Monastery Estate Venetian Harbor, Chania

Pros

• The hotel blends old and new with a clean, modern aesthetic that allows the original stone elements to shine through.  
• Rooms feature minimalist design but luxurious amenities, with options for private terraces, patios, and outdoor Jacuzzis.
• Breakfast is included and served a la carte in an open-air courtyard (or in-room); the Cretan options are particularly excellent.
• There's an indoor pool and hammam for guests to book and enjoy privately.
• The local staff come from Chania and welcome guests with warm Cretan hospitality and intimate knowledge of the city.
• This Old Town hotel is a rare one to include an elevator.

Cons

• The indoor plunge pool is unheated, and the glass walls at reception mean you'll want to close the curtains for privacy in the pool and spa area.
• There are no connecting rooms or family room options.
• WiFi can be slow and somewhat unreliable throughout the hotel. 

Authenticity

The Monastery Estate Venetian Harbor encapsulates that which makes Chania special: layers upon layers of history. When the owners decided to renovate this former 16th-century Venetian mansion into a hotel, they knew it had once housed both a nobleman and a Turkish Aga (a senior military official of the Ottoman Empire). During excavations, they uncovered a much deeper past—the remains of 2,000-year-old Roman ruins, now preserved and displayed beneath the plexiglass lobby floor. This theme of old and new is highlighted throughout the property to a creative effect, with original features like soaring archways and crumbling stone walls serving as statement pieces among the contemporary, minimalist interiors.

Location

The hotel is tucked down a picturesque alleyway in Old Town Chania, directly above a stretch of traditional Cretan knifemakers. It's both central and quiet thanks to this narrow street, though the surrounding area is lively with restaurants, cafés, and shops. You can stroll to the Old Venetian Port in less than 5 minutes, or walk to the Nea Chora Beach in 20. Chania's international airport is about a 20-minute drive east. There's no parking in the car-free Old Town, but there are several free parking lots within walking distance, and the hotel will pick up luggage with advance notice.

Rooms & Bathrooms

Each of the 11 air-conditioned suites is decorated in a minimalist, almost spartan style, with warm woods, soft sandstone walls, black metal pendant lamps, modular furniture, and queen beds with premium mattresses and monogrammed sheets. Units are divided into four types: Design, Signature, Penthouse, and Honeymoon. The latter are the largest, with private terraces, outdoor Jacuzzis, and Old Town views (reached by stairs); the Signature has a private interior patio with a Jacuzzi. Bathrooms include Apivita toiletries, fluffy robes, vessel sinks, and rainfall showers (some Signature units add large whirlpool baths).

Amenities

There's a small (unheated) plunge pool and spa area next to the reception, strikingly situated amid the original building's stone walls, vaulted ceilings, and Venetian arches. Hotel guests get a free hour per day to use the area, but it must be reserved in advance. An a la carte breakfast is included with the stay (served in-room or in the open-air, high-walled courtyard), and the in-house restaurant is open daily for lunch and dinner, serving a small but creative menu of traditional Cretan dishes with a modern twist. 

Family-Friendliness

This isn't a very family-focused hotel, though children of all ages are welcome. Cribs for infants under one and cots for children under three are free of charge. Extra beds for children under 18 can be added to larger Suites at an extra price.