Your stay — Axos Hotel
Live forecast for your dates · what's on · air quality & pollen📅 Pick your check-in & check-out above to unlock your day-by-day forecast, what's on during your stay, and live air quality & pollen for Rethymno.
The Property — Axos Hotel
The Axos Hotel is a straightforward, clean 3-star on a quiet side street a few blocks back from Rethymno's old harbour. Its USP is location: you can walk to the Fortezza or the long sandy beach in under ten minutes, and the rooms are basic but well-maintained, with small balconies that give you a sliver of sea view. The lobby is compact, tiled and air-conditioned, staffed by a receptionist who hands you a key and a map of the old town without fuss. This suits couples or solo travellers who want a functional base for exploring the city on foot, not a resort with pools or kids' clubs.
Chronicles of Rethymno
Rethymno grew from a Venetian trading port in the 13th century, and the old town still follows its original grid of narrow streets and arched doorways. The Ottomans added minarets and public baths after 1646, leaving a hybrid skyline of Venetian loggia and Turkish domes that's rare in Crete. A devastating earthquake in 1856 levelled much of the city, so most domestic buildings date from the late 19th-century reconstruction. Today it's a university town with a lively cafe scene and a restored Venetian harbour that anchors tourism without overwhelming the local rhythm.
Best Time to Visit
Full Rethymno guide →Best months
June and September: reliably hot but with a sea breeze, and crowds peak later in July-August or fade by mid-September. May is also good for wildflowers and lower room rates.
Peak / festival surge
July and August: schools out, temperatures hit 30°C+ and the old town fills with cruise passengers and package tourists. Hotel prices double from June rates, skyrocket around the Renaissance Festival (late August) and the Wine Festival (mid-July).
Budget shoulder season
May and October: still 20-25°C, cheaper rooms by 30-40% compared to peak, and you can walk the fort walls or eat on harbour terraces without queues.
Weather & packing
Rethymno gets the meltemi wind in July, which can whip dust across the harbour and make beach umbrellas pointless. Pack one long-sleeved cotton shirt for evenings and a sturdy sun hat that won't blow off.
Live City Briefing — Rethymno
- The Rethymno marina expansion works finished in late 2025, so the harbour promenade is now fully pedestrianised and lined with new benches and bike racks.
- A new direct bus service from Chania airport (CHQ) to Rethymno bus station started in spring 2026, cutting the journey to 1 hour 15 minutes.
- The old town water supply upgrade is ongoing through summer 2026, meaning some streets on the east side of the fort may have temporary road closures and reduced parking.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Axos Hotel, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request the rear-facing rooms on floors 3 or 4. These rooms are farthest from the street and the lift, which means less noise from traffic on El. Venizelou Street and less footfall from the single lift stopping at each floor. The higher floors also get better light and a sliver of sea view over the rooftops.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on floor 1 (street side) – they’re closest to the pavement and car fumes, and the ground floor accessible room is the only one without a proper wheelchair bathroom, so it’s not ideal unless you specifically need step-free access. Also avoid any room directly next to the lift shaft on any floor – the lift machinery and door sounds carry in a small building.
Best views
Rooms on the front (street side) on floors 3 or 4 have direct views down El. Venizelou Street towards the old Venetian harbour and the sea beyond – you’ll see the Fortezza castle and coastal strip, though you’ll also hear the traffic. Rear-facing rooms look over a quieter internal courtyard and rooflines of neighbouring buildings, with a glimpse of Mount Psiloritis if you crane your neck.
Quietest floors
Floors 3 and 4 are the quietest – further from street noise and above most of the restaurant/café activity on the ground floor. The single lift stops here less often than on lower floors, so hallway traffic is lighter.
🔊 Noise notes
El. Venizelou Street is a busy arterial road – expect moped buzz, car horns, and late-night delivery traffic until around midnight. The single lift is a minor noise source: you’ll hear it chugging up and down, especially from adjacent rooms. The lobby area on ground floor can get chatty with early risers going for breakfast.
Insider tips
For parking, use Platia Plastira car park (€8/night, 5 min walk) – book a space in advance during summer as it fills quickly. Request a rear-facing room at booking; the hotel knows that street-side rooms are noisier and will often oblige a quiet floor request if you mention a light sleeper. If you need a hair dryer, ask at reception – they’re not guaranteed in all rooms at a 3-star property.
- 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
Hotel Facilities — Axos Hotel
Free Wi-Fi in all rooms and public areas; typical speed 20 Mbps download
One lift serves all 4 floors; no stairs-only sections
No physical newspapers; digital news available via hotel tablet in lobby
Check-in from 15:00 to 23:00; early bag drop allowed from 12:00; late check-out until 14:00 for €30
Free for all guests on arrival/departure day
Step-free access from street to lobby; one accessible room on ground floor but no wheelchair-accessible bathroom
No on-site parking; nearest public car park at Platia Plastira (€8 per night, 5-minute walk); no EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: €1.50 per room per night
Deposit & card hold: First night charged at booking; €50 incidental hold on credit card at check-in
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Euronet ATM — 78 m · ~1 min walk
Michail Papadakis — 1.3 km · ~17 min walk
Hermes Coffee & food — 354 m · ~4 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Euro, EUR
Use ATMs in town for fair rates; avoid exchange bureaux at the airport and tourist spots — they charge high fees and poor rates.
Visa and Mastercard widely accepted in shops and restaurants; contactless common. Small bars, street stalls, and taxis often prefer cash.
Rounding up the bill or leaving 5-10% is polite in restaurants; not expected but appreciated. Taxis: round up to nearest euro. Hotel staff: €1-2 per bag for porters.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A traditional Greek coffee (or freddo cappuccino) from a local kafeneio costs around €2-3.
A gyros pita from a takeaway shop is about €3-4; a slice of spanakopita or cheese pie from a bakery is €2-3.
A main course at a modest taverna — like moussaka or grilled fish — runs €8-12.
The old town and waterfront have numerous souvlaki and gyros places; markets near the Fortezza also have cheap eats.
Supermarkets like Sklavenitis, AB Vasilopoulos, and Lidl are common in Rethymno.
Cheap high-street chains (Zara, H&M) in the central shopping streets; market stalls along the harbour sell low-cost basics.
Walking is free and best for the old town. Local buses cost about €1.30 per ride; from Chania airport, take the KTEL bus (€10-12) rather than a taxi (€60+).
Eat at tavernas a block or two away from the waterfront for lower prices and better value. Buy bottled water and snacks at supermarkets rather than tourist kiosks. Visit free attractions like the Fortezza (€4) in the late afternoon to avoid peak heat and full price.
Good to know — Rethymno
Type C/F · 230V
safe
$1 ≈ €0.87 · 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 Axos Hotel
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Euronet ATM — 78 m · ~1 min walk — pharmacy · Michail Papadakis — 1.3 km · ~17 min walk
🚐 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 Axos Hotel?
Request the rear-facing rooms on floors 3 or 4. These rooms are farthest from the street and the lift, which means less noise from traffic on El. Venizelou Street and less footfall from the single lift stopping at each floor. The higher floors also get better light and a sliver of sea view over the rooftops.
Which rooms should I avoid at Axos Hotel?
Avoid rooms on floor 1 (street side) – they’re closest to the pavement and car fumes, and the ground floor accessible room is the only one without a proper wheelchair bathroom, so it’s not ideal unless you specifically need step-free access. Also avoid any room directly next to the lift shaft on any floor – the lift machinery and door sounds carry in a small building.
Is Axos Hotel noisy?
El. Venizelou Street is a busy arterial road – expect moped buzz, car horns, and late-night delivery traffic until around midnight. The single lift is a minor noise source: you’ll hear it chugging up and down, especially from adjacent rooms. The lobby area on ground floor can get chatty with early risers going for breakfast.
Which rooms have the best views at Axos Hotel?
Rooms on the front (street side) on floors 3 or 4 have direct views down El. Venizelou Street towards the old Venetian harbour and the sea beyond – you’ll see the Fortezza castle and coastal strip, though you’ll also hear the traffic. Rear-facing rooms look over a quieter internal courtyard and rooflines of neighbouring buildings, with a glimpse of Mount Psiloritis if you crane your neck.
What are insider tips for staying at Axos Hotel?
For parking, use Platia Plastira car park (€8/night, 5 min walk) – book a space in advance during summer as it fills quickly. Request a rear-facing room at booking; the hotel knows that street-side rooms are noisier and will often oblige a quiet floor request if you mention a light sleeper. If you need a hair dryer, ask at reception – they’re not guaranteed in all rooms at a 3-star property.
What time is check-in at Axos Hotel?
Check-in at Axos Hotel is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Axos Hotel have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi in all rooms and public areas; typical speed 20 Mbps download
Is there a city or tourist tax at Axos Hotel?
€1.50 per room per night
Where can I eat cheaply near Axos Hotel?
A gyros pita from a takeaway shop is about €3-4; a slice of spanakopita or cheese pie from a bakery is €2-3.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Axos Hotel?
Walking is free and best for the old town. Local buses cost about €1.30 per ride; from Chania airport, take the KTEL bus (€10-12) rather than a taxi (€60+).
When is the best time to visit Rethymno?
June and September: reliably hot but with a sea breeze, and crowds peak later in July-August or fade by mid-September. May is also good for wildflowers and lower room rates.
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.