Hotel Elia

Hotel Elia is a mid-range hotel at 1 Episkopou Dorotheou Street in the Old Town of Chania, in western Crete, Greece. The street lies close to Splantzia square and the cathedral quarter, one of the liveliest parts of the Old Town, where plane-tree shaded cafes, small churches and tavernas sit alongside the remains of Venetian and Ottoman buildings. From this position the Venetian harbour, the lighthouse and the Agora covered market are a short walk away, so most sightseeing can be done without a vehicle. The hotel offers double rooms and suites with air conditioning and Wi-Fi, and breakfast is available. With indicative high-season double rates of about EUR 85-170 per night, it sits in the middle of the Old Town market, cheaper than the restored boutique hotels near the harbour but more comfortable than basic guesthouses. The facilities are straightforward: there is no large pool or spa described, so the value lies in location and simplicity. Dining is generally taken outside the hotel; the Splantzia area has a good concentration of local restaurants, bars and coffee spots, and the harbourfront is a few minutes further. Service is that of a small city hotel, with reception staff able to help with taxis, car hire and excursion bookings for popular day trips from Chania such as Elafonisi beach, Balos lagoon and the Samaria Gorge walk. The hotel suits couples, solo travellers and independent visitors who plan to spend their days exploring. Because Splantzia is a nightlife area, evening noise is possible in summer, so it is worth asking about quieter rooms. Chania airport is on the Akrotiri peninsula, and a taxi is the usual way to reach the Old Town. Cars cannot easily enter parts of the district, and parking is typically outside the old walls.