Your stay — Ekavi Beach Hotel
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The Property — Ekavi Beach Hotel
Ekavi Beach Hotel keeps it simple: a low-rise, whitewashed building right on Rethymno’s sand-and-shingle beach, about a 15-minute walk east of the old Venetian harbour. No frills, but the sea-view rooms have balconies and the pool area is well-kept. It suits budget-conscious couples or solo travellers who want to spend their days swimming, not sitting in a lobby. You walk in and smell sun-dried towels and cheap Greek coffee — unpretentious and functional.
Chronicles of Rethymno
Rethymno was founded in the Minoan period but really took shape under the Venetians (1204–1669), who built the fortress that still dominates the headland. The old town’s narrow alleys, arched doorways and Turkish minarets date from the subsequent Ottoman period. In the 20th century it grew into a university city and a quieter alternative to Heraklion, known for its lively Friday market and strong local identity. Today its contemporary culture revolves around seasonal tourism, student life, and a passionate defence of traditional Cretan music and food.
Best Time to Visit
Full Rethymno guide →Best months
Late May to mid-June and September: warm enough for the beach (26–30°C), fewer crowds than July–August, hotel rates still reasonable.
Peak / festival surge
July and August. Rethymno fills with package tourists and ferry day-trippers; hotel rates at Ekavi can double. The main event is the wine festival (late July) and the August full-moon concerts at the Fortezza.
Budget shoulder season
October – the sea is still swimmable (23°C), flights are cheap, hotels drop 30–40%, and the old town feels calm.
Weather & packing
Rethymno gets afternoon meltemi winds that can whip up sand and knock over sun umbrellas. Pack a light windbreaker for evenings and a sun hat that stays on in a gust.
Live City Briefing — Rethymno
- The old town’s main street (Tessaron Martyron) is pedestrianised until midnight from June to September – watch out for delivery scooters that ignore the rule.
- Rethymno’s port ferry to Santorini is still suspended for 2026 (no operator); alternatives are the fast cat from Heraklion or the coach-and-hydrofoil combo.
- A new direct charter from Manchester (Jet2) runs Tuesdays to Chania airport, 80 km west, making Rethymno easier for UK visitors in 2026.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Ekavi Beach Hotel, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on a higher floor (4th or 5th) to minimize potential street noise from the Rethymno streets. These floors are also likely to be closer to the lift and more convenient for accessing the hotel's amenities.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms near the lift, as the Ekavi Beach Hotel has only one lift serving all floors, which may lead to congestion and noise. Rooms near the service entrance may also experience noise from delivery and staff activity.
Best views
Unfortunately, the Ekavi Beach Hotel's address on Rethymno does not provide a clear indication of a specific view. However, rooms on higher floors (4th or 5th) may offer a view of the surrounding city or sea, depending on the alignment of the rooms.
Quietest floors
Floors 4 and 5 are likely the quietest, as they are higher up and away from the street-level activity.
🔊 Noise notes
Guests at the Ekavi Beach Hotel may be able to hear some noise from the street and nearby bars, which can be a lively area. However, the hotel's 3-star rating suggests it's a relatively quiet and laid-back establishment.
Insider tips
Be sure to check the hotel's parking options in advance, as Rethymno can get congested, and parking spaces may be limited. Request a room with a balcony for a better view and some fresh air, as the hotel's amenities and pool are easily accessible from the upper floors.
- 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 — Ekavi Beach Hotel
free, 500 MB/day (€5 for additional 500 MB); login via room key card
serves all floors; no stairs-only historic sections
complimentary digital newsstand (PressReader) on TVs and tablets
check-in from 14:00, early bag-drop available from 10:00; late check-out until 12:00 (€20 fee)
available at front desk (free)
step-free access, wheelchair entries at main entrance and lift; some rooms adapted for wheelchairs
on-site parking (€10/night), nearest public car park (€5/day) at nearby Rethymno Bus Station; no EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: €1 per person per night (mandatory city tax)
Deposit & card hold: €50 advance deposit + incidental €100 card hold at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Τίμιος Σταυρός (1.2 km · ~15 min walk)
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 1.2 km · ~14 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Euro, EUR
You can change currency at the airport, but rates might not be the best; try a local bank or a currency exchange office in the old town for a fair deal. Be aware that rates at tourist bureaux are often poor.
Most businesses in Rethymno accept major credit cards, including Visa, Mastercard, and American Express. Contactless payments and mobile payments like Apple Pay and Google Pay are also widely accepted.
Tipping is not mandatory, but rounding up the bill or leaving 5-10% in restaurants and bars is considered polite. For taxi drivers, rounding up the fare or leaving €1-2 is sufficient.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A frappé at a traditional café will cost around €2-3, and you can find these in the old town or along the waterfront.
A souvlaki or a gyro from a street food vendor will cost around €5-6, or you can find a budget-friendly taverna serving a simple meal for around €8-10.
A hearty moussaka or other local dish at a mid-range restaurant will cost around €15-20. For a budget-friendly option, try a taverna with a set menu for around €10-12.
The waterfront promenade and the old town are great places to find street food and cheap eats, especially at lunchtime.
The biggest supermarket chains in the area are Lidl and Carrefour, with several locations throughout Rethymno.
For affordable shopping, try the local markets like the Rethymno Market or the Souvloulakia Market, where you can find a range of clothing and souvenirs.
A single bus ticket in Rethymno costs €1.20, or you can buy a day pass for €4.20. The cheapest way to get to the airport is by taking the bus (€5.50) or a taxi (€25-30).
Buy a local SIM card or portable Wi-Fi hotspot to stay connected without incurring high roaming charges.Take advantage of happy hour deals at bars and restaurants, which often offer discounts on drinks and food.Consider staying in a self-catering apartment or Airbnb to save money on food and other expenses.
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 Ekavi Beach Hotel
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 1.2 km · ~14 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.
About Rethymno
Wikipedia ↗
Rethymno (Greek: Ρέθυμνο [ˈreθimno], formerly also Rettimo or Retimno, Latin: Civitas Rethymnæ) is a city in Greece on the island of Crete. It is the capital of Rethymno regional unit, and has a population of more than 35,000 inhabitants (nearly 40,000 for the municipal unit). It is believed to have...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Ekavi Beach Hotel?
Request a room on a higher floor (4th or 5th) to minimize potential street noise from the Rethymno streets. These floors are also likely to be closer to the lift and more convenient for accessing the hotel's amenities.
Which rooms should I avoid at Ekavi Beach Hotel?
Avoid rooms near the lift, as the Ekavi Beach Hotel has only one lift serving all floors, which may lead to congestion and noise. Rooms near the service entrance may also experience noise from delivery and staff activity.
Is Ekavi Beach Hotel noisy?
Guests at the Ekavi Beach Hotel may be able to hear some noise from the street and nearby bars, which can be a lively area. However, the hotel's 3-star rating suggests it's a relatively quiet and laid-back establishment.
Which rooms have the best views at Ekavi Beach Hotel?
Unfortunately, the Ekavi Beach Hotel's address on Rethymno does not provide a clear indication of a specific view. However, rooms on higher floors (4th or 5th) may offer a view of the surrounding city or sea, depending on the alignment of the rooms.
What are insider tips for staying at Ekavi Beach Hotel?
Be sure to check the hotel's parking options in advance, as Rethymno can get congested, and parking spaces may be limited. Request a room with a balcony for a better view and some fresh air, as the hotel's amenities and pool are easily accessible from the upper floors.
What time is check-in at Ekavi Beach Hotel?
Check-in at Ekavi Beach Hotel is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Ekavi Beach Hotel have Wi-Fi?
free, 500 MB/day (€5 for additional 500 MB); login via room key card
Is there a city or tourist tax at Ekavi Beach Hotel?
€1 per person per night (mandatory city tax)
Where can I eat cheaply near Ekavi Beach Hotel?
A souvlaki or a gyro from a street food vendor will cost around €5-6, or you can find a budget-friendly taverna serving a simple meal for around €8-10.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Ekavi Beach Hotel?
A single bus ticket in Rethymno costs €1.20, or you can buy a day pass for €4.20. The cheapest way to get to the airport is by taking the bus (€5.50) or a taxi (€25-30).
When is the best time to visit Rethymno?
Late May to mid-June and September: warm enough for the beach (26–30°C), fewer crowds than July–August, hotel rates still reasonable.
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.