Anais Holiday Hotel

The rooms have rather old-fashioned furniture, but they're well maintained and clean. The air conditioning was noisy. Avoid rooms 26, 27, and 28 if you can, since a horse stable behind that building caused an awful smell on most mornings. That's not the hotel's fault, but it was unpleasant for guests. Next time I'd book one of the suites across the road. This decent three-star hotel has a very good location, a nice pool area, and a well-equipped gym. The staff were friendly.

On our first visit to Anais Collection two years ago, we booked a basic maisonette and were delighted. It had a cosy, charming classic Greek style for the price, the pool was just a few steps away, and the beach was a short walk. It all felt idyllic. This year we came back expecting much the same, but picked a standard room instead, and regretted it. The room was tiny, and its balcony faced the kitchen, so there was noise and little privacy. Sound insulation was almost nonexistent. The window was right beside the bed, and loud neighbours in the middle of the night and the constant buzz of millions of cicadas made sleep nearly impossible. The AC and fridge were both noisy and seemed past their best, practically singing along with the cicadas. Even the plastic key card felt unpleasant to hold. It was a small thing, but added to our disappointment. The pool and beach are still lovely, the room was cleaned regularly and well, and the food at the on-site restaurant was delicious. The stay was a reminder that the kind of room you choose can make a huge difference, even at the same hotel.

The garden was one of my favorite parts, full of tropical plants and flowers, and such a nice place to sit with coffee or unwind. We also had public parking right in front, a bus stop close by for Chania, a well-stocked supermarket around the corner, and a lovely beach within walking distance. Our suite in the Suites building at Anais Hotels was roomy, nicely decorated, and had everything we needed. The bed and pillows were so comfortable. Staff were warm and helpful with questions and local tips, and the room was cleaned daily. We had a great stay and couldn't have asked for a better spot.

Really good value, with a great pool that has a shaded area when you need it. It works well for both kids and adults. The rooms were fine and we had no problems. Just note the AC is only in the living room, so the bedroom door needs to stay open for the cool air to reach in.