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, as well as modern Greece thanks to its connection with Prime Minister Eleftherios Venizelos.
• The Porto del Colombo has thoughtfully modernized its historic space with newly renovated bathrooms and plumbing and sustainable elements like solar panels. 
• The location alone makes it stand out, as it's in Old Town just off of Chania's historic harbor.
• Guests can enjoy a homemade meal under the arches and high ceiling of the breakfast room or even get a breakfast box to go for early excursions. 

Cons

• The building’s landmark status prevents changes from being made, such as adding an elevator, so folks with mobility issues may want to look elsewhere. The hotel does have a porter to help bring guests' bags up the steps.
• The prime location of the Porto del Colombo makes the surrounding area quite loud during the high season, so book a room on a higher floor if you are a light sleeper.
• There’s no parking here but the parking area of Talos Square is just five minutes away by foot and the hotel can arrange to help bring your bags from there or for a taxi to pick you up.

Authenticity

Perhaps there’s no other hotel that better captures the history of Chania than the Porto del Colombo, which encompasses both the ancient and modern in its thick walls. The building dates back 650 years when it was used by members of the Turkish military during the Ottoman occupation. In fact, you can still find some original brass rings nailed into the wall of one of the rooms that go back to this time. 

In the 19th century, Eleftherios Venizelos – the politician known as the "Maker of Modern Greece" – took over this building to use it as his law office in the years before he became Prime Minister. Ask manager Floria or the staff about Venizelos’ books and other things they found here and find out more about the history of this hotel, which she and her family have had for 30 years. 

Location

The Porto del Colombo is in the heart of Old Town on the west side of the Venetian harbor. Be at the waterfront in under a minute or step outside to wander Old Town’s colorful cobblestoned streets. Nearby sites include the Etz Hayyim Synagogue, the Küçük Hasan Mosque, and the Frikas Fortress, which are just five minutes away by foot. The start of the path to the Lighthouse is 15 minutes away walking while Nea Chora Beach is just over 15 minutes away by foot or five by car.

Rooms & Bathrooms

The 10 rooms of the Porto del Colombo are all decorated in a traditional Ottoman style of vintage wooden furniture mixed with the building’s historical elements such as stone arches, brass fixtures, and hammam ceilings. They feature modern marble bathrooms with rain showers that were renovated in 2022. Views vary between the Old Town and harbor and while there are no connecting room options, there is a triple room with a fun cave-like area for a kid or teenager.

The smallest is the economy room, which has an Old Town view and feels spacious enough for 1-2 people. The biggest rooms are the maisonettes, which are split-level attic spaces that have loft beds, so folks with mobility issues are advised to book another room type. Light sleepers are advised to book rooms on higher floors, as the Old Town streets below can get quite busy in the summer.