Lidra Rooms on Crete

While volunteering on the island of Crete in October 2015, I took a bus from Heraklion and spent a wonderful weekend in Chania.

I stayed at Lidra Rooms (Sarpaki 3, Chania, Crete 731 32, Greece; phone +30 698 319 6039, www.lidrarooms.gr) on Mitropoleos Square, just five minutes from the Old Town Venetian Harbour and numerous shops and waterfront restaurants.

I booked the room through the hotel’s website while in Heraklion. It cost $35 (cash only) and included a kitchenette and a modern, private bath stocked with locally sourced olive oil and honey toiletries! The hot water was wonderful after having showered in cold or lukewarm water at a hostel in Heraklion.

In addition to a TV and free Wi-Fi, the room had a balcony that overlooked the narrow walkway between buildings and the table umbrellas for the restaurants below. (Visitors can ask for a room with a balcony at the front, if they’d like to overlook the square and the Cathedral of the Presentation of the Virgin Mary.) There also was a rooftop sun terrace.

Please note that there was no elevator, and Lidra Rooms occupy the second and third floors up a steep staircase. In addition, the cathedral’s bells started chiming about 7 a.m., so if you’re a late sleeper…

Ms. C.B. COGSWELL

Raleigh, NC