Samaria Hotel, Chania

Pros

• The hotel has one ADA compliant room, public handicap bathrooms, and a large elevator, so folks in wheelchairs or with mobility issues can comfortably stay here.
• The central location puts it right above Old Town, which is less than five minutes away by foot. It’s ideal for those who want to be near but not in the middle of Old Town or who want to experience a more local side of Chania.
• Enjoy a meal or drink at the very cozy 1866 Café and Bistro, curl up with a book in the hotel’s well-curated library in the lobby, or take a dip in the pool.
• Guests with cars can make use of the hotel’s convenient valet parking to avoid the headache of parking in Chania.
• The hotel is open year-round, so folks traveling to Crete in the off-season can enjoy its amenities perhaps even more than during the busy summer.

Cons

• The hotel is just outside of Old Town, so it doesn't have the atmosphere or energy of some hotels in the old city center but rather, it straddles the line of Old Town and the new city to let guests experience both. 

Authenticity

The Samaria is owned by two brothers from Chania, whose family history can be seen firsthand in a massive painting of their father that’s proudly displayed in the 1866 Bistro. While the hotel was fully renovated in 2013 and follows a more modern style, so it doesn’t quite have the same historic charm as other Chania hotels, it does have this family history behind it to give it something special. It may look like some other hotels but it doesn’t feel like them, thanks to the warmth of its staff and personalized touches.

Location

Despite its name, the Samaria Hotel isn’t exactly close to the Samaria Gorge, which is an hour away by car. Instead, the hotel is in Chania’s new city center, just above the edge of Old Town, which is five minutes away by foot. The Chania Lighthouse path is 15 minutes away by foot, while the Firka Fortress is just 10 minutes away. You can reach Nea Chora Beach in 15 minutes walking or five minutes driving and the Chania Airport is 25 minutes away by car. 

Rooms & Bathrooms

The hotel has 84 rooms that span six floors and each floor has connecting room options for families or groups of friends. All of the rooms have balconies and reinforced windows, so you can enjoy peace and quiet from the lively city sounds. If you’re looking for something extra romantic, check out the luxury penthouse on the sixth floor; it’s the only room on the floor and has sweeping views of Chania’s harbor and Old Town, as well as two bathrooms and an outdoor jacuzzi.

There’s one room available for folks with wheelchairs. The most basic category is the standard rooms but even those feel spacious and overall, the rooms are decorated in a cozy way with marble bathrooms and warm wood tones.