It was midsummer and with the temperature reaching 37 °C we arrived in Rethymno for our summer holidays. However, instead of choosing a seaside location we stayed in the historic center of Rethymno in AvliAs it turned out, we made the best choice!
The hotel
It is a complex of three beautiful Cretan-Venetian mansions from the 16th century, in the center of Rethymno, a short distance from the Venetian castle (Forteza) and the Venetian port. In the beautiful picturesque alleys of the city, Katerina Xekalou and her husband, architect Kostas Iliakis, created an oasis of coolness and tranquility, which takes you on a mental journey to Venetian Crete. What the two of them started timidly 31 years ago, developed and grew, resulting in the Courtyard today covers almost a building block! A unique Venetian labyrinth with arcades, 12 suites, a haute cuisine restaurant, a wine cellar with over 460 fine wines and a shop with traditional products.
The reception
Maybe it's half of the stay. The way Katerina welcomed us, her willingness to treat us to something as a welcome gift, and the tour of the facilities, undoubtedly show a person with passion and love for what she does.
The room
In the Courtyard none of the elegant suites are the same! Each one has a unique name depending on the color and mood that prevails. So, depending on what suits you, you have to choose between Brown, Green, Orange, Champagne, White, Blue, Red. While five other junior suites are inspired by childhood desires, forgotten memories, tender childhood mischief: Candy, Lollipop, Jelly, Small Cake, Cookie.
We stayed in the Orange junior suite inspired by the colors of the sun setting behind the Cretan mountains. Everything was so thoughtful, even down to the smallest detail. A welcome tray with representative Cretan food items awaited us in the room, while the refrigerator contained free local drinks and soft drinks. In the magnificent bathroom with the marble hydromassage, there were bathrobes, slippers and toiletries. All days of our stay, the cleaning by the hotel staff was more than meticulous.
The terrace
One amenity worth trying is the Jacuzzi on the rooftop. Returning late in the afternoon from a full-day tour of the beaches of southern Crete, what could be better than enjoying the private rooftop with its sweeping views of the old town, the comfortable sun loungers and the outdoor Jacuzzi.
Breakfast – the restaurant
In the restaurant area you can understand where the hotel got its name from. A welcoming courtyard full of colors and scents, far from the hustle and bustle of the city, awaits the visitor for a high gastronomic experience. Traditional recipes, local quality products combine memories and ingredients of yesterday with the habits of today. At the rich breakfast, we were thrilled by the Sfakian pie with sour cream, honey and walnuts, as well as the crispy flutes with Cretan cheeses, mint, honey and sesame. For dinner we chose and were impressed with the Syzoumo (traditional pasta boiled in meat broth sprinkled with anthotyro and green pepper) and the Sympetherio (sauteed veal, eggplant and summer vegetables).
The wine cellar
Its magnificent medieval spaces Courtyard all suites hotel doesn't stop there though! In a gallery of unparalleled beauty, Fusion Enoteca, or the cellar, invites you to try one of the 460 wine labels from all over Greece, which you can accompany with delicious dishes and especially traditional desserts.
Undoubtedly the Courtyard is in itself a reason to visit Rethymno. There is no way you will not be impressed by a unique marriage of traditional Cretan architecture with modern simple luxury and high aesthetics. You will certainly be completely satisfied with your stay and mentally you will "travel" to Crete of the 16th century.th century!
Το Travel See Feel would like to thank Ms. Katerina Xekalou and the staff of Avli for the unique stay at their place.
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http://www.avli.gr/el/
Address: 22 Xanthoulidou & Radamanthios, 74100, Rethymno, Crete
Tel:+30 28310 58250/26213
Fax:+30 28310 58255
E-mail:info@avli.gr
