Where to Stay in Western Crete
Greece Travel Secrets recommends where to stay in western Crete, including both luxury and inexpensive hotels in Chania, Rethymnon, and Paleochora.
Casa Delfino
One of the absolute best places to stay in Chania is the Casa Delfino, a 17th century former palace, built around a fabulous, big Venetian-style courtyard. It has studio rooms, ordinary rooms and suites, all of which are bright and cheerful and superbly fitted-out with old photos on the walls. All 20 have air-conditioning, mini-bar, satellite TVs, and marble Jacuzzi baths. There's a large bar, breakfast room, roof terrace, and a guest lounge.
Hotel Doma
Though about a 20-minute walk east of Chania’s Venetian Harbour and town centre, the inexpensive Hotel Doma provides a memorable stay, in a converted century-old mansion. The historical feel is kept in the general décor, including the rooms, although all rooms are ensuite with air-conditioning and TV. The 3rd-floor dining room has great views towards the town, and front rooms have views out to sea.
Hotel El Greco
Perfectly situated on an almost traffic-free street in the old town of Chania, just a minute’s walk from the harbour, the El Greco is a family-run hotel with just 23 rooms. They are all a good size and well-appointed, some being suites with extra living space. There’s a relaxing bar downstairs and a terrific roof garden with wonderful views over the roofs of the old town to the sea.
Elia Palazzo
This delightful small hotel is on a quiet street in the old town of Chania. The Elia Palazzo was once a mansion and the 11 rooms, named after Greek Gods and heroes, are full of wood-panelling and old-fashioned touches, though with modern bathrooms, TVs, fridges, and phones. The generous breakfast is one reason to stay here, others being the friendly service and ideal location: use the public car park west of the harbour if driving.
Hotel Fortezza
The Hotel Fortezza has been built in traditional style, echoing the Venetian feel of the old town around. It is in one of the quieter areas of Rethymnon, mostly pedestrianised, and close to the Venetian fort that gives it its name. The best rooms overlook the small swimming pool, so try to book one of these, and booking is recommended even in low season as it is justifiably popular.
Our Pick of the Crete Guides
Galaxy Rooms
The Galaxy Rooms is one of the most pleasant of the many 'rooms to rent' options in Paleochora, above the Galaxy Fish Restaurant. Front rooms have large balconies overlooking the town's pebble beach and the sea. The ensuite rooms are a good size and surprisingly well-equipped with TV, fridge, phone and washing lines. They are also clean and well-maintained, and though no breakfast is served, there are several nearby options. The owner also has more rooms across town near the sandy beach.
Grecotel Creta Palace
Although a deluxe standard hotel, prices are reasonable given the quality and the location, right by the beach. The Grecotel Creta Palace is about 3 km (1.9 miles) east of Rethymnon centre, beyond the wonderful town beach. The rooms are simple but bright and clean, and the hotel has all the facilities you might expect including three swimming pools (one indoors), restaurants, bars, gym, tennis courts and watersports.
Hotel Ideon
The Hotel Ideon is in a wonderful location overlooking the harbour, but set back from the main road and with a public car park (vital in Rethymnon) directly opposite. The Ideon has 100 rooms, all with balconies, overlooking either the sea or the private swimming pool. The rooms are modern and simple, with phone, radio, safe, air-conditioning, and bathroom. The slightly pricier suites have fridge and TV too.
Ifigenia Rooms and Studios
Ifigenia Rooms and Studios isn’t one hotel but several places close together near Chania’s Venetian harbour. All are owned by the same enterprising young man and all have the same flair when it comes to the decoration. Some of the rooms are stunningly designed with stone arches, four-poster beds, galleried areas and with open-plan baths adding to the striking look. As well as the Ifigenia I, II and III there is the Ifigenia Studios, Pension Orio, and Hotel Captain Vassilis.
Other Crete Pages
Best Crete Hotels
The best Crete hotels include 5-star luxury hotels, historic and romantic Venetian palaces, and several hotels in Hania and Iraklion.
Art Courses on Crete
Greece Travel Secrets visits Visual Arts Crete who offer accommodation and run art courses at their home and studio in the village of Kastellos near Rethymnon.
Eastern Crete in Five Days
How to see eastern Crete in five days, with its beaches, Minoan palaces, timeless villages, unique churches and mountain and coastal scenery.
Dining at Vegera
Greece Travel Secrets eats at Vegera in Zaros and finds a cheap but wonderful feast of meat, fish and vegetarian dishes cooked daily with fresh local food.
Crete's UNESCO Sites
The largest of the Greek islands, Crete has four ENUESCO sites, which are Sitia, Psiloritis, Asterousia, and the Gorge of Samaria.
Life as a Minoan
What was daily life as a Minoan like on Crete, living in palaces like the ones at Knossos, Malia, Phaistos, and Zakros, and what were their religious beliefs?
Elounda and Spinalonga, setting for The Island by Victoria Hislop
Elounda on Crete's north coast is a popular holiday town with a pretty harbour, from where you can take day trips by boat to see the island of Spinalonga.
Matala Beach
Matala Beach on Crete is a guest blog for Greece Travel Secrets from the We Love Crete website, inviting you to Awaken Your Inner Hippy in Matala, Crete.
Irakleio
Crete's capital and largest city is Irakleio, also called Iraklion or Heraklion, a large and busy place with good restaurants, museums and historical buildings.
Arkadi Monastery
Visiting the Arkadi Monastery near Rethymnon is one of the best things to do on Crete.
Rouvas Gorge Walk
This Rouvas Gorge walk starts and ends in Zaros in southern Crete and should take three to four hours with a distance of eight kilometres or five miles.
Diktean Cave, the Birthplace of Zeus near Psychro on Crete
The Diktean or Diktaean Cave, also known as the Psychro Cave, near the village of Psychro in eastern Crete, is said to be the birthplace of Zeus.
Where to Stay in Central Crete
Greece Travel Secrets recommends where to stay in Central Crete including hotels in Matala, Ayia Galini, and Zaros.
Eco-Tourism Accommodation on Crete
The Dalabelos Estate offers luxury eco-tourism accommodation on Crete in the hills near Rethymnon with its own farm, vineyard and olive groves.
Where to Stay in Irakleio
Greece Travel Secrets recommends where to stay in Irakleio, the capital of Crete, including nearby beach resort hotels and accommodation in the city centre.
Making Rakomelo on Crete
Greece Travel Secrets visits Crete and learns about making rakomelo from Jorgos Kourmoulis in Agouseliana.
Western Crete Beaches and Villages
Western Crete has some wonderful golden sand beaches as well as mountain villages, monasteries, caves, and archaeological sites to discover.
Keramos Studios in Zaros
Keramos Studios in Zaros on Crete is an inexpensive two-star hotel/guesthouse with one of the best breakfasts on the island using food from the family’s farm.
Gortina ancient archaeological site in southern Crete
Ancient Gortina is an archaeological site in southern Crete famous for the church of Ayios Titos and for the Law Code inscribed here, the first in Europe.
Eastern Crete
Greece Travel Secrets’ potted guide to Eastern Crete and why you should consider it for a holiday, including seeing Agios Nikolaos, Sitia, Vai Beach and Zakros.
Greek or Cretan?
Is someone from Crete a Greek or a Cretan? They are both, of course, but most will tell you that they are Cretan first and Greek second.
Maleme and the German War Cemetery on Crete
Maleme near Chania is where the people who died during the battle of Crete are buried, in the German War Cemetery with the Commonwealth War Cemetery nearby.
Amari Valley Drive
This Amari Valley drive in southern Crete starts and ends in Ayia Galini, takes four to five hours and cover 100 kilometres or 62 miles.
Lasithi Plateau Drive
This Lasithi Plateau drive on Crete starts in Neapoli and ends in Malia, covering a distance of 80 km (50 miles) and taking two to three hours.
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