Monastery Estate Venetian Harbor, Chania

Pros

• The hotel blends old and new with a clean, modern aesthetic that fits in nicely with the building's original elements of ruins and stone arches.
• There's an indoor pool and hammam for guests to book and enjoy privately.
• The local staff come from Chania and offer guests both the warmth of Cretan hospitality and intimate knowledge of the city.
• This Old Town hotel is a rare one to include an elevator.

Cons

• The hotel doesn't have parking facilities or a fitness center. 
• The pool is unheated, and some guests complained it was too cold in winter. 
• There are no connecting rooms or family room options.

Authenticity

The Monastery Estate Venetian Harbor encapsulates that which makes Chania special: layers and layers of history. When the owners decided to build a hotel in this former 16th-century Venetian mansion, perhaps they thought that was as far as its history would go. A nobleman once lived there before a Turkish Aga (a senior military man of the Ottoman Empire) moved in. But walk into the lobby and stand on the plexiglass above the 2,000-year-old Roman ruins to see just how far it goes. The Monastery Estate Venetian Harbor showcases all of these different parts of its building's history by integrating them into the hotel to create something definitively Chania: a mix of the historical and modern, all in one place.

Location

The hotel is located in an alleyway in Old Town Chania above the stretch of traditional Cretan knife-makers. It's both central and quiet thanks to this narrow street, where guests can walk to the waterfront of the harbor in less than 10 minutes or in the new city in five. Walk to the start of the Lighthouse path in just under 10 minutes, or park your car at the Chania Port Parking lot, which is also 10 minutes away. Nea Chora Beach is 20 minutes away by foot or 10 by car.

Rooms & Bathrooms

The 11 suites of the Monastery Venetian Harbor are divided into four types: design, signature, penthouse, and honeymoon. The honeymoon and penthouse suites are the largest and include private terraces with Old Town views that have to be reached by stairs, while the signature has a private patio with a Jacuzzi. The honeymoon and penthouse suites also have their own Jacuzzis. All of the suites sleep two people maximum, and guests can relax in the warm style of wood, ancient stone, and neutral tones with clean lines.

Amenities

There's a small plunge pool and spa area next to the reception, strikingly situated amid the original building's stone walls, vaulted ceilings, and Venetian arches. Hotel guests get a free hour per day to use the pool and spa area, but it must be reserved in advance. There's no parking or gym on the property. The hotel has a small library for guest use.

Family-Friendliness

This isn't a very family-friendly hotel, though children of all ages are welcome. Baby cribs for infants under one and cots for children under three are free of charge. Extra beds for children under 18 can be arranged for an extra price.

Other Highlights

An a la carte breakfast is included with the stay, served in the hotel's restaurant and its adjoining high-walled courtyard. The in-house restaurant is also open daily from 1 pm to 11:30 pm, serving gourmet Cretan dishes with a modern twist. There are some vegetarian options but no vegan dishes.