27 year old Couple. We visited the Rimondi Grand between 18th and 25th May 2013. We flew to Chania/Xania/Hania Airport and we were quoted a price of 170 euros for transfers...when we got there.. we saw why..it was quite far from both airports...even if we flew to Herkalion/Iraklion. We instead hired a car from an international rental company for 124 GBP for 7 days.. which worked out cheaper. Driving there on the right side of the road was a bit difficult at first, but got used to it after driving at 30/40kmph everywhere..even on the Motorways. Crete has one main highway along the north coast and it has amazing driving views all along. When we got to Rimondi, we were really impressed, ample parking space for our hire car. Nice seren location locate dup in the Mountains.. not too difficult to find with a European Garmin Sat Nav. We checked in and they gave us a nice fresh fruit cocktail on arrival and the porter carried our luggage form our car to the reception area for us. Then he put it onto a golf buggy, yes a golf buggy and drove us around the winding hilly paths through the hotel complex as close as he could to our Room. Our room was the Standard Room and was very very well kept and extremely clean, couldn't spot a spec of dust in there at all! We had a sofa area with a 26'' LCD TV and a balcony with views over the Mountains and 2 chairs and a table on the balcony too. A lovely comfy suede Sofa was there and the bathroom had some nice smelly mango shower gels! :)
The bedroom was smaller than expected, but the bed was HUGE and really comfortable. The digital safe was easy to use and the Hotel Room felt secure enough to leave inexpensive belongings out. The Hotel restaurant served some good food for Lunch and I had the Buffet dinner one night which was pretty good. The vege choices weren't all that great, but the staff were accomodating and willing to make alternative vege options for my partner. The Breakfast buffet was pretty good too, Antonios was always there smily, chirpy and happy so early in the morning. There was lots of fresh fruit and different foods to try and the breakfast/lunch/dinner hall also had views over the mountains. The only downside of the hotel is that the beach isn't nearer/more accessible from the hotel. We got a parking ticket on our first day when we parked somewhere we shouldn't have. Rimondi Staff, in particular Vicky, were great and helped translate the ticket and assured us all would be ok, she even came outside of her working hours to help us appeal the ticket on the grounds that we were visitors to Greece. That is definitely Rimondi Staff going THE EXTRA MILE FOR US!!! We got a 40 euro fine as the authority didn't let us off so easily, but it didn't ruin our stay. The hotel is a 15-20 minute dirve from Rethmynon which has a lovely beach (Ikarus) and had many outdoor bars/eateries and shopping! We drove to Heraklion one day and toured the town there too which was very nice. Rimondi is a great hotel to stay at, clean, great staff and the only downside is that the beach isn't more accesible and that the spa facilities aren't included for guests to use included in the price of the Hotel. Otherwise, I'd highly recommend this hotel.
