Though not the largest city in Crete (that honor goes to Heraklion), Chania has a complicated and important history on the island. The city was strategically important to many regional empires and nations from Greeks, to Egyptians, to Venetians, to Byzantines, to Ottomans and many modern European countries.
Staying in the Cretan City of Chania
Chania even served briefly as the capital city of the autonomous Crete State in the early 20th century.
All of this history has made Chania what it is today. While the city is small, it packs a lot of character and much to do inside of Hania’a fortifications. Everything is easily accessible by rental car in Chania downtown, including shops, museums, restaurants (in Chania), cafes, beaches, and the famous Old Town.
If you are wondering where to rest your head at night and enjoy some peace at the end of your long days in the city, we’ve got you covered. We put together a list of the 4 best hotels in Chania – Crete, for you to make your stay a comfortable one.
Porto Veneziano Hotel
You will have a hard time finding a hotel where the first few steps out of the front doors will lead you right to the harbor. Small boats bob in the water at the shores of the Venetian Port and hotel guests watch the comings and goings of Chania from balconies and the lobby restaurant.
This is Porto Veneziano Hotel, one of the very best that Chania has to offer.
The hotel is charming and modern, bringing influences from the city into its 51 guest rooms and 6 suites. From the second story, guests will be able to really see the Old Town, Cretan Sea, White Mountains, and day sailors docking their boats in the port.
It isn’t often that a hotel can be both no-frills and classy at the same time. Porto Veneziano is it. Rooms have everything you will need for your stay, including soft high quality cotton sheets and duvet, plush pillows, and Coco-Mat sleep system bed.
Most importantly, for those who like to stay connected, wi-fi is available throughout the premises and is quite strong. Breakfast and light lunch are served in the lobby dining area. The menu calls for eggs, lychnarakia, Chanian cheeses, and fresh fruit.
Samaria Hotel
If you had to put a pin into the very center of a map of Chania, you might very well hit the Samaria Hotel. Mere steps from Chania’s Old Town and many of the city’s great attractions, the Samaria Hotel is certainly a top choice for your travel hub and accommodation.
So, what of the guest rooms? The hotel describes the decor as minimalistic with a touch of affordable luxury. The translation is that it has everything you need and it looks pretty darn nice. Even standard rooms at the Samaria look very sharp, with marble bathrooms, pure cotton linens on the beds, and excellent bath products that will quickly rejuvenate your skin.
More premium accommodations, such as the penthouse superior room include balconies with incredible views of Chania and a cozy breakfast nook. Bathrooms in these rooms are an elevated black marble with rain shower heads.
Let’s not forget our gastronomic inclinations. Two restaurants on site serve modern mediterranean and bistro fare with authentic Cretan flavours that you will just have to taste to properly experience.
There is plenty to do in the vicinity of the hotel and, for everything that requires a bit of a drive, there is plenty of parking across the road for guests who decided to rent a car for their vacation.
Alcanea Boutique Hotel
Alcanea is a boutique hotel in Chania’s Old Town that cares about the city’s history. For starters, the building itself dates to the city’s Venetian period. The name, Alcanea, is drawn from the Arabic name of the city, Al Canea, from the time of Arab rule before the Byzantine arrival.
A mix of old and new, Alcanea is a charming hotel. The guest rooms are large and airy, but there are only 8 of them, making this hotel a coveted spot in Old Town. Each room has all the modern necessities that you will need plus a few extras.
A luxurious mattress, pillows, and clean cotton sheets await for your nightly rest. The windows are large and look out over the Old Town, the Venetian Port, and Egyptian Lighthouse. Decor is contemporary with Arabic flourishes and bold warm colors that evoke the spirit and history of the area.
Breakfast is available in the lobby or to your room and parking, though limited, can be found a few blocks to the west of the hotel, down a public street.
Casa Delfino Hotel & Spa
Located in a 17th century building, the Casa Delfino Hotel and Spa has remained in the same family for six generations. Today, it welcomes guests from around the world to its twenty-four rooms on the Kountourioti Coast.
We love lodging with a bit of history, and the Casa Delfino has plenty to share, tracing the history of the Delfino family from Genoa to Crete. From Venetian rule, to German occupation until today, the Casa Delfino is a part of the story of Chania.
The guest rooms at the Casa Delfino are decorated in a mix of classical and modern styles with marble floors and bathroom with views of the hotel courtyard or the streets of Old Town Chania. Rooms include the essentials: TV, safe deposit box, hairdryer, mini bar, phone, and organic bath products.
A series of suites are available for booking, which should be great news for couples seeking some romance. The Romantic Suite is particularly charming, complete with a deluxe jacuzzi sporting hydro-massage and ozone therapy.
The spa on the hotel premises can only be described as a sensual sanctuary, with complete treatments ready to revitalize your body and soul. Appointments can be booked all day for some pampering and relaxation. The massage therapists on staff are well qualified and all skincare products used in the spa are organic and made in Greece.
Light dining, coffee, tea, and juice are available to guests in the courtyard of the hotel. However, there are many great local restaurants in the Old Town that are ready to be explored and dishes to be savored.
