Why we like it: Oozes character, perfectly restored house, charming inn, centre of rethymno old town
OUR REVIEW
Full-sized "doll's house" gem in the centre of Rethymno, by the cathedral, on the edge of the old town. Excellently restored ancient building (one of the oldest in Rethymno) with just four rooms, each decorated with loving care and full of antiques, decorative detailing and more. Each room has a kitchenette cleverly concealed within a piece of antique furniture. Though rooms are small, suites slightly larger, they are well laid out and it is easy and convenient to settle into (room for suitcases and putting clothes away). Everything combines well - the traditional battened wood ceilings with exposed ancient stone walls and trinket-like antique furniture.
Breakfast with home made jams, cakes, egg's, yogurt, coffees and teas, is served in the ground floor entrance area, again filled with artifacts and antiques and it presents a positive and inspiring start to your day.
The atmosphere is one of a historic & beautifully restored cottagey, yet town centre, home.
The hotel is "pension" style - you are self-sufficient, except at breakfast time.
Walk out of the front door - apart from the main church, the cathedral (mitropolis) of the town in front of you, you are in the midst of the shops and cafes that thread their way along almost every street and then, in 5 minutes you can be dining at a restaurant by the ancient port or in 10-15 minutes walk be sunbathing on the endless sand beach that adds to Rethymno's seaside appeal.
Apart from the minarets, fresco-laden churches and old Turkish and Venetian buildings in the area, Rethymno is an easily accessed base for visits to the Arkadi monastery, old hillside villages and easy day trips to the springs at Argyroupoli, the Venetian harbour of Chania or a drive across to sightsee and glance at how the south coast differs from the north (Rethymno is on the north coast of the island).
You can for example be tiptoeing along the waters edge of the sandy beach at Plakias in 45 minutes by car.
Vetera Suites is a little gem - with very few rooms, staying here is lucky, special and a treat.
2 studios & 2 suites. Studios have double beds. Suites have more space, are on two levels and have 3 single beds. Cyane (studio): on the first floor, in blue theme, with double traditional iron bed, double-glazed windows to the street in the front (the Cathedral), table & 2 chairs, small bathroom with shower (adobe style enclosure). Arethusa (studio): on the first floor, opposite Cyane, red-white theme, with double traditional iron bed, an old antique fireplace (was used as cooking stove), skylight,
table & 2 chairs, small bathroom with shower (adobe style enclosure). Windows to the back (space between buildings). Quiet. Dione (suite): on the second floor, on 2 levels. Downstairs sitting area with 2 chairs and 2-seat sofa, table with 4 chairs, 1 single bed, bathroom with glass shower cabin. Long windows to the front street (Cathedral) - this is the traditional wooden exterior part of the building. Upstairs gallery bedroom with 2 single beds. Phaenna (suite): on the second floor, on 2 levels. Downstairs sitting area table with 3 chairs, another antique chair, writing table, 1 single bed, bathroom with glass shower cabin. Upstairs gallery bedroom with 2 single beds, bright. Windows to the back (old walls enclose the well of the building, let's in light). Quiet.
FEATURES IN ALL ROOMS
Small but charming bathrooms with extractor fan and hair dryer, Mastic Spa toiletries, anatomic mattresses, iron and ironing board, charming cleverly cabinetted kitchenette, air conditioning (cooling/heating), direct dial telephone, safe box, satellite TV and DVD player, ADSL internet access (no charge).
FACILITIES
Breakfast, with many homemade delicacies, on request (extra). Laptop for use in your room (on request). Library in the hotel lounge. The rooms are on 2 floors - (the hotel has no elevator).
Parking: on the streets around the hotel (a little easier in this part of the Old Town - and you can at least drive up to the front of the hotel and unload your luggage right there, before you drive to find a parking space).
DISTANCES
Sandy beach - 200 m.
Ferry landing (ferries from Pireas/Athens): 600 m or 200 m.
Chania town & airport - 65 km, Heraklion town & airport - 80 km.
Rates are per room, per night.
They include air conditioning/heating and all taxes.
Breakfast is available on request, at 8.00 euros/person extra in low/mid season, 10.00 euros/person in high season.
MINIMUM STAY: 2-4 nights, depending on season.
A discount may be possible for long stays (7 days or more) - depending on availability.