Casa Delfino

Rooms

Spread warren-like over the 3 floors and subterranean mezzanines of this imposing building are no fewer than 23 suites and apartments, varying hugely in size and shape. Some have a sitting area, others are split over 2 levels, and a few have a second bedroom.

Ground floor rooms, which were converted from storerooms and cisterns, often come with vaulted brick ceilings or exposed stone arches. A few higher rooms have a hayati or conservatory-style gallery, with windows looking onto neighbouring roofs. Of the Penthouse Suites, one boasts a private terrace with stunning views of the harbour.

Expect floors of patterned marble or polished wood, a mix of Italian furnishings and vintage Greek, high quality velvet or silk curtains, and excellent beds. Bathrooms are more functional - most with power showers, a few with jacuzzi bathtubs - while one of the Executive Suites stands out for its private domed mini-hammam. All come with fluffy towels and robes, plenty of hot water and a nice range of organic toiletries.

Features include:

• Air conditioning
• Central heating
• Cots available
• DVD player
• Hairdryer
• Minibar
• Radio
• Safe box
• Toiletries
• TV
• WiFi

Eating

Casa Delfino's kitchen serves an excellent breakfast outside in the beautiful mosaic courtyard, or inside in the rare event of rain. Home baked cakes (many of them using the owners' age-old recipes), Cretan pastries and pies, eggs any way, thick yoghurt, fresh fruit and orange juice tart up the standard offerings, while the excellent filter coffee is likely to have you lingering a bit longer than intended. And there are good gluten- and lactose-free options, too.

Up on the rooftop garden you can enjoy cocktails and snacks at sunset - the waiter will shuttle up and down with your drinks - while gazing over the city's picturesque fishing harbour and seafront promenade. It's a great way to end any day, and out of season you might even have it to yourself as we did.

For dinner, the old town of Chania positively teems with characterful, buzzing tavernas, the liveliest of which line the waterfront (be prepared to ignore the hawkers), and the best of which are hidden up small alleys inland. Just ask the staff - they're super helpful and honest - for their tips.

Features include:

• Bar
• Breakfast
• Coffee maker
• Restaurants nearby
• Room service

Activities

• Visit Chania's atmospheric, part-pedestrianised old town, with its leather and jewellery shops, covered food market, and excellent little archaeological museum
  
• Stroll around the impossibly picturesque fishing harbour and along the Venetian sea wall to the restored lighthouse at the end
  
• At night, the harbourfront comes alive with buzzing bars tavernas; some have live Cretan music, with soulful singing and minor-chord lyra accompaniment
  
• Explore the foothills of the White Mountains, with their limestone gorges, valleys full of citrus trees and slow-paced farming villages
  
• Trek through the world-famous Samaria gorge (along with the crowds; open May-Oct) or the Ayia Irini gorge (fewer crowds; open all year); both are a full day’s hike catching a boat and a bus back
  
• On nearby Akrotiri peninsula, visit the medieval monasteries of Ayia Triada (beautiful Italianate architecture) and Gouvernetou (remote setting with a nearby hermit's chapel)
  
• Book a boat cruise to Kri Kri island just offshore, named after the protected chamois which inhabit this rock; there are stops for snorkelling and wreck views too
  
• Sunbathe on the city beach at the western edge of town; or drive to white-sand Marathi near the airport
  
• After all that exploring, unwind in Casa Delfino's spa with a massage or a dip in the Jacuzzi whirlpool. There's a steam room and relaxation area, too

Activities on site or nearby include:

• Historical sites
• Hot tub
• Museums / galleries
• Nightlife
• Scuba diving
• Shopping / markets
• Spa treatments
• Steam room
• Swimming
• Wildlife

Kids

Children of all ages are welcome, and Chania should keep children of all ages and persuasions amused for a few days.

Family friendly accommodation:

The two-bedroom suites are perfect for a family of four, with one double and one twin room, on separate levels. Some of the one-bedroom suites can sleep 3 in comfort. Most of the larger suites are split-level, so you and your children need to be happy using (sometimes steep) stairs at night time.

Cots Available, Extra Beds Available

For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection

Location

Casa Delfino is tucked down a peaceful alley, a few steps back from the harbour of Chania.

By Air:
From May through mid-October there are direct charter flights to Chania (15km from the town) and, more frequently, to the capital Heraklion (140km). Click on the links below for a list of airlines.

From the Airport
There are regular buses connecting Chania from Heraklion, the hotel can book a taxi for you or, if you wish to explore the island, you may like to rent a car.

By Car:
For car hire see our car rental recommendations.

By Boat:
For a really romantic approach – fly into Athens and then take the overnight ferry from Piraeus to Chania-Souda port (10km from hotel).

Detailed directions to the hotel itself will be sent when you confirm your booking.

More on getting to Greece and getting around.