Avli Lounge Apartments

Woven into the Venetian lanes of Rethymno Old Town, Avli Lounge Apartments occupies three beautifully restored fifteenth century mansions where ten individually styled suites, celebrated Cretan cooking and a remarkable historic setting come together.

Avli feels inseparable from the Old Town around it. Stone arches, original walls and intimate passageways reveal the history of the buildings, while colour, antiques and contemporary pieces give the interiors a rich personality of their own. There is an appealing sense of discovery as one space leads into another, from secluded corners within the mansions to the garden courtyard at their heart.

That courtyard is one of Avli’s great pleasures. Filled with greenery and tucked between the old stone walls, it has become as much a part of the hotel’s identity as the suites themselves, particularly when tables are laid for breakfast and dinner. Higher above the rooftops, the terrace changes the perspective completely, with loungers, a spa pool and views towards the Fortezza.

Rooms & Suites

With just ten suites ranging from around 35 to 60 square metres, the accommodation has been allowed to retain the individuality of the original mansions. The Superior Rooms, Junior Suites and Executive Suites each have their own proportions and decorative character, blending period architecture with generous contemporary comfort.

The Executive Suites provide additional space for relaxing, while the Penthouse Suite makes the most of its position at the top of the property. Throughout the collection, bold fabrics, carefully chosen furnishings and historic architectural details create rooms with genuine personality, complemented by spa baths or spacious showers depending on category.

There is a distinctly residential quality to staying here, particularly once you become familiar with the courtyards, stairways and surrounding lanes. The suites feel like part of the fabric of Rethymno rather than simply accommodation placed within it.

Dining

Food is fundamental to Avli, and the restaurant is one of the strongest reasons to stay. Its garden setting provides a memorable backdrop for Cretan and Mediterranean cooking rooted in the produce, recipes and culinary traditions of the island, with breakfast offering an equally thoughtful introduction to the celebrated Cretan diet.

1600 Raki BaRaki loosens the mood with a more casual bistronomic approach to Greek flavours, while the Enoteca draws on an extensive collection of Greek and Cretan wines. Together they give Avli an unusually rich food and wine identity for such an intimate hotel, allowing each meal to feel like a different part of the experience.

Cooking classes, olive oil tastings and wine tastings take that connection further, providing a more personal introduction to the ingredients and traditions behind the menus. For anyone who travels partly through food, Avli makes Rethymno particularly rewarding.

Experience

The Old Town begins immediately outside the door, making Avli an ideal place to experience Rethymno on foot. Venetian façades, Ottoman details, small shops and tucked away squares fill the surrounding streets, while the Fortezza and Rimondi Fountain are among the historic landmarks within easy walking distance.

There is an appealing rhythm to spending the morning wandering the lanes, returning to Avli for a long lunch or some time on the rooftop terrace, then heading out again as the Old Town changes character in the evening. Concierge arranged tours and experiences can take exploration further, but much of Rethymno’s pleasure comes simply from following whichever street catches your eye.

Wellness

The rooftop terrace provides Avli’s most relaxed retreat, with sun loungers, a spa pool and views across the terracotta rooftops towards the Fortezza. It is a lovely place to spend the quieter part of the afternoon, particularly after a morning exploring the Old Town.

Massage treatments can also be arranged, while the intimacy of the courtyards and terraces gives relaxation here a naturally informal quality. Wellness fits around the experience of the hotel rather than defining it, leaving food, history and the atmosphere of Rethymno firmly at the centre of the stay.

Where

Avli Lounge Apartments is located in the heart of Rethymno Old Town, within walking distance of the Fortezza, Rimondi Fountain, waterfront, shops, restaurants and beaches, with Chania International Airport approximately 70 kilometres away.

Media