Swell Boutique Hotel

This was our second visit to The Swell. I couldn’t rate it highly enough. The beach with great amenities is just across the road, with many restaurants, bars and supermarkets beside the hotel. A 20 minute stroll on the flat promenade will take you to the beautiful old town and all that it has to offer. The hotel itself is great, and I cannot rate the staff highly enough from the warm welcome upon our arrival to the exceptional service provided by the lovely, Angeliki (sorry if the spelling is incorrect) who went above and beyond when there was an air conditioning issue in our room. The room was amazing with comfy bed and a great assortment of pillows. The amenities were great and of course we especially loved our own private pool. Breakfast was lovely, a buffet and eggs cooked to order if you wish, fresh orange juice not mass produced and fantastic farm produced speciality table … loved this. I really hope we can visit again!!!

We had a truly wonderful time at Swell Boutique Hotel in Rethymno this mid September. From the moment we arrived, everything felt thoughtful and welcoming.

We were kindly upgraded to a spacious two-floor apartment with two terraces, and I was genuinely amazed! One had a covered area, perfect for warm afternoons, and the other opened just above the promenade with a beautiful view of the sea. It was such a joy to sit with a cup of coffee, soak up the sun, and simply enjoy the sound of the waves and the peaceful landscape. The apartment itself was so cozy. Really comfortable beds, soft cushions, and a modern bathroom with beautiful tiles. We had coffee machine and Kettle, those small details that made a difference.

Beach is just across the street, guests get beach towels at the reception and discounted sun beds.

The hotel is in a great location, about 15 minutes on foot from the old town, so you are in a quiet seaside area but still close enough to enjoy the vibrant center of Rethymno when you like. It felt like the perfect balance. It is charming little town I couldn’t pick better.

Breakfast was another highlight. Each morning offered a wide variety of delicious options, including several types of cheeses, from smoked to traditional, vegetables, ham, eggs, Greek yogurt, fresh fruits full of flavor, various kind of pastries (some kind of pizza pies and mushrooms pies) and the most delightful little donuts! Everything was fresh, tasty, and tempting…I often did not know what to try first. It was the perfect start to each day.

And then, of course, there was dinner, which was absolutely exceptional. Each evening, we enjoyed a beautifully prepared five-course meal that felt like a loving home-cooked dinner made by a truly skilled chef. The flavors, ingredients, and presentation were wonderful.

We tried dishes we had never tasted before and loved every one of them. I was a bit unsure when they mentioned eggplant, since it is not something I usually enjoy, but I completely changed my mind the moment I tasted it. The eggplant and minced meat dish with its golden topping was unforgettable. Perfectly baked chicken and pork, so tender and juicy, cooked just right. They had this lovely golden outside, but stayed soft and full of flavor inside, not dry at all, just really well done. You could tell a lot of care went into making them. On our last day, we had pork with a rich mushroom sauce it was full of deep flavor and felt like the perfect comfort meal to end the trip. There was a new combination each evening....I never knew I could enjoy olive oil so much, nothing sold in our supermarkets back home compares to the one we had there. We are usually not big fans of greens, but the way the cook prepared baby spinach and arugula made them incredibly tasty. We ended up eating the whole plate with pleasure. And their honey and cheese pie that was simply amazing. The chocolate parfait was also one of the best I have ever had.

Whoever was in the kitchen deserves special praise! We believe it was Despina (Yannis mentioned her name) because every meal was made with such care and skill that it truly raised the bar for me when it comes to food.

We want to thank the wonderful team who made our stay feel so special! Margarita was kind and attentive during dinner service every night, always with a warm smile and thoughtful care. She made sure we felt completely at ease, and was always encouraging us to try everything. Her gentle way of checking in, explaining each course, and making sure we were enjoying every bite added so much warmth to the whole experience. It felt like being looked after by a friend.

And Yannis at the reception truly stood out. He was not only friendly and polite, but also incredibly helpful throughout our stay. Whether it was giving us local tips, helping with practical things, or arranging our excursion to Knossos, he always took the time to make sure we had everything we needed. His genuine kindness and calm, professional attitude made a big difference in how welcome and cared for we felt. He is one of the reasons we would love to return to Swell Hotel.

Everything about this hotel is designed for comfort, relaxation, and enjoyment. It was one of the best trips we have ever had, and we are so grateful to the entire team at Swell Boutique Hotel for making it so memorable. We will definitely be coming back in future 😊