The Syntopia Hotel

Everyone on here has spoken about the sunbed saga, I was so worried before we came but honestly this is just a genuine non-concern. Still here now writing this review.

There are 3 pools, the hotel website is not great at demonstrating this. The main pool which is in all the photos, the 'jungle' pool which is the opposite side, and the rooftop pool. Of all the hotels I have stayed at, this is the easiest to get a sunbed by far. If you want a sunbed at the 'main' instagram pool, then you need to be up at 6am. But this is literally pointless. There is genuinely no benefit, people eat at the restaurant there and stare at the sunbeds, they have breakfast next to the sunbeds, zero privacy there. Let the influencers be influencers, and look to the next two pools.

Round the sound of the hotel is the Jungle pool, absolutely fine here, great pool, a personal bar, and multiple beds still available at 9-10am.

Rooftop pool opens at 10:30, queues start forming around 10:05ish for the British, however if you are any other nationality you just drop into the queue whereever you want. I've found multiple times asking the German's who just got out the lift to stand behind me. However, this is again, fully optional. Even after the queue to the rooftop pool there are still sunbeds available after everyone has filtered through.

Service throughout the hotel is exceptional. Everyone is just smiley, friendly, and all over making sure you are ok. The waitresses around the pool are consistently asking if you want drinks, more so than any other hotel I have stayed in.

The scent of the hotel is fantastic, they sell oil, candles and reed diffusers in the shop on site to take home. They also sell local fragrances which we loved so much we bought 2x of one of them (midnight dahlia, you will smell this and buy it, I already know).

The food is a 7/10, good for an all inclusive, but it is not ground breaking. There is plenty of salad, but the fruit selection is limited (this is one of the reasons I believe it's lacking its 5th star - eg, no berries, no cherries, only citrus and kiwi fruits, along with apples). The salad selection (eg. premade like Caesar etc. is incredible) and the chips for an all inclusive are very very good. Tossed in rosemary and rock salt.

The gym is small but adequate. There is a cable machine with two cables, two benches, a range of dumbbells upto 25kg and a barbell which I'm sure you could get to 50kg if required. 2 treadmills and a rower. You need to book this on the app, 99% of the time this is adhered to, but sometimes you can just rock up and go in, nobody will complain.

Drinks are fine, free flowing. However, the biggie is that the cocktails available until like 6-7pm are frozen only. They're in big slushy machines which I imagine is to save time. This is genuinely the biggest letdown of the whole hotel. I understand that the service is very fast because of this (we've all been there when Sandra orders 2x Strawberry margs and a standard mojito but with no ice, 30 min delay), but it would be nice to have the option of just premade cocktails in a normal drink.

Evening entertainment is just perfect. If you don't fancy it, no issue. Have a few beers inside, or venture outside the hotel. There are hundreds are bars and restrautants, supermarkets and cafes within a few hundred meters. It feels super safe also. Plenty of women walking around solo without any fear of grief or hassle, very very safe.

The beach we never went to in the day, but in the evening you MUST go and watch the sunset at the Roulis bar, it's cheap, and the setting is like nothing else. I've never seen skies like it, they look fake on pictures it's that good. Food is amazing although we didn't eat there as hotel food genuinely just fine.

Overall, 9/10. Missing a 5th star because of the cocktails being frozen and not custom made through the day. Do not believe the sunbed saga stories honestly, relax and enjoy probably one of the best looking hotels you've ever experienced.

I booked this holiday a few months ago with my boyfriend, we stayed for a week at the end of June 2026. We had the most wonderful time, the hotel is spotless & exceptional service all round. The staff were incredibly helpful & nothing was ever too much bother for them. The Canteen which provides your snacks throughout the day between 10.30-6.00pm was amazing, the quality of food was fabulous & the chef was so kind & helpful. The only downfall I would say is that the all inclusive buffet is VERY SMALL. There isn't a lot to choose from & the variety isn't great either. The hotel was based in a very good location to Rethimyno. This is a must visit, the old town their is beautiful. Chania is also gorgeous in the evening, by the port, this is a must have visit! We travelled to WaterCity Water Park, one day which was about 1 hour 20 minutes away, closer to Heraklion, hiring a car if you want to go out of the days is essential as everything is quite far apart from one another. If you want to visit a really lovely beach, Elafonssi is stunning. It's about a 2 hour 30 minute drive but wow is it worth it! The clear water & the views are incredible. I would 100% recommend this hotel & location :) My boyfriend & I had a lovely stay, thank you so much.

Just what the Doctor ordered , wonderful , relaxing tropical paradise in Crete. About an hour from the airport with private transfers. Located at Adelianos Kampos near lots of amenities including easy beach access: Bars Restaurants Supermarkets Souvenir, jewlery and clothes shops About thirty euros return to Rethymon by Taxi booked via the hotel. Bus stop opposite the hotel if required. Living the Dream we are staying here now in a Jaquizzi Suite opposite the main road which does not bother us as we like to people watch, we havd a corner Sea View , and are overlooking the gardens quite lovely. The Reception This smells amazing the aroma fills the hotel with a sensual , calming fragrance, we arrived later than planned yesterday evening and were greeting with a choice drink which was most welcome. Checkin was very easy via the hotel App for a couple in their 60,s it was a dream. The Hotel is not too big and day one we entered the Top pool this is one of three at ANO Bar at midday to find beds available , the pool was not busy and drinks for all inclusive are served to your sun bed if wished or pool if taking a dip , health and safety depicts plastic cups however these aided keeping the drinks cold. Staff are friendly and professional , evening one I met the lady Manager who offered an overview of the hotel ,which adds to the experience. Food is fabulous something for everyone its very well done lots of variety for all , suggest if you like olives you will love the sundried they are great! We ordered a wonderful bottle of Greek wine to accompany our evening meal as the all inclusive offer was not to our taste we like a robust red wine. Would we come again , omg yes, love it!