OUR STORY

Palazzo del Rettore was born within the bones of a 14th-century Venetian residence in the Old Harbor of Chania. Standing on the fortified hill of Kastelli, in the heart of Chania's Old Town, Palazzo del Rettore is one of the city's most emblematic historical monuments. Built upon the Byzantine walls that once protected the harbor, the residence served during the Venetian period as the home of the Venetian governor, or Rettore, while also safeguarding the archives of the city. Following the Ottoman conquest in 1645, the palace became the residence of the Turkish Pasha, leading to the addition of the upper floor that remains part of the building today. Having endured centuries of change and even the destruction of World War II, the Palazzo continues to stand as a living witness to the history of Chania and Crete.

ROOTED IN
CHANIA.

DEFINED BY
CRETE.

As a family, we wished to approach its restoration with deep respect for its identity, preserving what time had carefully left behind and reinterpreting what had been lost. Original materials and textures were protected, while outdoor, interior, and architectural details were carefully reproduced by hand. Exceptional attention was given to handcrafted furniture and bespoke pieces designed exclusively for the hotel, offering a premium living experience. In this process, we learned the art of contrast: simplicity and splendor, instinct and design, tradition and transformation. From this balance grew our vision to redefine boutique hospitality in Chania through emotion, precision, and a strong sense of place.

FOR THOSE WHO CHOOSE TO STAY DIFFERENTLY

You travel for the feeling a place leaves behind, not just the destination. You choose moments that stay with you. The quiet in-between ones, the way a stay feels when you stop rushing and start noticing. In Chania’s Old Harbor, that way of traveling becomes natural. At Palazzo del Rettore, we create space for it, within a historic Venetian residence shaped by privacy, intimacy, and modern comforts. A boutique stay, ideal for couples, small families, and friends who value connection over movement, and atmosphere over routine.