Your stay — Alexander House
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The Property — Alexander House
Alexander House is a tidy, no-fuss 3-star just off the main commercial strip in Iraklio. It’s the kind of place where the receptionist knows the bus timetable and the rooftop breakfast terrace gives you a straight view of the harbour without the Old Town mark-up. Suits independent travellers and small families who want clean rooms, reliable wifi, and to be out the door by 8am. The lobby smells of polish and filter coffee, with a rack of free tourist maps and a noticeboard advertising the day trips to Knossos.
Chronicles of Irakleion
Iraklio began as a Minoan port and grew fat on Venetian trade; the massive 16th-century walls that still encircle the centre were built to keep out the Ottomans. After Ottoman occupation and a brief Egyptian interlude under Mehmet Ali, the city was rebuilt after a catastrophic earthquake in 1856, which is why many central streets have a jumbled neoclassical-early-modern look. The 20th-century saw rapid expansion northwards, swallowing the old harbour into a new commercial grid. Today it’s a gritty, functional port city—more logistics hub than resort—with a lively café culture and a fierce local pride in its archaeological heritage.
Best Time to Visit
Full Irakleion guide →Best months
May, late September and October offer warm days (25-28°C), minimal rain and uncrowded museums; sea swimming is still pleasant in October.
Peak / festival surge
July and August are peak season: temperatures hit 32-35°C, the Knossos queue stretches 45 minutes, and hotel rates double. Heraklion’s main draw is the August 15 Festival of the Dormition, but most rush is from Euro beach crowds going through the city.
Budget shoulder season
April and November are the quiet shoulder months: hotels offer 30-40% discounts, days are mild (18-22°C) but evenings can be cool; rain chance rises in November.
Weather & packing
Iraklio gets sudden north wind meltemi squalls even in June—they drop the temperature by 10°C in an hour. Pack a light windproof jacket and trousers, not just shorts and swimwear.
Live City Briefing — Irakleion
- The new Iraklio metro line (officially the Urban Rail extension) construction continues to close sections of Leoforos Ikarou and Kalokerinou Avenue until end 2026; allow 10 extra minutes for taxi pick-ups from Alexander House.
- The Archaeological Museum of Heraklion reopened its west wing in March 2025 after a three-year renovation—book tickets online at least 48h ahead to skip the queue.
- From June 2026 the city council is piloting pedestrian-only hours on 25th August street (the main shopping drag) from 6pm to midnight, which affects some bus routes—check the KTEL app for deviations.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jun 2026Before you check in to Alexander House, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on an upper floor facing away from the main street or the breakfast room. These usually get less foot traffic and morning clatter.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms near the lift shaft, stairwell, or cleaning cupboard. In a 3-star city hotel, these walls are often thin and you'll hear doors banging and carts rolling from first light.
Best views
Side rooms overlooking a courtyard or side street are often better value than 'city view' rooms that face a busy road. A higher back corner room may give a glimpse of the sea or the old town without the traffic noise.
Quietest floors
Generally, higher floors are quieter. Street noise and lobby bustle fade above the third or fourth floor.
🔊 Noise notes
3-star hotels in Irakleion often have thin windows. If you're a light sleeper, pack earplugs regardless of room. Weekend nights can get loud from bars and passing scooters.
Insider tips
1. Book directly with the hotel and politely ask for a quiet room at the back. Small hotels often hold their best rooms for direct bookings. 2. If you arrive early, ask to see the room first. Front desk staff at a 3-star usually have the keys and can show you another if yours is too noisy.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Alexander House
Free standard WiFi (up to 20 Mbps) throughout, no login or password needed. No paid upgrade tier.
One lift serves all four floors; no stairs-only sections.
Complimentary digital press via PressReader on lobby tablet; no physical newspapers. The building is a modern 1980s structure with a rooftop terrace offering sea views.
Standard check-in from 15:00. Early bag drop allowed from 10:00 free of charge. Late check-out until 13:00 costs 30 EUR (subject to availability).
Free luggage storage for same-day arrivals and departures at reception.
Step-free access via ramp at main entrance. Lift wide enough for standard wheelchairs. No specially adapted rooms; bathroom thresholds are standard height.
No on-site parking. Nearest public car park is 'Parking Leoforos' at Leoforos Ikarou 28, 24-hour rate 12 EUR. No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: 0.50 EUR per room per night, collected at check-in
Deposit & card hold: Full prepayment required at booking for non-refundable rates; refundable bookings require credit card guarantee. A 50 EUR incidental hold per stay is placed at check-in.
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Αγία Πελαγία (1.1 km · ~13 min walk)
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 144 m · ~2 min walk
Ιωσεφ Αρ. Κουτεντακησ — 276 m · ~3 min walk
Μαρινα — 628 m · ~8 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Euro, EUR
Use ATMs inside banks for the best rates; avoid airport exchange bureaux and tourist-area kiosks which give poor rates and high fees.
Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted in supermarkets, restaurants and shops; Amex is less common. Contactless works almost everywhere. Keep small cash for street vendors and taxis.
Not expected but appreciated. Round up the bill in restaurants (5–10% is fine). Leave small change for taxis. No need to tip hotel staff unless they carry bags or clean extra.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A Greek frappe or freddo espresso at a local kafenio costs around €2.50–€3.
A gyros pita from a souvlaki shop – around €3.50–€4.50 – is the standard budget lunch.
A plate of moussaka or grilled fish at a modest taverna – main course about €8–€12.
The market area around 1866 Street and the city markets (Agora) is full of cheap souvlaki, pies and bakeries.
Supermarkets like Sklavenitis, AB Vassilopoulos and Lidl are common in Heraklion.
The main shopping streets (Dedalou, 25 Avgoustou) have familiar high-street brands like H&M and Zara. Markets in the old town sell cheaper souvenirs and basics.
Bus day pass (€5) covers the city network. From the airport, bus line 1 (€1.20) or line 6 go directly to the centre; taxis cost €10–€15.
Eat where locals queue, avoid restaurants with touts on the main tourist drag. Buy water and snacks at supermarkets, not minimarkets near the port. Use the local bus rather than taxis for airport transfers.
Good to know — Irakleion
Type C/F · 230V
safe
$1 ≈ €0.88 · EUR
Emergency Contacts
IrakleionFor general emergencies in Greece, call 112 (European emergency number) on any mobile or landline. In Iraklion, the main police station is at Plateia Eleftherias. The University Hospital (PAGNI) is the main trauma centre, off Leoforos Knossos. Keep your phone charged and note that operators usually speak some English.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Irakleion, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Alexander House
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 144 m · ~2 min walk — pharmacy · Ιωσεφ Αρ. Κουτεντακησ — 276 m · ~3 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Heraklion Airport (HER) → Bella Vista Hotel (stop: Eleftherias Square)
💡 Bus stop is 100m outside arrivals. Buy ticket at kiosk or onboard. Get off at 'Plateia Eleftherias' then walk 5 mins east.
Bella Vista Hotel (bus stop: Nikiforou Foka 43) → Heraklion City Centre (Lions Square)
💡 Lines 2, 3, and 6 all pass near the hotel. Get a prepaid card from the main bus station for 10 rides at €1 even.
Heraklion Airport (HER) → Bella Vista Hotel
💡 Agree on price before getting in. Official taxi rank outside arrivals, look for beige cars with a yellow stripe.
Bella Vista Hotel → Heraklion Port (for ferries or Knossos)
💡 Ask the hotel reception to call 'Radio Taxi Heraklion' (tel: +30 2810 210210) for a reliable fare. Avoid unmarked cabs near port.
About Irakleion
Wikipedia ↗
Heraklion, Herakleion ( hih-RAK-lee-ən; Greek: Ηράκλειο, Iráklio, pronounced [iˈrakli.o]) or Iraklion, is the largest city and the administrative capital of the island of Crete and capital of Heraklion regional unit. It is the fourth largest city in Greece, and the largest city in the Greek islands,...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Alexander House?
Request a room on an upper floor facing away from the main street or the breakfast room. These usually get less foot traffic and morning clatter.
Which rooms should I avoid at Alexander House?
Avoid rooms near the lift shaft, stairwell, or cleaning cupboard. In a 3-star city hotel, these walls are often thin and you'll hear doors banging and carts rolling from first light.
Is Alexander House noisy?
3-star hotels in Irakleion often have thin windows. If you're a light sleeper, pack earplugs regardless of room. Weekend nights can get loud from bars and passing scooters.
Which rooms have the best views at Alexander House?
Side rooms overlooking a courtyard or side street are often better value than 'city view' rooms that face a busy road. A higher back corner room may give a glimpse of the sea or the old town without the traffic noise.
What are insider tips for staying at Alexander House?
1. Book directly with the hotel and politely ask for a quiet room at the back. Small hotels often hold their best rooms for direct bookings. 2. If you arrive early, ask to see the room first. Front desk staff at a 3-star usually have the keys and can show you another if yours is too noisy.
What time is check-in at Alexander House?
Check-in at Alexander House is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Alexander House have Wi-Fi?
Free standard WiFi (up to 20 Mbps) throughout, no login or password needed. No paid upgrade tier.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Alexander House?
0.50 EUR per room per night, collected at check-in
Where can I eat cheaply near Alexander House?
A gyros pita from a souvlaki shop – around €3.50–€4.50 – is the standard budget lunch.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Alexander House?
Bus day pass (€5) covers the city network. From the airport, bus line 1 (€1.20) or line 6 go directly to the centre; taxis cost €10–€15.
When is the best time to visit Irakleion?
May, late September and October offer warm days (25-28°C), minimal rain and uncrowded museums; sea swimming is still pleasant in October.
Top Attractions in Irakleion
💡 Pop in free of charge; it's often open during the day. The courtyard is a quiet spot to escape the sun.
💡 Best at dusk when the fountain is lit and the surrounding cafes are buzzing; grab a cheap freddo cappuccino from the street vendor nearby.
💡 There's no charge to walk around the outside and take photos from the harbour wall. Inside is cheap (€4) and worth it for the sea breeze.
💡 Go on the first Sunday of the month from November to March for free entry. Otherwise buy your ticket online to skip the queue.
💡 Visit during the free open day on the last Sunday of each month. Otherwise it's only €5, which is good value.