A unique experience designed for couples, La Maison Ottomane opened as a bed-and-breakfast in 2014 after the owners renovated their own Chania home. From the outside, the building is typical of early 1600s Venetian design, featuring beige walls and wrought-iron accents. Guests enter through a lovely, rustic courtyard with a few wooden tables and chairs for a peaceful repose. But stepping inside is like being transported to another time and place. The house is beautifully decorated in the style of the Ottoman Empire, with colorful walls, plenty of period artwork, and gorgeous hand-selected furniture. While some of the antique furnishings do show the wear of their age, they are polished to gleaming and everything is well-maintained. This extends to the three richly and individually decorated suites. The owners also receive consistent praise for their personalized and warm service. 

La Maison Ottomane is nestled among winding streets in the Old Venetian Harbor area of Chania, Crete. It is a popular area where tourists often walk the city streets and visit a variety of restaurants, museums, and shops, all within 15 minutes of the hotel by foot. It is a three-minute walk to the harbor and five minutes to the city center of Chania. The nearest beach is a 10-minute walk, though a more popular beach area for tourists is Nea Chora, which is a 25-minute walk, or a 10-minute drive. The ferry from the mainland comes into Port Souda, which is a 16-minute drive from the hotel. The airport is 25 minutes away by car. A rarity for the area, La Maison Ottomane has a couple of on-site parking spots.

The three guest suites are each individually and artfully decorated to feel like a page out of history. An incredible level of detail and careful selection of colors, artwork, antique furnishings, and ornamentation creates a feeling of staying in someone’s upscale home…a few hundred years ago. Double beds have decadent headboards and sumptuous linens, plus each room has a seating area -- or a separate living room in the Constantinople suite -- and a desk holding a flat-screen TV and a tablet with free Wi-Fi access. The Aisha room also includes a private furnished terrace.

Bathrooms have marble wainscoting, beautiful light fixtures, and more period artwork. The Aisha and Constantinople suites have modern shower stalls and the Roxelane Suite has a striking bathtub with a rainfall showerhead. Modern amenities are present and blend nicely into the design scheme; an electronic safe, espresso machine (with free coffee and tea), and minibar are tucked into wardrobes so as not to contend with the historical atmosphere. Cozy bathrobes and slippers are also provided. The Aisha and Roxelane suites are 375 square feet each (35 square meters) and the larger, two-story Constantinople Suite measures 538 square feet (50 square meters). Each sleeps two guests. 

Though La Maison Ottomane lacks typical hotel amenities such as a spa or full restaurant, guests rave about the breakfast offerings and hospitality of the owners. A free quality breakfast of cooked-to-order eggs, yogurt, muesli, pastries, and fruit is served in the outdoor garden (or in-room during inclement weather) whenever guests are ready to eat. Tables set with white linens and fine china lend a sophisticated air to the garden setting. Throughout the day, guests may also be served refreshments, wine, and spirits in the garden. 

The owners strive to cater to guests needs wherever possible. They are very knowledgeable about Chania and surrounding areas and make well-received recommendations regularly. Parking is difficult to find in the narrow streets of the city, but La Maison has a couple of free spots available for guests. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property.