Mosaic Urban Rooms, Chania

Pros

• Tiled and patterned floors go back to the building’s construction in 1937, which adds something extra special to the rooms.
• Folks with rental cars can use one of the spaces in a nearby parking lot for a daily fee.
• Most of the rooms feel more spacious than those you’d usually find in a city hotel.
• The hotel’s location allows guests to easily access Old Town and other popular areas, while getting to experience something more local and quieter in the high season.
• Anyone traveling to Crete in the off season can check out the Mosaic, as it’s open year-round.

Cons

• This standard hotel currently doesn’t offer amenities like a full restaurant, gym, or spa, but those who want room service can arrange something with reception the day before.

Authenticity

The Mosaic opened in 2017, 80 years after the building was first erected in 1937 as a private English school. It’s a bit hard and amazing to imagine kids running all over these wonderful patterned tile floors. One can’t help but marvel that the tiles are all still intact. These tiles give the hotel its name and each room features a different floor design, which brings a distinct and almost whimsical type of authenticity to the building and experience of staying here.

Location

The Mosaic is a 10-minute walk from Old Town or a five-minute drive. Whether you’re looking to eat, drink, or shop, you can do it all in this area, which is more filled with locals than tourists. Grab a famous cheese-filled bougatsa at the Bougatsa Iordanis alongside the 80-year-old regulars and then head towards Old Town, where you can reach the start of the lighthouse path in 15 minutes. The historic harbor itself is 10 minutes away by foot, while the beach of Nea Chora is 20 minutes away walking or just five by car.

Rooms & Bathrooms

The Mosaic has 18 rooms and suites that are spacious enough to comfortably sleep two people with the exception of the economy one, which feels a bit tight. Each room has a different floor tile, so try booking one based on the design you like. There are connecting rooms for families or groups of friends. Unfortunately, there aren’t any ADA-compatible options here and it's worth noting that all of the rooms have a step up into the bathroom. The rooms include basic amenities like coffee, although standard and economy rooms have instant coffee while suites have espresso.