Ledra Maleme

Ledra Maleme is a three-key hotel on the Kissamou-Chanion Road at Maleme, near the beach and the Maleme German war cemetery, on the coast west of Chania in Crete. Maleme is a small coastal settlement about seventeen kilometres west of Chania city, quieter than Platanias and with a long pebble-and-sand shoreline. It is best known for the Battle of Crete in 1941, when the nearby Maleme airfield was a key objective of the German airborne invasion, and the German war cemetery on the hill above the village is a sombre site of historical interest. The hotel's position makes it a practical base for visitors interested in this history and in a lower-key beach stay. The accommodation is listed in the budget category, with double rooms, family rooms and suites, and typical high-season prices of roughly EUR 45-95 per night. Recorded facilities include a swimming pool, beach access, a restaurant, a bar, air conditioning and Wi-Fi, which is a generous set for the price band. Meals are available on site, and the village has a few tavernas serving Cretan dishes, while the livelier restaurants and bars of Platanias are a short drive or bus ride east. The style is that of a modest family-run Greek coastal hotel rather than a luxury resort, and it suits families, couples and independent travellers who value price, a quiet setting and access to the sea. Chania Old Town is reachable by bus or taxi along the coastal road in around thirty to forty minutes. Nearby points of interest include the Tavronitis river mouth, the monastery at Gonia near Kolymvari and the Rodopou peninsula, and the road continues to Kissamos, from which boats and coaches reach Balos lagoon and Gramvousa. Samaria Gorge and Elafonisi are within day-trip range. As a budget property in a smaller village, rooms are limited, so booking ahead for July and August is advisable, while spring and autumn offer a quiet atmosphere.