Belmondo Hotel & Suites, Chania

Pros

• Guests looking for seaside views will love any of the four suites here with clear views of Chania's harbor and lighthouse. 
• The traditional wood, stone, and marble design roots this hotel firmly in Chania and its history in a way that feels special and charming. 
• All of the rooms feel quite spacious, including the smallest of the economy cozy room. Everyone can stretch out in the Belmondo.
• Some of the rooms include private hammams and terraces, which give guests the chance to relax in private luxury.

Cons

• Chania's Old Town is closed off to cars, so the hotel doesn't have parking. The closest parking is Talos Square, which is a five-minute walk away.
• Due to the restrictions on changing landmark or historic buildings, there's no elevator. Folks with limited mobility may have difficulty, as there's a set of stairs to get up to reception and another to reach the first rooms.
• The central location in the middle of Chania's harbor and Old Town is perfect for those who want to be in the thick of things, but it can get quite loud and lively during the high season. The windows have been changed out in the harbor view rooms, so consider booking one of those on a higher level to keep out the noise.
• The hotel doesn't really have common facilities or areas, but guests can enjoy breakfast brought up to their room and take that on their balcony or on a small patio by reception.

Authenticity

While the building of The Belmondo dates back to the 14th or 15th century, the hotel has been open since 2000. The Belmondo follows a trend of Chania hotels in that it combines the historical with the modern. It stands out in the way that it retains a traditional style that transports you to another time and place. Wooden beams, ancient stone walls, and the ceiling holes of an old hammam that is now a bathroom of a suite all keep history alive in the Belmondo. This hotel is an elevated—not dated—expression of Chania's history.

Location

The Belmondo is in the heart of Old Town, as it's almost dead center of Chania's harbor. Old Town is closed off to cars, so you'll have to park five minutes away in Talos Square, which does tend to fill up in the high season, so be aware. The waterfront restaurants, cafés, and bars are all just a minute or two away on foot, while the walkway to the lighthouse is 10 minutes away. Reach Chania's city center in five minutes of walking or get to the closest beach of Nea Chora in 20 minutes by foot or about 10 by car.

Rooms & Bathrooms

The hotel has 10 rooms, four of which have a sea view. Some of the rooms don't have balconies, but the ones that do and face the Old Town have bigger ones than those looking out at the harbor. Guests looking for more outdoor space can check out the deluxe suite with a sea-view terrace that encompasses the entire roof of the building. This terrace has steps to get up to it, so those with limited mobility are advised to look at other rooms. Overall, this hotel has a number of steps that may prove difficult for some.

Families and friends have a connecting room option that sleeps up to five people. Small groups can also look at the superior suite with an Old Town terrace, which has a single bed under a stone arch that young kids will love. The deluxe and superior suites with sea view terraces have private hammams, while the superior suite with Old Town terrace has a tub.