KasteliSuites

English is spoken by the team, alongside Greek and Danish, so you can deal with the practicalities of a diving trip without resorting to underwater sign language. KasteliSuites is an aparthotel in a historic building, with the sort of layout that suits travellers who prefer a proper base to a standard hotel room.

The setting has character without asking you to perform any particular kind of holiday. You have a garden, a sun terrace and free WiFi throughout the property, while the owner, Alexandros, comes from Chania's Old Town and has worked in tourism for more than 30 years. That local knowledge is useful when you want to find your way around the city rather than simply admire it from a brochure.

KasteliSuites sits at Kanevaro 39 in Chania Town, Greece, in the Kasteli district and the oldest part of the city. The Folklore Museum of Chania is about 900 ft away, Mitropoleos Square is about 900 ft away, and the Venetian shipyards are roughly 700 ft from the property. The Old Venetian Harbour is close by, putting you in the part of Chania where a short walk can turn into a history lesson before you have even found dinner.

Koum Kapi Beach is about half a mile away on foot. Nea Chora Beach is around 0.8 mi away, while Kladissos Beach is about 1.2 mi away. For an evening drink, Conor Pass is roughly 0.1 mi away, with Cheers Bar and Saloon Bar around 0.1 mi away as well.

Chania International Airport is about 8 mi away by road, around a 16-minute drive. The property is in the city rather than beside a resort beach, which makes it a practical choice if you want Chania's harbour, museums and old streets within walking distance.

The accommodation works well when you want somewhere to come back to with more breathing room than a conventional room. Couples can choose between compact and more generous layouts, while the larger houses and split-level apartment make more sense when several people are travelling together. The Three-Bedroom House has two bathrooms, which is the sort of detail that matters once everyone is back from the day's activities and looking for the shower at the same time.

Every apartment has air conditioning, a private bathroom and a kitchenette. A refrigerator gives you somewhere to keep cold water and breakfast supplies, while the hob, oven, kitchenware, coffee machine and kettle let you manage food at your own pace. There is also a dining table, seating area, sofa and desk, so you are not forced to eat every snack perched on the edge of the bed.

Balconies, terraces and garden views vary with the accommodation, and soundproofing is included among the room features. Daily housekeeping keeps the practical side under control, while a wardrobe, clothes rack, alarm clock, laptop safe and hairdryer cover the less glamorous but genuinely useful parts of a stay. The rooms are non-smoking, with heating as well as air conditioning.

Breakfast is available in a Full English/Irish style. That gives you a substantial start before heading out, although the property does not present itself as a full-service restaurant resort. The useful advantage here is flexibility: each apartment has a kitchenette, dining area and refrigerator, and room service is available when cooking feels like an unnecessary challenge.

The kitchens include an oven and stovetop as well as a coffee machine and electric kettle, so you can make a proper drink before leaving or put together something simple on your return. There is an outdoor dining area too, giving you the option of eating outside rather than treating every meal as a logistical exercise.

For a drink away from the property, Conor Pass is about 0.1 mi away, with Cheers Bar and Saloon Bar at a similar distance. Chania's central location also puts you within easy reach of the town's wider choice of places to eat, while the accommodation itself keeps the evening uncomplicated when you would rather stay in.

The garden, patio, terrace and sun terrace give you outdoor space without requiring a timetable. After a day spent walking around Chania or travelling further across Crete, you can settle outside with a coffee, use the WiFi or simply allow the day to wind down. A hot tub is also available, turning the recovery period into something slightly more deliberate.

The tour desk can arrange walking tours, bike tours and cultural tours, while cooking classes are available away from the property. Boat excursions are offered, and the excursion programme includes Balos Lagoon, Samaria Gorge, the Archaeological Museum of Chania and Seitan Limania Beach. These are proper alternatives for a non-diving day, not a list of lobby activities designed to fill five minutes.

Bicycle hire and car hire are available, and babysitting can be arranged for families travelling with children. The lack of a resort-style entertainment programme is rather beside the point here: Chania itself is the thing to explore, with the old harbour, museums, squares and historic sites close at hand.

Check-in runs from 13:00 to 22:30, and check-out is from 11:00 to 11:30. You need to give the property your expected arrival time, particularly if your flight timing is doing something inventive. A photo ID and credit card are required at check-in, and private or express check-in and check-out are available.

An airport shuttle can be booked with the property, and car hire is available. On-site parking is possible with a reservation, which is worth sorting before arrival if you are bringing a hire car into the old part of Chania. Luggage storage is available, along with a tour desk and concierge service for arranging the practical details of your time on Crete.

Free WiFi is available in the rooms. Daily housekeeping, a safety deposit box, laundry and dry-cleaning services are also available, while a doctor can be requested if needed. Smoking, pets and parties are not permitted, and there are no age restrictions for check-in.