Z Boutique Hotel

Situated on a scenic stretch of coastline just under half an hour's drive east of Rethymnon, Panormos is one of our favourite villages on Crete. It hits that rare sweet spot of boasting sufficient tavernas, shops and other facilities to be perfectly self-contained, without feeling excessively touristy or over-developed. There are a couple of large but low-rise all-inclusive hotels on the western outskirts, but these do not impact the ambience in the village itself, which feels delightfully traditional and authentic. Behind the sandy coves that frame the little fishing harbour, a maze of narrow, stone-flagged streets rises towards the hilly hinterland, lined with handsome old houses, quirky shops and enticing restaurants that set out their tables in the lanes, creating a pleasantly low-key buzz in the evenings.

Tucked away in one of these picturesque streets is the Z Boutique Hotel, a beautifully restored property built in 1905. As well as cultivating his land, the house's original owner, Ioannis, worked as both a bailiff and a carpenter, and some of his hand-crafted wooden furnishing have been preserved to add a sense of heritage to the charming interiors. The building was converted into a small hotel by the current owners, surgeon Konstantinos and his wife Filareta who studied interior design, and they have created an stylish retreat that combines period features such as exposed stone walls and arches, ceiling beams and hand-poured tiles with a stylish, contemporary finish.

Each of the seven guest rooms is unique, but all are equipped to a high standard and attractively decorated in calming, natural shades. Sound-proofed windows, air-conditioning and luxurious all-natural COCO-MAT mattresses contribute to a good night's sleep, and other amenities provided for your comfort and convenience include safety deposit boxes, tea/coffee-making facilities, small fridges, TVs, hairdryers and free WiFi. The building's historic fabric and the area's sloping terrain mean that some stairs are inevitable, but the three rooms on the middle floor are on the same level as the main entrance and the courtyard garden and are therefore the most accessible. These are the Standard Room 'Narkisos', the slightly larger Superior Room 'Evenos' which has its own small outside sitting area, and the spacious Junior Suite 'Dianthus' which opens onto the courtyard. Another Junior Suite, 'Paeonia' with its own small balcony overlooking the lane, is situated on the lower floor, as is the Superior Room 'Lemonio'. On the top floor is another Superior Room, 'Menta', and the Suite 'Silene' which as well as having a bedroom and a separate sitting area benefits from its own spacious terrace overlooking the garden.

Whilst not all rooms have their own balconies or terraces, there are several charming shared spaces, so that each guests can find their favourite place to relax, including a balcony overlooking the pedestrian lane, a partially-shaded roof terrace and of course the pretty courtyard garden with its plunge pool with hydro-massage jets. For a proper swim, you will need to take the short stroll down to the beach, but the little pool provides welcome refreshment after a day out exploring, or in between catching the rays on one of the sun-loungers arranged on the adjacent terrace.

In addition to the attractive accommodation and convenient location, guests at Z Boutique Hotel consistently rate the personal atmosphere and genuine Cretan hospitality shown by the friendly team on site. Days start with a tasty breakfast incorporating traditional pies and pastries, local honey and cheeses as well as produce from the family's own farm. The staff are always happy to offer their guests advice on local events, sights and activities, as well as recommended places to eat. For those choosing to hire a car, the hotel has a small car park, whilst those who prefer not to drive can use the local bus service to visit nearby Rethymnon and the island capital Heraklion in the opposite direction.

For a relaxing holiday in characterful surroundings with everything needed within easy walking distance, Z Boutique Hotel comes highly recommended. Please note that children under the age of 10 years are not accepted.