Best Sea-View Stays in Chania Town, Crete

Amphitrite Hotel works for families who want to walk to everything in Chania Town. It is within walking distance of Koum Kapi Beach and the Old Venetian Harbour, so a morning swim and an evening stroll need no transport. Rooms have air conditioning, free WiFi and a tea and coffee maker, and the family rooms, sun terrace and hot tub give children and parents some room to spread out. Rated 9.6 across 596 reviews, it is one of the best-scored three-star hotels I have seen in the area.

The Tanneries Hotel & Spa is a five-star hotel in a historic building in Chania, with sea views and Koum Kapi Beach close by. Families get indoor and outdoor pools, so a swim works in any weather, and the family-friendly restaurant serves Greek cuisine with options for different diets. Parents can use the fitness centre, steam room, hot tub and hammam. I would book it for families wanting a refined stay near the sea in Chania, and the 9.6 rating is outstanding.

Residenza Vranas is a boutique hotel of suites in Chania Old Town, which gives families more room than a standard hotel room. Some suites look over the city or the Cretan Sea, and a few have a private plunge pool, a real asset with children in summer. Nea Chora Beach is 600 metres away, and the Archaeological Museum of Chania is just 100 metres from the door. WiFi is free throughout. I would book a plunge-pool suite for families who want the old town on foot.

Villa Andromeda is a restored 19th-century neoclassical mansion by the sea in Halepa, the historic district of Chania. Its eight suites are spacious and self-contained, each with a bedroom, a bathroom and a separate sitting area, which gives parents space once children are asleep. Views range from the sea to the garden. The description mentions no pool or children's facilities, so it suits calm families. I would book it for families with older children who appreciate history.

Riviera Suites sits in Chania Town near Koum Kapi Beach and the Old Venetian Harbour, so a family can swim in the morning and walk the harbour in the evening. Rooms have sea views and are air-conditioned and soundproofed, which helps children sleep, with balconies, minibars and bathrobes. A bar and a coffee shop are on site, and free off-site private parking is a real help with a hire car in Chania. I would book it for families who want sea views close to the old town.

Ciel Collection Suites is adults-only, so families with children will need another base in Chania. For adults, the suites have sea views from balconies or terraces, Koum Kapi Beach is a two-minute walk, and the Old Venetian Harbour and Saint Anargyri Church are close by. A sun terrace, a garden and wellness packages complete the stay. I would recommend it to couples, or to parents on a break without the children, and the 9.5 rating is outstanding.

Aisha Hotel is a good fit for families who want Chania by the water without being in the busiest lanes. Koum Kapi Beach is a short walk, so a morning swim is easy, and the Folklore Museum makes a gentle cultural stop for children. Family rooms are available, all air-conditioned, and the sun terrace and balconies look out to sea. Parents can use the fitness centre and sauna or join a yoga class while the day is still cool.

Anassa Chania Boutique Hotel is adults-only, so families with children cannot book it; I would point parents towards other Chania Town addresses. For adults, it offers modern air-conditioned rooms with sea views, a central location near the Old Venetian Harbour, a sun terrace, a restaurant and a bar. Nea Chora Beach is a short walk away for a swim. Guests rate it 9.5 from more than 170 reviews, an excellent result.

Santrivani Rooms suits families who want Chania's old streets at the door. The building is stone-built, rooms have air-conditioning and either sea or mountain views, and the beach is a short walk away. Museums and traditional Cretan restaurants sit within 500 metres, so outings stay short for young legs. The tour desk and car hire on site make it easy to plan a day further along the coast. There is no pool, so I would book a sea-view room.

EdgeWater Beach Hotel is a strong family pick in Chania Town: it has direct beachfront access, a private beach area and Nea Chora Beach steps away, so swims fit around naps easily. Rooms are air-conditioned with kitchenettes, handy for breakfasts and snacks, and many balconies face the sea. The family-friendly restaurant covers dinners when nobody wants to cook. I would request a sea-view room, since only some have that view, and walk to the old harbour in the evening.

11City Rooms occupies a historic building in Chania Town, close to the Old Venetian Harbour and less than a kilometre from Nea Chora Beach, so families can split the day between the old town and the sand on foot. Rooms keep their parquet floors and have private balconies with sea views. Air-conditioning and free WiFi cover the basics, and a sun terrace gives everyone space outside the room. I would book it for families who want character and the harbour within walking distance.

Akrotiri Hotel offers family rooms with air-conditioning, private bathrooms and sea-view balconies, a pleasant combination for a two-star. The sun terrace and garden give children space outside the room, and the daily continental buffet breakfast keeps mornings simple. Its convenience for Chania International Airport helps with early flights and tired children on arrival. No pool is listed, so I would plan beach days nearby and transport into Chania's old town.

Eolos Apartments is an elegant aparthotel with sea views, a swimming pool, a sun terrace and a lush garden, close to Almirida Beach. Each apartment has air conditioning, a terrace, a balcony and a fully equipped kitchen, which suits families who want to cook. Free WiFi and private check-in and check-out are included, and a shuttle service is available for a fee. Rated 9.1 from 136 reviews, I would book it for the pool and the kitchens, and check the distance to Chania Town.