Nautilux Rethymno by Mage Hotels

"This place was amazing!! After suffering a serious incident at another hotel and having an operation, we moved here for 8 days. From arrival to checkout the staff were beyond exceptional. The food is outstanding and some of the best dinner's i'd eaten abroad. So so clean and refreshing having happy smiling staff who chatted and joked with us. Other guests we met were all lovely and pleasant too. We had a seaview and that was lovely and cleaned daily. Would we return? Absolutely we will be. Would we recommend? 1000% Located on a beach and sea front. Can't comment on the pools and beach as i was in a wheelchair but they looked amazing. Best hotel we've stayed in ♡"

"We stayed at this hotel for 7 nights from May into early June 2026 and overall had a very enjoyable stay. While there are definitely some areas for improvement, there is also a lot that the hotel gets right. We stayed in Room 452, one of the rooms with an indoor jacuzzi. The room itself was very modern and stylish, with a comfortable bed and excellent bathroom facilities. We particularly appreciated the thoughtful extras, including a hairdryer and even a hair straightener, which was a nice touch. The welcome bag upon arrival was also a lovely added extra and helped create a great first impression. The balcony was spacious and offered beautiful views over the pool, the sea, and the evening entertainment area. However, this did come with a downside. The entertainment only took place on certain nights (for example Tuesdays and Thursdays) but often continued until around 10:30pm. As the rooms are not particularly soundproof, it can be difficult to get an early night if you're feeling unwell or simply want some peace and quiet. Unfortunately, noise was one of the main drawbacks during our stay. We were regularly woken around 7:45am because the area directly below Room 452 appears to be where staff gather before beginning their morning cleaning duties. We could hear buckets being filled with water and general activity. We also experienced noise from the room above us on two separate occasions. To the hotel's credit, when we raised the issue, reception took it seriously and the Hotel Relations Manager personally came to find us by the pool to apologise. It was reassuring to see that our concerns were acknowledged and that the hotel was willing to address them. Another small issue was an occasional unpleasant smell coming from the toilet, similar to the drainage odour you sometimes encounter while walking around parts of Crete. The breakfast buffet offered a huge selection, fresh juices and plenty of choice. The quality of the ingredients was generally good and there was something for everyone. However, one consistent issue was the temperature of the food. Much of it was cold and, at best, only warm rather than properly hot. While this didn't ruin breakfast for us, it was noticeable throughout our stay. The staff throughout the hotel deserve special recognition. The waiters, bar staff, cleaners and general team members were impeccable and are a real asset to the hotel. Their friendliness and professionalism significantly enhanced our experience. Lunch around the pool was very good and we enjoyed several meals there. Unfortunately, the evening buffet did not match the same standard. Similar to breakfast, much of the food was cold or only lukewarm. On one occasion the wedges served were undercooked and raw in the middle. Overall, we found the evening buffet disappointing compared with both the poolside lunch menu and the standard expected of a hotel aiming for five-star status. Personally, I think the hotel could easily improve its dining experience by introducing an à la carte evening option. Thankfully, there are plenty of excellent restaurants within walking distance, so dining elsewhere is very easy. Drinks at the hotel, particularly alcoholic drinks, are quite expensive compared with local bars and restaurants. The pool facilities, beach area and overall grounds are immaculate and very well maintained. The aqua aerobics sessions in the pool were fantastic and the fitness instructor was genuinely enthusiastic and engaging. Overall, this is a good hotel with many excellent features. While it is marketed as a five-star property, we felt it currently delivers more of a four-star experience due to issues such as the lack of storage space in the rooms, soundproofing concerns and the quality of the buffet dining. However, the hotel is still relatively new and there is enormous potential here. With a few improvements, particularly around guest comfort, food temperature and evening dining options, it could very easily become the five-star destination it aspires to be."

"Went with family of three granddaughters and it was superb. Staff was amazing, dining was amazing, Every aspect was perfect. Could not recommend it more."