Aquila Rithymna Beach Hotel

With a prime beachfront location and abundant kid-friendly facilities, the Aquila Rithymna Beach Hotel is a great pick for families with children. Decor is on the traditional side, and often dated, but everything is well-maintained, light, and pleasant. Large swathes of elegant cream marble in the lobby add an upscale feel, while traces of Cretan architecture -- think wood beamed ceilings and rustic stone walls -- add some local charm. A traditional mini-village of sorts, tucked at one end of the property, comes complete with its own church and decorative olive press, offering a healthy dose of Cretan culture. 

Extensive grounds --packed with pools and landscaped gardens -- allow guests to spread out and avoid overcrowding, though some areas, such as the lobby and buffet restaurant, can feel packed at peak times. The kid-friendly atmosphere also means that the hotel is often buzzing with noise, which may not suit romancing couples. Also note that outdoor areas allow smoking, which may be a pro or con for some. All-inclusive rates are popular here, but some guests have complained of many drinks not being covered, such as sparkling wine. Overall, families with kids wanting a beachfront getaway and willing to overlook some old-fashioned interiors will find this a suitable spot. 

Adelianos Kampos is a touristy beachside resort town lined with hotels, restaurants, beach shops, and tourist services. The hotel is located along the main road at the beginning of the town, with plenty of beachwear shops and restaurants farther down the road. A bus stop just outside the hotel takes guests to Rethymnon and its charming old town, and the ride takes about 15 to 20 minutes. The lively city of Chania is an hour's drive west, while Heraklion and its airport are just over an hour's drive east.

There are 17 different room categories, offering travelers plenty of options to best suit their style. Although clean and attractive, traditional decor is on the tired and dated side, consisting of pale-wood and metal furniture, neutral-tone linens, and beige tiling. Some have particularly old-looking patterned-fabric headboards matching bedding, green-checked bedspreads and tufted couches, or bathrooms featuring white tile with blue veins. Nevertheless, amenities are sufficient, consisting of free welcome bottles of water and wine, Greek sweets or fruits, bathrobes and slippers, and pillow menus. Rooms are also equipped with minibars, tea- and coffee-making facilities, flat-screen TV with satellite channels, free Wi-Fi, and furnished terraces. Most rooms have sea views, though some overlook the road. Upgraded units have private pools, and some are located on the beachfront. Some room categories add sofa beds, living spaces, and two floors. Bathrooms in the main building have showers, while others have shower/tub combinations, plus hose-style hairdryers and toiletries.

Given how large the hotel is, it's packed with features, most of which are geared toward families with children. A standout is the long, sand-and-pebble beach with its own daytime bar and free sunbeds and umbrellas. A VIP section requires a fee, and includes waiter service and reserved beds. The hotel has its own diving school, a variety of water sports for a fee, and turtle hatching observations.

The hotel’s largest seawater pool has a separate kids’ section, and it's themed after tropical islands with a series of wooden bridges. The two remaining outdoor pools are freshwater, including one beachside with sea views, and all three have waiter service. There’s no shortage of kid-friendly facilities, thanks to kids’ and babies’ clubs and pools, two playgrounds, and hosted activities divided amongst three different age groups, including shadow puppet theatre and disco parties. Kids are allowed to join supervised sleepovers with parents’ permission, and children under 12 get free unlimited access to the daytime kids’ buffet. 

Dining at the hotel is generally praised by guests, and local herbs grown on the grounds are used in restaurants. There are two buffet spots: one poolside that hosts themed dinners with live entertainment, and a main restaurant offering a wide selection of international and local fare for all three meals. The upscale beachside restaurant Archaia Eleftherna is a romantic a la carte affair serving local Greek and Cretan specialities. Three bars include one poolside, a beach bar, and a lively lobby bar. All rates include buffet breakfasts, and all-inclusive packages are available. This plan includes one theme night and one Gala Dinner per week, but guests have complained that many drinks are not covered. A cafe serves traditional Greek meze plates until late, following the classic Greek, and there's another cafe for coffees and pastries.

A spa has a heated indoor pool, small gym, sauna, and massage and facial treatment rooms. Access to the indoor pool, gym, and sauna are free, and there’s free Wi-Fi throughout the property. Parking is also free. A charming little church is available for wedding ceremonies.