My husband and I are going to Crete in September for 5 days. We will be touring other islands after that on the ferry.
We want to visit Heraklion, Knossos and Samaria Gorge. We are unsure where to stay, prefer to be on the beach somewhere. We are looking at Chania or Rethmynon(on the beach) but are unsure which to pick. Have a list of best things about each? Suggestion as to where to stay? Thanks for any help you can provide. Also, anyone have any experience with the Grecotels in this area?

Although it's been five years, we just loved Chania as a base for both seeing Knossos and hiking the Samaria Gorge- the beach there was small and pretty- although not as wide and sandy as a few we stopped at along the drive to Knossos. We rented a car for that day and it was very easy and nice to have that flexibility. For the hike we made arrangements in Chania when we got there (and this was high season, late July)for a tour that was basically just a bus ride there and the boat ride back- but it was a beautiful glimpse of the inland scenery. I used the Lonely Planet book a lot, because at that time it was harder to find information. The hike was a highlight of the whole Greek trip- I'll never forget the women in platform sandals smoking as they whipped past us! You don't need serious hiking boots- it's downhill all the way and very pebbly in places- anything with closed toes and some decent traction will be fine. (Take huge amounts of water!) We splurged and stayed at the Doma Hotel, the former Austrian embassy and occupied by the Germans- the view over the water was spectacular and it was just fabulous in every way. Lucky you!

Another vote for Chania. The Casa Delfino is lovely.

I like Chania first and Rethymnon second, both both are really nice places to stay. I like the feel of Chania; the architecture is really charming. I like the cafes and markets in Rethymnon. I like Chania because I absolutely love the west coast of Crete and staying in Chania makes it easier to go there.

Great thread - I am interested in the same info!

We have the opportunity to use some timeshare at Leoniki Residence in Rethmynon June 26- July 3 donated by a family member! We are flying into Heraklion (about 1 hr from there?). We have read that it is essential to rent a car for the week. What are people's thoughts on this? Are there lots of day trips from there. Is the beach nice enough to stay there or will we have to drive to another beach? Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Thanks for the great suggestions. YOu are lucky to get the timeshare trade at Leoniki, I tried to get one, but nothing came through for September.

try http://www.stavros-studios.gr three differnt properties outside the city of Chania. We went there a few years ago and since then we try to go back at least once a year.

Chania's a great choice. If you have a car, try to get down one day to Elafonissi Beach.Wonderful!

Chania is, for sure, wonderful. I suspect Rethymnon would get a better press if Chania wasn't there.

Contrary to Selma, I really don't like the strip west of Chania at all. Whilst it doesn't hit the low spots of Malia, it's still pretty blech.

Rethymnon is about an hour from Iraklion and maybe 50 minutes from Chania. Crete is a big island and you really don't want to get stuck in a town. I tried it once and gave in on day 3. There are loads of places to visit of the beaten track that the excursions don't go to. You're reasonably handy for Knossos and the Samaria Gorge, and it's an easy run across to the south coast.

The beach is... adequate. If you couldn't leave you'd do fine; but if you can, you'll find nicer, prettier beaches not very far away.

You'll get a decent overview at

http://www.interkriti.org/rethymnon/

Reminding myself by looking at that, I'm again struck by how Rethymnon is Chania's not quite so pretty little sister.

There are some very nice smaller towns on the coast, if the beach is the purpose of the trip

My husband has selected the Grecotel El Greco in Rethyminon for our place to stay. Agree, it is a good vantage point for driving around. He also wanted the beach and the pool. I have been hesitant to book it and pass up the Casa Delfino or the other nice boutique hotels mentioned in Chania. Thoughts? Is there a nice suggestion for a lodging near Chania or Rethyminon that might be on a lovely snorkel beach? We will be driving all around in the am, but like to hang by a pool in the afternoon.\
Thanks for all your feedback so far! It's very helpful to get opinions from those that really know!

I can't answer your question from personal experience, but I did a bit of hunting around last night.

Ther is snorkelling on the coast around Rathymnon, and indeed there'sa dive company based there which will sort stuff out for you.

However, the best snorkelling being over rocky sea beds, you'd do better with that on the south coast.

I personally wouldn't want to stay in a hotel like the El Greco, but diff'rent strokes.

There are boutique type places in and around Rethymnon- I saw one lovely one called Veneto- but most of them aren't going to have a pool. OTOH, places like Casa Delfino don't have pools either.

It seems to me your likes are a bit mixed up.

Do you want to be in a town or outside?

Do you prefer a resort hotel or a small one?

Does the hotel have to have a pool?

How important is the snorkelling?

What else will you do with your time?

We are staying in Chania at the Best Western Porto Veneziano. The reason I booked this hotel was because I could do it through the Best Western website. None of the other smaller hotels in Chania responded to my e-mails. NONE!

So, even though others rave about the other hotels in Chania, what is the point if these hotels don't respond to booking inquiries?

marginal,

This is off-season for most hotels in Europe. You'll find many of them slow to respond while they renovate or make repairs. Sometimes you have to call the hotel directly, and even then you might not get an answer until early March.

Indeed, a lot of them, the people won't be ther at all. Lots of Greeks live in or around Athens in the wnter and go back to their tourist based businesses in the islands only at Easter.

Hello!
I am looking for the same info and found this thread! All of the travel agents Ive been working with have been booking me in the city of Herlakion but I would prefer to stay in a smaller hotel NEAR a nice beach that has a pool. Off the beaten path is fine, were just looking for a non crowded, peaceful hotel.

Great info everyone!

I'm glad to find this spot as I am also going to Create for 6 nites and have booked 3 in the Lato boutique hotel in Iraklion and 3 nites in Chania (still haven't settled on where to stay there!) I could use some help. Heard that mixing the 2 locations was good (we'll have a car the whole time) as that way we can exlpore the best of each side easily. And the South as well. Is this a good idea?

We are big on hiking (can't wait to hike the Gorge), kayaking, boating, snorkeling, and also good food & wine!

Staying in a beautiful spot is ideal! Any suggestions?

Thanks!!

We really loved the Palazzo di Pietro when we stayed there last July. It's a converted Venetian townhouse with only a handful of rooms, just a few streets away from the harbor. While there's no view per se since the hotel is situated in an alley, the rooms themselves are quite beautiful, and lovingly decorated by the young owner who couldn't be more helpful or knowledgeable.

The Palazzo got great reviews on TripAdvisor, I will make a note of that. Thanks!
Any other suggestions?

Does the Palazzo have a pool?

No, it does not. Very few hotels in Chania town have pools. I have already checked this out.