Hotels Near Lake Omalos in Anatolikos Selinos

I knew as soon as I heard goats with their little bells on that I’d like this place. Quiet, quaint, country accomodation on the way to Samaria Gorge. The family who run it were all lovely, and mum even made me up a picnic to take on the hike before dad gave us a lift to the starting point. Maybe it’s because it never happens back home, but I ordered a beer downstairs upon arrival, and got given free olives - that made my absolute day and, though previously incorruptible, my loyalty was bought instantly and totally. I also had the rabbit fry up thingo, which tasted great, although the salad itself was even better, though it curse my carnivorous tongue to say it. The bedroom had a great balcony for looking out over the green and rocky hills. Bed was super comfy, and it actually was a little colder way up in the Omalos elevation (in June) which made sleep come very easily for those like me who run hot. Big fluffy blanket in the cupboard though for those of you who like to be warmer. The bathroom is a bit small and being on the tall end of the height spectrum I had to be wary not to knock myself out on the hand basin when using the toilet. But if you’re under 6 foot you’ll patting your genetics on their small back. The building is relatively old so expect to hear some footfalls as other guests go past your room, but other than that, blissfully quiet overnight. The daughter of the family speaks really good English which helped a couple times, when regretfully I seemed to have forgotten all my Greek (which I rudely hadn’t learned prior to arriving). I can’t recommend this homely hotel enough, so if you’re on your way to hike the gorge, park your car here and stay the night. Then stay in Agia Romelli at the very end of the hike. Then come back to Omalos the next day and get some home style cooking back into your weary body. Or whatever floats your ferry.

We arrived in beautiful Chania and were dropped off on the main road opposite the little track up to the Nireas. I had read TA reviews so knew to expect that Christos, the owner, would offer us a room upgrade but we were happy with our original room which was Apt 24 on the ground floor with a fantastic large balcony opening straight onto the pool area. We paid €5 a night for air con which was really powerful, and €10 for the safe. The room was dated but more than adequate for us as we are used to Greek accommodation. There were 2 beds pushed together and then a single bed near the door which my son slept in. There was a 2 ring hob, microwave and kettle and basic utensils but we only ate breakfast in the apartment so it was more than enough. I think you would struggle to conjure up a Cordon Bleu meal though but with so many fabulous restaurants on the doorstep, it wasn’t a worry for us. There were a few things that made us chuckle…. the apartment door had been hung the wrong way so the handle was inside the room and not on the outside 🤣 and the usual Greek plumbing scenario with the shower head on the wall but the shower screen on the other side of the shower meaning the floor got soaked 🫣 but hey, it’s Greece 🇬🇷 The maid came in every day except a Sunday and the sheets/towels were changed regularly. There was a drying rack on the patio for hanging wet beach stuff up. Plenty of socket points and the beds were super comfy. The pool area was quiet but we only used it in the afternoons once we came back from the beach. There were always sunbeds and Christos was either there or available by WhatsApp. The WiFi worked fine in our rooms and by the pool. Kato Doratso is a residential suburb just 4km outside of Chania so a perfect location for us. Just down the little road from the hotel is a supermarket on the corner for all your essentials/bottles of water. There were 4 beaches within walking distance and we chose Sunset Beach due to the stunning clear water. It’s a bay so no tide and it was shallow for a great way out meaning our son could happily swim and play without us worrying too much. There was a bar on the beach and the owner did a mean Freddo Cappuccino ☕️ 👌🏽 You could buy salads, hot snacks and sandwiches, ice creams, crisps and drinks there. There were also chargeable sunbeds and parasols and you could hire a kayak or paddle board. There was another shop near the start of the hotels to the left of the bay. We bought a couple of parasols from the shop and lay on the beach. It was full of local families and we thoroughly enjoyed mixing with them. The bus into Chania is the #21. Come out of the hotel, down onto the main road and take a right along the path. Just past the car garage there’s a bus stop and a ticket machine. You need the exact change and it’s €1.10 each into town (€2 if you pay on the bus) When you are is in Chania, as you get off, there’s a ticket machine and a kiosk to buy return tickets and you can catch the bus back

Excellent small hotel. Recommended All the staff were great but a special mention to Eleni & Vicki on reception who were a great source of local information, happy to chat and always gave a warm welcome Breakfasts were really good with a selection of hot & cold food. Loved the fresh orange juice , the homemade cakes and avacado cheese tomato on toast Pool pretty small but there aren’t loads of guests so no problem getting a sun bed. Pool towels provided Room was very clean with linen, towels changed every few days. Best shower I’ve ever experienced in Greece. Coffee maker but would have liked a kettle as well Pita Griil (recommended) & small supermarket just over the road. Sandy beach, more supermarkets restaurants 200 yards with a frequent bus service to Chania Town for 1.5 euro

Location, driving for an hour and a half from the port of Crete, in the mountains, steeper, rent a car. . Because this town is relatively remote, we walked down the town and I was with my husband and two Asians. The outside of the hotel looked very clean. After entering, the facilities were old and there were electric fans. The keys are also very personal, there are no toiletries, the bathroom is small, and the breakfast is not very rich. Driving from the pink beach for an hour and a half, the straight line is relatively close, but the mountain is slower. The hotel is also on the beach, the sea breeze is big and slightly cold.