Casa Delfino
A staple in Chania's Old Town just steps from the waterfront, the Casa Delfino stands apart because of its care and hospitality. This 17th-century Venetian mansion has been in the same family for six generations. It is now in the hands of manager Margarita and her parents, who treat guests as family members with a refined mix of warmth, personalized service, and the privacy expected of a luxury hotel.
Twenty-four rooms embody Venetian elegance with marble furnishings and handmade Italian furniture. Splurge on a suite for amenities like an Ottoman-style hammam, hot tub, or a veranda overlooking the harbor. Couples can lose themselves in the dreamy romantic atmosphere, while families or groups can stretch out in the split-level two-bedroom suite with stained glass windows and two bathrooms. While the hotel does have an elevator, various uneven surfaces make this inappropriate for those with wheelchairs.
The in-house spa offers relaxing treatments, and the rooftop bar is a peaceful place to watch the sunset over the Venetian Harbor. When you arrive, enjoy a refreshing welcome drink, try one of Margarita's mother's excellent homemade treats, and ask Margarita about the history of this place, whose stories elevate it beyond your typical luxury hotel.
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Domus Renier Boutique Hotel
This 16th-century mansion was the home of the Renier family, which you can confirm for yourself by walking under the stone arch bearing the Latin inscription for the Renier patriarch. Located on the waterfront of Chania's harbor, this 10-room boutique hotel brings history to life with ancient documents in the entryway and original ceramic and marble designs hanging on the walls.
Vintage furniture, marble furnishings, and details like the Renier family crest create an evocative atmosphere that couples, families, and groups can all enjoy. The honeymoon suites have amenities like a hammam and a bright sun porch with a view of the Chania Lighthouse. The attic style of the large two-bedroom master suite is perfect for kids, while parents can indulge in the indoor Jacuzzi overlooking the harbor. There's also a two-bedroom hideaway suite across the street with a private courtyard that children will love.
There aren't common facilities besides a cozy wood-lined library, but the helpful staff can book VIP experiences like cooking classes and in-room spa treatments. The Domus Renier also has a special luxury in Chania's highly regulated historic Old Town: an elevator. It's a glass one at that, so you can see the building's original elements as you head up to your room.
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Chania Flair Deluxe Boutique Hotel
If you're looking for a relaxing stay close to Old Town without being in the thick of it, the Chania Flair offers an experience of modern luxury ideal for couples, groups of friends, and families with kids 16 and up. Located 10 minutes walking from the Venetian Harbor, this year-round adults-only hotel has a rooftop restaurant, Jacuzzi, and gym with a panoramic view of the sea and the White Mountains that's worth the booking alone.
The 34 rooms have city or sea views, and amenities can include Jacuzzis, bathtubs, and saunas. Interconnecting rooms and two-bedroom suites are available for larger parties, who may also be interested in blocking off a hallway to contain several rooms. The hotel has a parking lot, a significant plus in Chania, and beach lovers can pop down to Nea Chora just across the street, where the hotel has sunbeds and umbrellas.
Crete is famous for its hospitality, which is on full display at the Chania Flair. The friendly and thoughtful staff treat guests with a level of consideration that elevates your stay.
Read kimkim's review of Chania Flair Deluxe Boutique Hotel
Monastery Estate Venetian Harbor
Set back in a quiet alleyway of Old Town, the seasonal Monastery Estate Venetian Harbor is a peaceful getaway ideal for couples looking to relax in sophisticated style. This former 16th-century mansion now houses 11 modern rooms, a spa, and an indoor swimming pool. Ask the knowledgeable and friendly staff about the 2,000-year-old ruins visible below your feet in the lobby before taking the elevator up to your suite to unwind.
The honeymoon and penthouse are the two largest suites, which include hot tubs and private terraces overlooking Old Town that are perfect for decompressing after a day of touring Crete. All guests can book personal time in the indoor pool and hammam on the ground floor. The suites sleep a maximum of two people, so it's an excellent choice for couples or friends looking to relax in this minimalist space of wood, stone, and neutral tones that highlights the building's history.
When you're ready to explore Chania, step out the door right into Old Town. Pass by the stretch of traditional Cretan knife-makers on your way to the waterfront, which is 10 minutes away. The closest parking lot is also 10 minutes away, and the hotel works with a transport company to help with your bags.
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Ambassadors Residence Chania
A 19th-century residence of a German ambassador has been transformed into a luxury hotel that combines the modern and historic. Located on the eastern side of the Venetian Harbor, just five minutes from the lighthouse path, the Ambassadors Residence looks to the life of its former resident for inspiration. The 13 rooms are each themed according to a material that the German ambassador who once lived here imported into Chania.
All rooms feature locally made, customized furnishings and distinct designs highlighting a particular material. The glass room features wraparound windows with a sweeping sea view, while the Vitraux suite showcases colorful stained glass light fixtures. The ADA-compliant paper suite is outfitted for folks with wheelchairs, and connecting rooms are available for larger parties. Rooms are spacious and innovative; couples will love the romantic atmosphere, and kids will get a kick out of the intricate designs.
The hotel's amenities include an elevator and a bar, where the staff sometimes organizes events like Greek-style "fast food parties" with tasty souvlakis and snacks. It's just one example of how the staff combines a genuine approach with thoughtfulness to make guests feel welcome and cared for in this modernized landmark hotel.
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Azade Boutique Hotel
Although it only opened in 2021, the Azade feels like it's been part of Chania's luxury hotel scene for years, thanks to its mix of history and hospitality. Set back on a side street of Old Town, the Azade's combination of warm tones, original elements, and excellent hospitality create a tranquil space of comfort and care just behind Chania's waterfront.
Feel the history of this 380-year-old building in the peaceful courtyard, which includes an original Ottoman hammam, and in the stone-arched restaurant. All nine suites are spacious; the smallest is 430 square feet (40 sq m). The high ceilings and bright natural light add even more space, and two-bedroom options make this an excellent pick for groups or families whose kids will love the beds built into the walls. Couples may enjoy the romantic atmosphere of the suites with private terraces, sea views, or wraparound windows.
A ramp to reception, an elevator, and one ADA-compliant room all welcome guests with wheelchairs and mobility needs, highlighting the hotel's inclusivity. That warm atmosphere is evident when you receive a welcome snack upon check-in. The friendly staff can organize excursions, in-room spa treatments, and luggage transfers to bring your bags from the parking lot of Talos Square, five minutes away. Ask them about the history of the building too, which was once the home of major surrealist poet, Charles Henri Ford.