Porto Del Colombo Traditional Boutique Hotel, Chania

Pros

• Manager Floria and her family have run the Porto del Colombo for 30 years, and it has the warmth and personal feeling of a family hotel. 
• The history of the hotel goes back to the Venetian and Ottoman occupations, and its original stone arches, beamed ceilings, and other original architectural features have been carefully preserved. 
• The location is about as central as you can get in Chania's Old Town—just around the corner from the Old Venetian Port, and a five-minute walk from the Firka Fortress.
• Harbor-facing rooms are the standouts here, with high ceilings, wood floors, antique furniture, and modern marble bathrooms.

Cons

• There's no elevator in this historic landmark building, but porters will help you carry your bags.
• Light sleepers should request rooms on higher floors, as the Old Town streets below can get quite busy in the summer.
• There's no on-site parking, but the public lot at Talos Square is just five minutes away on foot, and the hotel can help arrange bag pickup and drop-offs.

Authenticity

You'll be hard-pressed to find a hotel that captures the history of Chania better than the Porto del Colombo, which occupies a 650-year-old landmark building deep in the city's Old Town. Over the years, it's housed high-ranking military officers during the Ottoman occupation, hosted the French Embassy, and even served as the 19th-century law offices of Eleftherios Venizelos, who went on to become the Greek prime minister and the "Maker of Modern Greece." To learn more about the building's storied past, chat with manager Floria, who's owned and run the hotel with her family for over 30 years.

Location

You'll stay amid the narrow alleys of Chania's historic Old Town, on the west side of the Old Venetian Port. You're just around the corner from the waterfront, where you can stroll north along the quay to reach the Firka Fortress and the Maritime Museum of Crete in under 5 minutes, or turn east to reach the ferry port in under 10. A 20-minute walk west takes you to the city's sandy Nea Chora Beach. There's no parking in Old Town, so if you're traveling by rental car, you'll need to park in one of the nearby lots (hotel staff can help you arrange how to drop off bags).

Rooms & Bathrooms

Each of the hotel's 10 air-conditioned rooms is unique, but all feature original elements like stone arches, brass fixtures, French windows, wood floors, and high, beamed ceilings. The traditional decor feels in keeping with the setting—expect antique furniture, Turkish rugs, heavy drapes, and gilt-framed paintings. Bathrooms are modern and bright, clad in sleek marble with rainfall showers, vessel sinks, and local ABEA toiletries. Economy rooms are on the small side; Standards feel much roomier, and harbor-facing units offer views of the Venetian Lighthouse and the sea. The split-level attic Maisonettes are the largest options, with a living area (with sofa bed) and sleeping loft linked via a staircase. 

Amenities

This is a landmark, Old Town property, so don't expect much in the way of amenities beyond the family-run hospitality and a traditional breakfast, served under magnificent original stone arches on the ground floor. Staff are warm and helpful, quick to assist in booking taxis or sharing local tips, and there's free coffee and tea available in the lobby throughout the day.

Family-Friendliness

Children are welcome at Porto del Colombo (those three and under stay for free), but the lack of adjoining rooms and the staircases in the larger Maisonette units mean this isn't a great fit for families with younger kids.