City Lion, Heraklion

Pros

• Overall, the apartments are bright, open, and very spacious.
• Manager Effie and the rest of the staff are welcoming and helpful.
• The City Lion is centrally located at the edge of Old Town, so folks looking to explore Heraklion on foot can do so easily.
• All of the apartments have fully equipped kitchens.

Cons

• Parking is a significant issue in the surrounding area; you may want to drop your bags off first and then park.
• The City Lion is geared toward independent travelers, so it isn't a good fit if you want something more like a traditional hotel.
• There's no restaurant or bar on-site.

Authenticity

The City Lion opened in 2020, so while you won't find typical Cretan history here, you'll find Cretan hospitality. Manager Effie and the rest of the staff are kind, responsive, and helpful with whatever you need, making this feel more like staying in an apartment. Check out the online city guide the staff has put together, which includes local restaurant recommendations, activities, and excursions you can book.

Location

Located on the edge of Old Town, the City Lion is in a very walkable area, just two minutes from Lion Square and all the surrounding shops, restaurants, and cafés. Folks with cars can park at the paid city lot, a five-minute walk away, and head out to Knossos, which is 20 minutes away by car. Sites like the Rocca a Mare Fortress are 15 minutes away on foot, while the Archaeological Museum is just over five minutes away on foot.

Rooms & Bathrooms

While the 11 apartments of the City Lion range in size, what they all have in common is a substantial amount of space, cleanliness, and brightness. The smallest option is the one-bedroom apartment, about 450 square feet (42 sqm). The largest is the executive two-bedroom apartment, which comfortably sleeps four people and has two bathrooms, two floors, and a panoramic view of the city from the upstairs bedroom. All units have full kitchens with plates, utensils, and pots and pans. All the rooms have balconies, except for the ground floor and one-bedroom apartments (not to be confused with the one-bedroom loft apartment, which has a balcony).

Amenities

City Lion doesn't have a pool, spa, or restaurant. There's no parking, gym, laundry service, or common area at the hotel, either, but there's a bike rental service. Rooms also have free high-speed WiFi. There's an elevator to reach upper-floor rooms, but no other amenities exist for travelers with limited mobility.

Family-Friendliness

City Lion is family-friendly: units have full kitchens, making it easy for families to prepare meals and snacks, and cots and cribs can be added to any unit. Kids up to age two stay for free with a crib or cot included, kids aged two to 11 are charged a reduced rate, and kids aged 12 and over are charged at the adult rate. The upper floors are accessible by elevator, making the hotel stroller-friendly.

Other Highlights

The hotel doesn't have a restaurant or bar. Travelers will find complimentary coffee and bottled water in their kitchens, which are well-equipped for meal preparation.