Alcanea Boutique Hotel, Chania

5.0 (3 reviews) · Upscale
Boutique hotel in a restored historic building in Old Town with eight rooms alongside the Venetian Harbor

Overview

Alcanea Boutique Hotel resides in a tastefully restored 500-year-old Venetian building in Chania's Old Town, offering its guests modern comforts among traditional architecture like handmade stone facades and intricate woodwork. The surrounding pedestrian-only area allows travelers on-foot access to renowned attractions like the Venetian Port and the Firkas Fortress. Each of the eight rooms has its own distinct Cretan decor and private terraces with views of the surrounding city. Breakfast is served on the waterfront terrace, an interior courtyard "hidden garden" is a quiet place to relax, and the attached café and wine bar serves light meals and drinks.

Kimkim's Take

Siena
Siena Mueller kimkim staff
Based on kimkim staff visit, August 2024 (Learn more)
Pros
  • The hotel is in a 500-year-old Venetian building in Old Town, showcasing original stone facades and woodwork.
  • All rooms have furnished balconies with views of landmarks like the Chania ("Egyptian") Lighthouse and Venetian Port.
  • Stays include breakfast on the terrace and an afternoon tea in the interior courtyard's "hidden" garden. 
  • You can dine on light fare during the day or dinner with waterfront views at the attached café and wine bar.
  • Alcanea's central, car-free location allows easy walking access to many of Chania's historic attractions.
  • Rooms are a nice mix of traditional Cretan-style decor and modern furnishings.
Cons
  • You won't find a pool, spa, or gym, but it's location and warm historic vibes more than make up for it.
  • Given the hotel is in a car-free zone, you'll need to park near Talos Square, about a 7-10-minute walk from the hotel.
  • Open seasonally, the hotel operates from the middle of March to mid-November. 

Authenticity

Alcanea Boutique Hotel is a 500-year-old Venetian building that once served as the office of Eleftherios Venizelos, a Greek revolutionary. While undergoing restoration in 2011, many of its historic features were thoughtfully preserved, including original hand-carved stone facades and detailed woodwork, as well as elements like a fireplace-turned-desk nook in one of the bedrooms. Each of the eight rooms has terraces with views of city landmarks like the Egyptian Lighthouse and Venetian Port, with all but one room overlooking the sea. You're made to feel at home by the local staff, such as Eva, the hotel manager, who has run the small hotel for over 14 years.

Location

Located within the Old Venetian Port of Chania, the Alcanea is surrounded by dining and shopping options, as well as historic buildings and experiences. Nearby attractions include the Maritime Museum of Chania, Kucuk Hasan Mosque, Municipal Art Gallery, and Folklore Museum of Chania, all within a 10-minute walk. Local beaches are slightly farther away, but both Nea Chora Beach and Koum Kapi Beach can be reached 20 to 25 minutes on foot. As the hotel lives in a pedestrian-only zone, travelers can enjoy a car-free environment bustling with people strolling the streets. 

Rooms & Bathrooms

No two rooms are alike; each of the eight has a different layout, though all are warm and inviting with some vintage pieces, giving the impression you're staying at a friend's place and not just a hotel. They blend traditional Cretan decor with modern comforts (pillow menu, robes, and slippers!), featuring high wooden ceilings, large wood-framed windows, stone or wood floors, and colorful Greek-patterned rugs (often as hanging wall art). Options range from the compact Double Room, perfect for two, to the spacious Superior Double Room on the second floor. Bathrooms are chic, with black-tiled walls, natural stone bowl sinks, and walk-in rain showers. Then there are the balconies. Most overlook a mix of the Old Port and the Egyptian Lighthouse, and all but one, the Standard Double, has sea views.

Amenities

Guests can make use of the quaint inner garden courtyard, decorated in Cretan style with flowers and plants, a quiet spot for a respite. The Alcanea café and wine bar serve breakfast (included in your reservation), snacks, and drinks throughout the day, as well as a light dinner in-room, in the lounge area, or on the vine-covered terrace that looks out to the Venetian harbor. While there isn't an in-house spa, you can book a treatment or massage to your room for a fee. 

Family-Friendliness

With helpful staff and spacious rooms (and laundry service), Alcanea is accommodating to those with kids in tow, where kids 12 and under stay for free (using the existing bedding), and complimentary cribs are available upon request. That said, the two-floor historic building is without an elevator, which can pose a challenge for parents with stroller-aged kids. The Superior Double Room with Terrace and the Superior Double Room with Sea View sleep up to four people, while the connected Standard Double and Superior Double with Balcony is another four-person option.

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Hotel Information

Hotel stars icon 4-star Hotel
Hotel phone icon +30 2821075370
Hotel address icon Aggelou 2
Free wifi

Traveler Reviews

3 total ratings, 3 with reviews
5.0
Feature ratings
Authenticity & Character
4.7
Location
4.7
Staff
5.0
Cleanliness & Comfort
5.0
Rebekah
Rebekah T.
Nicetown-Tioga, PA | Reviewed on Sep 27, 2023
A beautiful hotel with friendly staff. The building is over 500 years old which makes it even more amazing and beautiful. This hotel has an amazing location and views. Located in the port and within walking distance of shops, restaurants, and the beach. They also have a restaurant and bar with a complimentary breakfast. We had a balcony where we could sit and relax with a view of the lighthouse. It was amazing! Read more

A beautiful hotel with friendly staff. The building is over 500 years old which makes it even more amazing and beautiful. This hotel has an amazing location and views. Located in the port and within walking distance of shops, restaurants, and the beach. They also have a restaurant and bar with a complimentary breakfast. We had a balcony where we could sit and relax with a view of the lighthouse. It was amazing!

Authenticity & Character
The building is over 500 years old and beautifully maintained.
Location
Located within the Old Venetian Port of Chania but off to side away from noise. Beautiful views.
Staff
Everyone was very friendly, helpful, and lovely to talk to.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Since it is such an old building there are no elevators. So you will have to walk stairs but it is what gives the building character. Everything was clean and comfortable.
Stayed in September 2023
Heidi
Heidi G.
Puyallup, WA | Reviewed on Jul 20, 2023
This place is out of this world. Because it is in a pedestrian area, you'll likely need a driver and/or hotel staff to help you with your things, but the location cannot be beat (so much in walking distance!), our room was amazing, and the staff was phenomenal. Two people in our group feel ill and they were extremely helpful and accommodating in helping us access medical care, get food when we couldn't leave because of a sick kid, and ultimately getting.a slightly late check-out as we... Read more

This place is out of this world. Because it is in a pedestrian area, you'll likely need a driver and/or hotel staff to help you with your things, but the location cannot be beat (so much in walking distance!), our room was amazing, and the staff was phenomenal. Two people in our group feel ill and they were extremely helpful and accommodating in helping us access medical care, get food when we couldn't leave because of a sick kid, and ultimately getting.a slightly late check-out as we recovered. Our room was easiest the largest hotel room that I have ever seen in Europe with a beautiful balcony and view. We hope to return to Chania and will definitely be staying here.

Authenticity & Character
I don't know how "typical" it is but the decor was warm and inviting and felt like a home, not a hotel.
Location
Most everything you would need or want is within walking distance and it is a short distance from the hotel to the area where taxis and cars for hire stop.
Staff
They were all so kind and spoke English with 0 hesitancy, which is nice when stressful things happen.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Stayed in June 2023
P
Paula R.
Wells, ME | Reviewed on May 16, 2023
The staff at this hotel was wonderful and went out of there way to make everything perfect for us. Read more

The staff at this hotel was wonderful and went out of there way to make everything perfect for us.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Stayed in April 2023

Like what you see?

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Hotel Information

Hotel stars icon 4-star Hotel
Hotel phone icon +30 2821075370
Hotel address icon Aggelou 2
Free wifi