Aravanes in Thronos

The hotel has nine rooms, with several recently renovated in 2016 and 2018. Room types include Samitos, Psiloritis (up to 4 guests), Syvritos (with view of Ancient Syvritos), Kefala (with balcony overlooking Kefala Mountain), Leska, Kedros (view to Amari valley and Mount Ida), and Arkadi (up to 6 guests with two bedrooms). Each room offers a private bathroom, and some include a fridge, tea/coffee maker, satellite TV, central heating, and a furnished balcony.

Taverna Aravanes serves traditional Cretan recipes made with local products and pure ingredients, many cooked in a wood oven. Guests are welcomed with homemade bread baked in the oven and can enjoy homemade desserts or ice cream after meals. The hotel offers an exceptional breakfast with homemade items, and special diet menus can be accommodated.

The hotel organizes seven hands-on cultural activities led by local guides. Guests can learn traditional bread-making (40€ per person), wash laundry using ash and olive oil soap (40€), or cook Cretan recipes with vegetables from the hotel's garden (60€, children under 10 free). Other tours include flora & fauna excursions (10€ per hour) and night climbing to Mount Ida (120€) or a 7-hour visit to mountain caves (80€).

Aravanes is situated in the village of Thronos, at an altitude of 540 meters on the western foothills of Mount Ida. The hotel overlooks the Amari Valley and is 32 kilometers south-east of Rethymno. Nearby attractions include the Arkadi Monastery (7 km), Ancient Eleftherna museum, and Psiloritis National Park.

The hotel is family-run and provides a children's playground and an outdoor swimming pool with a shallow end and fence around it. Rooms like Psiloritis (up to 4) and Arkadi (up to 6) accommodate families, and cooking classes allow children under 10 to participate free of charge. The property also offers kids' outdoor play equipment and family rooms.

Location: Thronos village, 540m altitude, views of Mount Ida and Amari Valley

Rooms: 9 rooms with recently renovated options and mountain-view balconies

Dining: Wood-oven cooking, homemade bread, and local organic products

Activities: Bread-making, cooking classes, flora & fauna excursions, night climbing

Family: Children's playground, family rooms, pool with shallow end

Unique: Hands-on traditional laundry using ash and olive oil soap