Margarita Markantonaki, the Managing Director of Casa Delfino Hotel & Spa
Casa Delfino Hotel & Spa is a luxurious boutique hotel situated in the heart of Chania’s Old Town, Crete, Greece. Blending historical charm with modern luxury, the hotel provides a one-of-a-kind and tailored experience for its guests. As a proud member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World, it stands out for its impeccable service, friendly staff, and outstanding hospitality.
We interviewed Margarita Markantonaki, the Managing Director and a sixth-generation descendant, to learn more about Casa Delfino Hotel’s rich family legacy.
Private roof terrace with spectacular views /
© Christos Drazos Photography
Pebbled mosaic courtyard /
© Christos Drazos Photography
Q: Where is the Casa Delfino Hotel & Spa located?
Casa Delfino Hotel & Spa is in the heart of the Old Venetian Harbour in Chania, Crete, providing easy access to local attractions and stunning coastal views. The hotel is situated 17 km from Chania International Airport and 7 km from Souda Bay Port.
Q: What is the history behind the Casa Delfino Hotel & Spa?
Casa Delfino is housed in a 17th-century Venetian mansion, carefully preserved to maintain its historical charm. Owned and operated by the Delfino family, the hotel carries on their long-standing tradition of hospitality. Originally the private residence of the Delfino family, the mansion was transformed into a luxury hotel in 1989 by a fifth-generation descendant.
Q: Crete has a rich history; how does Casa Delfino Hotel & Spa incorporate that into a guest’s experience?
Casa Delfino consists of four buildings, two of which were built in the 17th century by the Venetians and two by the Turks in the 18th century. We have a suite which features an authentic hammam from the 18th century. Surrounding the buildings of Casa Delfino, you can see the original stone arches, as well as the only stone trough from that period, which has survived in the Old Town since the 18th century.
Q: What experiences can guests expect when staying there?
Guests at Casa Delfino will find a mix of historical elegance and modern comfort. The 17th-century mansion features traditional Venetian architecture and detailed restoration. The decor combines antique charm with contemporary luxury, captivating guests with its intricate marble staircases, elegant furnishings, and preserved architectural elements.
Our boutique hotel is known for its outstanding service, with dedicated staff enhancing guests’ experiences and attending to their needs warmly and professionally. Guests can relax in the tranquil mosaic courtyard surrounded by lush greenery or enjoy a tailored spa treatment for complete relaxation.
The hotel’s prime location on Theofanous Street is ideal for exploration. It’s a short walk to the charming narrow streets of the Old Town, where visitors can find local shops, tavernas, and historical landmarks.
Guests can discover beautiful beaches nearby such as Nea Chora Beach, Balos, and Elafonisi Beach, or take advantage of private tours organized by the hotel’s concierge service.
Q: What languages are spoken by the staff?
Greek, English, French and German.
Each suite showcases style and sophistication with unique charm / © Christos Drazos Photography
Q: What types of accommodations do you offer?
Casa Delfino offers elegant accommodations, from cozy rooms to spacious suites, merging traditional architecture with modern comfort. Each room blends modern and classical décor, highlighting the mansion’s architectural heritage.
There are 24 high-quality suites, including 2-bedroom and 1-bedroom deluxe suites, standard suites, penthouse suites, executive suites and a honeymoon suite. All suites are very spacious, have air conditioning and feature modern marble bathrooms.
Q: What hotel amenities do you offer?
The hotel provides an array of amenities to elevate the guest experience. Highlights include a luxurious spa, a rooftop terrace offering panoramic views of the old harbour and city—ideal for an evening cocktail—and a beautifully landscaped courtyard. The hotel also features a cozy library for book lovers and complimentary Wi-Fi throughout the property. Guests can enjoy on-site private parking, concierge services for planning excursions, as well as dry cleaning, laundry service, ironing, and turndown services. A rich breakfast buffet rounds out the offerings, ensuring a comfortable and memorable stay.
Casa Delfino’s courtyard is a romantic oasis for guests to read, relax, and enjoy tranquility / © Christos Drazos Photography
Q: How do you ensure sustainability and reduce the hotel’s environmental impact?
All the staff are locals. We are enthusiastic about recycling and not wasting food. We also use solar panels.
Q: How accessible is Casa Delfino for guests with mobility issues?
Casa Delfino Hotel & Spa presents some challenges for guests with mobility issues. The hotel is in a 17th-century mansion with multiple floors, and many rooms require navigating stairs. The property does have an elevator only for the signature suites as well as the roof terrace.
For guests considering a stay at Casa Delfino with mobility concerns, it is strongly recommended to contact the hotel directly to discuss specific needs and room options.
Homemade breakfast served in the lovely courtyard / © Christos Drazos Photography
Q: Are there any dining options on-site?
Yes, Casa Delfino features a delightful courtyard where guests can enjoy a freshly prepared breakfast, and the rooftop bar offers a selection of drinks and light snacks throughout the day. Additionally, we provide 24-hour room service and have a coffee shop.
Q: What would you say is the go-to food choice of your guests and why?
Our breakfast dishes are all homemade. My mother’s granola and lemon pie are a particular favourite and are to die for!
Q: How does your rooftop terrace enhance the guest experience?
Our rooftop terraces offer stunning panoramic views of Chania’s Old Town, providing guests with exclusivity and a memorable experience. The rooftop lounge is perfect for relaxation, reading, or enjoying the atmosphere, creating a personal oasis that’s especially appealing in the post-Covid era as travellers seek outdoor spaces and fresh air.
Q: Is Casa Delfino Hotel & Spa suitable for families with children?
Absolutely. Casa Delfino welcomes families and provides family rooms that offer ample space and comfort for guests travelling with children. The hotel staff is attentive and accommodating, offering babysitting services on request to ensure that families have a pleasant and enjoyable stay. The location is also ideal for families, with easy access to various family-friendly attractions and activities.
Q: What spa treatment is your favourite? Would you recommend it to your guests?
For people who love deep tissue massage, our spa is the place to be!
Golf cart service is provided upon arrival and departure /
© Christos Drazos Photography
A relaxing massage at the onsite spa /
© Christos Drazos Photography
Q: What kind of activities or tours can guests book through Casa Delfino?
Guests at Casa Delfino can book a variety of activities and tours to enhance their stay in Chania, Crete. Here are some of the options available:
Casa Delfino offers guided walking tours of Chania’s Old Venetian Town. These tours explore the town’s rich history and cultural heritage, including Venetian fortifications, the Arsenals, 18th-century cathedrals, the Etz Hayyim Synagogue, and the atmospheric Turkish quarter.
Guests can book excursions to hike through famous gorges like the Samaria Gorge, one of Europe’s longest and most impressive gorges. This six-hour trek offers breathtaking landscapes and ends at Agia Roumeli, a quaint fishing village accessible only by boat.
Mountain bikes can be hired for cycling along scenic routes like the Theriso gorge, available from April to October.
Casa Delfino can arrange cooking classes and gastronomy tours, allowing guests to explore local cuisine and culinary traditions.
Special photographic walks are available for those interested in capturing the beauty of Chania and its surroundings.
Guests can book guided road trips to explore Crete’s inland areas, including alpine flora tours.
Casa Delfino can arrange boat cruises to nearby islands, such as Kri Kri island, offering opportunities for snorkeling and exploring wrecks.
The hotel also facilitates sports activities like scuba diving and horseback riding, with some activities available nearby.
Enjoying a cocktail in the courtyard / © Christos Drazos Photography
Q: How do you personalize experiences for repeat guests?
We know them well…what they drink, what they eat, all their habits…which room is their favourite…they send us postcards and we feel as if they are part of the family. We have guests who visit us every year for more than 20 years.
Q: What’s the most unusual or special request you’ve ever fulfilled for a guest?
In general, we have a lot of special requests…but we try to accommodate even the (most peculiar) strangest thing that a guest might ask for!
Q: What’s the funniest or most heartwarming staff story you’ve encountered?
A heartwarming fact about the Casa Delfino is that our staff are like a family. If ever one of us needs assistance, there is always someone to help out. In this way we can continue to provide our guests with genuine (Cretan) hospitality.
Q: Let’s have a little fun, what’s the strangest lost-and-found item the hotel has ever had?
Once, we had some visitors who left 50.000 euros in their safety box! There are others who have forgotten their passports in the safety box or clothes in the wardrobe.
Narrow alleys of the Old Town / © Christos Drazos Photography
Q: What’s the biggest challenge in running this hotel that guests don’t realize?
We are a great team with wonderful guests and we love what we do, so I wouldn’t call it a challenge at all! I love every part of it; from operations to revenue and sales but especially interacting with our guests, sharing our family history and also the history of our beautiful town.
The maintenance of a 17th century building takes a lot of work so I would say that is a challenge in itself. As the Casa Delfino is a property dating back to the 17th century, I would say maintenance work is the biggest challenge for myself and the team, as even the simplest of jobs/things can be complicated.
Q: What’s the most rewarding part of managing this hotel?
I would say knowing that our guests are happy and enjoying their stay has to be the most rewarding part of running Casa Delfino, especially when they relay to us that it has been their best experience in Greece/it has been the highlight of their visit to Greece. The building itself is unique and there is an amazing aura in the courtyard.
Q: Is there anything else you’d like to add?
Casa Delfino is a place with a soul.
A few days ago, my son who is 4 years old, along with his classmates, visited Casa Delfino for a treat and I asked them if they knew what a hotel was and if they had ever stayed in a hotel. My son replied that a hotel is a place which has a soul 🙂
