Casa Delfino is the most romantic place to stay in Chania's old town: a grand Venetian mansion with 24 rooms and suites, a pebbled courtyard, a roof terrace looking over the harbor and a small spa you book for yourselves alone. It sits on Theofanous Street, a quiet lane a block or two back from the Venetian harbor, which is exactly where the destination guide suggests couples stay for the best mix of atmosphere and sleep.
The hotel has been run by the same family for six generations. Its story begins in 1835 with Augustin Preve, a ship-owner from Marseille and the building still has the vaulted ceilings, marble and old stone of a merchant's house. Rooms mix classical and modern décor and several suites have big jacuzzis, split levels or private terraces.
It suits couples who want Chania's lanes, tavernas and harbor at their door, with day trips to beaches and gorges by car. It is a city hotel, so there is no pool or beach. Pair it with a resort stay in Elounda or on the coast for a full Crete honeymoon.
Highlights at a glance
- 24 rooms and suites in a Venetian mansion
- Roof terrace with harbor and sea views
- Private-use spa with steam room and jacuzzi
- Honeymoon and Romantic Suites with large jacuzzis
- Open year-round in Chania's old town
Why Couples Love Casa Delfino
Chania's old town is one of the prettiest in Greece, with Venetian and Ottoman houses, a lighthouse at the end of the harbor wall and lanes full of tavernas and craft shops. Casa Delfino puts you in the middle of it without the noise of the waterfront.
The courtyard, paved with pebbles in traditional patterns, is a calm place for a quiet glass of wine. The roof terrace is the hotel's best spot, with views over the rooftops to the harbor and the sea and it is the place for sunset drinks. Couples also mention the family welcome. It is a proper hotel with a concierge who will plan days out, yet it still feels personal. It is open year-round, which makes it one of the better options for a spring or autumn honeymoon on Crete.
Rooms and Suites to Book
Rooms vary a great deal in shape and size, so choose carefully.
- Classic Rooms (20 to 33 m²) have marble floors and bathrooms and look onto the courtyard or the lane.
- Junior Suites (25 to 40 m²) are on one level or split-level.
- The Honeymoon Suite (68 m²) has a king bed, a separate living area, a balcony and a marble bathroom with an extra-large jacuzzi.
- The Romantic Suite (58 m²) is loft-style, with a king bed on a mezzanine and a conservatory-style bathroom with a deluxe jacuzzi.
- The Ottoman Suite (65 m²) has its own private marble hamam.
- The Presidential Suite (82 m²) has a private terrace with views of the harbor and the sea.
For a honeymoon, the Honeymoon Suite or the Romantic Suite are the obvious picks. Book the Presidential Suite if a private harbor view is the priority.
Food and the Spa
The roof terrace is the spot for an evening drink before you head out. For dinner, you are surrounded by choice. Chania is one of the best food towns in Greece, with tavernas serving Cretan specialties such as dakos, slow-cooked lamb and wild greens, plus seafood places along the harbor. The hotel can recommend and book tables away from the tourist strip.
The spa is small but cleverly run. When you book a treatment, the whole spa is reserved for you, so a couple can have it to themselves. It has two treatment rooms, a marble steam room, an extra-large jacuzzi and a relaxation area. Treatments are bespoke and use Apivita products, made with organic essential oils, plant extracts and Greek honey. It is open daily by appointment from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Why guests fall for it
Things to Do
Start with the old town: walk the harbor wall to the lighthouse at sunset, browse the leather shops on Skridlof Street and visit the covered market. The Maritime Museum and the restored Venetian shipyards are nearby.
By car, western Crete opens up. Balos Lagoon and Falasarna in the far west are among the most beautiful beaches on the island. Elafonissi, with its pale pink sand, is about two hours away. Hikers can walk the Samaria Gorge, one of the longest in Europe, then take a boat along the south coast to car-free Loutro for a night or two. Wine lovers can visit small wineries in the hills around Chania. The concierge offers tailor-made itineraries if you want a driver or a guide. In summer, set off early for the beaches to beat the crowds and the heat.
Getting There
Chania International Airport (CHQ) is about 20 to 30 minutes by car from the old town, with many direct flights from European hubs in summer and connections via Athens all year. Heraklion (HER) is about two and a half hours' drive east. Ferries also link Chania's port at Souda with Piraeus overnight.
The old town is largely pedestrian, so taxis drop you near the hotel and staff help with luggage. If you are renting a car for day trips, park in one of the public lots outside the old walls and walk in. Many couples pick up a rental car only on the day they leave Chania, which avoids parking hassles. Combine two or three nights here with a beach resort stay to see both sides of Crete.
Is It Worth It?
Casa Delfino is one of the best-value romantic stays on Crete. A suite here usually costs far less than a private-pool suite at an Elounda resort and you get the old town, its restaurants and its evening walks on your doorstep. Prices vary by season and room, so treat any figure as approximate and check the official site for offers.
Pick it for two to four nights of city romance, food and day trips. Pick elsewhere if you want to wake up by the sea, swim before breakfast or spend days at a pool, since the hotel has neither a pool nor a beach. Light sleepers should ask for an inward-facing room, since summer evenings in the old town are lively. For couples who want history, character and Chania at its best, it is an easy recommendation.
Insider tips
- Book the Honeymoon Suite for the balcony and the extra-large jacuzzi.
- Reserve a spa slot for two in the evening, when the spa is yours alone.
- Walk the harbor wall to the lighthouse just before sunset.
- Pick up your rental car only when you leave Chania to avoid old-town parking.
