Hotels Elia Palatino, Zampeliou & Fatma

Dating back to the era of Venetian rule in the 14th century, Chania's Old Town is a treasure chest of art and architecture, a living museum with the emphasis very much on living. The picturesque waterfront, guarded by an imposing 16th century lighthouse, and the narrow alleyways that fan out from the harbour are teaming with atmospheric tavernas and bars, frequented by locals and holidaymakers alike, as well as an extensive range of small shops selling everything from daily essentials and mundane household items to typical souvenirs, quirky handicrafts and artworks, and all kinds of fashion and jewellery.

Situated right in the heart of Old Chania, these three small hotels are perfect for guests wishing to fully immerse themselves in the bustling ambience of this historic town. Elia Palatino and Elia Zampeliou stand next to each other in the centre of the colourful harbourside, whilst Elia Fatma is tucked away in the small backstreet just behind them. The hotels were converted from three charming old buildings, containing just seven, eight and six guestrooms respectively. Carefully restored to retain many of their original features, they offer accommodation that blends character with comfort and convenience. Rooms at Elia Zampeliou are kept in soft, earthen tones with occasional glimpses of exposed stonework, whilst those at Elia Palatino incorporate hints of art nouveau and art deco into their stylish design. Elia Fatma on the other hand fully embraces bold and vibrant colours. But whilst each room has its own individual charm, the level of comfort and equipment is consistent throughout. Each room has a modern en-suite shower room with hairdryer, bathrobe and slippers, and amenities provided include a small fridge, coffee-maker, safety-deposit box, satellite TV and free WiFi. Air-conditioning and sound-proofed windows contribute to a good night's sleep, although it's fair to point out that some noise from the bustling harbour front cannot be ruled out in the sea-facing rooms, so guests planning on having early nights should perhaps avoid these.

At Elia Zampeliou, Classic Rooms are at the rear of the building, with windows looking out across the colourful back alley. At the front, Superior Rooms enjoy views of the harbour through a window, whilst guests in the Deluxe Rooms can make the most of the harbour view from their balconies. There is also a small communal terrace on the second floor enjoying the same outlook.

Next door at Elia Palatino, both Classic and Superior Rooms are at the rear, the latter being more spacious. Deluxe Rooms at the front benefit from balconies and sea views, whilst the crowning glory is the top-floor Suite with its balcony running the full width of the building boasting panoramic harbour views.

Being situated in the backstreet, none of the rooms at Elia Fatma offer sea views, but the Superior Room has a small balcony overlooking the hotel's atrium, whilst the Deluxe Room has a balcony facing the little street. There is also a split-level Maisonette with a sitting area at the lower level and a sleeping area on a raised gallery, as well as a Suite with a bedroom and sitting area.

A wholesome breakfast featuring local Cretan produce is served at Elia Fatma for guests staying at all three hotels. The main entrances for Elia Palatino and Elia Zampeliou are at the rear, so it's just the shortest of skips across the road to Elia Fatma. As both the harbour-front and the surrounding back streets are closed to vehicular traffic, guests with walking difficulties should note that your transfer taxi will drop you as close to the hotels as possible, but you will need to walk a short distance from there to the hotel. Anyone struggling with stairs should also be aware that there are no lifts. However, for anyone else keen to enjoy everything that Chania has to offer, the location could not be more convenient.