Nyx Chic Manor

If you want Chania rather than a sealed-off resort, Nyx Chic Manor puts you in the middle of the town, close to the Venetian Harbour and the city's cafés, restaurants and historic corners. This is a small hotel with five rooms, suited to couples who would rather step into local life than spend the evening circling a buffet.

You get air conditioning, free WiFi throughout the hotel and a terrace with outdoor furniture. There is also a lift, which matters when your legs have had enough of stairs and your bag has not yet learnt to travel light.

The setting is lively rather than remote. The surrounding area is busy, and noise can occur, while quiet hours run from 15:00 to 17:00. In other words, this is a town address with the advantages and ordinary noises that come with it.

The address is Sarpidonos 3 in Chania Town, Greece, in the Venetian Harbour area. The Cathedral of the Presentation of the Virgin Mary is a few steps away, while the Venetian shipyards are about 400 feet on foot. The old defensive remains and historic sites around the harbour are just as close, so you can turn a post-dive stroll into a small lesson in Cretan history without arranging an expedition.

The Archaeological Museum of Chania and the Municipal Art Gallery are both about 1 mile away. The Folklore Museum is roughly 400 metres from the hotel, and Firkas Fortress is around 0.6 miles away. For a change of scenery by the water, Koum Kapi Beach is about 700 yards away on foot; Nea Chora Beach is around 1 mile away.

Chania International Airport is about 7 miles away by road. The hotel sits in a pedestrian-only zone, so the final approach is a matter for luggage planning rather than simply asking a car to stop at the front door.

For two, the Deluxe Double Room keeps things straightforward: a super-king-size bed, a private shower room, bathrobes and slippers, plus a coffee machine for the first cup before your body has fully rejoined the conversation. The flat-screen television has satellite channels, although the real advantage here is being able to walk out into Chania rather than organise your evening around the room.

Travelling with family or friends calls for the larger accommodation. The Deluxe Villa gives you room to spread out and has two bathrooms, which is a useful detail when several people are trying to get ready at once. The Two-Bedroom Suite also has two bathrooms and suits a group that values separate sleeping spaces over one large shared room.

Air conditioning will help you cool down after a hot day outdoors, while the private bathrooms with showers keep the practical side simple. All rooms are non-smoking, and cleaning is provided six days a week. Children over two are welcome; cots can be requested, while extra beds are not available.

Breakfast is served à la carte in a restaurant less than a minute's walk from the hotel, right by the sea. That is a useful arrangement for divers: you leave the building, follow the harbour air and sit down to eat without turning breakfast into a daily logistical exercise.

The morning menu covers Continental, Full English/Irish, vegetarian, vegan, halal and American choices. The more distinctive part is the Cretan focus: fresh citrus, dairy, eggs, homemade breads, jams and honey sourced from local artisanal producers and suppliers, with traditional Cretan appetisers included in the breakfast.

The same restaurant serves lunch and dinner, with a terrace setting. There is no bar listed at the hotel, but several cafés and bars are nearby, including Deux Lux just a few steps away and Chania Irish Pub Conor Pass around 900 feet on foot. Wine and champagne are also available through the hotel.

The terrace and its outdoor furniture give you somewhere to sit with a drink, a book or the familiar post-dive stare into the middle distance. There is no need to dress the moment up as an activity. Sometimes a chair, a shower and a little shade are the entire programme.

Massage is available, including back and full-body treatments. That is the practical kind of indulgence after carrying bags, climbing boat ladders or simply discovering that a relaxed holiday still involves more walking than expected.

Bicycle hire is available for exploring beyond the old town. Car hire is available too, if you want to reach places farther from the harbour under your own steam. The nearby beaches and museums give couples a choice between sea time, history and an unhurried wander through town.

Airport transfers are available by shuttle and should be arranged with the hotel. Car hire can also be arranged. Because the property is in a pedestrian-only zone, confirm how your luggage will be handled for the final stretch from the vehicle to the entrance.

Check-in runs from 15:00 to midnight, and check-out is from 03:00 to 11:00. You need to provide photo identification and a credit card at check-in, and the hotel needs your expected arrival time in advance. Private and express check-in and check-out are available, which can make an early flight or a late arrival less of a nuisance.

There is free WiFi throughout the hotel, a safety deposit box and invoice service. The hotel accepts children over two, with cots available on request. Pets are not allowed, parties are not permitted, and guests under 18 must check in with a parent or official guardian.