rickg523

It's location, sort of midway between, allows day trips by car to both Heraklion and Chania. There's no airport and much more limited ferry schedules than the other two cities (which keeps it less visited). So you might end up starting in Heraklion or Chania. We stayed in Heraklion for two days when we first arrived in Crete and visited the Museum and Knossos. The rented the car to drive on to Rethymnon.

There are two hotels in the heart Old Town Rethymnon on the little street that leads to the Neratze Minaret. Because of this location, commercial development is limited in this street and it feels - and sounds - like a real neighborhood.
Minares Traditional Houses consists of three nicely renovated serviced apartments. This is where we stayed last year. Dimitra, the proprietor, is wonderful. Speaks some English.
​​​​​Minares Houses - Rethymno Creta , Traditional rooms and suites.​​​​​
We didn't spend much time in our apartment, but with your family group, you'll probably need to consider the creature comforts, so...
A more upscale choice is Rimondi Boutique Hotel. We didn't stay there, as our travel style is more in line with the Minares Traditional Houses. So other than location, I can't really comment.
Rimondi Luxury Boutique hotel in Crete Rethymno
Besides these there are many other choices to explore in Old Town. Rethymnon also has a long (4 km?) public beach outside of the Old Town lined with dozens of modern hotels as well.


If you should opt, instead, for Chania, try to stay just behind the harbor in the Old Town. Casa Delfino is one of many choices.
​https://www.casadelfino.com​​​​​​
But watch out for some of the smaller independent hotels in Chania. They can look charming outside, but the rooms can be pretty bleak (this of course applies anywhere).
Have fun!
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