Joan Palace Hotel

“ This hotel is on the edge of the hussle and bustle of the old town of Rethymnon it represents excellent value for money - Its not luxurious however its very clean and has everything you need. What makes the hotel stand out from the crowd is the staff who really are 5 star - they offer a very warm welcome, are genuinely friendly and can not do enough to help.

“ Hospitable, established, family run hotel in centre of Rethymnon. Ideal for short stay or as a base for travelling to other parts of island as within 5 min walk of bus station, Old town and port area. Start of esplanade also in easy reach though probably 10 mins before reaching useable beach. Check with hotel if shuttle exists to their sister hotel on nice beach few miles out of Rethymnon (not in low season). Hotel does have rooftop pool about to be refurbished - so when operational again could provide sunbathing/ dip to cool off if beach not essential to your holiday. Bathrobes provided. Hotel has signs for an in-house sauna and hydromassage facility which didn't look open - again due to in low season probably. Buffet breakfast good and willing service. Dinner was also good and generous portions! May offer buffet service in busier periods? Rooms well furnished. Some traffic noise on rooms facing street. Overall offered great value.

“ Top Tip: Most parts of the island available by excursion by public network which is reliable and comfortable. We travelled pre-season and fairly busy with locals so may get v.busy in high season though they did seem to put on extra coaches where demand necessitated though there must be a limit to how much of that they can do. Check out local travel agents for excursions. Prices seemed cheaper other side of park from hotel rather than those in seafront locations. Saw trips to Spinalonga for 20-30 eu and good value as public service would cost same or more and you wouldn't be guaranteed seats. If making return trips by public bus, think returns get 10% discount on longer routes. (Season starts end of April)
Bus to Heraklion drops you near waterfront,marina, fortezza, ferry terminal - or even a short walk along seafront to natural history museum which kids would like too. (Simulated earthquakes and interactive dinosaur bone digging etc.) Easy transfer by local bus to Knossos at bus station but operated by different company or taxi fare is 12eu. Much more picturesque than expected of large city even if you don't have a lot of time to explore.

“ I found the staff at this hotel very helpful and pleasant. The food was good and overall was excellent value for money.

“ Top Tip: I think a visit to Bali(28K) away is worthwhile

“ Our first room was awful, hardly any natural light and looking out onto a very neglected garden and a wall with ivy growing all over it. The air conditioning was noisy and dripped water into the room onto an already wet carpet. During the night it was like chinese water torture! The staff on reception were really helpful and sent a maintenance man to look at it but it was no better. We eventually moved rooms and it was much much better in every way. The dining room staff were very friendly and helpful and the food was quite good with a varied selection each night.
Some of the facilities as advertised in the hotel were missing eg. there was no pool bar, no availibility of snacks or drinks during the day and the pool, although quite pleasant is in need of refurbishment.
The hotel is in the centre of Rethymnon, very close to the old town with all its many interesting shops. The traffic is horrendous and you take your life in your hands crossing the road. If you want a beach holiday this is not the hotel to choose as the nearest beach is quite a long walk away. The hotel provides a mini-bus to take you to the sister hotel once a day if enough people want to go and this is by the beach so that is an option which we took on the sunday when most of the shops close.
All in all a reasonable hotel, value for money but next time I would pay more and book a better one.