The printing shop that became a hotel
What the houses were before they took guests, and why the hotel is called Ink.
Set, inked and pressed · Rethymno, Crete
The press is gone. The name stayed.
A press, a newspaper, a guest house
Phos, one of the two houses that became Ink, was a printing shop. Its press printed ΑΓΩΝ (Struggle), the newspaper published by Fotakis, a lawyer who later became a member of parliament and a public prosecutor in Athens.
The central building, the House of Europe, was the guest house of the University of Crete. Professors and researchers stayed here between lectures to the scientific community and to the town. Art exhibitions have long been part of the house, and still are.
Historic buildings of the 1700s, in the centre of the medieval old town. Each has a place in the history of Rethymno. The hotel is named after the press, and carries the name across both houses, House of Europe and Phos.
Where you stay today
House of Europe The first building · reception
See the rooms →Phos Φως Light · the second building
See the rooms →The Residence of the Old Port A house of your own
See the rooms →
The Fortezza above, the harbour below
The fortress over the houses is the Fortezza, the one the pirate Barbarossa once invaded. A few steps the other way are the sea and the medieval Venetian port, where merchants traded goods from all over the world.
Knights once rode through the alleys in between. Today they hold small local luncheonettes with fresh salads and juices, and the quarter stays alive well after dark.
A fingerprint, pressed into paper
The hotel's mark is a thumbprint — rings pressed into a surface, spreading from a single point of contact. It is the same act the building performed for a living: type, pressure, an impression left behind.
It is also the oldest way of saying this was mine, I was here.
Φως
The second building is called Phos. It is the Greek word for light, and it is the quieter of the two — seven rooms, numbered one to seven, a short walk from reception and breakfast at House of Europe.
Ink and light are the same act. A mark is pressed into a surface; light thrown across it at a low angle is what makes the mark readable. Phos holds both: the press the hotel is named for, and the word for what reveals the mark.
Seven rooms · Renovated June 2019
The family behind Ink
Ink is run by Crete Holiday Home — a family-owned boutique hotel & villas company that has been letting rooms, houses and villas along this coast for years. Their promise is authentic Greek hospitality and the ultimate in simple, effortless charm, and it is the reason the desk here can answer questions a front desk usually cannot.
Which beach is empty on a Sunday in August. Which taverna is still worth it in February. Which lane floods after rain. That knowledge is not in any guidebook, and it is the difference between a room and a stay.
- Villas & hotels
- Thalasses Villas, Villa Thetis, Villa Ikaros, Casa Vitae and a dozen more along this coast, all run by the same family.
- Offices
- In Crete and in Athens.
- Local knowledge
- Nobody here is following a brand manual. The advice you get at the desk is the advice they would give a friend.
What guests said
This was one of the best hotels I've ever stayed at. The location is perfectly located at the edge of the old town, walking distance from the beach… My girlfriend and I stayed in the deluxe suite with the private plunge pool, and this was both very romantic and very needed in the warm Cretan summer.
Mattias · Sweden Booking.com 2024 A beautiful space that stands out for its absolute cleanliness, unique decoration with wood as the star… A separate brushstroke of luxury, the rich breakfast served directly to the room.
Anna · Greece Tripadvisor 2026
Translated from Greek.Booked the suite with hot tub — just fantastic. So relaxing. Lovely location, near the sea, in a quiet courtyard. Friendly staff who made me feel so welcome!
Emily · Germany Booking.com 2025 Fantastic hotel in the old city… Clean and comfortable beds. Hotel staff was there for you. Beautiful renovation… Delicious cake and coffee in the front desk.
Ankiapp · Norway Tripadvisor 2024 A hidden gem in Rethymno's Old Town. The suite's cozy design, comfortable bed, and warm plunge pool exceeded expectations. The staff's friendly service made our stay memorable.
Karla · Croatia Booking.com 2024 Many careful details (sea towels, welcome raki, espresso machine, slippers etc). Nice private terrace and in very good location… Kids at the reception very helpful.
Zina · Greece Tripadvisor 2024
Translated from Greek.We received a warm welcome from Manu!! The suites are located at the quiet side of Rethymno, in the center but not close to the clubs. Rooms are great, jacuzzi is top!
Steven · Belgium Booking.com 2026 Exceptional place, with a lot of attention to customer service… The private bathtub was greatly appreciated. The staff was very helpful and kind, even assisting us with parking.
Alessandra · Italy Booking.com 2025 The style of Gateway Suites, the location and the staff made the stay perfect! Second time I have stayed here… Beds are super comfy and the rooms are spotless!
Sarah · United Kingdom Booking.com 2025