Rethymnon

This elegant, 4* hotel is a luxurious option on Rethymnon's seaside. It has bespoke decor in each bedroom, plus slippers and robes for extra relaxation. The three pools are where days are spent, while night-time is all about the buffet, Greek dancing and drinks. To top it all off, the beach is just across the road.

The Aquila brand does it again, this time with 5 * accommodation offering a massive, lagoon-style pool cut with islands and walkways. You can take part in dance and cooking classes or simply sit alfresco at the Greek restaurant or in a chic cafe. It's modelled after a Cretan village, with whitewashed buildings, and is supremely close to the beach.

These Self Catering apartments may be simple, but they tick all the boxes for a relaxing holiday. There are two swimming pools with a snack bar and the outdoor areas comes alive at night with evening entertainment including Greek music and dancing. A crazy golf course is located nearby, as is the beach, while Rethymnon town centre is just a 10-minute drive away.

The Astali is reminiscent of a city hotel – if city hotels were across the street from the beach. It's a 10-minute stroll into Rethymnon's old town, where you'll find dozens of bars and restaurants. There's a continental breakfast in the morning that's served on the veranda, plus a snack bar that's open all day.

The Ideon Hotel gets you right in the thick of Rethymnon's old quarter, and is near to the town's Venetian fortress. Some bedrooms feature kitchenettes, while others offer standard facilities. On-site is a swimming pool – though the beach is just over the road – as well as a restaurant serving international eats and classic Cretan bites.

The luxury accommodation at the Iberostar sweep across the seaside, with whitewashed buildings sitting in lush gardens, bordered by three large pools. The hotel comes with all kinds of amenities – a buffet restaurant and a la carte diner, water sports on the beach, tennis courts, two beach bars and a music club. There is so much to keep you entertained at the Iberostar Creta Marine.

The Golden Beach Hotel is a 15-minute bus ride from Rethymnon's town centre, but don't let that put you off if it's a laid-back vibe you're after. Each room here comes with a balcony or terrace, which means you'll have top views of the Aegean over the pool. Also on site is a buffet restaurant that dabbles in Greek nights and traditional barbecues.

This Iberostar boasts some of the most family-friendly accommodation in this part of Crete. The hotel itself sprawls across a massive stretch of seaside land, equipped with four swimming pools, a kids' club and three tennis courts, not to mention having access to two of its very own, private coves. It has two buffet restaurants – one of which dishes up Italian fare – and two bars.

These cosy apartments take the energy down a notch with quiet villas surrounded by gardens. The beach is just across the road and you can see it from one of the hotel's two pools. The rooms come with kitchenettes, though there's a buffet restaurant on-site serving breakfast and dinner, just in case you don't fancy whipping up your own meal.