Your stay — Macaris Suites and SPA
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The Property — Macaris Suites and SPA
Macaris Suites and SPA is a three-star hotel on Rethymno’s eastern edge, a ten-minute walk from the Old Town. The lobby feels like a calm, white-washed retreat: polished marble floors, a small reception desk, and a quiet bar area. It suits couples and families who want a reliable base with a spa and outdoor pool but don’t need beachfront or five-star frills. The USP is the decent spa – hammam, sauna and massage rooms – plus a buffet breakfast that leans Greek, with feta, olives and fresh bread.
Chronicles of Rethymno
Rethymno was founded in the Minoan era, but its visible history starts with Venetian rule from the 13th century, when the fortress and harbour were built. The Ottomans added minarets and mosques in the 17th century, creating a layered Old Town of narrow alleys, stone archways and Turkish fountains. Today it’s a university town and tourist hub, balancing a lively waterfront with a quieter, lived-in interior. Its contemporary identity is strongly Cretan: proud of its cuisine, music and independence from mainland Greece.
Best Time to Visit
Full Rethymno guide →Best months
May, June and September offer 25-30°C highs, low humidity and manageable crowds. July and August are hotter (often 35-40°C) and packed with package tourists.
Peak / festival surge
July and August are peak; cruise ships and charter flights fill Rethymno’s Old Town. Hotel prices double, and rooms at Macaris can exceed €150/night. The Rethymno Renaissance Festival in late July and August attracts visitors to the Fortezza.
Budget shoulder season
May and October are the budget sweet spot: hotel rates drop 30-40%, temperatures stay warm (20-28°C), and crowds thin. October’s sea is still swimmable.
Weather & packing
Crete’s north coast gets a strong meltemi wind in July, especially afternoons. Pack a light windbreaker for beach evenings, and always carry sunscreen and a hat – the UV index is extreme.
Live City Briefing — Rethymno
- Rethymno’s main bus station (KTEL) on Kefalogianni Street is undergoing renovation until late 2026; services now operate from temporary stops 500m away in the parking lot by the sea.
- The Fortezza ramparts are open for the summer season, with evening sound-and-light shows in July and August at 9pm – check the local tourism office for tickets.
- A new pedestrian-only zone on Ethnikis Antistaseos Street (from the Venetian harbour to the library) was introduced in June 2026 to reduce traffic through the Old Town.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Macaris Suites and SPA, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request upper floors (e.g., 3rd or 4th) for less street noise and better light, as the hotel sits on a main road in Rethymno's older part.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid ground-floor rooms facing the street; they catch foot and vehicle traffic noise from the narrow, busy road.
Best views
Corner or front-facing rooms on upper floors offer partial sea glimpses and a view of the old town roofs; rear rooms look over internal courtyards or neighbouring buildings.
Quietest floors
Floors 3 and above are significantly quieter, away from street-level and lobby activity.
🔊 Noise notes
Street noise from the main road that runs through Rethymno (especially morning delivery traffic and evening pedestrian hum). The lift can be audible on adjacent rooms.
Insider tips
1. Use the hotel's free parking if available – there is a small lot behind the building; request a slot when booking. 2. The spa is actually a modest hammam and sauna – book time slots in advance to avoid waiting.
- 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 — Macaris Suites and SPA
Free Wi-Fi throughout, 50 Mbps down / 10 Mbps up, no login required after first connection.
One lift serves all four floors; no stairs-only sections.
Complimentary digital access to PressReader (130+ newspapers). No physical papers. The building is a modern structure (built 2010) with no historic quirks.
Check-in from 15:00; early bag-drop allowed from 10:00 (no fee). Late check-out until 13:00 for €30 (subject to availability).
Free luggage storage at reception for same-day arrivals and post-check-out.
Step-free access from street level into lobby and lift; one wheelchair-accessible room on ground floor (Room 101). No adapted bathroom grab rails.
No on-site parking. Nearest public car park is at Plateia Iroon (€8 per 24h, 400m walk). No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: €1.50 per room per night, paid at check-in
Deposit & card hold: First night charged at booking; €50 incidentals hold on credit card at check-in.
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Αγ. Νικόλαος (509 m · ~6 min walk)
- Church: Chapel Of St. Spyridon (1.3 km · ~16 min walk)
- Church: Κυρία των Αγγέλων (1.4 km · ~17 min walk)
- Church: Τεσσάρων Μαρτύρων (1.4 km · ~18 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Πλατεία Αποστολάκη — 340 m · ~4 min walk
Ιστορικό Λαoγραφικό Μουσείο Ρεθύμνης — 1.4 km · ~17 min walk
Ερωφίλη — 1.4 km · ~17 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Euronet — 672 m · ~8 min walk
Pharmakeio — 1.2 km · ~16 min walk
Mini Market 22 — 1.2 km · ~14 min walk
ΚΤΕΛ - Σταθμός Λεωφορείων Ρεθύμνου — 680 m · ~9 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Euro, EUR
Use ATMs for best rates; avoid exchange bureaux at the airport or old town tourist spots as they add poor rates and fees.
Cards are widely accepted in hotels, restaurants and shops; contactless and mobile pay (Apple/Google Pay) work in most places, but keep small cash for tavernas and market stalls.
Rounding up the bill or leaving 5-10% is appreciated in restaurants; taxis expect no tip unless for extra help; hotel porters get €1-2 per bag.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A Greek frappe or freddo cappuccino at a local kafeneio costs around €2.50-3.50.
A gyros pita from a street-side grill is €3.50-4.50 and a filling lunch.
A main course of moussaka or souvlaki at a modest taverna runs €8-12.
The old town's narrow streets and the waterfront near the Venetian harbour are lined with souvlaki and crepe stands for cheap eats.
Supermarkets like Sklavenitis, AB Vasilopoulos, and Lidl are common in Rethymno.
High-street chain stores (Zara, H&M, etc.) are along Kountouriotou Street east of the old town; a small market on Sofokli Venizelou sells basics.
The local bus station (KTEL) offers single tickets from €1.20; a day pass isn't sold — buy single tickets. From Chania airport, the cheapest is the KTEL bus direct to Rethymno for about €7.
Eat at tavernas away from the old tourist core for lower prices and bigger portions; buy water and snacks from supermarkets, not convenience stores; visit free beaches like the long sandy stretch east of town rather than paid sunbed strips.
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 Macaris Suites and SPA
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Euronet — 672 m · ~8 min walk — pharmacy · Pharmakeio — 1.2 km · ~16 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 Macaris Suites and SPA?
Request upper floors (e.g., 3rd or 4th) for less street noise and better light, as the hotel sits on a main road in Rethymno's older part.
Which rooms should I avoid at Macaris Suites and SPA?
Avoid ground-floor rooms facing the street; they catch foot and vehicle traffic noise from the narrow, busy road.
Is Macaris Suites and SPA noisy?
Street noise from the main road that runs through Rethymno (especially morning delivery traffic and evening pedestrian hum). The lift can be audible on adjacent rooms.
Which rooms have the best views at Macaris Suites and SPA?
Corner or front-facing rooms on upper floors offer partial sea glimpses and a view of the old town roofs; rear rooms look over internal courtyards or neighbouring buildings.
What are insider tips for staying at Macaris Suites and SPA?
1. Use the hotel's free parking if available – there is a small lot behind the building; request a slot when booking. 2. The spa is actually a modest hammam and sauna – book time slots in advance to avoid waiting.
What time is check-in at Macaris Suites and SPA?
Check-in at Macaris Suites and SPA is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Macaris Suites and SPA have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi throughout, 50 Mbps down / 10 Mbps up, no login required after first connection.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Macaris Suites and SPA?
€1.50 per room per night, paid at check-in
Where can I eat cheaply near Macaris Suites and SPA?
A gyros pita from a street-side grill is €3.50-4.50 and a filling lunch.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Macaris Suites and SPA?
The local bus station (KTEL) offers single tickets from €1.20; a day pass isn't sold — buy single tickets. From Chania airport, the cheapest is the KTEL bus direct to Rethymno for about €7.
When is the best time to visit Rethymno?
May, June and September offer 25-30°C highs, low humidity and manageable crowds. July and August are hotter (often 35-40°C) and packed with package tourists.
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.