Nireas Hotel

It's not bad, and the location is great for exploring, but the rooms are very worn and need a thorough scrub. They immediately asked for extra cash for a better view, even though booking hadn't offered that option. It felt like a cash grab. The road up is quite steep, so this may not suit people with mobility issues. The bar was useless and never open. The owner's German shepherd wanders around and likes to jump at people, so avoid it if you don't like dogs.

The owner, Hristo, was especially kind. It was my husband's birthday during our stay, and Hristo surprised us with a bottle of champagne. Such a thoughtful touch made the visit even more memorable. Nireas Hotel is a beautiful, peaceful place among nature and palm trees. Everything was exceptionally clean, the atmosphere was warm, and the people were genuinely kind. The hospitality went beyond what we expected. It felt like a home away from home, and I'd wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone looking for somewhere quiet and charming.

The peaceful pool and spacious rooms made for a fantastic stay at Nireas. Our kitchen could use an update, and having just one socket for the kettle, toaster, and microwave was awkward in the small space, but we managed. The cleaners did a great job every day. We liked finding a different towel design on the bed each time, especially the elephant. The hotel is tucked back from the main road, so it stays quiet while shops, restaurants, and beaches are close. The pool bar seemed open but wasn't staffed. Other guests appeared to help themselves and tell Christos, the owner, what they'd had when he was around so they could pay. A barman, even for three hours around midday, serving cold beers, soft drinks, a limited cocktail list, and a few snacks, would make the shaded bar area more inviting. We'd have used it and gladly paid for a cold drink. That didn't spoil the stay at all. We'd return to Nireas and Kato Daratso, which was much quieter than the area farther towards Agia Marina. Our favourite nearby restaurant was Sky and Sea, for its portions, value, and atmosphere.

The staff were brilliant and friendly, and nothing felt like too much trouble. Christos, who I think is the owner, was around when we needed him. At check-in he said we could reach him on WhatsApp if he wasn't there. He helped arrange a taxi for our pre-booked TUI excursion in another town and explained how to get to Chania by bus. His lovely dog Petra was very quiet and well behaved, with no jumping or barking, and wasn't distracted by the cats who have made themselves at home here. Our apartment was clean and had the basics for self-catering, including a decent-sized fridge with a freezer. Breakfast at the pool bar had plenty of choice, with local and standard options. Christos asked what we preferred when we arrived. We had delicious filo cheese pie, spinach and cheese pastry, sweet vanilla-cinnamon pastry, perhaps Bougatsa, as well as bread, cereal, eggs, and bacon. The hotel sits on a quiet hill, away from the main road but a short walk from a sandy beach with clear water. There are lots of nearby restaurants and bars, and we loved Orexi. Small shops sell essentials and more, and Lidl is about an eight-minute walk away. Chania old town is €15 by taxi or €1.20 by bus. We never had trouble finding a sunbed, although at some points in the day hardly any were shaded. We went to lunch or sat at the pool bar then.