Guest User
July 8, 2023
I recently spent 14 days at the Aristea and it's now my "Happy Place". There is such a warm atmosphere because the staff all enjoy their work and get on so well together, and bring you into their happy family. The hotel is very clean and attractive looking with a lovely inner courtyard. You couldn't ask for a better location; literally one minute and you're on the beach. There are beach beds along the sands in both directions but, if you buy 2 drinks from the Aristea bar, you can get a voucher for beach beds and umbrella at the first beds on the right hand side. It's about a 30 minute walk into Rethymnon with tavernas on one side and beach on the other and it's well worth a visit. My room was very spacious with plenty of storage space and a wonderfully comfortable bed. The maids were very efficient and friendly, you had a choice of towel change every one or two days and sheets were changed regularly. The bar and pool area were kept very clean and there were sufficient beds for the size of the pool. There was a room with an assortment of books but, sadly, it seems that every other nation has more book readers than the UK. I didn't have breakfast but it looked very good as did the meals in the bar area. The best thing in the bar area however was the crazy Greek barman, Babi. He was certainly an asset to the hotel and brought in the punters from all over. I have a happy, if somewhat blurred, memory of an evening doing raki shots with 'the boys'. I'd never done shots before or seen so many people having birthdays on the same day😣. I think Babi might have watered mine down a bit because I didn't have a hangover and I certainly deserved one. If you want to keep your room for longer because of a late flight, you need to ask the day before and, if possible, they will provide for a reasonable €30. Now I get to my favourite bit of the review - Reception. Namely Vivi and Vicky. They were marvellous and made me feel at home immediately. If you want to know about anything, anywhere, or anyone, just ask Vicky. She is always happy to help and will always have the answer. Vivi is always ready to help and never runs out of patience. I had an accident and had to go to the doctor for stitching up which wasn't a lot of fun but, when I arrived back at the hotel, Vivi came running out and gave me a big hug and I really needed that hug. At one stage I was really down and quite close to going home but you both kept me going and I can never thank you enough. Well, that's enough of that. I booked my next holiday at the Aristea while I was still there and I can't wait. If you decide to vist, you won't be disappointed. Many thanks to all at the Aristea xxx