Ancient olive groves, honey hives, rural mountainous villages, and Venetian architecture – Crete is a treasure trove of tradition.
Amongst these Greek rituals, state-of-the-art resorts and luxury abodes slot into the striking landscape – and the newest addition is JW Marriott Crete Resort & Spa.
Crete is the largest island in Greece’s expansive archipelago, and one of the most southern, backing onto the Libyan sea with Northern Africa as the next landfall. Find the new JW Marriott Crete Resort & Spa near Chania, on a north eastern tip of the island, far from the administrative capital, Heraklion city, and instead surrounded by local orchards, farmland, vineyards, and striking blue seas. Open this summer for its first pre-season, JW Marriott Crete marks the hotel group’s first outpost in Greece and is an impressive debut.
The Vibe
Flying over the northern tip of the island, as our plane descends into Chania airport we catch a glimpse of the sparkling-new JW Marriott Crete Resort & Spa glistening against the island’s rugged coastline. So close to the airport (a short 20 minute transfer down narrow, winding island roads), the hotel is an easy win for families and jaded travellers looking to unwind as quickly and as peacefully as possible. En route, our taxi driver explains how this rural part of Crete is very safe – cars and houses are regularly left unlocked – surrounded by local goat and honey farms.
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Sheltered from the high winds Greece is known to have, the resort stretches across 100 acres of land and overlooks the Marathi Cove, with sweeping views across distant bays – framed by the White Mountain peaks in the horizon – where small yachts anchor overnight. Athens-based design studio Block722 is the mastermind behind the modern, Greek-inspired cubic buildings, which house 160 abodes, a spa, and six restaurants alongside three outdoor pools. Throughout, Crete’s heritage is written in the stone and wood materials, water-focussed spaces, oregano and thyme planted on rooftops, and peppering of ancient olive and carob trees. The result is a remote-feeling but sophisticated resort that imbibes a trendy modernism in a peaceful slice of the island.
The Rooms
The resort spans 160 rooms, suites, and villas, but feels much more intimate than that: buildings are staggered up the gently sloping hillside and curve inwards to face into the heart of the resort. If you’re looking for additional privacy, a few suites overlook the back of the resort, with views over the Aegean that stretch blue for as long as the eye will allow. There are twelve different room types ranging from Deluxe Rooms to Family Suites with two bathrooms to split-level villas, and each comes with either a private plunge pool or private whirlpool.
A huge picture window that elegantly framed the resort – glowing orange every morning with the sunrise – was the focal point of our Deluxe Guest Room, which also came with a king-sized bed, ample lounge space, a semi-covered outdoor terrace, and a sleek stone-carved bathroom. A refined tonal minimalism carries through the room’s palette, and is the perfect setting to continue your relaxation away from the rest of the resort, with a glass of the complimentary bottle of wine or a mug of coffee.
The Food + Drink
With six dining options (as well as in-room service) every guest is well-fed here. Breakfast is served at the Mediterranean all-day dining spot, FAYI, where you can choose from the buffet (a fusion of Greek dishes such as kalitsounia and bougatsa pastries with the classic hot plates) or à la carte. The vibe is relaxed, and perfect for young families looking to dine at different times, as is the crowd-pleasing Italian spot Cuccagna, where you can watch pizzas sizzle over the fire in the open kitchen.
With high heats in the summer as well as the snow-topped White Mountain range which provides a constant water supply to nearby land, this side of Crete is very fertile, producing cherries, walnuts, peaches, oranges, grapes for wine, and more. And it shows in the flavours across each of the resort’s local-style restaurants. ONALOS serves up the fresh catch of the day family-style, with sharing plates of fresh tuna over bean salads, crayfish manestra, and crisp calamari to indulge in amongst an elegant, candle-lit, sea-side setting.
ANÓEE is a standout. Let the strings of festoon lights and sound of clinking wine glasses and cries of “yamas” (Greek for “cheers”) guide you down to this waterside, Cretan restaurant, where plates are cooked over the fire to champion the island’s culinary history. Stuffed vine leaves and courgette flowers, Cretan pilafi (slow-cooked lamb over lemon rice and yoghurt), boureki (potatoes, zucchini, tomato, and soft cheese stuffed in a handmade pastry) highlight the menu’s attention to Cretan classics. It’s here I learnt that good quality extra virgin olive oil should have an almost spicy aftertaste to prove its strength, and that the earthy and fruity bottles of Cretan wine (a focus on the wine menu) are incredibly good alongside it.
At dusk, as the scent of wild thyme drifts from the resort’s rooftops, flock to one of the water-surrounded conversation pits and enjoy a cocktail from bar EÉXIS’s long menu, developed in collaboration with Line Athens from The World’s 50 Best Bars using the resort’s thyme, fennel, rosemary, oregano, and lemon.
The Spa
All too often spas are described as “serene”, but ANOSEAS fits the brief. Tucked underneath the hotel’s reception building, the Greek-stone palette continues the restorative rhythm of Crete you’ll feel across the resort. Guests are welcome to indulge in its full suite of facilities – steam room, sauna, fresh ice from dispensers for temperature therapy, and a jet-stream pool – without the need to book. Morning yoga and Pilates sessions unfold under the soft Cretan light – no reservations required – while an air-conditioned gym offers a sleek space for a more energetic reset. The spa menu spans everything from restorative deep-tissue massages (which you can also order to your suite) to fitness counselling sessions and manicures.
The Little Extras
As soon as you arrive, your luggage will be whisked away to your room and replaced by a cooling welcome drink made with fresh thyme grown around the resort. JW Marriott Crete Resort & Spa is managed by the Greek SWOT Hospitality, and many staff working here are Cretan locals who know the landscape like the backs of their hands, and are more than willing to share knowledge about the best wines to drink and how to plan days out. Every morning, you’ll be greeted with a friendly “kalimera”, while babies and little ones are carefully fussed over by the lovely team who are more than happy to lend a helping hand so that parents can serve themselves at breakfast. The staff make the resort feel more like an intimate hotel, the kind you visit time and time again.
The To-Do List
You’ll most likely wish to while the day away from one of the stylish pool or waterside sunloungers, ordering cocktails and small bites from the pool-bar SUNCTI, and for that, we can’t blame you. (Side note: make sure to bag a lounger early in the morning as they are popular and are usually fully claimed after breakfast.) However, should you wish to pack in a few activities, the reception team is on hand to book everything from Cretan wine and olive oil tastings at the hotel to mountain hikes.
We recommend heading into Chania Old Town (a 30-minute transfer from the hotel) and watching the sun set over the Venetian harbour. It was built after the Venetians conquered the island in the thirteenth century and so there is an interesting medley of Greek, Italian, and Arabic influence (thanks to the island’s proximity to Northern Africa) amongst the architecture. Soak it all in at golden hour with a cocktail in hand.
FAQS about Crete
How do you get to Crete?
International airports fly regularly to both Heraklion International Airport and Chania International Airport, which is closer to the resort. You’ll find multiple flights a day flying direct from London.
When is the best time to visit Crete?
Greece’s high season is throughout July and August, where temperatures are highest and the most tourists arrive. You’ll find excellent weather during this time, however both late spring (May and June) as well as early autumn (September and October) are good times to visit, when milder (but good) weather and fewer crowds await.
What is Crete known for?
Crete is Greece’s largest island and is famous for its pink beaches, remote lagoon coves, White Mountain range, historic villages, and ancient architecture with both Venetian and Arabic influences.
How do you get around Crete?
Local taxi companies are your best option, and there will be plenty of contact details at airport kiosk desks or at your hotel’s reception.
What should I pack for Crete?
Crete is a southern Mediterranean island, so pack light materials including linens and cottons, comfortable shoes for hiking, as well as plenty of swimwear.
All images © JW Marriott Crete Resort & Spa
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