Kastro Hotel, Heraklion

Pros

• The majority of the rooms have balconies but if you book a room without one, you can still enjoy some air in the rooftop lounge area.
• Families can sleep more comfortably in triple rooms here, where no one will have to draw straws on who takes the sofabed.
• The Kastro has a prime location in Heraklion’s center with quick and easy access to the city’s sights.

Cons

• While the hotel doesn’t have parking, it does work with a parking lot just next door, where guests can easily park and pay for the day.
• The style and facilities overall are a bit basic, so this is a better option for people who just need a place to sleep for the night rather than a fully pampered hotel experience.

Authenticity

A local Heraklion family opened the Katro in 1962 and has been running the operation since. The hotel incorporates a sense of history into its rooms with old photos of Greece, Olympic ring decorations, and other visual touches that add a little extra Greek flavor to its otherwise basic rooms. The location of the Kastro makes it possible to experience authentic Crete as soon as you step out your door, as you can find a number of restaurants, shops, and sights that all encompass different aspects of Cretan culture.

Location

The Kastro has a fantastic location in Heraklion’s center, where you can experience both the historic old town and modern city all within a few blocks. Grab a coffee or bougatsa pastry at the famous Lion Square in just three minutes by foot or head in the other direction to the Venetian Rocca a Mare Fortress, which is 10 minutes away walking. The hotel works with a parking lot next door, so guests can easily park and then jump in their cars to head to Knossos, which is 20 minutes away. 

Rooms & Bathrooms

The 39 rooms of the Kastro span five floors and most of them have balconies. Families can book a triple room, which has three single beds that can turn into a double and a single. The rooms are decorated with Greek images and graphics like Olympic ring wall decorations or old photos of Greece on the ceiling. They have standing showers, but folks with mobility issues are advised that the showers all have a step to get in and there are steps to get up to reception as well.