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, a few have a second bedroom, and the Penthouse Suite boasts a private terrace with stunning views of the harbour. The ground floor rooms, which were converted from storerooms and cisterns, have vaulted brick ceilings, while others have exposed stone arches. The style is the same throughout: shiny marble or wooden floors, white-washed walls with small clusters of old etchings or prints, and striped yellow-green bedspreads of debatable colour co-ordination. Satellite TV, safe, minibar, air-con and hairdryer all work fine.

All the bathrooms are functional, with power showers, fluffy towels, plenty of hot water and pre-packed toiletries that didn’t leave me smelling of furniture polish. The more expensive suites have a Jacuzzi, a large oval bathtub and - in case the combination of these is too much for you - a bathroom phone.

Features include:

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

Eating

Casa Delfino has a small kitchen which serves breakfast only, taken outside in the courtyard, or inside in the unlikely event of rain. Cakes, Cretan pastries, eggs, yoghurt, fruit and fresh orange juice tart up the standard offerings, while the excellent filter coffee is likely to have you lingering a bit longer than intended.

There's also a small bar by reception for pre- or post-prandial drinks. We relished a Cretan-brandy nightcap taken on the terrace of our room, between starry skies and glistening harbour lights.

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), the best of which are hidden up small alleys inland. I can recommend Antigoni (on the far end of the waterfront beyond the Porto Veneziano) for outstanding fish soup and seafood; Semiramis for better than average cooked food (butter bean stew, Cretan ratatouille called boureki and various pies); of the seafront places, Monastiri is the friendliest, the most wind-protected and serves the best food, including a ‘little devil’ (spicy sausage pieces) and a ‘nun’ (ice-cream, halva and fruit baked in an earthenware bowl). If you don’t mind a short taxi ride, book a table at the Thalassino Ayeri east of the centre, hidden down an unlikely lane but serving the freshest of fish.

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
• Museums / galleries
• Nightlife
• Scuba diving
• Shopping / markets
• Swimming
• Wildlife

Kids

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

The room price is normally the same whatever the occupancy, though you could try asking about reduction for under 12s.

Family friendly accommodation:

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.