Overview

Porto Veneziano Hotel is a modern, waterfront hotel at the quieter end of Chania's Old Venetian Harbour. It's a small hotel with about 50 rooms. One of the rooms, Room 101, on the first floor is fully accessible with a walk in shower. The hotel has a lift, dining room and bar.

Transport & Parking

The hotel is located on the far eastern side of the Old Venetian Harbour in the centre of the town. I took a taxi from the taxi rank at Chania Airport. The journey took about 20 minutes and it cost 25 euros (March 2018). The Old Venetian Harbour is pedestrianised and much of it has narrow padestrianised streets surrounding it, however where the hotel is located there are side streets which are accessible by car which meant that the taxi could drive down an park outside the hotel. By public transport, there are buses from the airport to the bus station which is about 1km away. The bus station is on a incline from the hotel and harbour. There was a public car park behind the hotel but I don't know about parking costs.

Access

The entrance to the hotel has 3 or 4 steps without a hand rail and automatic doors. The steps weren't steep and I didn't have any problem using them. However if you need step free they will put a ramp out for you but you will need to inform them in advance. Outside the hotel on the harbour front are movable table and chairs with waiter service for drinks/ food. On the ground floor directly opposite the entrance is a reception which is a standing height only and a lobby with sofas. On the right are the stairs, lift and the dining room, with large windows overlooking the harbour. On the left is the bar. There is also small rear garden with tables and chairs, which I didn't use so unsure how about accessing this area. There is a lift to all floors. The hotel has one fully accessible room, room 101, on the first floor. The room is accessible via stairs or lift. The room opens with a key fob. The room is beautifully decorated and well maintained, as is all the hotel. The layout of the room consisted on two adjacent single beds, with a firm and comfortable mattress. There were bedside tables, desk, chair and flat screen TV. There was a large wardrobe with shelving and inbuilt safe at a medium level. The bathroom had a walk in shower with two grab rails and an emergency cord. There was a single grab rail on the left hand side of the toilet and a free standing bath stool. There were French windows leading to a balcony, which had two chairs and a table. The only slight downside is that the room overlooks the rear of the hotel, so the view is of their garden and the road and car park behind the hotel and a glimpse of the sea, it isn't an unpleasant view and certainly not a deal breaker but it doesn't have a view of the Old Venetian Harbour. However I think the hotel may have other rooms overlooking the harbour with showers but no grab rails which maybe suitable, so it might be worth asking the hotel directly.

Toilets

The accessible bathroom in room 101 was wonderful. It was step free. In it was a walk in shower with two grab rails and an emergency cord. There was on curtain or screen on the shower area, there is tiled flooring, so I used my own non slip bath math and put a towel on the floor before I showered so the floor didn't get slippy. There was a free standing, sturdy shower stool with an arm. There was a single grab rail on the left hand side of the toilet. There was plenty of space under the sink. There were grab rails on either side of the bathroom door. The bathroom was excellent. However I gave the hotel a 4 rather than a 5 score as the public toilets on the ground floor of the hotel are not accessible, they are step free but they are a regular cubical size and they have no grab rails.

Staff

The staff are very welcoming, friendly and helpful. At reception check in and check out were very quick. I was given a map of the area when I arrived and when I was checking out they phoned for my taxi. The waiters at breakfast were very welcoming and offered to assist me if I required it. My room was cleaned and well maintained throughout my stay.

Anything else you wish to tell us?

This hotel is exceptional and very charming. It's a real find, well maintained and well run. Breakfast is included in the price of the room and served in a ground floor dining room which overlooks the harbour. The restaurant is self service, but there is always staff available to assist you if you require it and food is quickly replenished. The choice of breakfast is outstanding there are cereals, yogurt, fruit, cheeses, meat, hot food, bread, pastries and a good selection of hot and cold drinks, including a fresh orange juice maker machine. Crete has it's own regional foods, cheese and pastries, which are delicious, and they were well represented in the breakfast selection as well as more usual fare. The location is perfect, very central, as it's directly on the harbour front and it's a step free, level walk round the Old Venetian Harbour. Behind the harbour is the Old Town. All around are restaurants and bars, although this is the quieter end of the harbour, so you still get a quiet night's sleep. It's ideal if you are looking for a comfortable, accessible, centrally located hotel with restaurants and sightseeing within walking distance. I was unable to book the accessible room online and was only aware that they had one from a tripadvisor review. I emailed the hotel directly and they responded almost immediately.

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