Nival Old Town Suites

If your ideal base is a proper town rather than a self-contained beach complex, Nival Old Town Suites puts you in the middle of Chania's historic centre. The property sits in a quiet alley behind Splanzia Square, with traditional houses, narrow lanes, cafés, tavernas and bars close by. You can step into the life of the Old Town without sleeping on its busiest waterfront.

This is an aparthotel built around privacy and independence rather than hotel theatrics. The recently renovated apartments combine a sitting area, kitchenette, private bathroom and air conditioning, while daily housekeeping and concierge support keep the practical side from becoming a second job. English is spoken by the team, alongside Greek and Spanish, so you will be understood from the start.

You are in Chania Town, Greece, in the Old Town rather than on the beach itself. The Old Venetian Harbour is about 400 metres away, close enough for a post-dive wander before dinner, while Koum Kapi Beach is roughly 0.5 miles away. Nea Chora Beach is around 0.9 miles on foot, giving you another option when you want a proper stretch of sand and sea.

The immediate surroundings are built for walking. Mitropoleos Square, the Folklore Museum and the town's historic Venetian and Ottoman landmarks are nearby, with the Archaeological Museum around 0.9 miles away. Bars and cafés sit within a few minutes' walk, and the harbour, shops, bakeries, restaurants and transport access points are all part of the same urban day rather than separate excursions.

The ground-floor Deluxe One-Bedroom Apartment suits a couple who want a compact, self-contained base with a calm feel and access to a small shared courtyard. Its living area and sofa bed also make it workable for a small group, though the layout is more about clever use of space than spreading out like a starfish. The One-Bedroom Loft Apartment with Balcony is the more natural choice for up to four guests: the bedroom sits upstairs, while the lower level holds the living area, kitchenette and bathroom, with a private terrace looking over the Old Town.

Either way, you have the useful kit for real life rather than just a bed and a decorative chair. The kitchenette includes a dining table, coffee machine, kettle and microwave, while the minibar and tea and coffee facilities cover the first drink without a hunt through unfamiliar streets. A sofa and seating area give you somewhere to sit with a book or a television on, and the private bathroom has both a shower and bath.

Air conditioning and heating cover the changing Crete forecast, and soundproofing matters when your neighbours are returning from dinner later than you are. The apartments are non-smoking, with tiled or marble floors, a private entrance and a safety deposit box. Upper floors are reached by stairs only, so the loft rewards you with its terrace but asks for a little more legwork with luggage.

Breakfast is available in Continental and American styles, giving you a straightforward start before heading out for the day. Back in the apartment, the kitchenette lets you keep food and drinks on hand, with a microwave, kettle, coffee machine, dining table and minibar. That is particularly handy when a full restaurant meal feels like an unnecessary expedition after a long day in the water.

The evening table is Chania itself. Local cafés, tavernas, restaurants and bars fill the lanes around Splanzia Square and the harbour, so you can choose between a quick drink, a proper sit-down meal or something bought locally and eaten in. Deux Lux is about 700 feet away on foot, while Chania Irish Pub Conor Pass and Kibar: the Monastery of Karolos are also within a few minutes' walk. No complicated resort timetable to memorise; just put on a shirt and follow the street.

The strongest leisure feature here is the town outside your door. Walking tours and tours about local culture are available, with cooking classes, cycling, horse riding, hiking and fishing also offered as activities around Chania. Snorkelling is available off site as well. These are useful choices for a non-diving day, particularly if one of you wants an outing and the other would prefer to keep the afternoon at a slower pace.

For an easier evening, the property has outdoor furniture, a patio and a terrace, while some accommodation includes a balcony with city views. You can sit outside with coffee, let the Old Town provide the background noise and avoid turning every day into a programme. The concierge can help with local recommendations, transport arrangements, activities, restaurant suggestions and day planning, which is exactly the sort of assistance that saves time when you would rather be looking at a map than wrestling with it.

There is free WiFi throughout, a flat-screen TV with cable channels and a private, soundproofed setting for the occasional decision to do absolutely nothing. Pets are welcome on request, and children of any age can stay; a cot is available for infants aged up to three years on request.

Chania International Airport is about 8 miles away by road. An airport shuttle and a separate shuttle service are available to arrange with the property, and car hire is also offered. Private check-in and check-out keep arrival flexible, with check-in from 15:00 until midnight and check-out by 11:00. You need to tell the property your arrival time in advance, which is sensible for an apartment tucked into an Old Town alley rather than a large reception lobby.

The central setting works best if you plan to walk once you arrive. The accommodation has no on-site parking, so a hire car needs more thought than it would at a roadside resort. Upper-floor apartments are accessible by stairs only, and there are no extra beds; a cot can be requested for a young child, subject to the accommodation option. Smoking is not permitted, and parties or events are not allowed.

Daily housekeeping, concierge assistance, towels, linen, toiletries and a hairdryer are included in the practical picture. Free WiFi, air conditioning, heating, ironing facilities and a private bathroom make the apartments easy to use for a longer town stay, while the kitchenette gives you control over breakfast, snacks and the first coffee of the day.