Places to stay in Nafplio and Chania

In Chania check out Pension Nora or Pension Jason. They are across an alley from each other. Both are modest places but have good reputations. They are near Theotokopoulou street which is perfect for quick access tot eh main harbour but far enough away to be quiet at night.
Parking is free on street and in a small lot at the end of the street right at the seashore. Let me restate Theo street is pedestrian only the free parking is on the street parallel to the city wall along the seashore.

In Nafplio we stayed at Pension Elainie. It is high up over the town and there is a free parking lot 100 meters away. I don't have any images of Elaine any more but you can see Nora and Jason in this album of theo street.
Chania http://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr54/sets/72157632117917828/

Theotokopoulou St area http://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr54/sets/72157632118491316/

I second Stanbr's Chania choices and add one of my own, on same lovely "lane" but closer to the sea -- The Palazzo Hotel ...despite name it's not a palace, just a tastefully upgraded Venetian mansion with lovely balconies looking onto Theotokopoulu and to the right, the seafront. Its (aging) owner apparently sold to a hotel group, and the rooms have been refurbished, & rates up about 15% but still lovely setting & location -- there seems to be a glitch in accessing the group websited but this website shows the place & area -- https://www.booking.com/hotel/gr/palazzo-old-town-chania.html -- ... front balconies are the best, but it also has a lovely roof terrace for all. it's right at the sea end of street, so you just walk down a concrete "ramp" to parking in a lot right by the water. On Trip Advisor website the "traveler photos" give good idea of rooms and views.

We stayed at Iason Studios (Jason) off of Theotokopolou St. Nothing fancy, but clean, safe centrally located studio and small balcony overlooking a lane with views of Venetian-era buildings.

Good owner, great prices (off-season) and a wonderful place to base yourself for walking all around Chania Old Town (& New Town) just a short walk away.

Lots of options but anywhere on or near Thetokopolou St would be wonderful.

I stayed at Hotel Leto in Nafplio when the original "George" owned it and it was simply lovely with nice views of the bay, Bourzi Castle and the town. However, I've heard there is a new owner and may not be as good as it used to.

I've heard good things about Marianna but haven't stayed there.

Tommy you got that right! It's now "Nuevo Leto" ... and "moderne" decor which means black & white fake leather, and cheap foam-rubber settees. New Owners closed in that lovely breakfast terrace, but not even with large glass (plexiglass?) windows, small ones with aluminum dividers ... it now has all the charm of a high-school cafeteria. Instead of George bringing you a huge pot of wonderful strong coffee and a croissant & yogurt, there is a "ugh" breakfast "buffet" of stone-cold eggs and a coffee machine that mixes powdered nescafe w boiling water. Nobody's ever at the desk ... and maybe, one day, there will be nobody in the rooms! I only stayed because I'd made the reservation before the turn-over, but no more. If one wants to be above the town, looking down & doesn't want to try Pension Eleni, that little parking square up there has Pension Nikolaos as well. Currently I agree with the editor of http://www.visitnafplio.com that Hotel Agammemnon is best choice in town... a bit more than the high-above places, but it's right on that open square where the seafront "cafe row" begins, and is about the Only non-luxe hotel in Nafplio with seaview balconies.

Hi Janet:
That's too bad about Leto . . . it was really a nice place and the owner and his family were fabulous. I remember George serving breakfast on the terrace which was included in a very low price for the two of us. Well appointed room with balcony overlooking the bay, Bourtzi Castle and surrounding homes.

I'm glad I had an opportunity to stay there before the change. In fact it was your recommendation that convinced me!

I hope to get back to Nafplio but will have to look elsewhere for a place to stay . . . in the meantime other wonderful areas of Greece are calling me!

Thanks for the replies! I almost booked Leto dodged a bullet I guess! I've booked two places I was lucky enough to get into a room at Aetoma in Nafplio which I'm fired up about! And the other hotel in old town Chania is called hotel Off... It looks nice but I'm still browsing a bit. I've also decided to do three nights in a different village in Crete does anyone have a suggestion? I'm browsing down south, getting closer to Elefonissi yet not completely devoid of other humans sounds good to me. Some trails would be cool too. Thanks again!

If you are interested in Elafonissi then you might want to consider getting a hotel in Paleochora. Its a lovely small town with ferry connections all along that south coast villages, There is also a day boat that does an excursion to Elafonissi.

Personally I would choose the village of Sougia. Its tiny but relaxed and has at least three wonderful tavernas. Sougia is on the ferry route I mentioned above. Both Paleochora and Sougia are on direct bus routes from Chania about a 2 hour drive over the mountains.

This are is hiking central in South Crete.
Ferry trip Libyan Sea https://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr54/sets/72157653434073393
Crete Libyan Sea villages https://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr54/sets/72157645487373222/
Sougia https://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr54/sets/72157653311291723

Sougia looks nice a little far but not too bad! Do you know much about Innachori? I think 10/8 I'll book the ferry to Gramvousa and Balos and from there go to the next village on our tour hence question about Innachori. I am also looking in Athens from 10/11-10/15 almost impulsively booked Grande Bretagne but 1950 through Costco made my wallet a little too heavy.

Hi Harrington,

We stayed at Aetoma in 2010, and it was lovely. The breakfast could keep you going all day. Not only large and varied, but highest quality, as well.
In Chania, this year, we stayed at the Alcanea Hotel. The staff are extraordinarily helpful, and the location is super. Our room was sparkling clean, with a good-sized bathroom. You can order anything off the cafe menu for breakfast. Everything we tried was delicious.

Unfortunately, I was too late for Alcanea. If you have any other tips for Crete I'd love to hear them.

Innachori - a little cluster of very tiny old traditional settlements, not even big enough to be called villages really! In a beautiful mountainous rural setting, Elos is the most known of the villages, surrounded by chestnut trees.

I will recommend Milia to you in this region - it is an eco-village, built on the site of an old tiny hamlet, all made in stone, full of rustic character. Amazing food grown on the premises. all natural, very remote, yet less than half an hour's drive to Elafonisi. Be prepared for a long drive on a rough dirt track. be prepared for low lighting (it's all off-grid), be prepared for something very memorable. Simplest way to describe it to say you won't get a 'skinny decaf latte moccachino' but you will get the best ever Cretan mountain tea!

Or Sfinari might suit you - it's a sweet little beach place on the West coast, between Falasarna, Balos & Elafonisi.

Also look at the Amphora in Chania

Wow Milia is stunning! I'll have to run it by my lady but I could totally see us there! Thanks for the tip... I'm looking into Sougia as well. I booked the Electra Palace in Athens so this is my last booking! I'll be so relieved to get off TripAdvisor