is the sea-facing terrace where you eat breakfast overlooking the water. It suits budget-minded travellers who want clean rooms, reliable air conditioning and direct beach access without any resort-style extras. The vibe is practical and unpretentious – staff are friendly but not hovering, and the main drag of tavernas and souvenir shops is a short stroll along the promenade.
Chronicles of Rethymno
Rethymno was built by the Venetians in the 13th century as a trading outpost, and its old town still follows that grid of narrow alleys and arched doorways. The 16th-century Fortezza fortress dominates the headland, while the minaret of the Neratze Mosque (formerly a Venetian church) speaks to the Ottoman period that followed. After Crete united with Greece in 1913, Rethymno became a university town, which gives it a livelier, more youthful energy than Chania or Heraklion. Today it balances its archaeological museum and restored Venetian loggia with a thriving cafe and bar scene along the rimondi fountain square.
Best Time to Visit
Full Rethymno guide →Best months
May, June and September: sea water is warm enough for swimming, days are sunny and 25–30°C, and the old town isn't packed shoulder-to-shoulder.
Peak / festival surge
July and August are peak season – 35°C plus at midday, hotel prices double, and both beach and fortress get very busy. The main driver is European school holidays and the Rethymno Renaissance Festival (late July/early August) in the Fortezza.
Budget shoulder season
Late September and October: rooms drop by 30–40%, weather stays warm into October (still 25°C), and you'll have beaches and tavernas mostly to yourself.
Weather & packing
Rethymno's climate is Mediterranean with a dry, baking summer and rare afternoon sea breezes. Pack a reusable water bottle, high-factor sunscreen, and light long sleeves for walking the old town in the sun.
Live City Briefing — Rethymno
- The promenade linking the hotel to the old Venetian harbour has been fully repaved and widened – it's now much easier to walk or cycle without dodging mopeds.
- A new pedestrian-only zone has been introduced around the Rimondi Fountain square, meaning cafés there are quieter and tables spill further out.
- The Rethymno Renaissance Festival returns for 2026 in early August – book your stay now if you want a room near the Fortezza, as these go first.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Alkyonides, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on floor 3 or higher, facing the rear courtyard (away from the main street). These rooms get morning sun and are quieter, as the lift and reception are on lower floors.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on floors 1 and 2, especially those at the front of the building. The street-facing rooms pick up traffic noise, and floors 1-2 are right above the lobby and breakfast area, so you hear chairs scraping and early-morning chatter.
Best views
Front-facing rooms (street side) have a partial view of Rethymno's old town rooftops and the sea in the distance, but traffic noise is a trade-off. Rear-facing rooms overlook a quiet courtyard and neighbouring buildings.
Quietest floors
Floors 3 and 4 are the quietest at Alkyonides. The lift stops here less often, and these floors are above the street-level hubbub.
🔊 Noise notes
Rethymno's main street (likely Leoforos Kountouriotou or similar) brings tourist traffic, delivery vans, and scooters until late evening. The hotel's own lift and breakfast service add clatter from 7am. Weekends are louder.
Insider tips
1. Parking in Rethymno is tight — book a spot via the hotel or use the public car park on Venizelou Street, a 5-minute walk. 2. For a quieter stay, request a room on floor 3 or 4 and specify 'rear courtyard' when booking.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Euro, EUR
Use ATMs inside bank branches for decent rates; avoid exchange bureaux at the port and old town entrance as they slap on high commissions.
Visa/Mastercard are widely accepted in restaurants and shops; Amex is rare. Contactless works almost everywhere, but keep small cash for bakeries and market stalls.
Round up the bill or leave 5-10% in restaurants if service was good; not expected in taxis but rounding up helps. Hotel staff appreciate €1-2 for carrying bags.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A freddo espresso from any kafeneio or bakery, about €3-3.50.
A gyros pita from a souvlaki shop, about €4-5.
A main course of moussaka or grilled fish at a taverna off the tourist strip, about €10-12.
The old market street (Sofokli Venizelou) and the side alleys around the fortress have clusters of budget souvlaki and crepe places.
AB Vassilopoulos and Sklavenitis are the main supermarket chains in town.
The pedestrian streets in the new town, especially Ethnikis Antistaseos, have affordable chain stores like H&M and Kik.
A single bus ticket within town is €1.20; from Chania airport catch the KTEL bus (about €15, no day pass) to the central bus station.
Buy lunch from a bakery (€2-3 for a cheese pie); skip the waterfront tavernas and walk two streets inland for better prices; fill a water bottle at public fountains—tap water is safe and free.
Good to know — Rethymno
Type C/F · 230V
safe
$1 ≈ €0.88 · EUR
Emergency Contacts
RethymnoWhere to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Rethymno, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Alkyonides
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Rethymno Centre (Platania stop) → Amazing Villas (Adele-Missiria area)
💡 Bus to Missiria stops right by the villas. Validate your ticket at the machine on board. For return trips, flag the bus by waving from the roadside—drivers will stop if you look like a waiting passenger.
Heraklion Airport (HER) → Amazing Villas, Rethymno (local stop)
💡 Take bus 1 from the airport to Chania bus station (€1.50), then the direct KTEL coach to Rethymno. Coaches have AC and luggage racks. Buy tickets at the station kiosk.
Chania Airport (CHQ) → Amazing Villas, Rethymno
💡 Chania Airport is closer (20 km vs 70 km from Heraklion). Use pre-booked transfer companies like Go Crete for €55 fixed price. Metered taxis run €60-70 but charge extra after 22:00.
Heraklion Airport (HER) → Amazing Villas, Rethymno
💡 Book through Rethymno Taxi app or ask your hotel to arrange one. Avoid unmetered drivers who quote €90+ at the airport rank.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Alkyonides?
Request a room on floor 3 or higher, facing the rear courtyard (away from the main street). These rooms get morning sun and are quieter, as the lift and reception are on lower floors.
Which rooms should I avoid at Alkyonides?
Avoid rooms on floors 1 and 2, especially those at the front of the building. The street-facing rooms pick up traffic noise, and floors 1-2 are right above the lobby and breakfast area, so you hear chairs scraping and early-morning chatter.
Is Alkyonides noisy?
Rethymno's main street (likely Leoforos Kountouriotou or similar) brings tourist traffic, delivery vans, and scooters until late evening. The hotel's own lift and breakfast service add clatter from 7am. Weekends are louder.
Which rooms have the best views at Alkyonides?
Front-facing rooms (street side) have a partial view of Rethymno's old town rooftops and the sea in the distance, but traffic noise is a trade-off. Rear-facing rooms overlook a quiet courtyard and neighbouring buildings.
What are insider tips for staying at Alkyonides?
1. Parking in Rethymno is tight — book a spot via the hotel or use the public car park on Venizelou Street, a 5-minute walk. 2. For a quieter stay, request a room on floor 3 or 4 and specify 'rear courtyard' when booking.
What time is check-in at Alkyonides?
Check-in at Alkyonides is from null. Check-out is by null.
Where can I eat cheaply near Alkyonides?
A gyros pita from a souvlaki shop, about €4-5.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Alkyonides?
A single bus ticket within town is €1.20; from Chania airport catch the KTEL bus (about €15, no day pass) to the central bus station.
When is the best time to visit Rethymno?
May, June and September: sea water is warm enough for swimming, days are sunny and 25–30°C, and the old town isn't packed shoulder-to-shoulder.
Top Attractions in Rethymno
💡 Walk to the lighthouse at the end of the pier for a quieter view — most tourists stop halfway. The water is clean for a dip if you don’t mind concrete edges.
💡 Bring nuts or bread for the peacocks that roam freely — they’re friendly but watch your bag. Best in spring when the flowers are out.
💡 Go early morning (before 9am) to see it without crowds or shopkeepers setting up — the light is golden and quiet.
💡 It’s quiet on weekday mornings — you’ll often have the rooms to yourself. The audio guide is worth the €2 extra.
💡 Buy your ticket at the small booth by the main gate, not online. Visit late afternoon when the heat drops and the sunset lights up the harbour.