Platanes Hotel Apartments Rethymno

A small, family-run aparthotel in Platanes, shaped to resemble a traditional Greek village and softened by tropical gardens. Banana trees, balconies and a swimming pool give the place a relaxed, residential feel rather than the polished anonymity of a large resort. You get somewhere practical to return to, not a parade of facilities you will never use.

English, German and French are spoken by the hotel team, so you can deal with the useful things without resorting to improvised sign language: arrival details, a restaurant question or the small practicalities that matter when you are tired. The hotel is suited to couples, families and solo travellers, with apartments that let you keep a little independence during the stay.

The property was renovated in 2023 and has 80 rooms. Free Wi-Fi runs throughout, and the setting combines easy access to the coast with the everyday conveniences of Platanes.

You are in Platanes, Greece, on the eastern side of Rethymno rather than in the old town itself. The sea is about 50 metres away, and Platanes Beach is a short walk from the hotel, with golden sand, sun loungers and parasols. Rethymno Beach is about half a mile away, while Adelianos Kampos Beach is roughly 0.7 miles from the property.

Rethymno town centre is about 1 mile away, close enough for an outing without making the hotel feel urban. The Archaeological Museum of Rethymno, the Venetian Harbour, Fortezza Castle and the town's historic streets are all around 3 miles away. Finikas Taverna is about 300 metres from the hotel, and Eyes Live Lounge is roughly 350 metres away; useful landmarks when your appetite has returned before your enthusiasm for a taxi.

Chania International Airport is about 44 miles away by road, with Heraklion International Airport around 46 miles away by road. Free public parking is available nearby, so a hire car remains a workable option for exploring beyond the coast.

The useful distinction here is not a long list of room labels but the freedom to choose between a studio and an apartment according to how much space you want around your holiday. A studio works for a couple or a small group keeping things simple; the larger apartment makes more sense when you want separate living space, more room for luggage or somewhere to sit without balancing everything on the bed.

Every apartment has a kitchen with a hob, refrigerator, kettle and kitchenware, plus a dining table. That changes the rhythm of a diving holiday: cold water can wait in the fridge, breakfast need not depend entirely on restaurant timings, and a simple meal is possible when you return hungry but not dressed for a grand evening out. Family rooms are available, and a cot can be requested for children aged three and under. There are no extra beds.

Air conditioning matters when Crete has spent the day turning the pavement into a griddle. Balconies, private bathrooms, showers, hairdryers and flat-screen TVs cover the practical basics, while soundproofing may help keep the room suitable for a proper night's sleep. Views can be towards the pool or garden, depending on the accommodation, and the rooms are non-smoking.

Restaurant Platanes serves Greek cuisine on a terrace, with breakfast, lunch and dinner available. The cooking is based on traditional Greek dishes and fresh local ingredients, giving you a straightforward way to eat at the hotel rather than treating every meal as a logistical exercise. Breakfast is included in the accommodation formula and is served as a buffet from 07:30 to 10:00.

There is one bar: the Pool Bar, beside the swimming pool. It serves cocktails, beer and snacks, which is exactly the sort of arrangement that works when you have made it as far as a sun lounger and no further. A drink is within reach; a full expedition into town can wait.

The kitchenettes provide a useful second option rather than replacing the restaurant. With a hob, fridge, kettle, kitchenware and dining table in your apartment, you can keep food and timings under your own control. That is particularly handy on days when the sea, the sun and the walk back from the beach have already filled the schedule.

The main place to switch off is the outdoor swimming pool, with sun loungers, umbrellas and the Pool Bar alongside it. The pool is seasonal and not heated, so it is best treated as a place for a cool-down and a lazy hour rather than a training facility. There is also outdoor seating when you want shade, a drink and a conversation that does not require moving very far.

The beach gives you a second setting within easy reach, with golden sand, clear water, loungers and parasols. Snorkelling, kayaking, paddleboarding and boat excursions are available in the surrounding area, with equipment rental also offered. The hotel can also work as a base for cycling, walking and cultural outings rather than locking you into the immediate pool-and-beach loop.

For a day away from the water, excursions can include Samaria Gorge, Arkadi Monastery and Knossos Palace. Rethymno's museums, harbour, historic buildings and Fortezza Castle are around 3 miles away. Babysitting and a children's menu are available for families, while the adults can at least finish a coffee before someone asks what happens next.

The hotel provides free Wi-Fi throughout and free public parking nearby, with no reservation needed. Car hire is available, and the property also offers an airport shuttle service. You can arrange the transfer with the hotel, whether you need a private journey or a shared service; the airport distance makes that worth organising before arrival rather than improvising after the flight.

Check-in begins in the afternoon and arrivals are accepted until 23:00. Check-out is by midday. The property asks you to provide your expected arrival time, and the minimum age for check-in is 18. Smoking is not allowed, pets are not accepted, and quiet hours run from 23:00 to 07:00.

Children of all ages are welcome. Children aged four and over are treated as adults for occupancy purposes, while cots are available on request for younger children. Visa and Mastercard are accepted as well as cash. Luggage storage, laundry, dry cleaning, a reception safe and concierge assistance are available for the useful jobs that otherwise have a habit of eating into a holiday.