Hera Studios

Check-in was easy, with the keys in a small box opened using a password. The studio was in a beautiful building near cafes and restaurants, right in the old town, but on a street that stayed quiet at night. It was fully equipped and very clean, and the fresh towels came sealed in airtight packages, which impressed me. The AC was really powerful. You could hear some noise from the ceiling when people walked upstairs, though I didn't find it uncomfortable. I enjoyed my stay.

We stayed here last year and would gladly return. Our rooftop suite had a small kitchen and bathroom downstairs, with the bedroom and rooftop balcony upstairs. We had everything we needed to make breakfast, including a small fridge, and the bed was comfortable with AC in the bedroom. We ate on the balcony each morning and watched the sun rise over the ocean. The hotel is on the quieter end of the neighbourhood, yet the historical part of town, with restaurants, cafes, and cute shops, is only two minutes away in any other direction. A nice beach is a five-minute walk west, and parking is nearby. We arrived late after getting lost, but that was no problem. There were friendly cats all over the neighbourhood too. My one gripe was the shower, which had no curtain or rod, so a five-minute shower soaked the whole bathroom.

The bad reviews turned out not to be a myth. I read them too late because I had booked through Airbnb. I asked a couple of simple questions politely and was told to leave. I couldn't quickly find anywhere else that evening, so I slept feeling really unwelcome. There was no real effort to engage with me or address what I needed. When I mentioned the bad Google reviews because I wanted to understand what was going on, her tone changed. She told me to pack my things after I asked whether it was normal to hear the neighbours so clearly in the building. I was allowed to ask. I also asked if a pickup from the bus station could be arranged, and she nearly immediately answered in an angry tone. When I couldn't find the key box, that was the only time I got help. While we were communicating, she became sarcastic too. I found the whole experience nasty and felt the way she treated me was disrespectful. However nice the room and location might be, politeness and helpfulness matter. I wish I hadn't found this place at all. I hope she learns something about hospitality and humanity, and I wonder how she can feel okay going to sleep after treating people that way. I hope Karma gives you exactly what you deserve.

Lena helped make our visit really comfortable and pleasant. She arranged an early check-in because we reached Chania at 6 am, and she left us a little bottle of ouzo with snacks when we got to the room. She was so kind, helpful, and understanding. From the balcony we could see the little street and the ocean. The hotel's location in a small street in the old venetian port of chania made it easy to walk to the old port, market, city centre, beaches, and more. There are plenty of nearby restaurants and shops. It was a lovely stay, and I'd definitely recommend this hotel.