Your stay — Hillside Vacation Home
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The Property — Hillside Vacation Home
This three-star hillside retreat sits on a quiet slope above Rethymno's old town, offering a lobby that smells of lemon and olive wood. It's unpretentious but solid: clean rooms with sea glimpses, a small pool, and a breakfast terrace looking over tile roofs to the Venetian fortress. Best for couples or solo travellers who want a calm, walkable base without resort fuss.
Chronicles of Rethymno
Rethymno was built by the Venetians in the 13th-16th centuries, leaving a fortified harbour and a warren of arched alleys. The Ottomans added minarets and domes, which still punctuate the skyline. Today it's Crete's most intact old town, mixing Minoan archaeology with café culture and a lively university scene. Its contemporary identity balances tourism with working-city grit — fishermen still mend nets by the ferry dock.
Best Time to Visit
Full Rethymno guide →Best months
May and September for 26°C highs, calm seas, and tourist numbers half of July's. June also works, though it's getting busy.
Peak / festival surge
July and August. Temperatures hit 30-35°C, hotel rates double, and the old town chokes with cruise crowds. The main events are the Wine Festival (July) and Renaissance Festival (August-September).
Budget shoulder season
April and October: rooms 30-50% cheaper, 20-22°C, fewer people. Still warm enough to swim, but expect some rain days.
Weather & packing
Rethymno gets sudden strong meltemi winds that blow dust off the sea — pack a lightweight windproof jacket. Leave your heels behind: old town alleys are cobbled and uneven.
Live City Briefing — Rethymno
- Rethymno's riverside walking path between the old town and the beach was extended in 2025, now connecting to the Municipal Garden with free public Wifi.
- The Historical and Folklore Museum reopens this June after a two-year renovation; new exhibits on Cretan weaving and 19th-century pirate raids.
- Parking in the old town is now permit-only from June to September; use the free 'E' shuttle from the outskirts car parks (runs 07:00-23:00).
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Hillside Vacation Home, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the first floor (one flight up) facing the rear courtyard or the quieter side street off the main road. These rooms avoid ground-floor foot traffic and benefit from the building’s internal layout, which buffers street noise.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid ground-floor rooms at the front of the building—they face Rethymno’s main street, which carries local traffic and footfall. Also skip rooms directly beside the lift shaft on any floor, as lift operation can be audible.
Best views
Rooms at the back (courtyard side) offer a view of the hotel’s small garden or quiet lane—overlooks the neighbouring buildings but away from the main road. Front rooms see the old town’s busy street and passers-by.
Quietest floors
Floors 1 and 2 are the quietest—above street level but below any roof-level machinery or terrace activity. The building has no lift, so upper floors (3 and above) mean stairs but less external noise.
🔊 Noise notes
The main street (often shared with local shops, cafés, and evening foot traffic) is the primary noise source. Mopeds and delivery vans can start early. The entrance area and any ground-floor common space may add hallway noise during check-in times.
Insider tips
Check in after 2pm when street traffic settles. The hotel has no lift—request a lower floor (first floor) if you have heavy luggage, or be prepared for stairs. Parking is on-street; ask the front desk for the best free parking spots on the quieter side roads just off the main drag.
- 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 — Hillside Vacation Home
Free WiFi throughout, typical speed 20 Mbps, no login limit per device
One lift serves all 3 floors; no stairs-only sections
Physical copies of Kathimerini and Crete Post at reception, no digital newsstand
Check-in 14:00-23:00; early bag-drop from 10:00 free; late check-out until 13:00 for 30 euros, subject to availability
Free luggage storage at front desk until 18:00 on departure day
Step-free entry from street via ramp; lift to all floors; no grab rails in bathrooms
No on-site parking; nearest public car park at Fortezza Parking, 100m away, costs 8 euros/night; no EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: 0.50 euros per room per night, collected at check-in
Deposit & card hold: 20% advance deposit required at booking; a 100 euro card hold for incidentals at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Αγία Ειρήνη (743 m · ~9 min walk)
- Church: Agia Paraskevi (1.6 km · ~20 min walk)
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Euro, EUR
Use ATMs in town for the best rates; avoid exchange bureaux at the airport and tourist offices—they add poor rates and fees.
Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted in shops, restaurants, and hotels; contactless is common. Smaller tavernas and markets may prefer cash.
Round up the bill or leave 5-10% in restaurants (check if service is included). Taxis and hotel staff appreciate small tips but it's not expected.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Greek frappe or freddo cappuccino at a local kafeneio, about €3-4.
A gyros pita from a street stand or takeaway spot, around €3.50-5.
A simple main dish (moussaka or grilled fish) at a taverna in the old town or side streets, about €10-15.
Look for souvlaki and gyros stands around the old town and along the waterfront near the Venetian harbour.
Budget supermarkets include Lidl, AB Vassilopoulos, and My Market—decent for basics and local produce.
Head to the main shopping streets (Ethnikis Antistaseos, Sofokli Venizelou) for high-street chains like Zara, H&M, and local boutiques; the market near the fortress has cheaper souvenirs and clothing.
Bus is cheapest—single ticket around €1.20; the Rethymno city bus from the airport costs €2-3. A day pass isn't common here; walking is easiest in the compact centre.
Eat away from the central tourist squares (like the old town harbour) for better prices; buy snacks and water at supermarkets rather than at the beach or tourist kiosks; get a multi-trip bus card if you're relying on local buses.
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 Hillside Vacation Home
🕒 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.
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 Hillside Vacation Home?
Request a room on the first floor (one flight up) facing the rear courtyard or the quieter side street off the main road. These rooms avoid ground-floor foot traffic and benefit from the building’s internal layout, which buffers street noise.
Which rooms should I avoid at Hillside Vacation Home?
Avoid ground-floor rooms at the front of the building—they face Rethymno’s main street, which carries local traffic and footfall. Also skip rooms directly beside the lift shaft on any floor, as lift operation can be audible.
Is Hillside Vacation Home noisy?
The main street (often shared with local shops, cafés, and evening foot traffic) is the primary noise source. Mopeds and delivery vans can start early. The entrance area and any ground-floor common space may add hallway noise during check-in times.
Which rooms have the best views at Hillside Vacation Home?
Rooms at the back (courtyard side) offer a view of the hotel’s small garden or quiet lane—overlooks the neighbouring buildings but away from the main road. Front rooms see the old town’s busy street and passers-by.
What are insider tips for staying at Hillside Vacation Home?
Check in after 2pm when street traffic settles. The hotel has no lift—request a lower floor (first floor) if you have heavy luggage, or be prepared for stairs. Parking is on-street; ask the front desk for the best free parking spots on the quieter side roads just off the main drag.
What time is check-in at Hillside Vacation Home?
Check-in at Hillside Vacation Home is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Hillside Vacation Home have Wi-Fi?
Free WiFi throughout, typical speed 20 Mbps, no login limit per device
Is there a city or tourist tax at Hillside Vacation Home?
0.50 euros per room per night, collected at check-in
Where can I eat cheaply near Hillside Vacation Home?
A gyros pita from a street stand or takeaway spot, around €3.50-5.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Hillside Vacation Home?
Bus is cheapest—single ticket around €1.20; the Rethymno city bus from the airport costs €2-3. A day pass isn't common here; walking is easiest in the compact centre.
When is the best time to visit Rethymno?
May and September for 26°C highs, calm seas, and tourist numbers half of July's. June also works, though it's getting busy.
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.